If the next thing on your holiday agenda are tours to Ireland, you have made a great decision. With wonderful landscapes of hills, mountains, lakes and forest, a beautiful coast, plus villages, towns and cities brimming with many great attractions, Ireland is a rewarding destination. To encourage you to go, here is a list of some of the best places to visit.
8 unique places in Ireland
- National Leprechaun Museum
Set in the city of Dublin, National Leprechaun Museum is a place where the legends of Ireland come to life. Mostly it is filled with collections and history of the mischievous Irish fairies, who are said to hide a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The museum also includes fascinating details about Irish folklore and mythology.
- Kilmainham Gaol
A great place for history lovers to visit is Kilmainham Gaol, which is a former prison in Dublin, and is now a museum. There are many quite disturbing facts about this place and its history. You can also choose guided tours if you wish to find out more about the notorious prisoners and spine-chilling living conditions.
- Sean’s Bar
Set on the bank of the River Shannon, Sean’s Bar in Main St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, is not only an object of sightseeing, but also a great place for relaxing and enjoying a drink.
It is claimed to be the oldest pub in Ireland and may be the world’s longest surviving pub. The bar tenders gladly share old stories and give their suggestions on how old Sean’s Bar might be. It is a truly wonderful place of beer, whisky and with the added liveliness of the Irish.
- The Little Museum of Dublin
This museum is the best way to get a taste of the people of Ireland and their general culture. All three floors are filled with more than 5000 donated artefacts. There are so many unique collections and everything feels so personal that you will have a hard time leaving the place. It even has a whole separate room dedicated to the pop group U2.
- St Patrick’s Purgatory
On a small island centered in Lough Derg lake there is a territory the Irish love to call the gateway to hell. Do not worry, though, because here is a monastery straight above it and no harm has come to anyone who ever visited St Patrick’s Purgatory.
According to the stories, Jesus showed St Patrick a vision of a cave on the island – and the saint connected it to the pit of hell.
Check before setting off that the island is open for visitors.
- The Tower of Glendalough
As with many other things, the Irish love to create stories about this beautiful round tower in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. The abandoned, mysterious, 30 mtall tower could have easily been a prison for Rapunzel, or any other princess.
The locals love these stories and do not hesitate to share them with the tourists as well. Whether you wish to hear more about the fairy tales or the actual history behind it, definitely take a trip to see it.
- Oscar Wilde House
One of the greatest Victorian playwrights, Oscar Wilde spent his formative years at his home in the city of Dublin. His childhood home is now the location of American College Dublin.
It is possible to take a tour of the house to see Wilde’s dining room, sitting room and his father’s surgery.
- ‘EIRE 80’ Sign
The enormous stone sign in County Donegal is a very important World War II relic, as it was built to signal the pilots that they were entering into neutral airspace. At the time there were many of them in many different parts of Ireland, but this one was left to pay tribute to the peaceful waymakers in the middle of the war.
Hopefully, you are now keen to visit Ireland and to visit some of the the unique locations and attractions.
