Ireland – land of giants and saints, land of music, fairy tales and fairy tales: Hardly any other European country is as green as Ireland
Even the name indicates the traditional colour of the Irish: «Ireland» developed from the Celtic word «Erin», which means «grassland». Anyone who has the chance to be in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March, will find (almost) everything coloured green on that day: In some cities even the rivers are colored green.
Ireland has a lot of sights to offer and it is difficult to choose the ten best places. We have asked former participants who were on their way to Ireland with us to exchange students. Here are their top 10:
We invite you to read one of our most recent post of: TIPS FOR A HOLIDAY IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL
Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath)
Every journey through Ireland begins and ends in Dublin. Ireland’s capital city has so many beautiful and historic sights that they alone could fill the list. To learn more about the history of Ireland, visit Kilmainham Gaol (Príosún Chill Mhaighneann), the prison where the political prisoners of the Easter Uprising were shot. Ireland’s most famous university, Trinity College (Coláiste na Tríonóide) has probably the most beautiful library in the world – but you have to pay to enter it.
Here it stands, the legendary Book of Kells, one of the most beautiful examples of book illumination from the 8th century. Leaving this magical room and going up a narrow spiral staircase, you reach the Rong Room at Trinity College – a mystical place: a 65-meter-long hall with high barrel vaults full of books and history.
Here, besides many old and valuable books, important Greek and Latin manuscripts as well as the most precious treasures of book illumination such as the books of Durrow and Armagh are kept. As soon as you leave the main exit of the college and turn left, you will see the most famous shopping street in Dublin, Grafton Street (Sráid Grafton). Turn right before Grafton Street and after a few metres you will come to one of Dublin’s most famous inhabitants: Molly Malone.
The statue was placed in front of St Andrews Church in the course of the tram construction. At the end of Grafton Street, St Stephen’s Green Park (Faiche Stiabhna) invites you to take a break. Have a cup of coffee, sit on one of the many benches or open spaces and enjoy the sun in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. Or look at the various sculptures and monuments. It’s always worth it.
Also worth a visit is the Guinness Storhouse where you can learn all about the history and production of Ireland’s most famous beer. At the top of the tower you can enjoy a panoramic view of Dublin and a small glass of Guinness. After the visit it is worth to visit Temple Bar (Barra an Teampaill), the celebration district of the capital, located in the middle of his heart.
There are some pubs and a lot of live music. If you’re there, visit another of Dublin’s landmarks, the Ha’penny Bridge (Droichead na Leathphingine) – a beautiful bridge that celebrates its 200th birthday in 2016 and takes its name from the toll pedestrians had to pay between 1816 and 1916.
The Phoenix Park (Páirc an Fhionnuisce), which is not only one of the largest inner-city parks in the world, but also includes the Dublin Zoo, provides peace and relaxation. We could list many more points, but also the rest of Ireland has many beautiful places to offer. If you don’t want to rent a car, you can also reach many of the points by bus in day trips from Dublin.
Glendalough (Gleann Dá Loch)
South of Dublin and west of Wicklow, in the middle of a lonely valley with two dark lakes, you will find the former monk settlement Glendalough. The 33 metre high round tower and the many well-preserved remains of the 7th century monastery founded by Saint Kevin exude a unique charm and tranquillity. If you are interested in old graves and ruins from the time of the Celts, you will not only be fascinated by the beautiful landscape.
Hiking enthusiasts will get their money’s worth around Glendalough and in the Wicklow Mountains. In addition to the Wicklow Way, which leads hikers from Dublin to Clonegal and also passes Glenadlough, there are many smaller hiking routes. A nice but longer way in Glendalough is the start at the Visitor Center to Upper Lake and around there. Here you can visit the sleeping place of St. Kevin or enjoy the view from the «Spinc» (but beware, there is a fast and steep ascent via wooden bars).
Cliffs of Moher (Aillte an Mhothair)
On the west coast of Ireland in County Clare you will find the most famous cliffs in Ireland. In 2014 more than 1 million visitors marvelled at the view of the rough cliffs.
The Cliffs of Moher drop about 200 metres steeply into the Atlantic Ocean over a distance of 7.5 km and offer a unique natural spectacle to the ever increasing number of visitors. Puffins, algae and cormorants nest here. In the past, any visitor who was brave enough could venture out to the edge of the cliffs.
