Dublin’s Trinity College
The renowned Trinity College was founded in Dublin in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. founded. Among Trinity College’s most famous students were Samuel Beckett and Jonathan Swift. In addition to many green areas, the old library is worth seeing. It houses 200,000 ancient texts. The Long Room is also spectacular. It is almost 65 meters long and the university’s most valuable books are kept here.
Ring of Kerry
In the south is County Kerry and the 170 km long scenic route Ring of Kerry, probably the most beautiful coastal road in Europe. The landscape is defined by rugged bays, picturesque beaches and precipitous cliffs. The main town in the area is Cahersiveen with the birthplace of freedom fighter Daniel O’Connell. There are many small and cozy places to discover along the route.
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Cliffs of Moher
Ireland’s most visited and breathtaking tourist attraction is the Cliffs of Moher. They rise 214 meters on the west coast. The Cliffs are the epitome of raw beauty, raging wind and green expanses. The view into the depths fascinates 700,000 visitors every year. The cliffs, which are also home to many species of birds, extend over eight kilometers. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy the view across the Atlantic to the Aran Islands on the opposite side. If you want to avoid the queues at the visitor center, buy your tickets online.
Rock of Cashel
Visible from afar, the silhouette of an impressive ruin in the south of the island rises into the sky. This former church with its towers and battlements is also called the Irish Acropolis. High on a limestone rock, St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, is said to have baptized King Aengus in the 5th century. Well preserved buildings at the Rock of Cashel include a round tower and a Romanesque chapel with expressive carvings.
Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle is located in the picturesque Lee Valley around eight kilometers from the city of Cork. The castle is framed by a lovingly landscaped park and is home to the famous Blarney Stones. Passing a well-preserved fireplace room of the castle, you have to climb 120 steps of the tower. The Blarney Stone is 29 meters high and you have to crawl up to it carefully in order to kiss it. According to old traditions, whoever manages to do this should be blessed with a talent for speaking.
Dingle Peninsula
Dingle Peninsula is very attractive. The coastline of the Dingle Peninsula is almost 50 kilometers long and is characterized by rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and a large number of early Christian monuments. Many visitors come here for hiking, biking and dolphin watching. A 30-kilometer coastal road offers spectacular panoramic views. Worth seeing are the 2000 or so megalithic tombs and the beehive huts. In earlier times, these stone huts provided safe accommodation for many monks.
Killarney National Park
In the south of County Kerry, at the foot of the McGillycuddy Reeks mountain range, are the famous Lakes of Killarney. Ireland’s first national park was established here in 1932. Killarney National Park stretches over 10,000 hectares and offers ideal conditions for trout fishing and hiking. Rare plants such as ferns and lichens form the habitat for red deer species, as do old oak forests. Worth seeing is the Muckross House. It is picturesquely situated on the shores of Muckross Lake and is surrounded by a flower and rock garden. Ross Castle and Torc Waterfall are also not far from there.
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle is located in the heart of Dublin’s Old Town. It was built on the site of a former Viking fortress. The tower has been preserved from that time. The remaining buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries. The representative rooms are still used today for official events and receptions. The former royal chapel serves as a cultural center.
Dublin Zoo
The most visited attraction in the capital is Dublin Zoo. Located in Phoenix Park, it is the largest zoo in Ireland and the fourth oldest in the world. It is home to a variety of animals and the spacious grounds with park offer plenty of space. The monkey enclosure opened in 1996 as a themed enclosure with a series of smaller islands. Each of these islands has a different species of monkey. Since 2000 there has also been a large savannah-like enclosure for the African animal species. The zoo is a member of the European conservation breeding program.
Jameson Heritage Centre
The small town of Midleton in County Cork is home to the Jameson Heritage Center whiskey distillery. The old distillery, housed in a former mill, has the largest copper still in the world. In the adjoining, new distillery, 23 million bottles of whiskey are produced annually. At the Jameson Heritage Center you can learn about the key steps in making Irish whiskey. You learn, among other things, the differences between American and Scottish whiskey and can form your own opinion during the subsequent tasting.
Wicklow Mountains National Park
In the east of the country, the Wicklow Mountains stretch south from Dublin. At the heart of this area lies the Wicklow Mountains National Park with a visitor center in Glendalough. Many visitors come out of the city, especially on weekends, to relax while hiking in the mountains. The 132 km long Wicklow hiking trail invites you to do so. Especially in summer, a magnificent violet carpet of color covers the slate slopes of the mountains. Information on trails can be found at www.irishtrails.ie.
