Ireland is a beautiful country scattered with pretty cities and full of lush green hills as far as the eye can see. I had the opportunity to experience plenty of it while traveling from the east side in Dublin all the way to the far west at the Cliffs of Moher. Below are the top ten sights/activities I would recommend if you are planning your own trip to Ireland in the near future!
10. Visit the Spire of Dublin
The Spire goes by many names according to Dublin locals - mostly as a joke though. One of the most popular nicknames we heard while in the city was 'The Stiffy by the Liffey.' This monument stands as a tall, pin-like structure in the center of Dublin and is known as the world's tallest piece of free-standing public art. It is a hard monument to miss if you are looking for it!
9. St. Patrick's Cathedral
Across the Liffey River in the midst of the buildings you may find yourself at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It is a beautiful building surrounded by a small park. It was early when we passed by, but we still got to explore around the outside. Definitely worth stopping for if you are passing by!
8. Cross Ha'Penny Bridge
The Ha'Penny Bridge is one of the many bridges that help you cross the river in the center of Dublin. However, this bridge stands out among the rest from its beautiful pristine design. This bridge was built back in 1816 originally as a tool bridge, and people would be charged a ha'penny in order to cross, making it Ireland's first toll bridge. Now, this pedestrian crossing is used for free and is crossed over 30,000 times every day.
7. Explore the Streets of Galway
Galway is a beautiful city nearer the east side of the country. It is a great place to explore and full of all sorts of restaurants and shops. This town is also known to be the festival capital of Ireland, holding roughy 122 each a year. It is a quaint yet lively city, and is definitely worth getting lost in!
6. Enjoy Beer with a Guinness Tour
If you ever find yourself in Dublin, it is no question that most locals you meet will ask if you enjoyed a pint of Guinness yet. This brand of beer is a huge staple. (So much so that even when we arrived at the Dublin airport at 4am, we found many people already enjoying a glass at some of the restaurants located inside!) You have to purchase a tour ticket in advance, but it is ultimately a self-guided tour where you can learn about the history of Guinness as well as the process of how their beer is made. As you continue to the tour, you are climbing floor by floor and eventually will find yourself at the Gravity Bar. This sits on top of the Guinness building, and every wall of the circular structure are full windows from ceiling to floor, so that you can see Dublin in every direction while enjoying a beer.
5. Taste Whiskey with a Jameson Distillery Tour
After Guinness, you can make your way back across the River Liffey to head to Jameson Distillery. The location almost seems hidden as it's tucked away between several buildings. When you walk in you are greeted with the bar area. If you booked a tour, you are given a ticket for a free drink that you can enjoy before or after the activity. The tour with Jameson was very different than Guinness - it is not self guided, but is very enjoyable. You are taken into one dark room and taught about the history of the brand before moving into another, larger room where you learn about the process of making whiskey. Finally, you end the tour in a third room where you taste three of their finest whiskeys.
4. Bar Hop in Dublin (Is Temple Bar Worth It?)
When you are heading to Dublin, you will hear a lot about all sorts of different pubs that you need to try out. They line the streets across the city so you are never too far from food and a cold glass of beer. The most popular bar you will hear is 'Temple Bar.' Every single local we spoke with told us to stay away from this place as it is overpriced. However, we did, admittedly, stop in for one drink just to say that we were there. But honestly it is just like any of the other pubs in the area and I recommend hopping around locations so that you can enjoy more diverse options.
3. See the Blarney Castle
Have you ever heard of the Blarney Stone? Well, it is located at none other than the medieval Blarney Castle. Many tourists visit this site every year in order to kiss the Blarney Stone upside down. In Irish folklore it is said that those who kiss the stone are gifted with eloquence and persuasiveness. (I am not certain that rules for kissing the stone may have changed in recent times due to Covid, but I have not heard or read that that is the case.)
2. Walk Along the Giant's Causeway
If you travel to Northern Ireland, you may find yourself visiting the Giant's Causeway. This is located along the coast and is made up of black basalt columns. The legends behind this landscape is that giants used it in order to travel across the sea to Scotland. You are allowed to walk across the causeway and see the beauty for yourself!
1. Stand Upon the Cliffs of Moher
My absolute favorite bucket list item from our trip to Ireland was seeing the Cliffs of Moher. They are located on the west side of the country, but are absolutely beautiful. These sea cliffs stand at over 700 feet above sea level and are home to numerous species of flora and fauna. This sight is an a definite must-see for anyone who is visiting Ireland.
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