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from its rich celtic culture to the
breathtaking beauty of its varied
landscapes
ireland is a travel destination that
lives up to its
nearly mythic reputation the emerald
isle
really is that green the sites are truly
spectacular
and the people are genuinely friendly
despite its small size
bustling cities and sprawling suburbs
ireland still boasts stretches of roads
and trails where visitors can feel
as if they have the island all to
themselves
here's a look at the best places to
visit in
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ireland
number 10 galway
west ireland's largest city galway is
best known for its art galleries and
shops
most of which are located along the
winding lanes and cobblestone streets
of the city's charming medieval quarter
with several live
music venues and a thriving pub scene
galway is considered a major center for
traditional irish music as well
the harbour city is also known as one of
the few places left in ireland
where the irish language is still spoken
on the streets
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number nine erin islands
located off of the west coast of ireland
at the mouth of galway bay
the aran islands have attracted visitors
for centuries
isolated from the mainland inhabitants
on the islands have maintained a more
traditional lifestyle than in other
parts of ireland
offering visitors a glimpse into the
country's rich past
the three islands are dotted with
prehistoric forts and early christian
sites while the coast offers spectacular
views from
limestone clifftops
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number eight kinsale
known as the prettiest town in ireland
kinsale is nestled at the mouth of the
river brayden
famous for its particularly colorful
brightly painted rows of shops
which make simply walking around town a
joy
but there's history here too the remains
of the 17th century james fort
lies on one side of the river while
opposite it
is the even older fort charles nearby
is the old head of kinsale a rocky
outcrop that juts dramatically into the
celtic sea
complete with a 17th century lighthouse
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number 7 dingle peninsula
the dingle peninsula encompasses the
westernmost tip of ireland
offering visitors the appeal of a far
away destination
with the convenience of a nearby town
the landscape is dotted with remnants of
bronze age settlements
prehistoric stone markers and more than
500
monastic stone huts the monks who dwelt
in the so-called beehive huts
helped keep learning alive during the
dark ages
surfing and windsurfing are popular
activities on the peninsula's beaches
while dingletown with its lively pub
scene offers
fun and relaxation at the end of the day
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number six glendalock
just a few kilometers to the south of
dublin lies
glendalock a monastery founded in the
6th century
by saint kevin a hermit monk who figures
prominently in traditional irish legends
situated near two lakes in the glen
surrounded by forests
visitors are drawn by the area's scenic
beauty as well
as its rich history the largest
structure in the monastery is an
unfinished 9th century cathedral
but it's the round tower that many
visitors find the most striking
equipped with a pull-up ladder the
30-meter tower served as a last resort
refuge
during viking raids
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number five giants causeway
situated at the base of steep cliffs on
the northeast coast of ireland
the giant's causeway is a natural rock
formation
that does indeed look as if it were
fashioned by
giants the honeycomb formation of
hexagon-shaped basalt columns
appears too geometrically perfect to
have been shaped by nature
it actually took 60 million years of
tectonic plate movement
lava flows and erosion to fashion the
stepping stone columns
into their present shape cliff top
trails offer great views of the rocks
and a flight of steps leads down to sea
level
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number four killarney national park
scenic killarney national park has to be
on your ireland itinerary
not only is this park home to a
sprawling ivy covered
mansion and a 15th century castle but
also a captivating landscape
that makes up a biosphere reserve with
its three magnificent lakes and
ireland's biggest expanse of indigenous
forest
the beautiful scenery of killarney
national park is
captivating the best way to experience
killarney
is to take a drive along the 11
kilometer road
through the gap of dunlow and across a
landscape
sculpted by glaciers
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number three bruna boyne
remnants from ireland's ancient past are
found all over ireland
but the bruneboyne mounds in boeing
valley are not to be missed
three of the five thousand-year-old
burial mounds have been
fully excavated and are open to visitors
with its carved granite boulders and
white quartz facade
new grange is the most striking during
the winter solstice the passageway
along with the inner chamber is
illuminated by the sunrise that streams
through a roof box at the entrance
for 15 minutes the sun explores and
bathes the decorations in a rich amber
light
and then fades
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number two dublin
the capital of the republic of ireland
dublin is
surprisingly large for a country with a
total population of around
five million people a city with a
thousand-year-old past
dublin is both a historical city and a
bustling modern day port
historical attractions include dublin
castle
a norman fortress built in 1204 and
st patrick's cathedral completed in 1260
and still the nation's largest cathedral
whether exploring the james joyce museum
or swapping stories with locals over a
pint of guinness
a visit to dublin is a unique and
memorable
experience
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number one cliffs of moher
located in ireland's county clare the
cliffs of moher are an awe-inspiring
site
the coastal cliffs are made up of steep
214 meter stone
and run for 14 kilometers from the top
of the cliffs
the aran islands can be spotted across
the sparkling waters
the coastal walking paths along the
cliffs make for a fantastic
ramble among the natural landscape where
you can glimpse the castle-like cliffs
the cliffs have been the subject of many
folk tales and stories
and have been featured in numerous films
such as harry potter
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you