Top 5 Things To Do In Ireland
January 11, 2012 | Top Travel Lists, Travel Tips, World travel
Luring visitors in with its stunning scenery, ancient history and influential culture, Ireland is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for tourists. All in all, it’s a fantastic place to visit if you’re looking for a wide variety of sights and activities within a small, navigable area.
Here are our top 5 picks for things to do in Ireland:
5) Rock of Cashel:
Located in the County Tipperary, Cashel is small city rich in history and attractions, including the stunning Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock. Containing prehistoric raths, medieval monasteries, and a Gerogian cathedral among many other sites, the majority of the buildings on the Rock of Cashel site date from the 12th and 13th centuries.
4) Giants Causeway:
The Giant’s Causeway is located in County Antrim in Northern Ireland and is an area of nearly 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, jutting from the sea. Scientists say that 50 to 60 million years ago, the area was subject to intense volcanic activity, which produced this cluster of closely packed hexagonal columns. The site is named the 4th greatest wonder in the UK.
3) Temple Bar district:
Although it is usually swamped with tourists, the Temple Bar District is full of colorful traditional pubs, microbreweries, a variety of restaurants, shops, and music venues. The narrow, cobbled streets give the area an authentic feel and it’s in the heart of Dublin, making it easy to get there from most places in the city.
2) Blarney Castle:
This notable medieval ruin is famous for the Blarney stone, a block of bluestone built into a battlement at the top of the castle. Blarney was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty and dates to before AD 1200. Although it is partially a ruin today, there are still some accessible rooms and battlements, as well as extensive gardens and rock formations on the grounds.
1) Cliffs of Moher:
You might recognize the Cliffs of Moher from most Ireland brochures, as they are one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Ireland. They tower 400 ft above the rough waters of the Atlantic and offer stunning oceanviews. As it is the poster-child of Irish scenery, it can get mobbed with tourists. But Lonely Planet says that if you walk 10 minutes away past the end of Mother Wall south, there is another trail along the cliffs to Hag’s Head that is a lot less crowded.
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