A Trip Beyond Ordinary.
Few places in the world will capture you quite like Ireland, where romance, history and spirituality suffuse the air, and where the people are always quick to offer a helping hand, a pint in a pub or a bit of native wit or just good conversation – it goes without saying they are known in these parts for the gift of gab. From Celtic myths to the artifacts of early Irish monks, to the lives of patriots, Ireland is a country where stories come alive and where adventures are waiting to be made. There is a charm to the everyday and whatever your interest you will find it here – literature, history, adventure, ancestry, music, crafts or you may just want to take in the lush surroundings and meeting the locals. Whatever your reason for visiting Ireland you will go home with a smile on your face and memories to last a lifetime.
Ireland has hundreds of highlights and attractions, these are just some of the “must-sees”:
Dublin, the social, cultural and political capital of Ireland, is one of the great cities in Europe and the home to a wide and diverse array of sights, sounds and activities. Gaze upon the magnificent 1,200-year old gospel texts of the Book of Kells at Trinity College, enjoy a tour of the world-renowned Guinness factory on the banks of the Liffey, or for whiskey lovers – a tour of Jameson’s or Teeling’s distilleries.
Shop at the richly varied stalls and storefronts of Grafton Street. Visit Kilmainham Gaol where Leaders of the rebellions were detained. Tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle.
Fronting the pounding Atlantic and marking the western edge of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are among the most dramatic sea-cliffs in the world and a breathtaking sight to behold.
The boldest among you will want to climb to the top of O’Brien’s Tower, where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over Galway Bay – and the pulsing surf of the sea pummeling the coast nearly 700 feet below. For a different perspective take a cruise along the bottom of the cliffs and admire this gift of nature from the water.
One of the most photographed places on the planet, the southwest counties of Cork and Kerry offer quaint cities, Celtic crosses, countless small-town pubs, traditional Irish music, activities for every interest and spectacular landscapes. From the ever-changing coastline of the Dingle Peninsula to the stunning lakes of Killarney – this is Ireland as it’s existed for centuries.
The south of Ireland and counties of Cork, Waterford and Kilkenny offer some of the finest crafts and best cultural offerings in Ireland. Kilkenny has perhaps the best pub scene in the entire country, Waterford is known the world over for its matchless crystal work and the town of Kinsale for its pottery crafts, history and great restaurants in this loving fishing village, not to mention castles, university life, thriving markets, famous chefs, falconry, stunning cliff walks and irresistible accommodations.
Northern Ireland has more stunning scenery, championship golf courses, a riveting history and is now also an extremely popular place for TV and film sites such as Game of Thrones. The vibrant and cosmopolitan capital city of Belfast, is a living testament to the sometimes violent but very interesting political and religious history of the north of Ireland. Belfast boasts a proud musical history and the beat shows no signs of slowing down. Modern bands that more than do their elders justice are on tap nightly at clubs and pubs all across town.
The Oh Yeah Music Centre’s Belfast Music Exhibition proudly showcases memories and memorabilia of artists from Van Morrison to Snow Patrol. Take to the streets for a guided bus tour of musical Belfast including Ulster Hall, where Led Zeppelin first performed “Stairway to Heaven,” and Van Morrison’s childhood home. Don’t miss the Titanic Belfast Museum – this visitor attraction extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition.
Drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interactive features you will explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day in the Ocean Exploration Centre.
Travel north through County Antrim to the Causeway Coast and visit the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO world heritage site. Formed either by a volcano or a giant this unparalleled display of geological formations dates back to 50-60 million years ago. Stop at the ruined Dunluce Castle, perched on an ocean cliff so precipitous that the castle’s kitchens dropped into the sea one night in 1639.
Test your head for heights by walking the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge above the waves from clifftop to island and back. Take a tour of the Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest working distillery in Ireland and vist the city of Derry/Londonderry – this is Northern Ireland’s second city and home to one of Europe’s youngest populations. Known for the city walls – an enduring engineering marvel of the age. Nearly a mile of stone walls, built between 1613-1618, encircle inner Londonderry (Derry) go on a tour or stroll on your own on one of Europe’s very finest surviving walled cities.
Wild Atlantic Way
