When I think fo Ireland, I picture rolling green hills and of course leprechauns! It really does live up to its name as the Emerald Isle with a countryside that is truly green. This also means it rains A LOT to keep it that way. In parts of the country it rains over 60% of the year so make sure to pack accordingly as you can expect to be outdoors for the majority of your trip to really take in the amazing landscapes.
Besides the lush green landscape there are also around 30,000 castles dotted around the country. These castle range in age with the oldest dating back to the 11th century all the way up to the 19th century. Some are still very well preserved and worth a visit.
With so many sweeping viewpoints along the coast of Ireland the best way to see the country is by car. And who doesn’t love a good road trip! But watch out for the winding country roads especially if you’re use to driving on the right side of the road instead of the left!! I stayed in the south which is pretty small so it’s easy to drive around to see all of the highlights this region has to offer.
- Dublin – for city scapes & a real taste of Guinness
- Kilkenny – for a quick stop to see Kilkenny Castle (It’s possible to add Cahir Castle as a stop too)
- Waterford (oldest city) – for its old town charm & crystal
- Cork – for the food & Blarney Castle (& the infamous Stone!)
- Killarney – for the National Park & Ross Castle
- Ring of Kerry – for the scenic drive
- Ennis – for the historical town
- Cliffs of Moher – for the views
- Galway – for the nightlife, festivals & maybe a night at Ashford Castle (Guinness family’s old home & now a luxury hotel)
