Cliffs of Moher
Dublin Castle
Guinness Storehouse
St Patrick's Cathedral
Temple Bar
Trinity College
Things to do in Dublin:
http://thingstodo.viator.com/dublin/
Temple Bar is wonderful for its lively atmosphere with music and art in bars and cafes. There are design shops particularly in Cow’s Lane; record, book and clothing stores; jugglers, restaurants and nightclubs. Head for Temple Bar Music Centre, or the National Photographic Archive and Gallery, Temple Bar Gallery and Studio – you get the cultural idea! On weekends there are markets in Cow’s Lane, Meetinghouse Square and Temple House Square, and in summer, outdoor film screenings are held in Meetinghouse Square. And where did that name come from? Well, probably not where you’re expecting: Temple was the name of the wealthy man whose house and garden occupied the area in the 17th century, and Bar means riverside walk.
How to spend a week in Ireland
With all the sights in your guide book, get a taste of city life or explore the untamed Irish countryside, these three itineraries should help you plan your week in Ireland.
Base yourself in Limerick or Galway to explore the many sights of County Clare, including the unique landscape of the Burren and the mighty Cliffs of Moher, which tower 214 meters over the Atlantic Ocean and offer expansive views over Galway Bay and the Twelve Pins. If you’ve still got time take a ferry from Galway to the Gaelic-speaking Aran Islands or discover the next big thing in Doolin, the center of traditional Irish Music. Spend your final evening enjoying an authentic medieval banquet in the grand banquet hall of Bunratty castle, where you’ll dine on gourmet cuisine served up by costumed waiters around a candlelit table – the perfect end to an action packed trip.
If you’d prefer to stay in the capital, it’s possible to visit many other cities as a day trip from Dublin, but for a change of scenery, end your holiday in Cork, where you can marvel at the exquisite St Finnbarr’s Cathedral and visit nearby Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone.
Things to do in Dublin:
http://thingstodo.viator.com/dublin/
Temple Bar is wonderful for its lively atmosphere with music and art in bars and cafes. There are design shops particularly in Cow’s Lane; record, book and clothing stores; jugglers, restaurants and nightclubs. Head for Temple Bar Music Centre, or the National Photographic Archive and Gallery, Temple Bar Gallery and Studio – you get the cultural idea! On weekends there are markets in Cow’s Lane, Meetinghouse Square and Temple House Square, and in summer, outdoor film screenings are held in Meetinghouse Square. And where did that name come from? Well, probably not where you’re expecting: Temple was the name of the wealthy man whose house and garden occupied the area in the 17th century, and Bar means riverside walk.
How to spend a week in Ireland
With all the sights in your guide book, get a taste of city life or explore the untamed Irish countryside, these three itineraries should help you plan your week in Ireland.
Itinerary 1: Ireland’s Top Attractions
Start your trip exploring the sights of Dublin, where you can visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College, tour the famous Guinness Brewery and explore the opulent chambers of Dublin Castle. Take a side-trip to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, one of Europe’s most significant Neolithic burial grounds, dating back to 3200BC, then head down the coast to Wicklow. Nicknamed the ‘Garden of Ireland’, the Wicklow Mountains National park offers a series of beautiful day walks, taking in the 6th century monastic ruins of Glendalough. From here, stop off at the beautifully preserved Kilkenny Castle and pay a visit to the historic Rock of Cashel, otherwise known as St Patrick’s Rock, as you head towards the west coast.Base yourself in Limerick or Galway to explore the many sights of County Clare, including the unique landscape of the Burren and the mighty Cliffs of Moher, which tower 214 meters over the Atlantic Ocean and offer expansive views over Galway Bay and the Twelve Pins. If you’ve still got time take a ferry from Galway to the Gaelic-speaking Aran Islands or discover the next big thing in Doolin, the center of traditional Irish Music. Spend your final evening enjoying an authentic medieval banquet in the grand banquet hall of Bunratty castle, where you’ll dine on gourmet cuisine served up by costumed waiters around a candlelit table – the perfect end to an action packed trip.
Itinerary 2: City to City
If you’re looking to see the sights without stopping in a different hotel every night, opt to split your time between the main cities and make the most of Ireland’s many day trips and tours. Fly into Belfast where you can explore the capital of Northern Ireland, home to the spectacular Titanic Experience (the famous ship was built in and set sail from Belfast) and close by the breathtaking landscapes of the Giant’s Causeway. Next stop is the capital and there are plenty of great day trips from Dublin – explore the historic sites of Glendalough, Newgrange and the Hill of Tara, once the seat of the High Kings, as well as traveling further afield to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Don’t forget to spend a night out in Dublin too – the city’s Temple Bar district is crammed with traditional pubs where you can sip Guinness with the locals while enjoying live Irish music.If you’d prefer to stay in the capital, it’s possible to visit many other cities as a day trip from Dublin, but for a change of scenery, end your holiday in Cork, where you can marvel at the exquisite St Finnbarr’s Cathedral and visit nearby Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone.
Itinerary 3: The Scenic Route
Ireland might be small but it boasts a startling variety of topography and this itinerary is designed for hikers and nature lovers who prefer to skip the cities and take the scenic route. Start in Cork with a visit to the legendary Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s most beautiful castles, then head south to Kerry to drive around the famous Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland’s most popular tourist trails. The 179 km circular road takes in popular sights like the Gap of Dunloe, the UNESCO World Heritage Skellig Islands, Ross Castle and the Torc Waterfall. Adventure seekers will also find plenty to keep them amused around the Ring of Kerry area – try kayaking or scuba diving from Dingle Bay, cycling the Dingle Peninsula or horse riding along the Portmagee sea cliffs.
Next, head to County Clare to undertake the cliff top walk along the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and hike through the Burren, then head north to discover the wild beauty of the Connemara National Park. A rugged paradise of sprawling marshlands, grassy plateaus and forest walking trails, this is the perfect place to go hiking and the Sruffaunboy Nature Trail is a popular option, where you can get a view of the countryside from the summit of Diamond hill.
Source: Zoe Smith
Source: Zoe Smith
