6 Cool Places/Things To See If You Ever Go To Ireland

Travel

I love Ireland. I’ve been there 3 times now (I’m not bragging, but…OK, I’m bragging), and I plan to go back as soon as I can. There’s a lot to love about it. Guinness (it tastes much better over there), Jameson’s Whiskey (tastes the same, but who cares?), friendly people, live music in pubs, beautiful scenery, the greenest green you’ve ever seen, and so much cool stuff. Here are a few of my favorites:

 

The Dolmen - Just one of the cool things at Blarney Castle
The Dolmen – Just one of the cool things at Blarney Castle
Blarney Castle - Northeast of Cork
Blarney Castle – Northeast of Cork
Another part of the grounds
Another part of the grounds

Blarney Castle – It’s a little touristy (OK, a lot touristy), but it is a really cool castle ruin, and the grounds and gardens are beautiful.

The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher
The trail along the non-tourist part of the cliffs
The trail along the non-tourist part of the cliffs
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher

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The Cliffs of Moher – Amazing scenery. Really no other way to describe them. Just amazing.

Small lake hidden above pull-out on Conor Pass.
Small lake hidden above pull-out on Conor Pass.
The view from above the pull-out at Conor Pass.
The view from above the pull-out at Conor Pass.

Conor Pass – On Dingle Peninsula, west coast of Ireland. Once again, amazing views, especially if you hit it on a sunny day. There’s a pull-out on the east side of the pass. Park there and climb up the mountain, there’s a small lake hidden in a bowl up there. It’s not too bad a climb if you’re reasonably careful. Be careful on the drive over the pass and down to the village of Dingle. It’s very windy, and a one-lane road for much of the way (not one lane going each way, one lane period), and often foggy, but a beautiful and fun drive.

The Abbey's fishing cottage.
The Abbey’s fishing cottage.
Shot of the riverbank
Shot of the riverbank
Pat Cohan's bar
Pat Cohan’s bar
The church where John Wayne is accused of playing "patty-fingers" with Maureen O'hara in the holy water
The church where John Wayne is accused of playing “patty-fingers” with Maureen O’hara in the holy water
The Rev. Mr. Playfair's cottage.
The Rev. Mr. Playfair’s cottage.
My wife, the lovely and talented Jess, on the abbey grounds
My wife, the lovely and talented Jess, on the abbey grounds
In the cemetary in the abbey's ruins
In the cemetary in the abbey’s ruins

Cong – A quaint little village. Most famous for being the village where Director John Ford shot the exteriors for the John Wayne classic, The Quiet Man. The entire village seems to make its living from that movie. There are Quiet Man Walking Tours, at least two Quiet Man gift shops, a Quiet Man museum, etc. It’s a must-see if you’re a fan of the movie, but even if you’re not (and if you’re not there’s obviously something wrong with you), it’s a lovely little village with lots to see.

The Connemara coastline
The Connemara coastline
Mam Cross
Mam Cross
Mam Cross (west of Cong)
Mam Cross (west of Cong)

The Connemara Loop – A beautiful drive, even better if you stop frequently, get out of the car, do a little light climbing, and look around.

Slea Head Drive
Slea Head Drive
Slea Head Drive
Slea Head Drive
Drombeg Prehistoric Stone Fort on Slea Head Drive.
Drombeg Prehistoric Stone Fort on Slea Head Drive.
Slea Head Drive
Slea Head Drive

Slea Head Drive – Another beautiful drive around (if I’m not mistaken) the westernmost point of Europe. The loop starts in the village of Dingle.

Of course, these are just a few of the amazing things to see in Ireland. If you ever get a chance to go, don’t pass it up.

3 thoughts on “6 Cool Places/Things To See If You Ever Go To Ireland”

    1. I don’t know where you’ve been to in England, but I highly recommend Lake Windermere and Drumnadrochit/Loch Ness. Edinburgh is also pretty cool. My wife, the lovely and awesome Jess were both stationed in England when we met. It was pretty cool.

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  2. On my second trip I did stay one day/night in Edinburgh. It was beautiful, but unfortunately for me, there was a huge conference in town at the University (where I ended up getting a room), the Queen was scheduled to visit, and Celine Dion was in town for a concert. It was pretty packed. 😛 Still lovely and glad I went.

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