Ireland is a land of breathtaking landscapes and rich history. If you’re planning a trip, here are 32 magnificent places that showcase the country’s beauty and charm.
1. Glenariff Forest Park (Antrim)
Glenariff Forest Park: Hidden from the crowds heading to the nearby Giant’s Causeway, Glenariff Forest Park is home to the Waterfall Walkway, featuring a total of three stunning waterfalls along its path.
2. Poulnabrone (Clare)
Poulnabrone: This Neolithic portal tomb in the Burren region of Clare dates back to 4,200 BC and attracts around 200,000 visitors each year.
3. Laytown Races (Meath)
Laytown Races: Beach volleyball isn’t the only sport that can be played on sand. Thirty miles north of Dublin, a full race meeting is held each September on an east coast beach in Meath, with thousands in attendance.
4. Inishmore (Galway)
Inishmore: The largest of Galway’s Aran Islands, this area boasts a flat karst terrain crisscrossed with limestone cracks.
5. Benbulbin (Sligo)
Benbulbin: Located in Yeats Country, this jaw-like slab of the Dartry Mountains gained its distinctive shape during the Ice Age.
6. Ballintoy Harbour (Antrim)
Ballintoy Harbour: A fishing village that doubled as the Iron Islands in “Game of Thrones,” it’s located near the terrifying Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
7. Cliffs of Moher (Clare)
Cliffs of Moher: This famous attraction rises 214 meters and attracts around a million visitors each year, located on the southwest edge of the Burren region.
8. Mount Errigal (Donegal)
Mount Errigal: The tallest peak in Donegal is renowned for its pinkish glow at sunset.
9. Moll’s Gap (Kerry)
Moll’s Gap: Part of the world-famous Ring of Kerry, it offers magnificent views of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountains.
10. Killiney (Dublin)
Killiney: Stay in this exclusive seaside suburb south of Dublin, where you might spot celebrities like Bono and Enya.
11. Mussenden Temple (Derry)
Mussenden Temple: An 18th-century folly originally built as a summer library, perched dramatically on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic.
12. Connemara (Galway)
Connemara: A region officially recognized as a Gaeltacht, or Irish-speaking area.
13. Castlegregory (Kerry)
Castlegregory: Known for its surfing spots, it’s located between the towns of Dingle and Tralee.
14. Tollymore Forest Park (Down)
Tollymore Forest Park: Known for its scenic waterfalls, bridges, and grottoes, it inspired C. S. Lewis’s fictional land of Narnia.
15. Powerscourt Estate (Wicklow)
Powerscourt Estate: A grand estate known for its house, landscaped gardens, golf course, and Ireland’s highest waterfall.
16. Strangford (Down)
Strangford: This village is at the mouth of Strangford Lough, the largest inlet in the UK.
17. The Skelligs (Kerry)
The Skelligs: Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stark beauty featured in “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens.”
18. Trinity College Long Room (Dublin)
Trinity College Long Room: This 65-meter chamber of the Old Library has inspired renowned writers including Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett.
19. Tyrella Beach (Down)
Tyrella Beach: This beach is celebrated in the folk song by Percy French about the landscape of Mourne.
20. The Burren (Clare)
The Burren: A vast karst landscape featuring fossils and unique rock formations.
21. Dublin Docklands (Dublin)
Dublin Docklands: This area has seen significant development, including the Convention Centre and Samuel Beckett Bridge.
22. Ross Castle (Killarney)
Ross Castle: A 15th-century tower house located on Lough Leane.
23. Blarney Castle (Cork)
Blarney Castle: Famous for the Blarney Stone, attracting visitors for centuries.
24. Newgrange (Meath)
Newgrange: This 5,000-year-old tomb older than the Egyptian pyramids is an architectural wonder aligned with the rising sun.
25. Glendalough (Wicklow)
Glendalough: A glacial valley with a sixth-century monastic settlement founded by Saint Kevin.
26. Kinsale (Cork)
Kinsale: A charming coastal town known as Ireland’s foodie capital along the Wild Atlantic Way.
27. Dark Hedges (Antrim)
Dark Hedges: Recognized from “Game of Thrones,” this avenue of beech trees is a popular tourist attraction.
28. Lismore Castle (Waterford)
Lismore Castle: A 12th-century castle offering exclusive hire for those seeking a unique experience.
29. Achill Island (Mayo)
Achill Island: The largest island off Ireland’s coast, characterized by stunning natural beauty.
30. Allihies (Cork)
Allihies: This walking route around the Beara Peninsula offers spectacular mountain and sea views.
Conclusion
These 32 breathtaking destinations in Ireland showcase the country’s natural beauty and rich history. Whether you’re captivated by the scenic landscapes or the enchanting cultural sites, Ireland has something for everyone.
