11 Best Places to Go in Ireland

Dublin, Ireland

This city of poets may be renowned for its pubs, but Dublin is a destination with much to offer, including gorgeous Georgian squares, beautiful public spaces, literary haunts, and world-class interactive museums. Explore Trinity College, an almost-600-year-old university, and see its famous Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the Gospel known for its elaborate designs.

Take off for Temple Bar's cobbled streets and legendary nightlife along the River Liffey, or dine in one of Dublin's many eateries bearing Michelin stars (Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud has two). And of course, pop into the Guinness Storehouse for a pint and the lowdown on how the city's celebrated brew is made.

Galway, Ireland

Known for being the smaller, slightly more bohemian cousin to Dublin, Galway's name comes from the Irish word gaill, or "outsider." It's appropriate, then, that this diverse little city is filled with foreign students, artists, and unique pubs pounding with live music (including during the Galway Arts Festival).

Take a walk on the seaside promenade of Salthill or in picturesque Connemara National Park. If the city's characteristic rain decides to fall, visit the indie shops that speckle the city, such as cozy Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, or the many jeweler's shops that specialize in claddagh rings and other baubles.

Limerick, Ireland

With a small collection of amazing museums, medium-sized Limerick is a down-to-earth Irish city with plenty of history to explore. Its Hunt Museum houses one of Ireland's most complete collections of art, including works by Picasso and Renoir, as well as archaeological finds like the ninth-century Antrim Cross.

The Frank McCourt Museum is based in the Angela's Ashes author's former school and includes fascinating recreations of his life and times. Beyond these institutions, medieval cathedrals and castles offer further finds. And children will love the Foynes Flying Boat Museum's aviation exhibits, flight simulators, and Boeing 314 replica.

World-Class Golf Courses In Ireland

Some 300 golf courses dot the green and rolling hills of Ireland, so it's no wonder that the game draws visitors, both champion and amateur alike.

Hit the links at a number of top-ranked courses, including Royal Portrush in County Antrim with its seaside views and undulating fairways, or the Trump-owned Doonbeg (non-golfers can relax in its posh spa or its luxury resort rooms). And if you can snag an invite, members-only Royal County Down is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world, with greens fees to match.

Castles In Ireland

From their imposing medieval ruins to the moody windswept hills on which they sit, Ireland's castles are among the most haunting (and visited) sights. Of its famous fortresses, don't miss the Rock of Cashel (or St. Patrick's Rock), a 12th- and 13th-century edifice that rises from an emerald hill. Within its medieval architecture is a remarkable collection of Celtic art. Of course, Blarney Castle has always been a main draw for visitors to the Emerald Isle. Beyond just its well-smooched Blarney Stone, 60-some acres of tranquil gardens and grounds await, as well as its fascinating Badgers Cave and former dungeons. And Kilkenny Castle, known for its pastiche of architectural styles, stands grandly over the River Nore; its grounds contain a rose garden and an ornamental lake. (Some castles you can even sleep in.)

Northern Ireland has its fair share of legendary castles, and some of its most famous can be found in County Antrim. The quintessentially romantic ruins of Dunluce Castle are not to be missed. Perched on the coast, Dunluce looks out onto a ribbon of blue sea, its grounds threaded with blooming poppies. (In fact, its wild setting is thought to be the inspiration for Cair Paravel in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.) The vast, stone-gray fortress is accessed via footbridge.

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Driving is one of the best ways to see Ireland's magnificent western coastline and the many natural wonders inland. The newly launched and wildly easy to navigate Wild Atlantic Way will take you there, with 157 "Discovery Points" along its 1,500 miles. Take a road trip to the Slieve League Mountains in County Donegal; nearly three times as high as the well-known Cliffs of Moher, these seaside cliffs and steep walks are breathtaking.

Drive the Dingle Peninsula to Europe's westernmost town for a boat tour or a visit to the shops (including famous Murphy's Ice Cream, where you can sample salann, or Dingle-sea-salt-flavored ice cream). The Wild Atlantic Way will also lead you to the Ring of Kerry, a tourist route that neighbors the coast and holds some of Ireland's most beloved beaches, castles, forts, and the stunning island of Skellig Michael.

Wicklow National Park, Ireland

Just outside Dublin, find some 20,000 hectares of gloriously open parkland spotted with historical structures, visitors' centers, flora, and fauna. Trundle through blanket bog and deciduous forest on your way to Glendalough, a medieval monastic settlement tucked into a glacial valley.

Fish, swim, or even scuba dive in the chilly Upper Lake or walk Wicklow's many nature trails (you may see an elusive Peregrine falcon). At the end of a busy day, find perfect camping ground in the park or stay in plusher accommodations in the villages of Laragh, Wicklow Town, Macreddin, and Aughrim.

Cliffs Of Moher, Ireland

The towering slate-and-shale Cliffs of Moher are arguably the most famous and photographed natural sight in Ireland. Stretching for five miles along the coast and reaching heights of 700 feet, the cliffs offer visitors dramatic views of the surrounding sea, of the Aran Islands, and, on a clear day, all the way to Connemara. At the southern end sits Hags Head, a rocky outcropping that resembles a seated woman, while the 19th-century O'Brien's Tower offers one-of-a-kind panoramas and a sight of the puffins, hawks, gulls, and ravens that call the cliffs their home.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

In recent years, a remarkable transformation and brand-new tourist attractions along the waterfront have turned Belfast into a cosmopolitan destination. Hip hotels and restaurants that celebrate Belfast's culinary history abound, while shiny new shopping centers like Victoria Square offer high-street favorites like Topshop and All Saints Spitalfields.

Titanic Belfast, a newly opened and architecturally fascinating interactive museum, seeks to explore Belfast's history as a major ship-building center and the birthplace of the doomed Titanic. Explore dynamic Cathedral Quarter, Belfast's answer to Dublin's Temple Square, where you'll find a number of bars, gastropubs, and galleries surrounding historical St. Anne's Cathedral.

Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland

While Derry-Londonderry hasn't yet got all the urbane bells and whistles of Belfast, its riverside charm and historical treasures are not to be missed. See St. Colomb's Cathedral, a Gothic edifice from the 1600s replete with beautiful stained-glass windows and a large collection of artifacts, or the Tower Museum, which artfully explains Derry-Londonderry's history as well as that of the largest ship in the Spanish armada, which sank off the coast of Donegal. Finally, amble (or bicycle) over the new Peace Bridge, which gracefully spans the River Foyle.

Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland

Giants Causeway is old, having recently celebrated its 60 millionth birthday (give or take a few millennia). Bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic, barren cliffs, this natural feature is steeped in legend. Molded by lava welling up between cracks in the underlying chalk bed, the iconic interlocking basalt columns, when eroded, resemble a long stretch of honeycomb. A trek up the Shepherd's Steps affords wonderful views across the wild sea, while the neatly packed Chimney Stacks reach to the clear skies.