5 places to visit in Ireland

Ireland, also known as the Emerald Isle, is a country located in the North-Western Europe known for its fantastic landscapes, friendly locals, and stunning scenery. It boasts one of the richest cultures in Europe, with over 7 000 years of history and some of the best-preserved ruins of the continent, including several castles and fortresses. Ireland is a popular tourist destination, also appreciated for its evolving cuisine, one of the most underrated in Europe. If you are planning on taking a trip to Ireland, here are 5 places that you should mandatorily visit while there:

Dublin

Dublin, the country's capital, is undoubtedly the first destination you should visit in Ireland. Located on the East coast of the country, Dublin is not only a city of pubs, Guinness beer, and Trinity College, but also a romantic and very atmospheric place to explore. In 2010, it was even recognized by UNESCO as a City of Literature, thanks to its numerous writers and poets such as Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, and William Butler Yeats. Dublin is definitely a must-see destination on your journey. In 2010, it was even recognized by UNESCO as a City of Literature, thanks to its numerous writers and poets such as Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, and William Butler Yeats. Dublin is definitely a must-see destination on your journey.

Galway

The city of Galway is located in the province of Connaught in Western Ireland and it is often referred to as the “Cultural Heart of Ireland”, since it is well-known for its live music, dance, and traditional Irish songs. Thanks to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, it is a great place to eat fresh fish and seafood, being especially appreciated for the oysters. In 2018, Galway was named the European Region of Gastronomy for being a place of unique, tasty food and culinary excellence. In 2018, Galway was named the European Region of Gastronomy for being a place of unique, tasty food and culinary excellence.

The Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are a group of three islands- Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer- situated on the West Coast of Ireland. Apart from having spectacular sea cliffs and golden beaches, this place is also known for its production of Aran sweaters. Back in the day, this clothing was worn by fishermen when they went out to sea and it quickly became a staple of the place. If you are lucky enough to visit the Aran Islands, make sure to purchase an original jumper, but if due to COVID you have to postpone your trip to better times, you can find authentic Irish knit sweaters online at Tara Irish Clothing. If you are lucky enough to visit the Aran Islands, make sure to purchase an original jumper, but if due to COVID you have to postpone your trip to better times, you can find authentic Irish knit sweaters online at Tara Irish Clothing.

Bunratty Castle

Bunratty Castle is a national monument in County Clare, Ireland's Mid-West area. Its Irish name means "Castle at the Mouth of the Ratty," implying a link between the castle and the surrounding Ratty River. The castle is Ireland's best-preserved medieval fortress. Many well-known Irish families have lived there throughout the years, but the castle was practically in ruins for more than a decade after the roof of the Grand Hall collapsed in the late 1800s. It was rebuilt throughout time, and the castle first opened to the public in 1960, and it remains a major landmark of Irish history and culture to this day.

Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park is located in Kerry, Ireland's south-western corner. It was established in 1932 and was the country's first national park, covering an area of approximately 102.89 km2. The key objective of the park these days is environmental protection; it has a complex ecosystem, with numerous rare and unique plants, trees, animals, and birds, such as the red deer, European pine marten, and golden eagle. The Killarney National Park is a great place to visit, especially for those who are interested in wildlife.

Places to visit and attractions for tourists are abundant and infinitely varied. The state museums are all free, heritage sites date to prehistory, and there are endless outdoor pursuits to enjoy countrywide, such as horse riding, golf, sailing, and numerous remote, wild islands to explore. And, of course, there's the famous Irish "craic" (good time) to enjoy, wherever you decide to go.

When summer comes, and the sun splits the skies, it’s normal behaviour for people to jet off to a foreign destination to enjoy the better weather. It is easy to forget just how beautiful a country the Emerald Isle really is and to overlook these famous and best places to visit in Ireland.

The Emerald Isle has all you need. From all provinces and all corners of the country, there are boundless places to come and see. Here are ten of the best places in Ireland that everyone should visit once.