Our Destinations
Discover Ireland's Most Iconic Landmarks
Dublin Castle
Explore 800 years of Irish history at this iconic medieval fortress turned government complex.
History
Dublin Castle was founded in 1204 by King John of England. For over 700 years, it served as the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland. The Castle has been witness to some of the most significant events in Irish history, from the Norman invasion to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Today, it serves as a major tourist attraction and a venue for state receptions and presidential inaugurations.
Exhibitions & Highlights
The State Apartments are among the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Ireland, featuring stunning period furniture, paintings, and decorative arts. The Medieval Undercroft provides a fascinating glimpse into the original Norman castle, with archaeological remains dating back to the 13th century. The Chapel Royal, designed by Francis Johnston, is a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture.
Visit Information
Location: Dame Street, Dublin 2
Opening Hours: Daily 9:45 AM - 5:45 PM
Highlights: State Apartments, Medieval Undercroft, Chapel Royal, Record Tower
Giant's Causeway
Marvel at the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity.
History
Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site formed 60 million years ago by volcanic activity. According to legend, the causeway was built by the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) to cross the sea to fight the Scottish giant Benandonner. The site consists of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, most of which are hexagonal, though some have four, five, seven, or eight sides. The tallest columns reach heights of 12 meters (39 feet).
Exhibitions & Highlights
The award-winning Visitor Centre offers interactive exhibitions exploring the myths, legends, and science behind the Causeway. The exhibition includes geological displays, audio-visual presentations, and hands-on activities. The site features several walking trails, including the Blue Trail (moderate), Red Trail (challenging), and Green Trail (easy). Key formations include the Giant's Boot, Wishing Chair, and the Organ, a series of columns resembling a pipe organ. The coastal path offers stunning views of the North Antrim coast.
Visit Information
Location: Bushmills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM (summer), 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (winter)
Highlights: Basalt Columns, Visitor Centre, Coastal Walks, Giant's Boot, Wishing Chair
Glendalough
Explore the mystical valley of two lakes with its ancient monastic city and round tower.
History
Glendalough, meaning "Valley of Two Lakes," was founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin, a hermit priest. It became one of Ireland's most important monastic cities and a center of learning for over 500 years. The monastery flourished until the 12th century when it was destroyed by English forces. The site includes the remains of churches, a round tower, and various monastic buildings. The two lakes, Upper and Lower, are surrounded by mountains and ancient woodlands, creating a mystical atmosphere.
Exhibitions & Highlights
The Visitor Centre features an exhibition about St. Kevin and the history of the monastery, with artifacts and interactive displays. The site includes the iconic 30-meter round tower, one of the finest examples in Ireland, dating from the 10th or 11th century. The Cathedral, the largest church on the site, features beautiful stone carvings. St. Kevin's Church (also known as St. Kevin's Kitchen) is a well-preserved example of an early Irish church. The Reefert Church and the Priest's House are also notable structures. The area offers numerous walking trails through the Wicklow Mountains.
Visit Information
Location: County Wicklow, Ireland
Opening Hours: Daily 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM (summer), 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (winter)
Highlights: Round Tower, St. Kevin's Church, Cathedral, Two Lakes, Walking Trails
Kylemore Abbey
Discover the romantic Victorian castle and Benedictine abbey set in Connemara's stunning landscape.
History
Kylemore Abbey was built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry, a wealthy English doctor, as a romantic gift for his wife Margaret. The castle was designed in a neo-Gothic style and took four years to complete. After Margaret's death in 1874, Mitchell Henry lost interest in the property. In 1920, the Benedictine nuns purchased the estate and established a boarding school for girls, which operated until 2010. The abbey remains a working Benedictine monastery and is one of Ireland's most romantic and beautiful buildings.
Exhibitions & Highlights
The abbey features beautifully restored rooms including the Drawing Room, Dining Room, and Library, showcasing Victorian elegance. The Gothic Church, built as a memorial to Margaret Henry, is a miniature replica of Norwich Cathedral. The Victorian Walled Garden, one of the last of its kind in Ireland, has been restored to its original 19th-century splendor. The Potting Sheds and Head Gardener's House offer insights into Victorian gardening techniques. The estate includes a craft shop, restaurant, and tea house. The surrounding Connemara landscape provides stunning mountain and lake views.
Visit Information
Location: Connemara, County Galway
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (summer), 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (winter)
Highlights: Victorian Rooms, Gothic Church, Walled Garden, Connemara Landscape
Skellig Michael
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site with its 6th-century monastery perched on a dramatic island.
