20 Must-Visit Attractions in Ireland

The smallest of Ireland’s six national parks, Burren National Park comprises a small section of the glacio-karst landscape that covers much of north County Clare. Formed around 350m years ago, this spectacular area – known as the Burren, taken from the Irish boireann, meaning “great rock” – has an incredible geological significance and unusual biodiversity. The Arran Islands off Galway are also worth visiting and considered an extension of the Burren. The area is home to the Poulnabrone dolmen (tomb) and the now-famous Aillwee cave system, which was accidentally discovered by a local farmer in the 1940s.

Ireland’s most famous prehistoric monument, the Newgrange passage grave originated in the Neolithic or New Stone Age period – around 3200BCE – and is older than Egypt’s pyramids. Its most notable feature is the roof box above the passageway entrance, which aligns with the rising sun on the winter solstice to allow the tomb’s chamber within to fill with sunlight.

The partly ruined Medieval fortress at Blarney is one of Ireland’s most visited castles, with the original structure first built in the 10th century. The current structure was constructed by the McCarthy dynasty in the 15th century; here, you can explore dungeons and idyllic grounds that are home to wishing steps, a witch stone and kitchen and the Badger’s Cave. The castle is also the home of the Blarney Stone – a limestone block said to bestow “the gift of the gab” onto anyone who kisses it.

One of mainland Ireland’s most westerly points, Dingle Bay separates the two incredibly picturesque headlands of Kerry’s Iveragh and Dingle peninsulas. As well as driving the world-famous routes around the headlands – the Ring of Kerry and Slea Head Drive – you should take a boat trip to meet Fungie. A wild bottlenose dolphin famous for its love of humans, it has lived in or around the bay since 1983.

The dramatic Skellig Islands lie off the coast of Portmagee, and the summit of Skellig Michael towers more than 200m (656ft) above sea level. It’s a Unesco World Heritage site and the site of a former monastery, which was in use up until the 12th century and has remained well preserved despite the harsh Atlantic weather. Given its other-worldly atmosphere, it’s unsurprising that it was chosen as a filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).

Formed during the ice age, Ben Bulben is the jewel in the crown of the Dartry Mountains. As well as offering panoramic views of Sligo Bay beneath, this peak is strongly tied to Irish mythology and literature, particularly through the work of the poet WB Yeats, who is buried in the graveyard below it.

The islands off West Cork are a worthy focal point on the western side of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way tourism route. Each one offers something distinctive, from Dursey with its ocean-crossing cable car and the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) island of Cape Clear to Garnish and its historic gardens.

The highlight of the Waterford Viking Triangle – an award-winning cultural and heritage area in Ireland’s oldest city – is Reginald’s Tower, the country’s oldest urban civic building, now a museum. Another Waterford County highlight to visit is Dunmore East, a beautiful fishing village founded before the time of the Vikings, during the Iron Age.

County Tipperary’s Rock of Cashel was originally built to be the seat of the kings of Ireland’s southern Munster region, and the ruins include a chapel, cathedral and graveyards scattered over a plateau. The site comprises one of Europe’s most significant collections of Celtic art and Medieval architecture.

The Unesco-designated Dublin Bay Biosphere covers more than 300sqkm (116sqmi) and includes coastal areas such as Howth Head and North Bull Island, the latter of which is home to several endangered habitats. Bird and plant lovers will appreciate the chance to see many rare species here, but Dublin Bay is also important in that it is the only biosphere reserve worldwide that includes a national capital city within its area, reflecting Ireland’s unique appeal.

One of the most scenic regions in all of Ireland, the Killarney National Park is another Unesco Biosphere Reserve, renowned for the beauty of its lakes and mountains. It’s also the protector of rare Irish flora and fauna – a safe home to the country’s largest surviving area of indigenous forest and its only herd of native red deer. Ireland’s oldest national park, it was established in 1932 when the 4,452ha (11,000-acre) estate belonging to Muckross House was donated to the Irish Free State.