must see ireland travel suggestions

Sceala Clann Counsellor Location: NZ

people are always asking me for suggestions of where to go and what to see in ireland. i agree with most of these suggestions. a good irish pub is a must visit , especially if you have never visited a real irish pub in ireland before.
list of great suggestions for visting ireland
top 10 must see visits in ireland
Planning a trip to Ireland can be a daunting task - what should I not miss? Everyone has their own favorite sights and places. Yet there are a number of locations every visitor to Ireland should see. Taking them all in will also showcase the variety to be found on the comparatively small island. They are definitely part of the best of Ireland.
Top Ten Sights of Ireland - Picking the Best of the Best
1. Brú na Boinne
"Newgrange - Entrance to the Passage Tomb"
Not a single sight, but a historic landscape on the banks of the Boyne, dotted with prehistoric monuments. The largest are Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Newgrange and Knowth can only be visited by tour from the modern visitor centre. Be there early and plan for a half day (at least) to take in the whole experience.
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"Where the Burren meets Galway Bay"
Wedged between the rough beauty of the Aran Islands and the bustling university city of Galway, the near featureless desolation of this limestone plateau has often been likened to a moonscape. Ancient monuments and bizarre rock formations abound. Some spectacular sights can be taken in by driving next to Galway Bay.

3. The Hill of Tara
The ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, now little more than immense earthworks covered with grass. The excellent audiovisual show in the disused church will help in understanding the importance of this site.

4. Dublin City
Best explored on board of one of the numerous bus tours or on foot, Dublin is relatively small. It is however rich in history as well as full of sights and museums. Dublin can keep the tourist busy for a whole week! Avoid the city center on Saturdays when half the population of Ireland seems to go shopping here!

5. Glendalough
Here you will find one of the most important early Christian sights here. And its setting is simply beautiful, in a valley beside tranquil lakes. Lovers of history and/or architecture can indulge in two round towers, St Kevin's Kitchen (actually a church) and a cathedral (ruin). Lovers of nature can simply enjoy the walks along the lakes.

6. Lakes of Killarney and Ring of Kerry
If you want to experience spectacular coastal scenery, breathtaking mountain landscapes, ancient monuments and the tranquil old-world-charm of Killarney's lakes, castles and houses, this is the place to go. Bear in mind that thousands of tourists will have the same idea - the best time here can be had both sides of the summer months.

7. The Giant's Causeway
the north of Ireland's top sight and accessible by car and shuttlebus (if the fairly steep final mile seems too daunting). Strangely regular basalt columns point the way towards Scotland, seen on the horizon on good days. Travellers with some time on their hands are advised to take in the nearby Old Bushmills Distillery, connected by steam train.

8. Cliffs of Moher
An undulating landscape suddenly ends in a sheer drop of more than 650 feet, straight down to the Atlantic. One of the most spectacular coastal areas in Europe. The visitor center has been rebuilt on a grand scale - which explains the high price of a visit.

9. Sligo and Area
The town of Sligo itself is decidedly underwhelming, but the surroundings make more than up for it. Knocknarea has the (reputed) grave of Queen Maeve on top and spectacular sights to enjoy after a steep climb. Carrowmore is the largest stone age cemetery in Ireland. Drumcliff sports a (truncated) round tower, a medieval high cross and the grave of W.B.Yeats right next to the spectacular table mountain of Ben Bulben.

10. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
The tower house of Bunratty was built in 1467 by the O'Brien family and has been renovated with no expenses spared. A medieval banquet is offered in the evenings, complete with period entertainment. During the day the adjoining Bunratty Folk Park allows a glimpse into Ireland's past.
goireland.about.com

this is the travel must see news about ireland.
Pub is still the first stop on Irish tourist trail
We may pride ourselves on our writers, poets and culture, but for tourists the pub is still our No 1 experience, according to a guide from Lonely Planet travel writers.
The Discover Ireland list of the top 25 experiences tourists should try places the pub at No 1, followed by Dublin city and traditional music. A new big wheel in Dublin will open soon. Our literary heritage doesn’t even feature on the list, which is dominated by scenic attractions.

The Discover Ireland guidebook, published today, is part of a new series of guides from Lonely Planet which focus on the highlights of a country and provide suggested itineraries.

It says virtually every Irish person has a local “because the pub is where the country’s social heart beats, and where you’ll find out what makes this country tick”.

Dublin, in second place, has blossomed into “a proper metropolis with all of the distractions and dressings of a major international capital, but in doing so has managed that rare skill of retaining the friendliness intimacy and feel of a provincial town”.

The list will give a boost to several attractions off the tourist path such as as the sea cliffs at Slieve League in Donegal, the Waterford village of Ardmore and the Clare coast.

The monastic ruins of Glendalough and the “magnificent” ruins of Clonmacnoise also make the list of 25 top experiences.

Brú na Bóinne is “as magnificent an example of prehistoric genius as you’ll find anywhere in the world” and a visit here is a “must”.

