Attractions

Here's a list of some great attractions in Dublin and Ireland.

Dublin Spire 
The Dublin Spire was the winning entry in an architectural competition to provide a replacement for Nelson's Pillar which was blown up in 1966. 
After a planning appeal and a High Court case, the Spire finally got the go ahead. It was erected between December 2002 and January 2003.

The Cliffs of Moher 
These majestic cliffs rise from the Atlantic Ocean to a height of nearly 200m and extend for a distance of 8km from Hag's Head due west of Liscannor to a point beyond O'Brien's Tower. They take their name from a ruined promontory fort, Mothar, which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars.

Dublin Castle 
Dublin Castle is located in the centre of historic Dublin. Situated close to the junction of the River Liffey and the Poddle, it is thought that the area was once an ancient Gaelic Ring Fort, and subsequently a Viking Fortress. The South Range is home to the stunning State Apartments.

Dublin Zoo 
Just a few minutes away from Dublin City Centre on the bus, Dublin Zoo has over 700 birds and animals from around the world. Dublin Zoo is set in a stunning landscape of 66 acres and is one of the top tourist attractions in Ireland.

Temple Bar 
Temple Bar is a bustling, lively cultural and cosmopolitan area in the heart of Dublin City. Temple Bar has a fantastic range of cafes, restaurants hotels, bars and shops, not to mention the many galleried and cultural centres.

Point Theatre 
The Point Theatre is located on Dublin's North Wall Quay, opposite Dublin Port and adjacent to the East Link Toll Bridge. The Point Theatre has a capacity of up to 8,500, and has been an ice rink, a boxing arena and a wrestling ring, a theatre, an opera house, a circus, and much more besides!

R.D.S. (Royal Dublin Society) 
The RDS (Royal Dublin Society) was established in 1731, it's purpose being to promote the development of arts, agriculture, industry and science in Ireland. It moved to it's Ballsbridge site in 1879 and currently the site covers 40 acres. 

Guinness Storehouse 
Guinness originated in St James's Gate, the heart of Dublin, where Arthur Guinness established his business in 1759. Nowadays, a fermentation plant at St. James's Gate Brewery has been transformed and reddeveloped so that you can experience how Guinness is produced from start to finish. 

Phoenix Park 
The Phoenix Park is the largest urban enclosed park in Europe. It's circumference is 11km and it covers a total area pf 712 hectares / 1,760 acres. Also known as Dublin's playground, the Phoenix Park opened in 1747, and it is home to the Irish President and the U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

Croke Park Stadium 
Croke Park is one of the most prominent features of Dublin's northside cityscape. Close to Dublin airport and Dublin city centre, Croke Park proudly stands on 700,000 sq feet. Inside, the contemporary design and spectacular views offer an exciting location for world class events.

Lansdowne Road Stadium 
Lansdowne Road Stadium is hailed as the home of Irish Rugby, as it is Ireland's national rugby and football stadium and one of the oldest international venues. The new stadium is now in building and its opening is due to be completed in 2010.

Eyre Square 
Eyre Square is a central plot in the centre of Galway city. Originally, it was presented to Galway city in 1710 by Mayor Edward Eyre, and was hence named after him.

Spanish Arch 
Galway's famous Spanish Arch is located on the left bank of the Corrib, where Galway's river meets the sea. The Spanish Arch was originally a 16th century bastion, which was added to Galway's town walls to protect merchant ships from looting. At this time, it was known as Ceann an Bhalla.

Aughnanure Castle 
Aughnanure Castle was built by the O'Flaherty family, sometime around 1500. Aughnanure Castle is situated in scenic and stunning surroundings, along the shores of Lough Corrib. Aughnanure Castle is a particularly well-preserved example of an Irish tower house.

Galway Race Course 
The Galway Races, the biggest and greatest of all Irish Racing Festivals, are an extremely popular event on the Irish calendar. It is not only a great sporting event, but in addition, it's unique social atmosphere attracts both true race-goers and socialites alike.

Aran Islands 
The Aran Islands are located off the coast of Galway, on the very edge of Europe. Comprised of three islands (Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Óirr), the group are rich in Irish language, culture and heritage. 

Portumna Castle 
Portumna Castle is a national monument and it is open to the public from March to October. Built in 1616 by Richard Clanricarde, then governor of Galway, Portumna Castle is a symmetrical three-storey mansion built over a basement.

Coole Park and Visitor Centre 
Coole Park is located outside Gort in County Galway, and is best known as the home of Lady Augusta Gregory, dramatist and co-founder with Edward Martyn and W.B. Years of the Abbey Theatre. The surrounding area of Coole Park is a National Nature Reserve, as it has great wildlife importance.

