Top Five Sites in Ireland

Ireland is an island located off of the west coast of the United Kingdom and in the Atlantic Ocean. It is considered one of the British Isles, however ‘Ireland’ (the Republic of Ireland) is completely separate from Great Britain while ‘Northern Ireland’ is still a part of the United Kingdom.

Here are five top sites to visit:

Cliffs of Moher – Rising 120 metres above the sea, the Cliffs of Moher are located in County Clare near O’Brien’s Tower. It is known that you can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay from these Cliffs. It is warned for travellers to be cautious when going to these cliffs as there is no protection from the edge. Also, it is advised not to go when there are extreme winds. It is recorded that around one million people visit the cliffs every year.

Blarney Stone – Located in Cork, the Blarney Stone is famous for being a tourist hot spot. Here is where many come hoping for the great skills at flattery that are promised when kissing this Carboniferous limestone. The stone is actually part of the Blarney Castle, and has been since 1446. However, kissing the Blarney Stone is not as easy as it may seem. Since it is at the top of the castle, you must ascend it first and then, with assistance, lean over backwards to kiss the correct area of the stone.

St. James Gate, the Guinness Storehouse – If you love a good pint, it’s hard not to make a stop at this famous Irish landmark in Dublin. Here, you can learn about Arthur Guinness and how he came to create one of the most beloved stouts of all time. Like most alcohol tours, in the Guinness Storehouse you are taken through the process of making the beverage, with the ingredients barley, water, hops, and yeast. At the end of the tour, be sure to have your complimentary pint in the Gravity Bar (located on the seventh floor), where you can experience a perfect panoramic view of Dublin.

Giant’s Causeway – This national landmark is actually an accidental result from a volcanic eruption. Located in Northern Ireland in County Antrim, this site is actually now labelled as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is preserved by the National Trust. The basalt columns form hexagonal stepping stones that can reach a height of 39 feet.

Ring of Kerry – This circular route, located in County Kerry, is a popular tourist attraction as it takes you from Killarney, to Kenmare, to Killorglin, then back to Killarney. As it passes through different towns along the way, there are also sites such as Muckross and Ross Castle, Lough Leane, and Gap of Dunloe, just to name a few. There are even separate routes travellers can take such as Kerry Way or the routes through St. Finian’s Bay and Valentia Island. It is advised to, if possible, take your own car and utilise the circular route counter clockwise, as there are often delays with the different buses that take travellers in.

Destination: Ireland