10 Most popular Icons and Landmarks to visit in Ireland

By mozzercork – Wikimedia

10 Most popular Icons and Landmarks to visit in Ireland

Ireland is the second-largest island of the British Isles. This region is full of iconic landmarks, breath-taking natural beauty and rich culture.

There are rolling mountains perfect for hikes, explore the Giant’s Causeway, tour the Guinness Storehouse and experience their delicious gastronomy.

The Republic of Ireland has several medieval castles, ancient history, vibrant music and friendly locals.

This country receives more than 12 million tourists annually. There are so many charming villages to visit, museums, parks and so much more.

Here are the most popular Icons and Landmarks to visit in Ireland.

1. Blarney Castle, Cork

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Blarney Castle is a great escape from the busy city centre. It has lush green gardens perfect for picnics and relaxation.

This castle dates back to the 13^th century and is famously known as the stone of eloquence. The original castle was made of timber before it was replaced with stone fortification.

 Further renovations of the castle were done in 1446. The Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle.

When here, make sure not to miss kissing the Blarney rock. Legend has it that you will get the gift of the gab.

2. The Cliffs of Moher, Munster

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No words can justly describe the cliffs of Moher. These absolutely wild and rugged cliffs are nothing short of natural beauty.

It is the most visited landmark in Ireland by millions of tourists from all over the world. The cliffs stretch for about 8 kilometres with the highest peak being 214 metres tall.

One way to have a great experience of these cliffs is by visiting the Moher visitors experience.

3. Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary

The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most remarkable tourist attraction. This Icon has historic significance to the country and has several medieval buildings.

A visit to this place reveals other monumental structures such as a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, and a fifteenth-century Tower House.

This was once the seat of the kings of Munster. Legend has it that St. Patrick visited the palace and declared Aenghus the King of Munster in the 5^th century.  

The Gothic Cathedral was constructed between 1235 and 1270.

4. Grafton Street, Dublin

On your next visit to Dublin, be sure to check out this popular street. It is a one-stop shop for all your shopping and dining needs.

There are flower shops, musicians and other street performers. The store owners here are friendly and will ensure you have a great shopping or dining experience.

This street was originally residential but that changed with time after it got connected to Carlisle Bridge.

One place not to miss is the Bewley’s coffee house that has been there since the early 20^th century. This café is popular with artists.   

5. Titanic Quarter, Belfast

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Belfast is another Irish city with interesting landmarks. The Titanic Quarter is found in the heart of Belfast.

This is where, you guessed it right, the infamous Titanic ship was built. This has been replaced with a modern, state-of-the-art, Titanic-themed maritime museum.

There are film studios, education facilities, apartments, and a riverside entertainment district.

You will also find Harland & Wolff cranes, known as the largest free-standing cranes in the world.

6. The Ring of Kerry, Munster

The Ring of Kerry is a picturesque drive around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry.

It is a circular route that takes you through a rugged and lush coastal landscape of seaside villages for about 179km.

There is a rocky island that was occupied in the 7^th century by Christian monks who built a monastery. To get to this monastery, you will take a boat from the mainland.

To fully explore this famous route, you can choose to start from either the Kenmare or Killarney ending.

While there, you could participate in several water sports, go cycling, fishing, horse riding or deep-sea fishing.

7. The Monastic City of Glendalough, Dublin

Glendalough is home to one of the most important medieval monasteries in Ireland. This complex was commissioned by St. Kevin in the 6th century.

The city has a rich history, picturesque scenery, wildlife and several fascinating archaeological findings.

Most of the buildings still standing on this site survived destruction from the Vikings in the 10^th and 12^th centuries.

Visit the information centre for more detailed audio-visual presentations.

8. The English Market, Cork

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A visit to the English Market while in Cork is a must. This is one of the top attractions of this city.

There is more to this market than just the groceries, vegetables and friendly vendors.

This market has been fundamental in serving the people of Cork through famine, flood, war and multiple recessions.

The market offers an array of delicious traditional food, cheese and other treats.

9. The Aran Islands, Galway Bay

This is a group of three islands found at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. They became famous in 1934 when they were featured in the documentary, Man of Aran.

About 12,000 islanders call the Aran home and speak Gaelic. This windswept, rugged and picturesque island is breath-taking.

A visit to the Island will get you to feel like you have travelled through time. Experience the culture of the islanders which is completely different from that of the mainland.

One place not to miss while on the island is the Worm Hole. This is a natural rectangular pool into which the sea flows.

10. Killarney National Park

By mozzercork – Wikimedia

The Killarney National Park & Lakes region is packed with beautiful scenery and natural beauty.

One of the top attractions in this park is the Gap of Dunloe. It is a narrow rocky mountain pass that was carved by glaciers.

The gap separates Purple Mount and its foothills from Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. Another highlight is the Ross Castle.

This park has winding lanes and cycling paths that offer the best ways to explore the park and its hidden treasures. There are other outdoor sports such as canyoning and hiking.