IRELAND’S HISTORIC & CULTURAL TREASURES BEYOND DUBLIN
It’s easy to lose yourself in the famous sights of Ireland: the medieval treasures of Dublin, windswept coastlines of the Atlantic along the Cliffs of Moher or The Ring of Kerry. But what about the sights that lie between Dublin and the enchanting roads of the west coast? Well, Ireland has plenty of wonders to see, which stretch far beyond these iconic sights. Part of the joy of Ireland’s modest size is that most of its sites are easily accessible to travellers exploring by car, coach, or train.
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Ireland’s Second Cities
As the second-largest city in Ireland, Cork is a great spot for travellers to spend a few nights. They can explore the surrounding countryside during the day while returning to savour its culinary treats each night. A few nights in Cork will dispel the outdated notion that Irish cooking is bland; this city is serious about good food and drink, which includes a dedication to a good cup of coffee. Galway is an equally appealing base for a few days on the west coast. It’s close to the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands, but it’s also an energizing contemporary city in its own right. Travellers who love music will find plenty of live music at bars and clubs across the city, as live music seems to be its ever-present soundtrack.
Irish Foundations
Just to the north of Dublin lies Bru Na Boinne, the Valley of the Boyne, which is a complex series of megalithic tombs and art that’s older than the Egyptian pyramids by a full 3,000 years. It’s even older than Stonehenge, so if travellers are wanting to explore ancient Ireland, there’s no better place to go. Although they should be sure to book in advance, since it’s one of Ireland’s hottest tickets. Regarding relatively more recent history, the Rock of Cashel is one of the foundational spots in Ireland. It’s the location where St. Patrick converted the Celtic King Aenghus to Christianity. The remaining medieval ruins are probably the best in the nation, as are the surviving buildings, including Cormac’s Chapel, which acts as a time machine back to the 12th century.
Ireland’s Most Famous Castle
Travellers looking to unlock the “gift of gab,” or simply take some goofy photos to post on social, will want to put Blarney Castle on the itinerary. Home to the namesake stone, Blarney Castle is one of Ireland’s most touristy attractions, where travellers can line up to kiss the famous stone and see if it bestows its famous eloquence. Of course, actually kissing the stone is no simple feat. Beyond the queues, it includes bending over backwards, holding onto an iron railing, and puckering up to kiss a piece of rock that has seen its fair share of lips over the years. Even if travellers aren’t keen to actually kiss the rock, the 600-year-old ruin is a fun historical site to explore, especially if travellers are staying the night in County Cork.
First published at Travel Industry Today
