We could wax poetic about Ireland’s many charms for hours. Instead, we’ve whittled it down to 6 reasons why Ireland is worth a visit. We’d be doing the country a disservice to say this was the definitive list – consider this a mere taste of what this spectacular destination has to offer.
Planning a trip to the Emerald Isle? Check out our DK Eyewitness Ireland for all the information you need to make the most out of your visit.
Planning a trip to the Emerald Isle? Check out our DK Eyewitness Ireland for all the information you need to make the most out of your visit.
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Ireland’s jaw-dropping landscapes have long been fertile ground for filmmakers. On the Atlantic coast you’ll find the breath-taking Cliffs of Moher, so magical they were featured in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Further south, off the coast of Kerry, lie the mysterious Skellig Islands. These jagged teeth piercing the ocean surface were once home to a group of monks – and more recently to Luke Skywalker.
In Northern Ireland, fans of Game of Thrones can look for dire wolves and white walkers in Tollymore Forest Park, follow Ned Stark’s fateful journey to King’s Landing through Ballymoney’s twisted Dark Hedges, and even visit the place where Melisandre gave birth to a shadow assassin at Cushendun Caves in County Antrim.
In Northern Ireland, fans of Game of Thrones can look for dire wolves and white walkers in Tollymore Forest Park, follow Ned Stark’s fateful journey to King’s Landing through Ballymoney’s twisted Dark Hedges, and even visit the place where Melisandre gave birth to a shadow assassin at Cushendun Caves in County Antrim.
Authentic pubs
Nowhere is the humble pub more celebrated than Ireland. Ever since the country’s oldest pub, Sean’s bar, began serving from around AD 900, thirsty locals have gathered to wash wit down with a whiskey or Guinness amongst friends. Wherever you go across the country, you’re certain to find plenty of places to grab a pint.
Two pubs notable for their locations are Kilkenny’s Hole in the Wall, housed within Ireland’s oldest townhouse, and Dirty Nelly’s, set in the shadow of Bunratty Castle. In the capitals, we recommend Dublin’s Stag’s Head and Belfast’s Crown Liquor Saloon, for their traditional Victorian features. Tigh Neachtain’s in Galway offers great trad music, while Dick Mack’s in Dingle promises fine whiskey in a half pub/half leather shop setting.
Two pubs notable for their locations are Kilkenny’s Hole in the Wall, housed within Ireland’s oldest townhouse, and Dirty Nelly’s, set in the shadow of Bunratty Castle. In the capitals, we recommend Dublin’s Stag’s Head and Belfast’s Crown Liquor Saloon, for their traditional Victorian features. Tigh Neachtain’s in Galway offers great trad music, while Dick Mack’s in Dingle promises fine whiskey in a half pub/half leather shop setting.
Ancient castles
Truthfully, Ireland boasts such an extensive list of ancient castles that it can be difficult to know where to begin. The eerie ruins of Dunluce Castle, perched on a steep crag on the Causeway coast, are shrouded in myth and worth visiting for their quirky history – the castle kitchens fell into the sea during a storm in 1639.
The magnificent medieval Rock of Cashel, which rises dramatically out of the Tipperary plain, is one of Ireland's most spectacular historic sites. Once the seat of the Kings of Munster until they handed the castle over to the Church, Cashel's many attractions include the walls of the roofless Gothic cathedral, which are riddled with hidden passages, and Cormac's Chapel, adorned with superb Romanesque carvings.
Looking for an immersive experience? Dunguaire castle, set on a promontory on the shore of Galway Bay, North of Kinvara, offers the chance to experience medieval banquets in its banqueting hall, complete with Celtic harp music and the recital of Irish poetry. Ashford Castle, just south of Cong, has been converted into one of Ireland’s best hotels where guests can stay like royalty.
The magnificent medieval Rock of Cashel, which rises dramatically out of the Tipperary plain, is one of Ireland's most spectacular historic sites. Once the seat of the Kings of Munster until they handed the castle over to the Church, Cashel's many attractions include the walls of the roofless Gothic cathedral, which are riddled with hidden passages, and Cormac's Chapel, adorned with superb Romanesque carvings.
Looking for an immersive experience? Dunguaire castle, set on a promontory on the shore of Galway Bay, North of Kinvara, offers the chance to experience medieval banquets in its banqueting hall, complete with Celtic harp music and the recital of Irish poetry. Ashford Castle, just south of Cong, has been converted into one of Ireland’s best hotels where guests can stay like royalty.
Food scene
Forget what you’ve heard about meat and potatoes – Ireland’s humble gastronomic beginnings are a thing of the distant past. The country’s culinary scene is now in full bloom and no better is this exemplified than Belfast, where creative chefs are putting local, seaonal produce on the menu, and you're never far from any number of quality cheap eats. Foodies should treat their taste buds at contemporary Italian restauraunt Coppi, where the mouthwatering menu includes freshly caught fish and steak from Peter Hannan.
If refined bistro cooking tickles your fancy, sample a gourmet pub lunch at Ireland’s first Michelin-starred pub, the Wild Honey Inn, located at the edge of the Burren. And for seafood, join the fun at Galway’s Oyster Festival for three days of shucking competitions, tastings, demonstrations, music and family events.
If refined bistro cooking tickles your fancy, sample a gourmet pub lunch at Ireland’s first Michelin-starred pub, the Wild Honey Inn, located at the edge of the Burren. And for seafood, join the fun at Galway’s Oyster Festival for three days of shucking competitions, tastings, demonstrations, music and family events.
Literary heritage
Ireland boasts a remarkable literary heritage that bookworms will enjoy discovering. The landscape of W.B. Yeats’ birthplace, Sligo, inspired some of his most famous poetry while the Mourne mountains provided the blueprint for Belfast-born C.S. Lewis’ narnia. Dublin’s most beloved sons, James Joyce and Samuel Beckett, can be traced across the city through a literary pub crawl of the haunts they frequented.
Even today, the country continues to produce outstanding writers that keep the world talking about Irish literature. Dalkey Book Festival, hosted across a number of pubs, cafés and even a medieval graveyard in the beautiful seaside village of Dalkey, is a great way to celebrate emerging Irish talent.
Even today, the country continues to produce outstanding writers that keep the world talking about Irish literature. Dalkey Book Festival, hosted across a number of pubs, cafés and even a medieval graveyard in the beautiful seaside village of Dalkey, is a great way to celebrate emerging Irish talent.
Outdoor activities
Ireland’s greatest attraction is the diversity of its landscapes, which offer outdoorists endless opportunity for adventure. Catch Atlantic breakers off the coast of Sligo, one of the world’s best surf spots. Cross the hair-raising Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, threaded above the ocean between two cliff faces along the Causeway coast. Or set your pulse racing for entirely different reasons on Kerry’s coastline, where you might be lucky enough to spy incredible humpback whales, orcas and basking sharks.
With endless incredible terrain, hikers are spoilt for choice. Ireland’s oldest walking route, the Wicklow Way, takes in the glassy lakes and tumbling waterfalls of Wicklow, the “Garden of Ireland.” Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk is a two and a half hour coastal walk suitable for families, while experienced hikers can challenge themselves on the knife-edged mountain ridges of Coomloughra Horseshoe.
With endless incredible terrain, hikers are spoilt for choice. Ireland’s oldest walking route, the Wicklow Way, takes in the glassy lakes and tumbling waterfalls of Wicklow, the “Garden of Ireland.” Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk is a two and a half hour coastal walk suitable for families, while experienced hikers can challenge themselves on the knife-edged mountain ridges of Coomloughra Horseshoe.
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