Lonely Planet Ireland (Travel Guide)

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Ireland is just the place for anyone seeking adventure and a few drinks in between. While it may be small, it’s a country full of incredible attractions.

If the world knows about Inch Strand, then this huge Blue Flag beach about 13km (8 miles) northwest of Tralee is very much a local favorite. On summer weekends – or anytime it’s not raining – folks from Tralee and around make their way here to walk the full length of its 6km (3.7 miles), making it one of Ireland’s biggest beaches. Thanks to the warming waters of the Gulf Stream, a swim here isn’t the mark of madness, especially in those glorious September days when the sea is softened by a long summer, but even if you don’t fancy getting into the water, there are some stunning views from the 10m-high (33ft) dunes – look southwest and take in the glory of Mt Brandon and the Dingle Hills. Pop to The International Bar for very authentic, often local music. One of the city's best comedy venues is also upstairs if you fancy a laugh. Locals' favorite, The Workman's Club, features everything from acoustic warblers to electronic harmonizers. It costs nothing to enjoy the nightly traditional sessions in O’Donoghue’s, where folk and trad legends, The Dubliners, cut their musical teeth in the 1960s. 20. Take a brisk walk at one of the city's beaches Hurling is Ireland’s ‘official’ sport and most fans swell with pride when talking about the thrilling mix of speed and skill that makes it such an exciting game to watch. Drivers can take a ferry across the river Shannon to go directly from County Kerry to County Clare. Boat hireIn Irish, "trá mór" (or Tramore) just means "big beach," and while the country has more than a handful of them bearing the name, this secluded gem in the shadow of the Horn Head peninsula is arguably the prettiest. It takes a bit of effort to get there: from the arched bridge at the end of the inlet that marks the end of Killihoey Beach (another looker), you have to clamber through the wind-blown grassy dunes for about 15 minutes, but your reward is a 2km-long (1.2-mile) curve so isolated and beautiful that you’ll instinctively want to keep the secret all to yourself. And, on most days bar the warmest, you can. 7. Ballyquin near Ardmore, County Waterford Usually, road trips are all about the journey, but this one is a little bit different. The four peaks challenge is where hikers attempt to complete the four highest peaks in each province of Ireland. This can be timed or taken at a leisurely pace, but some people strive to complete it in 24 hours. Pubs doubling as hardware stores, white sandy beaches and lambs you can hold. What more could you ask for from a 46km road trip? Hurling is one of the world’s oldest field games, having been played in one form or another for at least 3000 years. The first recorded mention of hurling dates to 1272 BC, when one of Ireland’s earliest inhabitants, the pre-Celtic Fir Bolg, took on the supernatural Tuatha dé Danann (“tribe of the Gods”) with hurls and won. With temperatures an average high of 18°C (64°F) and prices that haven’t maxed out yet, this is the best time to take a road trip along Ireland’s magnificent Wild Atlantic Way. It’s a 1500 mile sign-posted west coast route that connects Cork in the south to Donegal in the north. It’s also the best time to visit Ireland for golf where you can play on links courses near charming villages, white sandy beaches, coves, castles teetering on cliff tops and vibrant towns like Westport or Sligo.

The women’s version of the game is called camogie. It is the same in all nearly all respects but is less physical, and players can score hand-passed goals, which are illegal in hurling. Games are shorter, and while hurling goalkeepers must wear a different color jersey than the rest of their teammates, camogie keepers don’t. Take a mythical walk through Ballinastoe Woods before emerging at a viewpoint overlooking Guinness Lake. This is one of those trails where you have to keep reminding yourself to watch where you’re putting your feet because it’s nearly impossible to take your eyes off the views. Local tip: True music aficionados head to the east side of the county towards Lough Derg, where the pubs cupped in fern green valleys –like Shortt’s Bar in Feakle – host top performers nightly. 8. Causeway Coast, County AntrimNEW top experiences feature- a visually inspiring collection of Ireland’s best experiences and where to have them Planning tip: General admission is free and free tours can be booked in advance. There is an audio tour and several self-guided tours aimed specifically at families with children. 9. Travel to the suburbs to see the National Botanic Gardens

