15 Places to Visit in Ireland

The Emerald Isle. With so many sights and picture-perfect landscapes, it's difficult to know where to begin. The island itself is easy to navigate and there are multiple day trips you can book from Dublin. If you're having trouble deciding, check out CIE Tours-they offer multiple itineraries to help you get the most from your trip. Regardless of the direction you decide to go, just be sure to stop off at each of these places on your trip.

Guinness Storehouse, located in Dublin, is unlike any other brewery around. The building hosts a seven-floor interactive experience, spiraling around the world's largest glass pint in the middle of the storehouse. There's a fun tasting experience and exhibition dedicated to the World of Advertising-where previous adverts for the company are showcased. You can also attend the Guinness Academy, where you can learn to pour the perfect pint. Be sure to check out 15 Things You Didn't Know About Guinness before visiting.

Located in Dublin city center, Trinity College is home to one of the most stunning libraries in the world and the historical Book of Kells. The book was handmade in the 9^th century, depicting the life of Jesus Christ. The College offers much more than just a library. Sign up for a guided tour or make your way through the Science Gallery or Zoological Museum.

Included on CIE's 'Taste of Ireland' tour, Blarney Castle is located just outside of the city of Cork in the south of the country. While it's well known for its famous stone, what's less well known is that you must climb to the top of the castle and lean out upside down to be able to kiss the Blarney Stone. The castle and grounds were once home to two other castles - the first a wooden structure built in the tenth century and the second a stone structure built in 1210. The current castle was erected in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster. The grounds include a garden, secret passages from the castle and fairy pools.

The Rock of Cashel, located in County Tipperary, is sometimes known as the Cashel of the Kings. The 1,000-year history is a staggering feat in itself. Once the seat of the High Kings of Munster, it is said that in the late 10^th century Brian Boru-who later went on to become the King of Ireland from 1002 to 1014-sat as King of Munster here. The building was gifted to the Church and most of the building remnants are from the 12^th and 13^th centuries. The site sits high above the surrounding landscape and is a great place to take in the agrarian views.

The Cliffs of Moher are located in the west on the Atlantic Ocean. Towering up to 702 feet above the coastline, it is truly a sight to behold. Don't be fooled-the Cliffs of Moher are a natural wonder and there is no entrance fee to see the cliffs, but there is a fee to park. You can also opt to pay for admission to the exhibits and interactive experiences located near the entrance.

Brú na Bóinne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located just over 30 miles north of Dublin. The name means Palace of the Boyne-the River Boyne flowing parallel to the north of the site. This prehistoric site plays host to three burial mounds and is the 'most important concentration of prehistoric megalithic art' in Europe.

Dublin is an expansive city spanning out over 40 square miles, but tourists can enjoy an easily walkable area at the city center to many top points of interest. Make your way to The Temple Bar District and have a pint in the iconic pub with lively music, hearty food and some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. From here it's a short walk to Trinity College, Teeling Whiskey Distillery or St. Patrick's Cathedral. St. Patrick's Day in Dublin is a sight to behold, but it might not be exactly what you expect.

Galway is a much smaller city almost exactly on the opposite side of the country to the Republic's capital. The Sun reports that Galway is one of the cities that helped Matt Damon fall so deeply in love with the country. This is a perfect city for meandering and self-exploration.

On your way to or from Blarney Castle, be sure to make a stop in the city of Cork-or more specifically, The English Market-a covered marketplace in the heart of the city. This is any culinary aficionado's dream with stalls of local meats, cheeses, and prepared food items. Make sure to arrive hungry.

Located in Northern Ireland, Belfast is most notoriously known for the Irish Republican Army uprisings that occurred during the era of The Troubles. But after the Good Friday Agreement, the city has seen substantial redevelopment. A major pull for this city is the Titanic Museum-a must for anyone who is fascinated by the majestic ship and her infamous maiden journey. The museum is built on the former Harland & Wolff shipyard-the place where the RMS Titanic was actually built. If possible, visit Belfast around Easter where you'll be greeted with parades, family fun events, and festivals.

The Ring of Kerry is a 125-mile route in southern Ireland that loops around most of County Kerry and gives you picturesque views of the coastline and rural living. Bed and Breakfasts are dotted along the route or choose to travel slightly north to the town of Tralee where you can choose to stay in your own castle for the night. Dedicate a whole trip with Authentic Vacations to playing golf at one of the world-renowned golf course in Killarney, a city on the edge of the route.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Giant's Causeway is located in Northern Ireland in County Antrim roughly three miles from the town of Bushmills. It's said that the hexagonal columns were formed by the Irish giant, Finn McCool, when he got into a spat with the Scottish giant, Benandonner. Or, you can believe that it was formed by volcanic rock. Either way, this unique landscape is a must see.

Ballintoy is a small fishing village in Northern Ireland. Nearby is the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, where people pay to walk a rope bridge suspended 98 feet above the sea. The bridge was first created in 1755 by fisherman but-thankfully-has been updated and well maintained since then. Ballintoy Harbor is also a famous film location for HBO's Game of Thrones. The harbor was only slightly altered-the orange life flotations being removed-to become the Iron Islands' harbor where Theon Greyjoy lands to return home.

Skellig Michael, also known as the planet Ahch-To-Luke Skywalker's exiled home, is an island in Southern Ireland off the coast of County Kerry. The island used to be home to an ancient monastery and the stone steps and dome-shaped buildings still remain. Now the island is home to thousands of birds, including the puffin. This World Heritage Site limits the number of people allowed to visit the island on a daily basis. With the recent fame that Star Wars brought to the area, you'll need to be sure to book your visit in advance.

There are so many filming locations in Ireland, and Dingle is another to add to the list. One of the filming locations for 'Leap Year', Dingle presents the perfect backdrop of coastline and scenic towns. Be sure to really take in these picturesque landscapes with a hiking or biking tour through the area.