Ireland

Be it the bustling energy of Dublin, the sylvan surroundings of Connemara or the heritage sites of the Celts, Ireland is a gift for the curious traveller. Add a dash of chirpy Irish music, lyrical language, folklore, interesting breweries and you’ll begin to understand the fascination!

Must Dos

Walk out with a halo after your tour of the Trinity College, especially the Old Library.
Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle for good luck.
Fill up at Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse and Jameson distillery.
Hit the Natural History Museum at Dublin for a kids’ day out. There are over ten thousand animal specimens on display.
Let the froth roll, after all this is Guinness and Beamish country.
Grab the opportunity to see a 3,000-year-old field sport – Hurling. Considered fast and furious in any age!
From atmospheric ruins to well preserved buildings, there’s a castle in every direction. Right at the head of the list are Cahir, Kilkenny, Dublin and Ross Castles. You can also stay in one.
Go Celtic and witness a sun or moon ceremony at the Celtic Druid Temple, Roscommon.
Stay in the Kerry region and spend the night at the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the few places on earth where you can witness the glories of the sky, through the naked eye. This includes constellations, star clusters and Nebulas.

Wonder at this succession of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that appear on the North Irish coast, disappear under the sea and re-appear mysteriously in Scotland. The folklore surrounding it is every child’s delight. What do they care if it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site or not?!!

Older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids, this pre-historic monument is near the Boyne River. Walk through breath taking tombs, edifices and passageways. A notable shaft in the roof lets a beam of sunlight through, exactly on the day of the winter solstice.

Nature and history battle it out for your attention on this 110 mi stretch across the spectacular Iveragh Peninsula. When you’ve had your fill of mountains, glades, bogs, rivers and unspoilt lakes, stop by charming villages like Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem. See the 6th century monastery (UNESCO Heritage Site) perched on windswept cliffs at Skellig Islands, the Staigue Stone Fort (Iron Age) and the beguiling Ogham Stones.

Ireland has authentic public houses or ‘pubs’ dating back to the 11th century. Each Irish city proudly lays claim to having the most colourful, folkloric pub in the Emerald Isle. Do drop in for a pint of Guiness, wonderful conversations, trad (music) sessions and pub grub.

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