By Susan Berg
10 Things to Do in Ireland
Whether a history buff, beer drinker, or nature lover, there is likely the ideal activity for you in Ireland. This country offers both cosmopolitan destinations and small towns located off the beaten path. Obviously, this country offers much more than just ten things to do; use this list as a jumping-off point to plan your trip to the Emerald Isle.
Dublin Walking Tour
One of the best ways to get to know a city is to walk it by foot. There are a number of different walking tours available in Dublin. One of the more popular tours of the city is conducted by history graduates of Trinity College who offer two-hour tours of the city.
Historical Walking Tour of Ireland
€12, children under 14 free
May to September: daily tours at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
April and October: daily tours at 11 a.m.
November to March: tours offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11 a.m.
www.historicalinsights.ie/
Guinness Tour
A beer-lover's visit to Dublin would not be complete with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Tours are offered daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the months of July and August, the storehouse is open until 7 p.m. The storehouse is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and Good Friday. Tickets cost €15 for adults, €11 for students over 18, €9 for students under 18, and €5 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. There is a slight discount if you purchase your tickets online prior to your visit.
Guinness Storehouse
St. James's Gate
Dublin 8
Tel: +353 1 408 4800
www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/Index.aspx
Pub Crawl
A good way to spend an evening in any city in Ireland is to experience the country's pub culture. In the evenings, many pubs offer the opportunity to listen to traditional Irish music. Otherwise, take some time to share a pint with the locals and enjoy the gift of craic (Gaelic for "a good time").
Rock of Cashel Visit
The Rock of Cashel is an impressive limestone outcrop upon which sit several medieval buildings. Most buildings on the rock date from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Rock of Cashel is open mid-March to mid-June from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., mid-June to September from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., mid-September to mid-October from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and mid-October to mid-March from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are €5.30, students with ID €2.10, family €11.50, and senior citizen €3.70.
Rock of Cashel
www.cashel.ie/
Kiss the Blarney Stone
Perhaps the quintessential tourist activity in Ireland is the requisite visit to Blarney Castle in order to kiss the Blarney Stone. A kiss to the stone purportedly gives the kisser the gift of gab. The castle is open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (May); 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (June through August); 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (September); 9 a.m. to dusk (October through April). On Sundays, the castle is open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the summer and 9 a.m. to dusk during the winter. Admission for adults is €10, €8 for students/seniors, €3.50 for children between the ages of 8 and 14, and €23.50 for a family of four.
Blarney Stone
Blarney Castle
Blarney, County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Tel: 00 353 21 4385252
www.blarneycastle.ie/pages/stone
Wreck Dive in Schull
Given the large number of wrecks in the harbor, Schull is a popular destination for divers. The Schull Watersports Centre is the place to go to hook up with local divers, rent gear, and/or get any other advice. For those not interested in diving, Schull offers opportunities for canoeing and fishing.
Schull Harbor
www.schull.ie/info_schull/harbour.htm
Schull Watersports Centre
The Pier
Schull, County Cork, Republic Of Ireland
Tel: +353 (0)28 28 554
Explore Killarney National Park
Those with a penchant for lakes and mountains should definitely put a trip to to Killarney National Park on their to-do list. This 10,236 hectare park offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, boating, biking and fishing.
Killarney National Park
Tel: +353 1 8882000
www.killarneynationalpark.ie/
Tour the Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry refers to the Iveragh Peninsula. Popular places to visit in this region include Ballycarbery Castle, Valentia Island, the Skellig Rocks,Gap of Dunloe, and Derrynana National Park. Popular activities in the Ring of Kerry include touring, hiking, biking, fishing, golf and horseback riding.
Ring of Kerry
www.ringofkerrytourism.com/
Experience the Galway Arts Festival
Galway is considered by many to be the epicenter of Ireland's cultural excellence. The most popular event in the city is the Galway Arts Festival, which is held annually in July. The festival brings together writers, musicians, performers, artists and a variety of theatrical productions. The festival features both free and ticketed events.
Galway Arts Festival
www.galwayartsfestival.com/
Black Box Theatre
Dyke Road
Galway, County Galway, Ireland
Box office: +353 91 566577
Visit the Stomping Grounds of Yeats
Ireland is the home to many famous authors. Among one of the country's most beloved sons is the poet William Butler Yeats. Many of his poems were set in Sligo, the county where Yeats spent his childhood during the summertime and later lived as an adult. Yeats fans can make a pilgrimage to his grave at Drumcliff, located just north of Sligo Town. The Sligo County Museum features exhibits on both Yeats and the area's rich archeological and cultural history.
Sligo County Museum
Stephen St,
Sligo, County Sligo, Ireland
Tel: +353 71 9111679
About the Author:
A writer and editor based in southeastern Wyoming, Susan Berg has over ten years of experience in the field. Berg earned a Master of Arts degree in journalism from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Dayton. Her work has been published in the "Dayton Daily News" and online at websites including BiologyBiozine.com, Wcities.com, Trails.com, Travels.com and eHow.com.
Photo Credits:
Photo courtesy PDPhoto.org