Wheelchairs and stools are available free of charge at the cloakrooms. Entrances on Merrion Square West and Clare Street are accessible for buggies and wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. Lifts provide access to all levels of the gallery. Dublin isn’t that big, so a straightforward sightseeing tour is only really necessary if you’re looking to cram in the sights or avoid blistered feet. What is worth considering, however, is a specialized guided tour, especially for those with a culinary, historical or literary bent. Towering mountains, glistening lakes and enchanting forests. The Ring of Kerry is one of those unforgettable road trips that leave your jaw on the floor from start to finish. With so many landmarks to see along this route, it can be hard to fit it all into one trip, but the beauty of this road trip is even if you rarely leave the car, you’ll still experience some of Ireland’s most beautiful spots.

The excellent 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour is led by Trinity graduates, who give you the lowdown on where, why, and how the 1916 Rising took place. Then there's the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, where actors escort you through a selection of the city's most renowned literary boozers – with plenty of hilarious bits acted out for good measure. Music fans will enjoy the Dublin Musical Pub Crawl, which explores the history of Irish traditional music and its influence on contemporary styles in a number of Temple Bar pubs. Planning tip: Combine a visit here with a trip to the next door Botanic Gardens. 15. Enjoy the small but perfect Little Museum of Dublin Planning tip: After you've built up an appetite, make your way to teaShed Café for some tea and tasty homemade treats. 15. Take the ferry to the Aran Islands Key events: Willie Clancy Summer School, Galway International Arts Festival, Longitude, Folkfest, All-Ireland Finals. August is crowded

Christmas dominates the calendar as the country prepares for the feast with frenzied shopping and after-work drinks with friends and family home from abroad. On Christmas Day nothing is open. Leopold Bloom mused in James Joyce's Ulysses that a good puzzle would be to cross Dublin without passing a pub. Even in these times of green juices and heart-monitoring apps, the pub remains the alpha and omega of social interaction in Dublin. The city's relationship with alcohol is complex and conflicted but, at its very best, a night out in the pub is the perfect social lubricant and one of the highlights of a visit to Dublin. An imposing grey building, built in 1796, it's played a role in virtually every act of Ireland's painful path to independence, and even today, it still has the power to chill. Sometimes referred to as "The Bastille of Ireland", Kilmainham Gaol was decommissioned in 1924 and is now a museum with an enthralling exhibit on the history of Irish nationalism. This former 17th-century hospital – built in the Anglo-Dutch style and inspired by Paris’ Les Invalides – is now the IMMA, home to the country’s foremost modern art gallery. The blend of old and new comes together wonderfully, and you'll find contemporary Irish artists including Louis le Brocquy, Sean Scully, Barry Flanagan, Kathy Prendergast and Dorothy Cross, as well as a film installation by Neil Jordan. The permanent exhibition also features paintings from heavy-hitters Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, and is topped up by regular temporary exhibitions.Choose 3, 4, 5, or 7 top Dublin attractions and enjoy great savings with Go City. Taste the world-famous Irish drink at Guinness Storehouse, enjoy the sights on Big Bus Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, or discover Dublinʼs oldest building, Christ Church Cathedral - the choice is yours! 1. Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal You will be treated to some of the most epic views of Ireland from each of these peaks, but the challenge is definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you decide to do a hike a day, though, then it can be quite pleasant, and you'll get to experience the beautiful Irish countryside while putting your body to the test. Spike Island has an interesting history that includes monks, heroes, sinners and convicts. Once a remote 6th-century monastic settlement, this star-shaped fortress became the largest prison in the world during the Victorian ages. Enjoy the stunning view of Cork harbor as the ferry takes you to this historic island, then spend a few hours regaled with intriguing stories about the island’s past by the guides. Make the most of your visit to Dublin with these top things to do in and around the city. 1. Discover why Temple Bar is on everyone's itinerary