History
Skellig Michael, also known as Great Skellig, is a steep rocky island 11.6 kilometers off the coast of County Kerry. The island was the site of a monastery founded between the 6th and 8th centuries. The monks lived in beehive-shaped stone huts (clocháns) and followed a strict ascetic lifestyle. The monastery was abandoned in the 12th century, but the structures remain remarkably well-preserved. The island gained worldwide fame when it appeared as Luke Skywalker's hideaway in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and "The Last Jedi."
Exhibitions & Highlights
The island features the remains of the monastery, including six beehive huts, two oratories, and a church, all built using the dry-stone technique. The 600 stone steps leading to the monastery offer breathtaking views but require good physical fitness. The island is also home to one of the world's largest gannet colonies, with over 70,000 birds. The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre on the mainland provides exhibitions about the island's history, wildlife, and the filming of Star Wars. Boat trips to the island are weather-dependent and must be booked in advance.
Visit Information
Location: Off the coast of Portmagee, County Kerry
Season: May to September (weather permitting)
Highlights: Beehive Huts, Stone Steps, Gannet Colony, Star Wars Location, Visitor Centre
Powerscourt Estate
Wander through Ireland's most beautiful gardens surrounding an 18th-century Palladian mansion.
History
Powerscourt Estate dates back to the 13th century when it was a strategic site for the Anglo-Normans. The current Palladian mansion was built in the 1730s by Richard Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt. The house was extensively renovated in the 19th century but was severely damaged by fire in 1974. The estate has been carefully restored and is now one of Ireland's premier tourist destinations. The gardens were designed in the 19th century and are considered among the finest in Europe.
Exhibitions & Highlights
The estate features 47 acres of formal gardens, including the Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, Walled Garden, and the famous Pepperpot Tower. The house itself contains the Powerscourt Distillery, a craft distillery producing Irish whiskey and gin. The Avoca Handweavers shop offers traditional Irish crafts and textiles. The estate also includes a golf course, luxury hotel, and several restaurants. The Powerscourt Waterfall, at 121 meters (397 feet), is Ireland's highest waterfall and is located nearby. The gardens offer stunning views of the Sugarloaf Mountain.
Visit Information
Location: Enniskerry, County Wicklow
Opening Hours: Daily 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM (gardens), 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (house)
Highlights: Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, Powerscourt Waterfall, Distillery, Mountain Views
Bunratty Castle
Step back in time at Ireland's most complete medieval fortress and folk park.
History
Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. The current structure was built in 1425 by the MacNamara family and later came into the possession of the O'Briens, the largest clan in North Munster. The castle was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor. The Bunratty Folk Park, opened in 1963, recreates 19th-century Irish village life with authentic buildings moved from various locations around Ireland. The site provides a complete picture of Irish life from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
Exhibitions & Highlights
The castle contains beautifully furnished rooms with period furniture, tapestries, and works of art from the 15th and 16th centuries. The Great Hall features a minstrels' gallery and is the setting for the famous medieval banquets. The Folk Park includes over 30 buildings, including a schoolhouse, doctor's house, post office, and various farmhouses. The park features farm animals, traditional crafts demonstrations, and costumed interpreters. The Walled Garden showcases plants that would have been grown in medieval times. The site also includes a traditional Irish pub and restaurant.
Visit Information
Location: Bunratty, County Clare
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (summer), 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM (winter)
Highlights: Medieval Castle, Folk Park, Medieval Banquets, Walled Garden, Traditional Crafts
Connemara National Park
Experience the wild beauty of mountains, bogs, and heaths in this pristine wilderness.
History
Connemara National Park was established in 1980 and covers 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heaths, and grasslands. The park is part of the larger Connemara region, known for its wild, untamed beauty and traditional Irish culture. The area has been inhabited for over 4,000 years, with evidence of ancient settlements, stone circles, and megalithic tombs. The park protects important habitats for native flora and fauna, including the Connemara pony, red deer, and various bird species. The landscape was shaped by the last Ice Age, creating the dramatic mountains and valleys seen today.
Exhibitions & Highlights
The Visitor Centre features exhibitions about the park's geology, wildlife, and history, with interactive displays and audio-visual presentations. The park offers several walking trails, from easy nature walks to challenging mountain hikes. The Diamond Hill trail provides spectacular panoramic views of the Twelve Bens mountain range and the surrounding countryside. The park is home to Connemara ponies, which can often be seen grazing in the fields. The area is rich in archaeological sites, including ancient stone walls and prehistoric monuments. The park's diverse habitats support a wide variety of plant and animal life, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.
Visit Information
Location: Letterfrack, County Galway
Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Visitor Centre), Park open 24/7
Highlights: Diamond Hill Trail, Twelve Bens, Connemara Ponies, Visitor Centre, Mountain Hikes