Best Attractions in Ireland
In comparison to many other major tourist destinations, the country of Ireland is quite a small place. However, there are nevertheless countless spectacular and unique sightseeing opportunities that make Ireland truly unmissable.
In the west of Ireland in Letterfrack, part of Galway County, the Connemara Countryside is one of the country`s five national parks. It covers two thousand hectares of breathtakingly beautiful mountain countryside and allows miles and miles of magnificent walks, including the signposted nature trail which runs from the Letterfrack Visitor Centre and includes views of Inishark, Inishbofin and Ballinakill Harbour.
On the West Clare coast, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland`s most famous tourist attractions, being the tallest cliffs in the whole of Europe. They face the Atlantic Ocean and, in history, functioned as watch towers for warning of Vikings invading.
Located in North County Kerry and South County Clare, the Burren is an enormous limestone-covered area where plants grow that will not flourish at any other location in the world. At the Burren Outdoor Pursuit Centre, you can go caving, canoeing and rock climbing.
In County Cork can be found Blarney Castle, which is one of the country`s most historic and oldest castles. The Blarney Stone, embedded in the castle`s battlements, is said to grant the `gift of the gab` to anyone who kisses it.
In the Killarney National Park in Kerry County, you will find the three Lakes of Killarney. Within the lakes are sights such as Ross Castle and Muckross Abbey.
Another amazing sight within this National Park is Muckross House, an amazing Victorian mansion which was visited by Queen Victoria in 1861. The house`s gardens are truly spectacular, nestled in the awe-inspiring scenery of the lakes and mountains of Killarney.
Also in County Kerry are the Blasket Islands, made of red sandstone and found at the tip of the Dingle Peninsula. On many of these strangely beautiful islands are ruined forts and hermitages, which are evidence of historic occupation.
Just south of Dublin at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains are the Powerscourt Gardens. Famous worldwide, these consist of over forty five acres of ornamental lakes, sweeping terraces and formal gardens, including walled gardens, rambling walks and secret hollows.
In County Meath, Newgrange is a mysterious structure which is approximately five thousand years old. Its original use is unknown; however, it has been suggested that it was a calendar, since it allows sunlight in on the winter solstice each year.
In the north of the country is the famous Giant`s Causeway. Legend has it that the giant Fionn MacCumhaill created the landmark by throwing huge rocks into the sea in an attempt to get to his wife, who was in Scotland. In actual fact, the geographical anomaly was formed by an eruption.
A good way to visit all of these attractions is by car, since Ireland is a relatively small country. Why not start with a
car rental Dublin and embark on a round trip of all these amazing sights?