Dublinia
Dublinia is one of Dublin's top historical attractions; located just 15 minutes walk from O'Connell St. It is a heritage centre in the heart of the "Old City" in a Victorian Neo-Gothic style building, across the foot bride from Christchurch Cathedral. 

Christ Church Cathedral 
Located just 15minutes walk from O’Connell St, Christ Church Cathedral is one of Dublin’s oldest and impressive landmarks. Dating back to 1030 AD, with many enhancements, it reflects the history of Dublin since that time.

Irish Museum of Modern Art 
Housed in the old building for the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, west of Dublin’s city centre, the Irish Museum of Modern Art was opened in 1991. It is Irelands leading institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art.

National Gallery of Ireland 
Just 10 minutes walk from the city centre, on Merrion Square West, the National Gallery of Ireland holds the nations biggest collection of Irish and European art and master paintings. The National Gallery has added a new extension to the old, original building, in the last few years.

St. Stephens Green 
The St Stephens Green park, spanning 27 acres in heart of Dublin City Centre, has been open for public use since 1880, and is currently a popular lunch time retreat, for the workers in and around the city centre.

St. Patricks Cathedral 
Located just 5 minutes walk from Christ Church Cathedral; St Patrick’s Cathedral is another of Dublin’s top historical attractions. It has a long standing history in Dublin. It is said to originate from Saint Patrick’s journey through Dublin.

Smithfield
Smithfield is an area on northside of Dublin. Its central point is the Smithfield Plaza, a square which was an open market. Among its attractions the Old Jameson Distillery and the Observation Tower.

Merrion Square 
Merrion Square park is one of the many public parks that is located throughout Dublin City and is located just 10 minutes walk from Grafton St.
Approx 11 acres in size, and surrounded by trees it is ideally located if you need to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the City Centre.

Grafton Street 
Grafton Street is one of Dublin city’s main shopping thoroughfares. With a vast variety of shops, ranging from high street chains like River Island, Next, Oasis and a-wear, to designer boutiques, like Brown Thomas, BT2 and Pamela Scott.

Curraheen Park Greyhound Racing 
The Greyhound stadium in Cork offers a dynamic and unique night out to visitors. It operates a ten race program every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday night from 7.50pm.

Blarney Castle 
Blarney Castle is located just 8 km from Cork City, and is a must see attraction when visiting the county. This magnificent ancient stronghold is of significant historical interest, being the residence of the Lords of Muskerry, and one of the strongest fortresses in Munster. 

Fota Wildlife Park 
Fota Wildlife Park is a co-operative between the zoological society of Ireland and University College Cork, and is one of the most modern and unique parks of its kind in Europe.

The Queenstown Story 
The port of Cobh became the most important location during the mass exodus of migrants between 1848 and 1950. As a result, the port town of Cobh has an interesting tale to tell visitors. The Queenstown Story tells in graphic detail the nautical history of Cork Harbour.

Midleton Distillery 
The Midleton Distillery is the Irish Distillers Group's most important distillery. For nearly 200 years, this historic building has been were the bulk of renowned Irish whiskey is produced throughout Ireland. 

St. Anne’s Shandon 
St. Anne's Church, Shandon can be found on the North side of Cork City, situated on a site where there is believed to have been a church since as far back as 1199. Built in 1722, the church has a façade made of limestone on two sides and red sandstone on the other two. 
  St. Finbars Cathedral 
Situated in the quiet part of town south of the river Lee, St. Finbars Cathedral is dedicated to the founder and parton saint of the city. This magnificent example of thirteenth century gothic architecture was completed in 1878 to the design of noted English architect William Burges.

Cork City Gaol 
A 20 minute walk west of the city centre will lead you to the restored city gaol, a fascinating exhibition of what life was like in Cork during the early 19th and early 20th century.

University College Cork 
University College Cork was established in 1845. Its main campus spans forty-four acres with additional facilities located close by. The initial University site is considered to have had a connection with the patron saint of Cork, St. Finbarre.

Kinsale 
Kinsale is the gourmet capital of Ireland is a truly historic town. Famous for its fish and seafood dishes, while the quality of the local vegetables, meat and dairy products are above reproach. 

Trinity College 
Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, the College is in an enviable position in the very heart of Ireland's capital and in 1992 celebrated 400 years.

Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Abbey's greatest attraction is its location. Nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain [1736ft] on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul, in the heart of the Connemara mountains, it is regarded as one of Ireland's most romantic buildings.

Connemara 
Connemara in County Galway, is one of the most scenic areas of Ireland, in a wild and lonely way. As with most of Galway, Connemara's history goes back thousands of years. Local archaeologist, Michael Gibbons describes finding a Bann spearhead in Streamstown dating 7,000 years old.