All-encompassing Ireland

Dublin Castle is the heart of historic Dublin. In fact, the city gets its name from the black tidal pool, which was on the site of the present castle garden, known in Classical Gaelic as ‘Dubh Linn’. Generally, the state apartments, medieval undercroft and chapel royal are open to visitors to explore deep into the history of this beautiful city.

Explore one of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland’s emergence as a modern nation from the 1780s to the 1920s. Attractions here include a major exhibition detailing the political and penal history of the prison and its restoration and the tour of the prison also includes an audio-visual show.

You’ll explore County Wicklow on the way to Kilkenny, specifically Glendalough and Powerscourt Estate before enjoying a sheep dog demo. Just south of Dublin, County Wicklow is a wild pleasure garden of coastline, woodland and mountains through which runs the country’s most popular walking trail, the Wicklow Way.

The world-class 45km Waterford Greenway runs from Waterford to Dungarvan along the route of an old railway line. Along the way you’ll travel over two stone viaducts and have the opportunity to stop at some local villages. The famous Mount Congreve Gardens are along the route and you’ll also encounter stunning sea views as you cycle the final stage into Dungarvan.

En route to Cork, you’ll enjoy a visit to Waterford City, which was founded by the Vikings some 1,100 years ago and had extensive trading links with Viking Settlements overseas. Discover over 1,000 years of history including four national monuments, two Cathedrals be introduced to the range of rakes, rogues, reprobates and revolutionaries who enlivened the city’s history. Before heading to Cork, you’ll enjoy a visit to The House of Waterford Crystal. The highlight is the blowing room where you can watch skilled artisans transform blobs of red-hot molten glass into delicate crystalware.

For over 200 years Dublin was the home of Jameson, but in 1975 the whole operation moved to the green expanses of Midleton, in county Cork and today, every drop of Jameson is produced here. This new home provided the space needed, as well as proximity to barley farmers and freshwater in abundance, key ingredients in Jameson Whiskey! Visit the workplace of Jameson to see for yourself where it all happens. After you receive a hundred thousand welcomes, be guided around these amazing grounds where you will come face-to-face with the largest pot still in the world, see our new micro-distillery in action, experience our live maturation warehouse and much more.

The unique yachting harbour of Kinsale is one of many colourful gems strung along the coastline of County Cork. Narrow, winding streets lined with a fantastic range of top quality shops and boutiques with many unique designs and great gift ideas, galleries, lively bars and superb restaurants, and a handsome natural harbour filled with yachts and guarded by a huge 17th-century fortress make it an engrossing place to visit.

This vast 17th-century fortification would be worth a visit for its spectacular views alone, but there’s much more here. The 18th and 19th-century ruins inside the walls make for some fascinating wandering. It’s 3km southeast of Kinsale along the minor road through Scilly; if you have time, hike there along the lovely coastal Scilly Walk.

Slea Head Drive is a 50km loop around superbly preserved structures from Dingle’s ancient past including beehive huts, ring forts, inscribed stones and early Christian sites. Set against staggeringly beautiful coastal scenery, the landscape is especially dramatic in shifting mist.

Framed by its fishing port, the peninsula’s charming little ‘capital’ manages to be quaint without even trying. Some pubs double as shops, so you can enjoy a Guinness and a singalong among screws and nails, wellies and horseshoes. Dingle town is a truly cosmopolitan, creative place. In summer its hilly streets can be clogged with visitors; in other seasons its authentic charms are yours for the savouring. Although Dingle is one of Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht towns, the locals have voted to retain the name Dingle rather than go by the officially sanctioned – and signposted – Gaelic name of An Daingean.

Set sail from Doolin on a one-hour journey to the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. The cruise sets out from Doolin Pier and follows the cliffs as they climb to their magnificent height. You cannot but marvel at their scale when you are craning to admire them from sea level.

The Burren (meaning ‘great rock’) stretches across northern Clare, a windswept, lunar-like landscape of barren grey limestone that was shaped beneath ancient seas, then forced high and dry by a great geological cataclysm. Wildflowers in spring give the Burren brilliant, if ephemeral, colour amid its stark beauty. Villages throughout the region include the music hub of Doolin on the west coast, Kilfenora inland and charming Ballyvaughan in the north on the shores of Galway Bay. South of Ballyvaughan, a series of severe bends twists up Corkscrew Hill.

Brightly painted pubs heave with live music, while restaurants and cafes offer front row seats for observing buskers and street theatre. Remnants of the medieval town walls lie between shops selling handcrafted Claddagh rings, books and musical instruments, bridges arch over the salmon-stuffed River Corrib, and a long promenade leads to the seaside suburb of Salthill on Galway Bay, the source of the area’s famous oysters. While it’s steeped in history, the city buzzes with a contemporary vibe, thanks in part to students, who make up a quarter of the population. Enjoy a walking tour of the city and experience the best of Galway’s local cuisine.

Michael Gibbons is one of Ireland’s leading field archaeologists. He was born and raised in the Connemara region. Michael is a member of the Nautical Archaeology Society and his current research interests include the archaeology of Irish uplands and islands, in particular the maritime pilgrimage tradition. He has carried out detailed research on some of the most important of these including Skellig Michael World Heritage Site.

Sweeping down from the mountain of Slieve League are some of the highest cliffs in the world. From the top it’s a steep 609m to the Atlantic down below. The nearby centre is full of information on the cliffs and surrounding areas.

This folk museum is made up of six replica thatched cottages with original artifacts an utensils. Overlooking Glen Bay Beach in South West Donegal, this unique living museum was built and is maintained by locals, allowing a fascinating insight into the hardships of rural Irish life between 18-20th centuries. Don’t forget to explore the craft shops to peruse locally-made knitwear or stop by the tearoom for a bowl of warming soup and an Irish coffee.

The largest tract of land in the wildest part of Donegal, Glenveagh National Park incorporates moorland, mountains, lakes and woods within its 40,000 acres of wilderness. The park, the second largest in Ireland, was once owned by the American millionaire Henry P. McIlhenny and is now in the hands of the Irish government. You may be lucky enough to catch sight of soaring golden eagles which have been reintroduced into the area or chance upon a shy red deer.

Occupying the most northerly point of the island of Ireland, Malin Head is an example of the beautiful rugged coastal landscapes to be found here. The scenic beauty of the area has captured the imagination of artists and even filmmakers, with Star Wars: The Last Jedi filmed in Malin Head. Nature lovers can enjoy spotting marine wildlife like seals, dolphins and sea birds while the Grianán of Aileach stone ring fort offers a stunning view of six surrounding counties.

Northern Ireland’s second largest city continues to flourish as an artistic and cultural hub. Derry’s city centre was given a striking makeover for its year as the UK City of Culture in 2013, with the new Peace Bridge, Ebrington Square and the redevelopment of the waterfront and Guildhall area making the most of the city’s splendid riverside setting. There’s lots of history to absorb here, from the Siege of Derry to the Battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday. A stroll around the 17th-century city walls that encircle the city is a must.

This 17th century fortification makes Derry the only walled city in Ireland wander along or take a guided tour. On the walls you’ll find the Guildhall, which houses an interactive museum telling the history of the city as far back as the plantations, and St Columb’s Cathedral.

Enjoy a Black Taxi tour of the city with a local and learn more about the history of the city as you go. See the famous Catholic and Protestant murals that depict the colourful history of the city. Learn about what life was like in the city during the Troubles and sign your name on the world famous peacewall.

Located in the heart of Belfast, on the very slipways where the Titanic was built, Titanic Belfast is spread over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition. Drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interactive features to explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way; from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day with a live undersea exploration centre.