Connemara is described as “one of the most stunning corners of Europe . . . a kaleidoscope of rusty bogs, lonely valleys and enticing seaside hamlets”.

The guide praises our golfing attractions, particularly the “truly exceptional links” in Sligo and Donegal. “If Scotland is the home of golf, then Ireland is where golf goes on holiday,” it says.

Traditional attractions such as the Rock of Cashel, Dingle and the Ring of Kerry also feature.

The latter is “always choked with bus traffic, especially in summer. But there’s about a thousand reasons why the Ring of Kerry is the tourist charm bracelet it is.”

A proper Irish meal scrapes on to the list in 25th place. The guide says Ireland’s home-grown cuisine “has finally come of age, offering up some outstanding dishes”. Co Cork is “unquestionably” Ireland’s gourmet capital, especially the villages of west Cork.

Discover Ireland includes recommendations from local experts, such as advice from radio presenter and former Kerry footballer Weeshie Fogarty on things to see around Killarney. Micheál Murray, manager of Dublin’s L’Gueuleton restaurant, gives his suggestions on the best places to eat in the capital.

Lonely Planet travel editor Tom Hall said the series “ highlights the best that a country has to offer, while still providing some of the unexpected sights and activities which travellers expect from Lonely Planet ”.

The Irish experience the top 25 must-see, must-do attractions according to Lonely Planet :
THE LIST
1 The pub
2 Dublin
3 Traditional music
4 Connemara
5 Glendalough
6 Golf
7 Clonmacnoise
8 Galway city
9 Brú na Bóinne
10 Dingle
11 Vinegar Hill (Co Wexford)
12 Cork
13 Rock of Cashel
14 Black taxi tour (Belfast)
15 Ring of Kerry
16 Kilkenny
17 Surfing the northwest (Co Sligo)
18 Sea cliffs at Slieve League
19 Antrim coastal walk
20 Castles and stately homes
21 Ardmore (Co Waterford)
22 Co Clare
23 Loughcrew
24 Derry
25 A proper Irish meal
irishtimes.com

Visitors not ready for last orders as pub still number one attraction
WE've come a long way, baby -- but apparently we're still stuck in the pub.
That traditional tourist stalwart, the Irish pub, has topped a list of the country's top visitor experiences.
It seems that not much has changed since the 1960s when visitors were wooed to these shores with pints of the black stuff, romantic castles and flame-haired cailins.
Stepping back in time, Lonely Planet's new 'Discover Ireland' guidebook lists the top three attractions as the pub, Dublin and traditional music.
Beyond the Pale, tourists are urged to visit Connemara, Galway, Glendalough and Clonmacnoise, while playing golf figures highly.

Meanwhile, those hardy perennials such as Dingle, the Ring of Kerry and the Rock of Cashel all put in an appearance, as do castles and stately homes.

And while pizza and pasta are more common in 21st-Century Ireland, holidaymakers are encouraged to indulge in a "proper Irish meal" of spuds, ham and soda bread all washed down with lashings of, you guessed it, Guinness. Visitors are urged to try "Ireland's gourmet capital", Co Cork.

Of the total list of 25 experiences, just two would be out of place in the holiday itinerary of yesteryear -- surfing the seas off the north-west and a black taxi tour of Belfast.

Hotspots

Surfing hotspots singled out for particular praise include Strandhill and Easkey in Co Sligo and Rossnowlagh and Bundoran in Co Donegal.
However, the country's top tourist attraction -- the Guinness Storehouse and visitor centre -- didn't warrant a mention in its own right despite recording more than one million visitors a year. Proving that the pub and pints are never far from the minds of holidaymakers, it has previously topped a Failte Ireland list of top fee-paying attractions.
Likewise, other leading attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher -- which graces the book's cover -- and Dublin Zoo don't get a star billing but are instead lumped in with Co Clare and Dublin respectively.

Among the nuggets of advice imparted to readers is to bring a good sense of humour -- "the Irish express affection by making fun of each other, and you" -- and a hollow leg -- "how else can you last the night in a pub?".

And to immerse themselves in the full Irish experience, the book's authors suggest a reading list including James Joyce's 'Dubliners' and John Banville's 'The Book of Evidence', while film choices include 'My Left Foot' and 'Once'.

The 'Discover Ireland' guidebook will be launched today along with 11 other country guides including Australia, France and Britain.

Its authors say that all of the books were developed after extensive research with travellers and include insider recommendations from local experts.
In the case of Ireland, these include Kerry All-Ireland-winning footballer and radio presenter Aloysius 'Weeshie' Fogarty, who gives tips on the best things to see and do around Killarney; and Miceal Murray, manager of L'Gueuleton, who suggests the best places to eat in Dublin.
Travel editor Tom Hall said the series was aimed at tourists who were keen to focus on the iconic attractions, sights and experiences a destination had to offer. "The series highlights the best that a country has to offer, while providing some of the unexpected sights and activities," he added.
- Breda Heffernan
Irish Independent

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must see ireland travel suggestions