Touring in Ireland

Ireland is a lush green land of dramatic mountains, misty loughs and craggy coastlines, brought to life by its warm and affable people. It’s a land of literary giants, from James Joyce to Oscar Wilde, and a place where music and dance provide a counterpoint to the sometimes gloomy weather. Delve into Ireland’s past and you’ll unearth a complicated history of Celtic tribes, Viking conquest and British colonialism, but it’s also a modern and forward-looking nation where traditional attitudes are changing fast. Dublin distils the very best of Irish culture, a city of poetry and song, high culture and boisterous nightlife, where a pint of the black stuff is pretty much obligatory if it’s your first time here.

Dublin is just one of many Irish cities that deserve to be explored, so schedule in some time to wander the medieval streets of Kilkenny, check out the lively pubs of Galway and sample the burgeoning foodie scene of Cork. Some of Ireland’s most memorable experiences are to be found deep in the countryside, whether you’re pootling along behind a tractor on a narrow country road or bantering with the locals in a cosy village pub. Ireland’s most striking scenery is strung along the west coast, on the route known as the Wild Atlantic Way. Highlights include the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, the sacred Skellig islands and the beautiful Dingle Peninsula.

Touring Highlights of Ireland

• By day, explore Dublin’s castles, cathedrals and handsome Georgian architecture. After dark it’s time to experience the capital’s legendary nightlife, with over 1,000 pubs to choose from.
• The Ring of Kerry is a spectacularly scenic circuit that takes you past beautiful beaches, majestic green mountains, thatched-roof villages, ancient monasteries and Iron Age forts.
• The pubs of youthful Galway are alive with music all nights of the week, while just to the west is the starkly beautiful Connemara peninsula.
• Cork has reinvented itself in recent years with a revitalised waterfront and a buzzing café scene, perfectly complementing the more traditional delights of the city centre’s narrow streets and Georgian architecture.
• The Dingle Peninsula is one of the highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way, a spectacular landscape of rugged cliffs, broad sandy beaches and rolling green fields. Along the way you’ll see prehistoric forts, quaint villages and ancient Christian chapels.