Today we are going to Ireland, a country in Northern Europe that makes you dream in more ways than one, such as its magnificent landscapes, its cities and its pubs and a little less for its climate, it must be admitted. .
Although Ireland is a country with a climate with a rainy reputation, the fact remains that to visit Ireland is to contemplate sumptuous landscapes, some of which are world famous such as the famous Cliffs of Moher or the Giant's Causeway.
In addition to the landscapes, it is also the warmth of the pubs in its cities such as Dublin or Galway that have made the country's reputation. A country where it is good to drink a pint of Guinness in front of a rugby match of the XV du Clover.
Let's discover the essentials of the island of Ireland: understand the Republic of Ireland but also Northern Ireland.
10 must-see places to do in Ireland
- Dublin
- Galway
- Connemara
- Belfast
- Cork
- Cliffs of Moher
- The Giant's Causeway
- Killarney
- Kilkenny
- Limerick
Dublin
Let's start this article of the essentials to visit in Ireland with the capital of the Republic of Ireland: Dublin. With just over 500 inhabitants, Dublin is the largest city on the island but also the most touristic. Indeed, Dublin is the main point of entry into the country.
Dublin attracts a large number of tourists every year who come to discover the many attractions of the city. Its tourist district, Temple Bar, but also its (very) famous Guinness Storehouse museum or its distilleries, Teeling and Jameson.
Dublin is also home to some small treasures such as the essential library of Trinity College, the University of Dublin. A world-famous library that houses several hundred thousand books.
Dublin is also a city of museums, it houses some of the most beautiful and largest in the country such as the famous National Gallery, EPIC Museum, dedicated to Irish emigration, Dublinia which will tell you the history of the city, or still the national museum of archeology.
Leaving Dublin a bit, both north and south, you will inevitably come across small seaside resorts like Bray located a few kilometers south of Dublin or small fishing villages like Howth, north of the city. .
Galway
On the west coast of Ireland, the seaport of Galway seduces its visitors with its bohemian atmosphere and friendliness. One of the most dynamic cities in Ireland, Galway attracts many students from all backgrounds, contributing to the festive atmosphere that prevails there.
Galway city center can be visited in around 2 hours. During your visit, do not miss the Saint Nicolas cathedral as well as the remains of the fortifications erected by the Anglo-Normans in the XNUMXth century to protect the city. The stunning, colorful houses of the Latin Quarter are a must-see and home to some of the city's most renowned pubs, nightclubs and restaurants.
Throughout the year, famous festivals are organized in Galway: the arts festival in July, the Galway races (horse races) in July-August or the oyster festival in September, to name a few. cite just a few. At the gates of Connemara, Galway is an essential stopover in Ireland.
Connemara
In County Galway, discover Connemara and its unique landscapes that have inspired many artists over the centuries. A land of folklore and legends, the region amazes its visitors with its wild landscapes in soft hues, its peat bogs, its dry stone walls and its breathtaking lakes.
The inhabitants of Connemara are very attached to their heritage: most of them still speak Gaelic, and Irish ancestral traditions are widely represented throughout the territory.
Belfast
One of the most popular destinations in Europe, Belfast is one of the country's jewels. Capital of Northern Ireland, it is one of the essential visits to do in Ireland.
During your stay in Belfast, you can stroll through the heart of the city to discover its mural frescoes, its botanical garden and its magnificent town hall. Then leave the center to visit Belfast castle, located on the eastern flank of Cave Hill, an imposing hill offering stunning views of the city.
Belfast is also famous for having been the site of the construction of the Titanic, an ocean liner which sank in 1912. The Titanic Belfast Experience, a museum entirely dedicated to the history of the ship, is also worth a visit!
Cork
In the South West of Ireland, the city of Cork is also one of the country's must-see destinations. Its heart of town, erected on an island in the middle of the Lee River, will charm you with the bright colors of its Victorian and Georgian houses reflecting in the water of the river.
During your visit to Cork, also discover Fort Elizabeth and its fortifications, the two superb cathedrals of the city or the English market sheltered under a remarkable wooden frame. Stop by one of Cork's many cafes and pubs, and soak up the festive and friendly atmosphere.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are also one of the main tourist spots in Ireland. Over nearly eight kilometres, these rise up to 214 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. To best observe these limestone cliffs, you can climb to the top of the O'Brien tower to enjoy an even more spectacular view of the open sea, Galway Bay and the Aran Islands, an archipelago with an exceptional natural and cultural heritage. .
The Giant's Causeway
In Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway is a unique natural site in the world. This volcanic formation consists of 40 vertical columns of hexagonal basalt, the height of which can reach up to 000 meters! Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, it attracts millions of visitors every year.
Killarney
Another major tourist destination in Ireland, Killarney is the starting point of Killarney National Park, a haven of peace with majestic landscapes, and of the Ring of Kerry, one of the most important tourist routes in Ireland allowing visitors to discover the sumptuous landscapes of this region.
The colorful little town of Killarney has remarkable monuments: three churches, a cathedral, a castle, and outside the town centre, a menhir and a cromlech (stone circle of megalithic origin).
Kilkenny
The cobbled streets and medieval houses of this city, remarkably preserved, attract many visitors every year. Kilkenny Castle, one of the largest in Ireland and dating from the XNUMXth century, is also a tourist hotspot in the country.
The city of Kilkenny is also well known thanks to the beer of the same name, which is produced there in the oldest brewery in Ireland: Smithwick's. A museum, the Smithwick's Experience, is dedicated to this famous beer.
Limerick
Bordered by the River Shannon, in the west of the island, the city of Limerick is the third largest city in Ireland with more than 90 inhabitants. City steeped in history, its foundation dates back to the time of the Vikings, in the 000th century. Alternately occupied by the Irish, by the Normans or by the Anglo-Saxons, it will be attacked and besieged on numerous occasions.
During your visit to Limerick, you will be seduced by the remarkably preserved medieval city centre. The Sainte-Marie cathedral and the castle of King Jean, both dating from the XNUMXth century, are two major architectural elements not to be missed!