As a result of careless tourists, a protective wall was built along the way in the meantime, so that the cliffs can now be visited more safely. Also here, hiking lovers get their money’s worth, as meanwhile, one can walk along the cliffs for 20 km between Liscannoer and Doolin. But be careful, not all paths are as protected as the place at the visitor centre. Many cinema and Harry Potter fans might be familiar with the cliffs, as they were the shooting location of the 6th part (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince).
The Burren (An Bhoireann)
A walk through the Burren is an adventure for flower lovers, because although the landscape seems dry and arid, flowers grow here that are usually found in the Alps. The secret: under the surface there are extensive cave systems and rivers. Among other things, you can visit the Ailwee Cave, a stalactite cave in Ballyvaughan.
Newgrange (Sí an Bhrú)
In the beautiful Boyne valley, west of Drogheda, is the most famous passage grave of Ireland. Newgrange was probably built around 2,500 BC, completely restored in 1962 and has been a World Heritage Site since 1993. Newgrange can only be reached by shuttle bus from the visitor centre. The buses also go to another (smaller) gangway grave to Knowth, whereby the respective journeys do not last long.
During a guided tour through the tomb, whose passage is 19 metres long and contains 43 bearing stones, one loses the feeling for space and time. However, the passage is not for people with claustrophobia, because it gets narrower and narrower until you stand in the small hall.
Especially impressive is the demonstration of a sunrise at the winter solstice. One stands in this ancient tomb, the light is switched off, one remains silent and suddenly a light goes through the dark room above the door arch at the centre line, like at a sunrise. An unforgettable experience that only selected visitors can marvel at.
If you visit Newgrange, you will have the chance to take part in a lottery where the winners will be invited to join Newgrange for the solstice.
Ring of Kerry (Mórchuaird Chiarraí)
The Ring of Kerry, a circular road leading around the Iveragh peninsula, is one of the most beautiful tourist highlights in Ireland. A good two thirds of the 179 km long route runs directly along the Atlantic and offers magnificent views. Favoured by its location on the Gulf Stream, the weather here is almost mild by Irish standards and the vegetation is surprising and varied.The roads are not very wide, so buses are only allowed to drive counterclockwise along the ring, as they would not pass each other. If you are on the Ring, you will find fantastic views. But there is also a lot to see inside.
Outside the Ring of Kerry there is a small island that recently became very famous and that should be familiar to every movie fan. The Skellig (Na Scealaga) – whose island Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichíl) is the home of Luke Skywalker in «Star Wars: The Awakening of Power». If you want to visit the island, then be early on the spot, because only about 180 people are allowed to visit this small island every day.
Dingle Peninsula (Corca Dhuibhne)
The Dingle peninsula stands for a beautiful landscape, for many varied leisure possibilities and for long sandy beaches. Golf courses, hiking tours, bicycle excursions and much more are offered here. The Ring of Dingle is considered to be the little brother of the Ring of Kerry and offers like this beautiful landscapes along the coastal road. The town of Dingle, which gave the peninsula its name, has the largest fishing port in Ireland.
A special attraction is a boat trip to Delfin Fungie, probably the most famous inhabitant of the peninsula. Fungi «moved» to Dingle in 1984. Fungie is not afraid of swimmers and has been the hero of poems and a television documentary for years.
Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig)
The Rock of Cashel was the seat of the king of the southernmost of the three counties of Ireland, Munster and also the bishop’s seat for some centuries from about 1200 onwards.
Giant’s Causeway (Clochán an Aifir)
Not really in Ireland, but nevertheless on the island and very worth seeing, it lies, the «dam of the giants«. This spectacular coastal landscape near the Northern Irish town of Derry has been a World Heritage Site since 1987. More than 37,000 basalt columns of different heights with a hexagonal to decagonal shape can be found here.
Giant’s Causeway (Clochán to Aifir)
About 60 million years ago, the columns were formed from volcanoes and fit into each other like steps, falling down towards the sea. Legend has it that the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill built a path here to compete with an adversary from Scotland. A really good story that you can listen to in the tourist centre.
Blarney Castle (Caisleán na Blarnan)
The former Holzburg castle is located north of Cork and has the stone of language fluency. Whoever kisses this stone (according to legend) receives the gift of free speech. Who now grins and thinks that nobody believes something like this anymore, should definitely visit Blarney Castle and see how many people stand in line to kiss this stone. Maybe you know the English term «Blarney», which stands for unnecessary talk.
