A tour of Ireland can offer a host of rewarding experiences, from exploring historic castles in lush rural hills to spending the night in a charming pub or two. Whether your tour of Ireland is by car, bicycle, horse or on foot, there is always a rich cultural history waiting to be discovered. Here’s a quick look at some places you can visit.
City of belfast
Belfast is an affordable and stylish place to stay on your Ireland tour, with its comfortable newly designed hotels and fascinating history. Belfast sits between the mountain and the coast and offers a breathtaking view from various angles. Belfast’s small size makes it a wonderful shopping spot, with trendy shops up and down Lisburn Road to candy stalls and award-winning farmers markets on Saturday mornings at St. George’s Market.
Galway city
Hailed as the westernmost city in Ireland, Galway City is known as the City of Tribes, named after the 14 most prosperous tribes that ruled during the Middle Ages. This city has a strong arts background and a thriving arts and entertainment scene with summers being a never-ending stream of festivals. Medieval streets and lively weekend markets make it an urban retreat you won’t soon forget and Galway racing is considered by many to be Ireland’s most colorful racing festival. Stop by the Galway Irish Crystal Heritage Center on your way during your tour of Ireland to learn all about the details of crystal making.
Eastern ireland
Cavan, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Meath, Monaghan, Westmeath and Wicklow counties offer a more rural flavor on your Irish tour. This region has rich natural charms, ancient sites, spectacular golf courses and famous horse races, with County Kildare particularly known for being home to some of the best thoroughbreds in the world.
Ireland’s unspoilt east is most notable for its rolling hills, forest parks, scenic grasslands, relaxing rivers, and sparkling lakes. No tour of Ireland would be complete without outdoor enthusiasts trying out the abundant offerings of fishing, horse riding, hiking, biking, water sports, golf and cruises these eastern counties have to offer.
Limerick comic
Limerick, the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, sits on one of Ireland’s most aesthetically pleasing rivers, the River Shannon. Passing through this bustling modern city on your tour of Ireland will reveal a rich medieval past that echoes through its ancient streets. Visit the internationally renowned Hunt Museum to see art collections including Picasso, da Vinci and Renoir, or visit the splendid medieval precinct to see King John’s Castle that has been preserved for more than 800 years. Limerick is also packed with excellent shops and restaurants for you to visit on your tour of Ireland, and has some generous accommodations that make an excellent base for exploring the surrounding attractions.
North Ireland
Before wrapping up your Irish tour, see what Northern Ireland’s six counties have to offer. Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone await your exploration and are absolutely packed with things to do, whether you’re interested in beautiful scenery, tragic history, rich culture, or outdoor adventure activities. Rugged mountains, stunning lakes, and extensive coastline make this northern wonderland an absolute playground for the weekend warrior. Try your luck on any number of hiking or biking trails, rock climbing, or sailing.
There are also plenty of things to keep a culture-fascinated visitor busy on a tour of Ireland to this region. Oyster festivals, authentic horse fairs, ancient castles or elegant country houses await your viewing pleasure and that’s just the tip of the list of things they hope you find.