written by
Rough Guides Editors
updated 7/20/2021
#01 Connemara
A varied landscape of mountains, lakes and beaches that’s great for walking, with some pretty villages to base yourself in.
© Remizov/Shutterstock
#02 Horse riding
Enjoy an invigorating hack along the beach or trek through the mountains on a pony.
© Gabriela Insuratelu/Shutterstock
#03 Glendalough
This wonderfully remote and beautiful mountain valley shelters an atmospheric monastery.
© Jefferson Orsi Siratuti/Shutterstock
#04 Festivals
Festivals abound throughout Ireland, not least on March 17 when the whole island celebrates St Patrick’s Day.
© Shutterstock
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#05 Dun Aengus
Spectacular cliff-edge fort, the Iron Age capital of the Aran Islands.
© The Drone Guys/Shutterstock
#06 Killarney National Park
The grandeur of the lakes and mountains has been drawing visitors to Killarney for over three centuries.
© Tiramisu Studio/Shutterstock
#07 Brú na Bóinne
One of Europe’s finest prehistoric sites, an extraordinary ritual landscape.
© RudiErnst/Shutterstock
#08 Kinsale
Explore the imposing forts and sample some of Ireland’s finest cuisine, in a glorious bay-side setting.
Roasted duck with marinated pear and red wine mascarpone © Maksim Toome/Shutterstock
#09 Skellig Michael
A remarkable and inspiring early Christian hermitage clinging to a mountain summit on a wild, bleak island.
© Andreas Juergensmeier/Shutterstock
#10 Chester Beatty Library , Dublin
An astonishing collection of manuscripts and artworks from around the world.
© Nikki Gensert/Shutterstock
#11 Croagh Patrick
It’s a stiff climb, but the fine views and the mountain’s religious and historical connotations make it all worthwhile.
©
Goran Djukanovic/Shutterstock
#12 Traditional music
Often loud, often raucous and always fun, traditional Irish music can be heard in many pubs and at dedicated festivals.
Playing celtic music © fred goldstein/Shutterstock
#13 Bantry House
A magnificent setting for some lavish artworks, among formal gardens overlooking
© dleeming69/Shutterstock
#14 Horn Head
Possibly the most breathtaking of County Donegal’s numerous rugged peninsulas, with plenty of exhilarating cliff-top walks.
© shawnwil23/Shutterstock
#15 Walking
Whether it’s a breezy seaside stroll or a more arduous long-distance path, one of the best ways to enjoy Ireland’s magnificent land- and sea-scapes is on foot.
© noel bennett/Shutterstock
#16 Oysters
Sample the shellfish at numerous locations along Ireland’s coast or try your hand at an oyster-opening competition.
© Shutterstock
#17 Horse racing
Take a trip to one of Ireland’s many racing festivals, savour the banter, pick up some tips and have a flutter.
© gabriel12/Shutterstock
#18 The Burren
A barren expanse of cracked limestone terraces, stretching towards the Atlantic and peppered with a multitude of fascinating megalithic remains.
© MNStudio/Shutterstock
#19 Kilmainham Gaol
A grim encounter with the Spartan conditions experienced by those deemed enemies of the state with superb displays on Irish political history.
Kilmainham Gaol Prison, Dublin © matthi/Shutterstock
#20 Ór in the National Museum, Dublin
Lavish gold ornaments, preserved by the peat bogs since prehistoric times.
© trabantos/Shutterstock
#21 The Rock of Cashel
Rising high above the Golden Vale, the Rock features an entrancing group of early ecclesiastical remains.
© PHB.cz (Richard Semik)/Shutterstock
#22 The Giant’s Causeway
Marvel at the eerie but entirely natural basalt formation of the Causeway.
© Gigi Peis/Shutterstock
#23 Guinness
The black stuff really does taste better in its own country, especially in its home town, Dublin.
© saul goodman/Shutterstock
#24 Derry’ s City Walls
A visit to Derry is incomplete without a stroll around the ramparts of the only completely walled city in Ireland.
© Lucky Team Studio/Shutterstock
Top image: Rock of Cashel © Shutterstock
Travel advice for Ireland
written by
Rough Guides Editors
updated 7/20/2021
