A land that is both charming and rugged; these are two of the top reasons to visit Ireland. Ireland may be a small country but its beauty is effervescent. It has the perfect combination of history and natural allure: of jagged mountains and pristine waters, of castles and historic landmarks. Below are the ten best tourist spots in Ireland which make wonderful excuses to go there. It is well connected by land and air, so whether you’re coming or going, there are plenty of options for parking at the airport as you'll find on Airparks.co.uk. If you’re looking for somewhere to leave your car, a good option is parking at Dublin Airport as there are plenty of busses and trains that you can take to explore the country.Here are some of the things not to miss in Ireland!
- The Burren. The site contains unspoiled limestone formations from the Ice Age. These formations cover a large area; the largest of its kind in Europe. Burren, which means “stony place” is a fitting name for it. The most iconic formation is called Poulnabrone Dolmen, a Neolithic portable tomb from around 4200 to 2900 BC.
- Killarney Lakes. The three lakes of Killarney are located in Kerry County. Namely they are Lough Leane, Middle Lake, and Upper Lake. The lakes are on a wide valley between the mountains. They are among the top reasons to visit Ireland.
- Blarney Castle. The medieval castle dates back to 1446 but its main highlight is the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that people who kiss the stone will gain the ability to persuade anyone to get what they want.
- Cliffs of Moher. The iconic cliffs rise more than 200 meters above the Atlantic. If you climb the O‘Brian Tower, you’d get amazing views of Galway Bay, Aran Islands, the Twelve Pins, and the Maum Turk Mountains.
- Croagh Patrick. It is said to be the same mountain where St. Patrick went fasting for 40 days before building a church in the fifth century. According to legend, he threw a silver bell on the side of the mountain and knocked off Corra, a she-demon, from the sky. In turn this banished snakes from the country.
- Dublin Castle. The castle was completed in 1220 after construction began in 1208. Today it’s one of the top reasons to visit Ireland. Dublin Castle is one of the few surviving historical buildings in Dublin. It had been the center of English power in Ireland for seven centuries until the Irish Free State took over in 1922.
- Giant’s Causeway. Born by an ancient volcanic eruption, the site boasts 40,000 basalt columns that interlock with each other. It was named after the legend where it is believed to have been built by a giant in order to reach his lover. The prehistoric site is renowned worldwide. It contains the passage tomb of Brú na Bóinne Complex. The passage was constructed so that when winter solstice arrived, sunlight would get in and illuminate the chamber’s floor.
- Dingle Peninsula. Often used as a filming location, the peninsula also has its own dolphin which you can see via a guided tour from the harbour.
- Bunratty Castle. It’s’ one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the country and top reasons to visit Ireland. At the base of the castle is the Bunratty Folk Park which comprises of medieval cottages and houses.
This article was originally published on www.theworldiscalling.com. Read the original here.
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