Look beyond the obvious as there is so much more to Ireland – and you can win a trip to the Emerald Isle.
Ireland is a wonderful little island that attracts people from all over the world and it has always been a very popular place to visit, with its buzzing cities and the culture of course. Ireland is even more popular now thanks to its beautiful scenery playing a major role in blockbuster movies and TV shows. Tourists are keen to rediscover some of the wilder parts of the Emerald Isle, untouched coastal islands, rugged road trips, charming towns and villages. There are also the country’s vibrant cities and excellent accommodation, as well as festivals and special events.
Tourism Ireland has a new online learning tool, the Ireland Specialist Program full of great tips and travel advice. To remind you why the world loves Ireland we have put together this travel guide, check it out and then see the details of how to enter. Sign up here.
Jaw-dropping driving routes
Did somebody say road trip? The coast-hugging Wild Atlantic Way sees you sandwiched between rocky mountains and secluded bays as you wind your way between Mayo and Galway. Explore windswept peninsulas that stretch out into the Atlantic Ocean, travel through tobacco-coloured rolling hills, or stop and get adventurous with a kayak tour of Clew Bay, which was once home to pirates and smugglers.
Or travel the Causeway Coast Route, a Northern Ireland road trip that takes in the buzzing bars and incredible history around Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway.
Movie-worthy locations
Ireland’s Skellig Michael, the location of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
When many people first saw Luke Skywalker on his windswept island retreat – at the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and more extensively in last year’s blockbuster Star Wars: The Last Jedi – they assumed it was made using special effects. But very little digital trickery was needed to make Ireland’s starkly beautiful Skellig Michael ready for the silver screen. The island, in County Kerry, is home to puffins and the stunning ruins of an ancient monastery that stood in for Luke’s Jedi temple.
Further north in Country Down, you might recognise the towering ancient redwood and mysterious moors of Tollymore Forest Park as backdrops for HBO series Game of Thrones. Many of Ireland’s castles have also turned up in the Seven Kingdoms. Many of Ireland’s castles have also turned up in the Seven Kingdoms.
Great places to stay
Stay in a real-life castle!
Ireland has some of the world’s most unique accommodation. Fill your Insta feed with the historic grandeur of Ballyfin, the most ornate and admired Regency mansion in Ireland. Or stay in five-star luxury at an actual castle at Dromoland Castle, which also has one of Ireland’s many amazing golf courses.
A tale of two cities
Dublin is full of history, creativity and more perfect Irish pubs than you can raise a glass of Guinness to. Check out Dublin Castle that once started life as a Viking fortress, visit the Book of Kells exhibition at Trinity College or see some traditional Irish music.
One of Belfast’s most enduring, and fascinating, claim to fame is the fact that it was where the doomed ship Titanic was built. The Titanic Belfast must be top of your list. You can also check out Belfast’s peace mural on a Black Taxi Tour of the city or taste some of the areas finest seafood fine diners like Mourne Seafood Bar.
The best of the fests
The Irish love a good party and there are plenty of festivals on the annual calendar. Music is a huge focus with bands playing outdoors in the ground of historic places like Slane Castle. Foodies might prefer to head for the celebrations of local produce such as Food Festivals of the Wild Atlantic Way such as The Galway Oyster Festival, Kinsale Gourmet Food Festival or meet the craftsmen of some of the countries incredible a traditional crafts.
Learn and WIN, WIN, WIN!!
Sign up for the new Ireland Specialist Program and complete the modules for your chance to be on an Ireland famil in 2018.
Tourism Ireland is proud to launch its new online learning tool that can help you know more about the cities, counties and towns of Ireland, as well as the country’s growing attraction: screen tourism. Sign up here.
READ: Star Wars cameo awakens tourism to Ireland
READ: Taste your way around Ireland’s phenomenal food scene
Where would you want to go if you won an Irish trip?
Written by Paul Chai, KarryOn contributor
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