These Attractions Make Ireland a Fun Vacation Destination

Blarney Castle is a medieval fortress in the town of Blarney. Several other castles and strongholds were built on the site, but the current castle was constructed in 1446 by the MacCarthy dynasty of Muskerry, which was a branch of the Kings of Desmond. The world-famous Blarney Stone is a part of the castle. Local legend holds that those who kiss the stone will receive the “gift of the gab” or great skill in speaking eloquently and flatteringly. The castle and the stone attract visitors from around the globe, who come to explore the castle and surrounding gardens and, of course, kiss the Blarney Stone.

Monacnapa, Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland, Phone: 35-32-14-38-52-52

Bru na Buinne is an area located on the bend of the River Boyne, which contains one of the most significant prehistoric landscapes in the world. The name of the area means palace or mansion of the Boyne. The area’s largest structures include three iconic passage tombs named Dowth, Newgrange, and Knowth. The tombs were constructed approximately 5,000 years ago in the late Stone Age or Neolithic Period. Nearly 100 other monuments have been found in the area. The tombs contain the largest collection of megalithic art in this part of the world. The area is preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a stunning example of history, cultural tradition, and the creativity and ingenuity of prehistoric humans.

Glebe, Co. Meath, Ireland

Bunratty Castle is a large, 15th-century castle in County Clare, and is the most intact and authentic castle in the country. It was carefully and beautifully restored in 1954 with historically accurate furnishings from the 15th and 16th centuries. In fact, the castle has the country’s best collection of medieval furniture, which can be explored solo at your leisure or by joining a docent-guided tour. There are nightly banquets where visitors to the castle can participate in a medieval feast and imagine what it might have been like to live in this magnificent castle during medieval times.

Bunratty West, Bunratty, Co. Clare, Ireland, Phone: 3-53-61-36-07-88

The Chester Beatty Library is a library and museum located at Dublin Castle. The library was organized in 1950 to preserve and display the private collections of well-known mining tycoon, Chester Beatty. The museum has won several awards and was given the honor of being named European Museum of the Year in 2002. There are two main collections in the museum, titled “Artistic Traditions” and “Sacred Traditions.” Both of the collections contain a variety of priceless items, including rare manuscripts, rare books, artwork from around the world, miniature paintings, prints, and more. Scholars from across the globe come to study rare manuscripts related to the Old and New Testaments as well as Islamic and Far Eastern artifacts.

Clock Tower Building, Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland, Phone: 3-53-14-07-07-50

Croke Park is a large GAA stadium in Dublin. The Gaelic Athletic Association is headquartered at the stadium, which is named after Archbishop Thomas Croke, although fans and locals often refer to it affectionately as “Croker.” The stadium is the third largest in Europe, with a capacity of more than 82,000 people. Visitors can catch a match or can book a stadium tour for a behind-the-scenes experience of the stadium. Some of the highlights include visiting the VIP area, the media center, dressing rooms, and the players’ tunnel as well as learning interesting facts about the stadium and GAA history.

Jones' Rd, Drumcondra, Dublin 3, Ireland, Phone: 3-53-18-19-23-00

Dublin Castle is a major government complex and historical site in Dublin, which was constructed near the beginning of the 13th century. For a number of centuries, the castle was the headquarters of English, and later on the British, government. In 1922, Ireland became an independent state and the castle was relinquished to the newly formed Irish government. Today, the castle remains an active government complex and is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can download a free app to take a self-guided tour of the castle. There are also docent-guided tours available as well as children’s tours and workshops.

Dame St, Dublin 2, Ireland

The Dublin Writers Museum is a museum dedicated to the rich Irish literary tradition, especially the literary history of Dublin. The museum occupies the space of a 18th-century house with a coffee shop and bookshop located in an annex next door. The upper floors have exhibition space and lecture rooms. The exhibits are dedicated to the heritage of Irish literature as a whole as well as to the works and lives of individual authors. Some of the famous writers featured in the museum include James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Patrick Pearse, and George Bernard Shaw. There are also some fine portraits of famous Irish writers on display.

18 Parnell Square N, Rotunda, Dublin 1, D01 T3V8, Ireland, Phone: 3-53-18-72-20-77

Several prehistoric hill forts stand on the Aran Islands in County Galway, and Dun Aonghasa is the most famous of these archeological treasures. It is located on the island of Inishmore and stands on the edge of a tall cliff. The exact date the fort was built is unknown, however it is thought that the first structures on the site were constructed around 1100 BC. The walls of the fort have been restored up to 6 meters high and feature stairways, wall walks, and chambers. The site has a small museum, which tells the story of the fort’s history and possible uses.

Kilmurvy, Co. Galway, Ireland, Phone: 35-39-96-10-08

Fota Wildlife Park is one of the most prominent wildlife and conservation attractions in the country. It is an independently owned nonprofit park located on about 100 acres on Fota Island. The park is home to approximately 50 species of birds and almost 30 mammal species. Visiting the park is a unique experience of being up close and personal with many of the animals. Visitors can interact with wallabies and ring-tailed lemurs, who roam freely. Other larger species have specially designed enclosures that offer an unobstructed view of the impressive animals in naturalistic habitats. Some of the animals you can see in the park are cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, gibbons, flamingos, penguins, and seals.

Foaty, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork, Ireland, Phone: 35-32-14-81-26-78

Guinness is one of the Ireland’s most famous brews. The St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin is the home of the Guinness Storehouse, where the famous beer is brewed. Visitors start their tour at the bottom of the seven-story building with a “pint glass atrium,” billed as the world’s largest pint glass. From there, the tour travels up through the seven upper floors, each of which has unique, interactive exhibits and experiences that tell the story of the company’s long history in the brewing business. The seventh floor houses the iconic, rooftop Gravity Bar, where you can finish your tour with a pint of the Black Stuff.

Guinness Storehouse, St James's Gate, Ushers, Dublin 8, Ireland, Phone: 3-53-14-08-48-00