Travel in Ireland – Hotels, Ireland Vacations, Lodging, Trips, Attractions and Travel Guide

Things To Do And See In Ireland

Office buildings and the cityscape of Dublin at twilight reflected in the River Liffey.

Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, is the third largest island located in Europe, it is surrounded by hundreds of islands and inlets. The country is named after the Celtic goddess Eriu, in addition to the German word meaning land. Ireland is a sovereign state and the capital city is Dublin. Northern Ireland is part of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the capital city is Belfast.

Ireland has fewer animal or plant species than Britain or mainland Europe, because is became an island after glacier period about ten thousand years ago. There are many different types of habitats in Ireland, from mountainous, peat bogs, broadleaved and mixed forests and coastal habitats. The floral of Ireland is very diverse because of its mild climate, along with oak, pine and birch, palm trees now grow in Ireland.

On the island of Ireland there are three World Heritage Sites; the Bend of Boyne, Skelling Michael and Giants Causeway. In addition it also has some locations that are tentative such as the Burren and Mount Stewart. Some of the most popular tourist locations are Bunratty Castle, the Rock of Cashel, Holy Cross Abbey and Blarney Castle.

The Bend of Boyne is located in County Meath, Ireland and is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe. It is a complex of chamber tombs, standing stones and henges dating from the Neolithic period between 3200 and 3500 AD. All access to this area is by guided tour only and begin at the visitor center in Donore, County Meath.

Skelling Michael is located off the west coast of County Kerry, Ireland. This site is noted for being the center of monastic life for Irish Christian Monks for over 600 years. It is one of Europes better known but less accessible monasteries. Along with Skelling Michael tourists can also visit Skelling Small, which is a nature preserve and two lighthouses.

Giants Causeway is a basalt columns which resulted because of volcanic eruptions. Tops of the columns form a series of stepping stones which begin at the top of the cliff and disappear into the ocean. In 2005, Giants Causeway was named the fourth greatest wonder in the United Kingdom and today it is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland.

Bunratty Castle is located in County Clare, Ireland. The castle grounds contain furnishings and tapestries provided by Lord Gort. There are great halls, dungeons, tall columns and spiral staircases. Bunratty Castle is only an extremely popular tourist attraction but also a beautiful location to hold weddings.

No visit to Ireland would be complete without a stop at the Blarney Castle, home of the world famous Blarney Stone. The Blarney Castle was once a mideval stronghold located in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland. On the grounds surrounding the castle are ruins and exquisite gardens to tour. People can hang upside down over a sheer block to kiss the Stone of Eloquence or better known as the Blarney Stone.

There are also festivals held every summer in Ireland. Two of the most popular are the Cork Midsummer Festival and Puck Fair. The Cork Midsummer Festival is held from June 15th until July 1st, with a host of outdoor events ranging from music, comedy, theater, dance and more. The Puck Fair is the oldest fair in Ireland, and is held in Killorglin. This festival includes a horse fair, coronation for the king of the fair, a parade and a myriad of street entertainers.

The climate of Ireland is very diverse and unpredictable. Temperatures are usually chilly and damp, but it does not get below freezing because of Gulf Stream winds. Summer temperatures range from 60øF to 70øF, with winter temperatures range between 40øF to 46øF. While it rarely snows in Ireland, it can rain at any given time.

There is a comprehensive range of hotels in the Dublin area. Weekends are the best time to visit, and tourists can save additional money by booking a minimum of a three-night stay. Another area for travelers is Temple Bar, which is the cultural and entertainment mecca of Dublin. Hotels in this area are surrounded on all sides by very popular tourist attractions like Dublin Caste, the canal, and the Temple Bar. The most popular time of year to travel to Ireland, is during the months of May through September.