Best Places to Visit in Ireland

I love the visuals and the stories that go with the causeway. As a game designer real life hexagon patters are just full of intrigue.

Two islands off coast of County Kerry - south-west Ireland - you can travel out by boat, climb up steps carved into the cliff ... find magic

Positively the most wonderful street I know in an Irish town - no big brands - no global players - instead you find diverse small shops, colourful window displays, little places. This is the perfect "high street" that's exotic - not to mention that it's littered with places to hangout over tea, coffee & other drinks. Known locally as "Clon" - Ireland's best.

Nearby - you must visit Inchydoney Beach, with it's two strands - great for gentle walking on sand, even wind-surfing...

Highest mountain in Mourne Mountain, Co Down, north-east of island. 850m 2789ft. Highest peak in N.Ireland. Glorious view over land & water. Great walk up & along the Mourne Wall

The only City Bar I know where the Gents affords one the chance of a drop of rain on the back of the head. (If you don't know just go and visit). Sandwiches that defy modern convention on portion control can be had with mugs of tea or pints of Beamish. Clientele is like the decor - varied and interesting if a little worse for wear.

As you drive across boggy landscape, the Atlantic hits you with a feast of sea & headland - providing it's fine. World class golf course, magnificent long beach for surf, walks & sandcastles. Rich pub life in Flanagan's on Main Street. Nearly visit Cliffs of Moher, Ennistymon, Liscannor (fish), Doolin & Aran Islands. This is a superb base station.

Wonderful water & shoreline - best seen from a boat out in the Lough - fishing, walking, bird-watching, cycling, seals...
Portaferry has a long terrace of beautifully painted houses that add colour to beautiful landscape.

A great garden in the grounds of a now ruined home in county Kilkenny. The gardens are in the process of renovation from their former glory back in the early 20th Century and there is so much to see. The monkey puzzle tree walk and the walled garden are my favourites.

Off the beaten track...
A remarkable little place that gets about 11K visitors a year. Fabulously well kept - to standards The National Trust would be proud of.

(Managed in Conjunction with Barryscourt  Trust)

Barryscourt castle is the 16th century seat of the Barry family. The present castle, with its largely intact bawn wall and corner towers, is a fine example of an Irish tower house.
Both First floor Main Hall and Second Floor Great Hall have been extensively restored with fittings and furnishings reinstated. The Orchard has been restored to an original 16th century design and an herb garden has been reinstated in the bawn.  This project by the Trust was aided by ECAD.Location: Near Carrigtwohill off the Cork-Youghal Road (N25).Bus Routes: Contact Bus Eireann, Travel Centre +353 1 8366111.Guided Tours:Max No: 15Duration: 50 min.Access by guided tour only. All groups of 15 must be pre-booked.Leaflet/Guide book: English.Seasonal Events: Please check in advance using contact details listed above.

Photography / Video allowed: Yes, but permit required for commercial purposes
Additional Information: Restricted access for visitors with disabilities.

    When I walked across this rope bridge - over the whirling sea - and looked over to Rathlin Island - it was magic. A mix of landscape, seascape & history... The thrill of finding the courage to stand still at the midpoint lingers 17 years later.
The Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge is located outside Ballintoy off of the Coast Road in County Antrim in Northern Ireland.  It is an 20-meter rope and plank foot bridge that connects the cliffs to a salmon fishery on the south-east side of the little island of Carrick-a-rede. Crossing the bridge can be a challenge to those who are fearful of heights as it is over twenty-five feet above the sea and the narrow bridge (one meter wide) sways and rocks as people cross it. Once on the other side there are many birds to observe and views of Rathlin Island and Fair Head.