Things to see and do in Ireland

1. Kiss the Blarney Stone
One of Irelan's quintessential attractions, a visit to Blarney Castle, Co. Cork and kissing the Blarney Stone is high on most people's list of things to do in Ireland. You never know you could be granted the "gift of the gab".

Associated tours
Experience Ireland Self Drive Tour - 9 Day tour of Ireland from EUR 797.
Irish Discovery Escorted Tour - 8 Day tour from EUR 832.

Selected hotels
Ashlee Lodge, a small boutique hotel with luxurious rooms from EUR 186.
Hayfield Manor, one of Ireland’s leading hotels close to the centre of Cork from EUR 268.2.

2. Sample a Pint at the Guinness Storehouse
No trip to Ireland is complete without a drop of the "black stuff", and where better to have it, than at the Guinness Storehouse, after a tour around the brewery, finishing with a pint in the Gravity Bar with stunning views across Dublin.

Associated tours
Ireland's Charming Gems Self Drive Tour - 7 nights tour from EUR 681.
Taste of Ireland Escorted Tour - 5 Day tour from EUR 453

Selected hotels
Park Inn Hotel, a modern hotel within stumbling distance of the Storehouse, from EUR 139.
The Westin, an impressive 5 star hotel in the heart of Dublin, from EUR 238.

3. Enjoy a Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle
Dine medieval style with goblets, daggers and serving wenches, at the world famous Bunratty Castle. The evening includes live entertainments from traditional Irish balladeers and someone being thrown into the dungeon. A feast of food and fun!

Associated tours
Medieval Ireland Self Drive Tour - 7 Day tour of Ireland from EUR 779.
Irish Tradition Escorted Tour - 12 Day tour from EUR 1392

Selected hotels
Bunratty Castle Hotel, a popular hotel set besides the famous Bunratty Castle, from EUR 155.
Dromoland Castle, one of Ireland’s most prestigious hotels, from EUR 308.

4. Tour around the Ring of Kerry
One the most famous and popular road circuits for tourists in the South West of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry, traverses the Kerry coast from Kenmare to Killarney with a great many tourist sites along the way.

Associated tours
Irish South Coast Self Drive Tour - 8 Day coastal tour from EUR 520.
Irish Adventure Escorted Tour - 9 or 10 Day tour, from EUR 209

Selected hotels
The Park Kenmare, one of Ireland's most prestigious hotels, from EUR 333.
The Cahernane, a historic Manor house close to Killarney National Park, from EUR 208.

5. Marvel at the Giants Causeway
Northern Ireland's most famous landmark and World Heritage Site, the Giants Causeway was built by the legendary Finn MacCool, so he could fight another giant – or caused by lava flows 6 million years ago, you decide which to believe!

Associated tours
North of Ireland Self Drive Tour - 12 Day tour of the north from EUR 1019 pps.
Irish Classic Escorted Tour - 14 Day tour from EUR 1362

Selected hotels
Ballygally Castle, a characterful castle hotel on the Antrim Coast, from EUR 122.
 

6. Visit Ancient Newgrange
Outdating the pyramids, Newgrange is the finest Stone Age Passage Tomb in Ireland, one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites in Europe, a World Heritage Site, and it plays an important role in Celtic mythology.

Associated tours
Medieval Ireland Self Drive Tour - 7 Day tour of Ireland from EUR 779 pps.
Irish Explorer Escorted Tour - 11 Day tour from EUR 885

Selected hotels
Cabra Castle, a historic 18th Century castle between Dublin and Belfast, from EUR 179.
Mont Clare, a friendly and charming hotel in the heart of Dublin, from EUR 148.

7. Take a Whiskey Tour
Sample some of Ireland's famous brands of whiskey – that’s whiskey with an "e" at the Old Jamesons Distillery in Dublin, the Old Midleton Distillery near Cork or the oldest licensed distillery in the world; Old Bushmills in Northern Ireland.

Associated tours
Experience Ireland Self Drive Tour - 9 Day tour of Ireland from EUR 797 pps.
Irish Pub & Folk Escorted Tour - 9 Day tour from EUR 642

Selected hotels
Park Inn Hotel, a modern hotel situated next door to Old Jamesons in Dublin, from EUR 139.
Garryvoe Hotel, a stylish hotel set beside Blue Flag Beach in Co. Cork, from EUR 127.
Beech Hill Country House, a stately mansion, less than an hour from Bushmills, from EUR 165.

8. Explore the Burren
One of Ireland's most captivating countrysides located in the northwest of County Clare. The Burren is a landscape of craggy rocks, limestone plateaus, karsts, clints and grykes, populated by sparse little villages and is ideal walking or cycling country.

Associated tours
Scenic Ireland Self Drive Tour - 9 Day tour of Ireland's scenery from EUR 742 pps.
Irish Classic Escorted Tour - 14 Day tour from EUR 1362

Selected hotels
Hylands Burren Hotel, a quaint and friendly hotel in the heart of the Burren, from EUR 127.
Gregans Castle, a country mansion with one of the best views of the Burren, from EUR 190.

9. Sit in on a "Trad Session"
Ireland has a rich musical heritage from ballads and sean-nos singers, to fiddlers and pipers. You'll find sessions of traditional Irish music, or "Trad Sessions", in any pub anywhere in the country, though a good tip is the village of Doolin in Co. Clare.

Associated tours
Experience Ireland Self Drive Tour - 9 Day tour of Ireland from EUR 797 pps.
Irish Pub & Folk Escorted Tour - 9 Day tour from EUR 642

Selected hotels
Sheedy's Country House, a friendly hotel set in Lisdoonvarna close to Doolin, from EUR 160.
The Old Ground, a friendly hotel in the centre of Ennis, from EUR 125.

10. Gaze at the Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher, in Co. Clare are one of Ireland's most photographed landmarks, where the world seemingly just drops into the ocean at its sheer cliff face. They are a photo opportunity that's not to be missed.

Associated tours
Scenic Ireland Self Drive Tour - 9 Day tour of Ireland's scenery from EUR 742 pps.
Irish Classic Escorted Tour - 14 Day tour from EUR 1362

Selected hotels
Sheedy's Country House, a friendly hotel set in Lisdoonvarna close to Doolin, from EUR 160.
The Old Ground , a friendly hotel in the centre of Ennis, from EUR 125.