Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Ireland From Our 2014 Trip
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We spent an incredible 28 days in Ireland over the months of April and May in 2014. It’s been tough to narrow down everything we saw into a ‘Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Ireland’ list, but we’ve managed to do it. So here it is! We decided to list them in the order that we saw them on our trip because there is absolutely NO way we could have ranked them. Seriously.
This list is our recommendation of what to see in Ireland from the list of places we visited in 2014. We loved each and every one of these places and we hope you will too!
1. Titanic Belfast
Did you even think for a second that this wouldn’t make the list? I (Lydia) have a slight obsession with Titanic history and Titanic Belfast was an absolute dream. We spent the better part of a day here, exploring every inch of every floor of this museum. We also took in the slipways outside where the Titanic and Olympic were built. The museum is easily accessible for all mobility ranges and features a history of Belfast along with the history of Titanic. It also has an incredible gift shop and a few places to grab a bite to eat.
Bonus: From viewing distance of Titanic Belfast’s front door are two other great places to visit. You can walk over and tour the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line ship in the world, and you can also pop over to Titanic Hotel, a gorgeous hotel and restaurant that occupies what used to be the Harland & Wolff drawing offices.
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor here.
2. White’s Tavern
If you’ve taken our advice about #1, then you’re already in the right place to enjoy White’s Tavern! White’s Tavern holds the title of Belfast’s oldest pub. It is packed full of charm and the atmosphere here is amazing. Not only that, the food is incredible. If you’re looking for an amazing little place to pop into, look no further.
Tucked away in one of Belfast’s Entries, just finding this place will bring you closer to Belfast and all the city has to offer. It’s a great way to get in touch with the cuisine of Ireland and the amazing pub culture here.
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor here.
3. The Antrim Coast Road
You’re more apt to hear about the Wild Atlantic Way than the Antrim Coast Road, but don’t be fooled. The Antrim Coast Road is one beautiful turn after another. You can follow 239 miles of nearly all coastal roads. It’s a truly breathtaking journey and can take you to some equally amazing destinations. We visited some notable destinations, including the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, the Giant’s Causeway, and Bushmills Distillery.
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor here.
4. Trim Castle
Out of all the castles we visited, Trim Castle holds a special place in Billy’s heart. It was the first true medieval fortress that we visited and he was smitten. We highly recommend paying for the guided tour as that is the only way to go inside the castle. It’s worth every penny! You get a complete tour of the castle, even getting to go out on top, and the amount of history learned is incredible.
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor here.
5. Aran Islands
Ok, we’re cheating a bit here by combining our trips to Inis Oírr and Inis Mór, but we couldn’t choose between the two. If you’re already heading to the Aran Islands, plan an extra day and hit them both (if not all three!). They each offer something different and are worth the visit. Inis Oírr is far less touristy, and you get such an authentic feel there. Inis Mór has more people but has the incredible Dún Aonghasa and the Aran Sweater Market. We had such incredible days on both islands!
Bonus: Stay in the lovely town of Doolin if you’re not going to stay on the islands. It’s a great town with a great pub and you catch the ferry there as well. You can also glimpse the Cliffs of Moher as you sail across to the Aran Islands.
Check out our visits to Inis Oírr and Inis Mór. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor about Inis Oírr and Inis Mór.
6. Kylemore Abbey
One could easily spend an entire day here, so plan accordingly! With a walk along the water, a Victorian garden, a gift shop and restaurant, and touring Kylemore Abbey itself, there is plenty to see at this breathtaking location. Not only is the abbey itself magnificent, the drive to get there is too. With serene surroundings and a plethora of history to take in, Kylemore Abbey is sure to delight.
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor here.
7. Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs
Carrowkeel was a hidden gem for us. We were lucky to have the tombs entirely to ourselves and it was incredible. Before going further, we do sincerely ask that you be respectful of the location if you visit. It would be a travesty if they were damaged. Dating from about 3500 BC, these 14 tombs dot the hills, a constant sentinel over the countryside. You can go into a few of them, but again, treat them with respect. Not only are they fragile, but they’re burial places after all. We only saw three of the 14 (because we didn’t know there were more at the time), but they were definitely worth the trek out. Follow the signs, keep the gate closed so the sheep don’t get out, and you’re in the right place!
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor here.
8. Parke’s Castle
If you’re wanting to walk through a restored 17th-century castle and truly get a feel of living there, look no further than Parke’s Castle. It is gorgeously brought to life and many of the rooms are even furnished. The castle is a great visit for history buffs because it’s so complete. Not a history buff? STILL AWESOME. Not only is the castle amazing to explore, but its location is also stunning. Perched on the edge of a lake, it’s a serene spot to stop for a while and admire the beauty of the place.
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor.
9. Donegal Equestrian Centre
This might sound like a weird one but go with us here. We’re not saying you have to choose this particular place, but you should definitely go for this particular EXPERIENCE. Riding horses on the beach in Ireland was as spectacular as it sounds. We went on a 2-hour guided beach ride with Donegal Equestrian Centre and I can’t recommend it enough. Only the two of us and our guide were there, so it was a small, intimate group. The horses were grand, the sites were incredible, and the experience was well worth it. There’s nothing like shrieking with joy as you gallop down the beach with hair blowing in the wind and the sun on your face. An absolute must!
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor here.
10. National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
We are both history buffs through and through, so while this may not be on many other lists, it’s on ours. We could have easily spent days here, slowly wandering through everything the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology had to offer. The bog bodies alone were fascinating, but if that’s not your thing, don’t worry. There are TONS of things to see here, and to top it off, it’s free! They’ve also got a killer gift shop to hit on the way out.
Read about our visit here. See what others are saying on TripAdvisor here.
We hope that you get to take in these incredible sights on your visit to the Emerald Isle!
Cheers,
Lydia and Billy
