County Mayo
Stretching up 23m and featuring a single lofty window, the magnificent Turlough Round Tower, a short distance northeast of the National Museum of Country…
Must-see attractions in Ireland
Aran Islands
Glorious views of Inishmaan's limestone valleys and maze of stone walls extend from this ruined elliptical stone fort, which sits on the island's highest…
The Midlands
This charming little whitewashed 18th-century windmill was abandoned in 1837 and repaired in the 1990s, and is now the oldest restored operational…
County Donegal
This splendid beach on the Rosguill Peninsula is a joy, full in the face of the mighty Atlantic. It's generally OK for swimming, but don't enter the water…
Connemara
On these hour-long tours you'll get a real sense of the skill and sheer hard work that goes into producing Connemara's famous oysters. Then try your hand…
Aran Islands
Now a small museum, this 300-year-old thatched cottage, on the road just before you head up to Dún Chonchúir, is where the writer JM Synge (1871–1909)…
County Mayo
The ruins here mark the site of St Deirbhile miraculously regaining her sight after plucking out her eyes to make herself less attractive to an unwanted…
The Midlands
To the west of the site, on the ridge near the car park, is a motte with the oddly shaped ruins of a 13th-century castle – also known as Clonmacnoise…
Cathedral of St Peter & St Paul
Glendalough
The Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul, just southeast of the Round Tower at the Glendalough monastic site, has a 10th-century nave; the chancel and…
Church of the Holy Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Aran Islands
Built in 1939, this small church has beautiful stained-glass windows designed by the studio of Harry Clarke and an altar by James Pearse (the father of…
Cork City
This covered walkway on the north side of University College Cork's Victorian Gothic main quad houses Ireland's biggest collection of Ogham stones, carved…
County Dublin
Howth's 'hidden' beach is Claremont, on the other side of the railway. It's a lovely sandy strand, with perfect views of Ireland's Eye directly in front…
The Midlands
Temple Connor originally dates from the 11th century but has many later features, including a quite modern roof; services are still held here. As it has…
County Dublin
The gardens of Howth Castle are worth a visit; they’re noted for their rhododendrons (which bloom in May and June), azaleas and a long, 10m-high beech…
County Meath
South of Tara's Royal Enclosure is this large but worn ring fort where the king, a contemporary of St Patrick, is said to be buried standing upright and…
The Midlands
This 12th-century historic site has Romanesque Gothic transitional windows that are unique to Ireland. It's also known as the Kings' Church, as seven…
Aran Islands
Along the island's low-lying northern coast, the sheltered little bay of Port Chorrúch is home to up to 80 grey seals, who sun themselves and feed in the…
County Mayo
If you can squeeze your way through the west window of this ancient 12th-century church ruin three times, you will never die from drowning (legend attests…
The Midlands
Sharing space with the local library in the village of Clara, this small, modern visitor centre gives an engaging overview of the life and ecosystem of…
Aran Islands
Atop the island's highest point, at 100m, historic fort Dún Eochla has a double ring of circular walls, and is thought to date from the early medieval era…
County Donegal
The 12th-century Tau Cross, an odd, T-shaped cruciform that suggests the possibility of seafaring exchanges with early Coptic Christians from Egypt,…
County Mayo
As the name implies – a ribbon of golden heaven; in the north of Achill Island near Dugort.
County Mayo
Dugort's Silver Strand beach is a prime example of the island's many fine coves.
Glendalough
The visitor centre beside the Glendalough monastic site has a high-quality 20-minute audiovisual presentation called Ireland of the Monasteries.
Inishowen Peninsula
Tullagh Strand, 2km northwest of Clonmany, is a little better for swimming than Pollan Strand, although it isn't recommended when the tide's going out.
County Mayo
Murrisk Abbey was founded by the O'Malleys in 1547. Its scant remains sit beside the shore; a path leads here from beside the National Famine Memorial.
Aran Islands
The well-preserved ruins of this stone fort are 200m west of the Cill Cheannannach church ruins; the fort similarly dates from around the 8th century.
County Mayo
These ruins probably date to the 17th century, but an earlier church dating to the 16th century also existed here, perhaps built by Grace O'Malley who…
County Mayo
This small and roofless 16th-century monk's fishing house juts out into the River Cong just south of the bridge, designed so monks could haul their catch…
Glendalough
The 10th-century Round Tower at the Glendalough monastic site is 33m tall and 16m in circumference at the base. The upper storeys and conical roof were…
County Mayo
Associated with the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, this compact castle tower was her stronghold, although it was altered considerably when the coastguard…
County Donegal
Dating from 1508 and facing the water, this ivy-cloaked priory was plundered in 1595 and then used as a barracks; in the early 17th century it was…
Inishowen Peninsula
Walk 500m from O'Doherty's Keep (turn left and stick to the shoreline) to find squat Ned's Point Fort (1812), built by the British.
County Mayo
The 8km drive west from Keel to what is literally the end of the road is spectacular, with sweeping views across the water as the route climbs beside the…
The Midlands
Built in 1836 by Viscount de Vesci as a market house, this landmark building was restored by the council in 2009 and now houses the town library and an…
County Mayo
Down in the southwest of the peninsula, this is a gorgeous beach. Just south of the beach, look out for the gaunt uninhabited tower ruin along Tower Rd.
Connemara
Book in advance to see the amazing herding feats performed by the sheepdogs on this working farm. From Leenane, it's 14km east: take the R336 and turn on…
County Donegal
A beautiful beach that curves for more than 3km, with good walks along the shore and through the dunes. Even better are the views out to the islands,…
St Connell's Museum & Heritage Centre
County Donegal
Next to the courthouse, this informative little museum has a wealth of exhibits on local history over several floors and doubles as an info centre and…
County Donegal
Off the southwestern tip is Green Island, a bird sanctuary for corncrakes, snipes and a variety of seabirds; you can see it from Arranmore (but not visit).
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