The Cliffs of Moher. Shutterstock/Patryk Kosmider
A trip to Ireland isn’t complete without seeing the Cliffs of Moher.
The Cliffs of Moher. shutterupeire/Shutterstock
The Cliffs of Moher, located in County Clare, are one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks. The cliffs rise to 702 feet and stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. Tickets to visit the site cost around $7.50 and include access to various attractions on the cliffs, including O’Brien’s Tower, the visitor’s center, and the gift shop.
Travelers may recognize the cliffs from popular films like “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and “The Princess Bride.”
Visitors can follow the narrow roads around Ireland’s Ring of Kerry.
The Ring of Kerry is a scenic drive through Ireland. Lyd Photography/Shutterstock
The Ring of Kerry is a 111-mile circular route that travels through the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, offering scenic views of Ireland’s beaches, mountains, and lakes around every corner.
The route takes about 3.5 hours to drive (without stopping) and includes popular visitor attractions such as the Gap of Dunloe, Torc Waterfall, and Staigue Fort.
The Wicklow Mountains are full of vibrant greenery.
The mountains are filled with vibrant greenery. RR Photo/Shutterstock
Wicklow Mountains National Park is the largest of Ireland’s six national parks, spreading out over 85 square miles. The best way to experience the scenery is to hike through the valley of Glendalough or take a drive through the mountains.
The stunning mountains have also served as a backdrop for the 2007 film “P.S. I Love You.”
One of Ireland’s tallest waterfalls, Powerscourt Waterfall, can be found in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains.
The Powerscourt Waterfall in Ireland. MNStudio/Shutterstock
Water cascades down almost 400 feet at the horse-tail waterfall in the Powerscourt Estate, which is open to the public.
The waterfall can be viewed from different points along a short, scenic walking trail, including from a picnic area.
Carrauntoohil is the highest peak in Ireland.
The view from the top of Carrauntoohil. Timaldo/Shutterstock
At 3,406 feet tall, Carrauntoohil in County Kerry is the highest peak in Ireland. It is found in the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range.
Reaching the top of the mountain range can be quite a challenge for inexperienced hikers. The most popular route is the Devil’s Ladder, which takes between four and six hours to hike.
Croagh Patrick is known as the holiest mountain in Ireland.
The mountain is locally known as “the Reek.” LUKinMEDIA/Shutterstock
Croagh Patrick was named after St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, who is said to have fasted and prayed for 40 days at the top of the mountain during the 5th century.
Every year on the last Sunday of July, or Reek Sunday, thousands of pilgrims climb the mountain, some of whom are barefoot. According to Ordnance Survey Ireland, a round-trip journey takes around three and a half hours.
Torc Waterfall is a must-see for those driving along the Ring of Kerry.
Torc Waterfall is surrounded by lush green vegetation. Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock
After arriving at the Torc Waterfall, which is located a few miles outside of Killarney, tourists can embark on a journey through the trees for a view of Muckross Lake.
The Giant’s Causeway is a unique landscape that’s made up of hexagonal columns.
Most of the stones have a hexagonal shape. Gigi Peis/Shutterstock
The Giant’s Causeway is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and is known for its distinctive landscape made up of around 40,000 basalt columns. The columns were formed between 50 to 60 million years ago as the result of a volcanic eruption. The lava then cooled and cracked, forming the hexagonal pillars.
The Burren is famous for its diverse flora and limestone rocks.
The Burren is located in North County Clare, Ireland. MNStudio/Shutterstock
Though much of the Burren’s landscape is composed of limestone, it’s also home to a diverse combination of plants and wildlife that flourish in the rocky terrain. According to the Burren National Park website, 23 of Ireland’s 27 native orchid species can be found in the area.
Donegal’s Slieve League cliffs offer views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Slieve League Cliffs are higher than the Cliffs of Moher. Bartkowski/Shutterstock
The Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) Cliffs are around 2,000 feet tall and almost three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, making it one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. There are several viewing points on the cliffs that offer great photo ops. According to the Slieve League website, reaching the summit of the cliffs requires a trek up a narrow path known as One Man’s Pass, which is only recommended for experienced walkers.
Skellig Michael is a remote island off the western coast of Ireland.
Skellig Michael has seen an increase in tourism over the last few years. ghotion/Shutterstock
Skellig Michael is located off the coast of County Kerry and is only accessible by boat. Tours to the island are usually only available between mid-May and October and require a reservation.
The recognizable landscape was used as the setting for both “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi.” Since the remote island is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, only a limited number of tourists can visit at a time.
Connemara National Park offers a number of scenic routes and hiking trails.
This National Park is free for the public to visit. Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock
In addition to its breathtaking landscapes and countryside views, Connemara National Park in County Galway is known for its distinctive breed of horses that are native to the region: the Connemara Pony. Admission to the park is free and visitors can observe some of the abundant wildlife found in the area.
One way to experience the scenic mountain park is to book a horseback ride that treks through various trails.
The Rock of Cashel is a historic monument set on a lush, scenic hilltop in County Tipperary.
Rock of Cashel. Thomas Bresenhuber/Shutterstock
Just a short day trip from Dublin, the Rock of Cashel is a historic site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. This impressive feat of medieval architecture is also the site of one of Cashe’s oldest buildings, which dates back over 1,000 years.
It’s also the perfect place to visit around St. Patrick’s Day, as the saint himself reportedly visited the site in order to convert King Aenghus to Christianity.
While the monument itself might be manmade, the lush scenery surrounding it is just as beautiful.
Ireland’s Eye is a popular spot for bird watching.
Ireland’s Eye. Peter Krocka/Shutterstock
Located in the Irish Sea, Ireland’s Eye is an uninhabited island near Dublin that’s accessible by tourist boats. Ireland’s Eye is especially popular for its wildlife and bird watching, due to the fact that large populations of puffins and other sea birds call the island home.
