Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Ireland

Located in Dublin, this seven-floor building’s interior is carefully and appropriately designed in the shape of a Guinness pint glass. The building was originally built in 1902 as a fermentation plant for the St. James’ Gate Brewery, which is where Guinness has been brewing “the black stuff” since 1759. The Storehouse educates you on all of Guinness’ history, so you’ll learn how the company started, the brewing process, and can even grab a pint at their seventh-floor “Gravity Bar” that overlooks the city and offers stunning views. Equally historic is the Old Jameson Distillery, which was established in 1780 and is definitely worth a visit too!

Trinity College was founded in 1592 under Queen Elizabeth I and it’s Ireland’s oldest university! Beautiful stone architecture abounds throughout their Dublin-based campus. Besides the world-class education the school offers, this institution houses millions of books and Irish and British historical documents in its library, including the Book of Kells, a world-famous Medieval illuminated manuscript from the year 800. A visit to this site is a must for any traveler visiting Ireland – even if you’re sick of school!

#8: The Burren County Clare, Republic of Ireland

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While the Burren is Ireland’s smallest national park, at a mere 5.8 square miles, the area it is found within is renowned for its karst landscape, meaning its natural limestone paved, which is handsomely defined by its grikes - that is, its natural formed cracks. The park is filled with ancient history – archaeologists have found at least 90 megalithic tombs and a variety of medieval structures, such as the Caherconnell Stone Fort as well as the Corcomroe Abbey . Compared by some to walking on the moon, there is almost too much to see here!

Located on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands, Dún Aonghasa is a superbly preserved stone fortress epically located on a 330-foot tall cliff overlooking the sea. It is believed that the fort’s most inner structures were built in 1100 BC, with fortress walls being added up until as late as 500 BC, making it one of the most famous Irish prehistoric sites. It’s Irish Gaelic name means Fort of Aonghas, chosen after a heroic king of Irish myth.

Great Skellig – or Skellig Michael – and Little Skellig are two islands found in the Atlantic Ocean that hold historical and natural beauties. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skellig Michael is the larger of the two islands, and it’s home to a pair of peaks that rise more than 750-feet into the air as well as the remains of a medieval-era monastery. Little Skellig is unfortunately not accessible to the public, but it is home to the world’s second largest northern gannet colony. If you’re not familiar with the Skellig Islands, you will be once you see “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens,” as some scenes from the movie were filmed on Skellig!

Located on Northern Ireland’s northeast coast, the Giant’s Causeway is a collection of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that were naturally formed most likely between 50 and 60 million years ago. Due to its peculiar look, this site has had a wide range of myths developed around it, one of which is that an Irish giant named Finn MacCool built this beautiful landscape to fight a Scottish giant across the North Channel. UNESCO designated this stunning site a World Heritage Site in 1986 because of its inherently unique nature, and it remains one of Northern Ireland’s most popular attractions.

The Cliffs of Moher gloriously overlook the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head on Ireland’s west coast and their height ranges between 390 and 702 feet above the water! Visitors can gaze out into the Atlantic and view the Aran Islands, look south to see Loop Head, and gaze north to see the Twelve Pins and Maumturks mountain ranges. Naturally beautiful in many ways, these cliffs are home to over 20 bird species, with more than 30,000 birds residing there. As if you need another reason to visit, the cliffs have been featured in a wide range of films, such as “The Princess Bride” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

Blarney Castle was initially built before the year 1200; however, the main stone keep that tourists love to visit was built in 1446 after the original structures were demolished. During the Irish Confederate Wars, Blarney was seized by the English in 1646. While this castle has seen its fair share of violence, visitors flock there to see what remains of the castle. But perhaps the most popular site on the grounds is the famous Blarney Stone, which tourists can kiss while hanging off a wall drop upside down! Successfully kissing the Blarney stone supposedly heightens the kisser’s eloquence. Whether you want to look or kiss, Blarney Castle is a must!

Established in 1932, this was Ireland’s first ever national park! The park houses a variety of wildlife, particularly the country’s only population of red deer, as well as many centuries-old man-made constructions, such as Ross Castle. But the park is primarily a nature conservatory, with various rare species and a diverse habitat. And if you want to see what life outside the park is like, the Ring of Kerry cuts through Killarney National Park and is a 111-mile tourist circuit that showcases stunning views throughout County Kerry. Before we get to our number one tourist destination in Ireland, let’s review some honorable mentions: - St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin, Republic of Ireland - Croke Park Dublin, Republic of Ireland - Rock of Cashel County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland - Connemara National Park County Galway, Republic of Ireland

Positioned on a Bend in the River Boyne, Brú na Bóinne is an important archaeological site in the Boyne Valley, which is befitting since its name in Irish Gaelic means “Palace of the Boyne.” This Neolithic mound complex originated as early as the 35th century BC, predating such world-famous attractions as the Egyptian pyramids. Known for its early implications of scientific and astronomical advances, the site contains a wide range of stone monuments and at least 40 passage graves, such as world-famous Newgrange, many of which possess beautiful megalithic art. Because of its beauty and significance, UNESCO fittingly named this a World Heritage Site in 1993. Do you agree with our list? What are your favorite Ireland tourist destinations? For more excellent Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.