Your Irish bucket list
See Ireland’s only cable car, watch the country’s best sunset, and stay overnight in a lighthouse. Pick any of these stunning spots and start your Irish bucket list adventure.
Travel writers all over the world rave about our incredible island with its magical castles, mighty mountains, and beautiful beaches, and now is the perfect time to see them in person.
Driving the Wild Atlantic Way is an unforgettable experience.
1. A Wild Atlantic Way road trip
People all over the world adore the Wild Atlantic Way, the legendary coastal 2,500km drive that runs from Donegal to Kinsale. Marvel at craggy cliff faces, roaring waves, and fiery red sunsets along this once in a lifetime journey. It’s the ultimate Irish road trip with 15 signature discovery points along the way, stop at magnificent Malin Head, the most northerly point of Ireland, swim in the turquoise waters of Keem Bay in Mayo. Make sure you pick up your Wild Atlantic Way passport at the start of your journey, collect the stamps as you go and keep it as a souvenir from your trip.
2. Explore Skellig Michael
Featured in the recent Star Wars films, Skellig Michael in Kerry is one of Ireland’s greatest wonders. Steps carved into the steep rockface take you to a monastic settlement and beehive huts that date back to the sixth century. Landing tours to this otherworldly island are postponed until 2021 but it’s an unforgettable experience. In the meantime, there are some boat tours operating so you can see Skellig Michael from the sea.
3. The Historic Hook Lighthouse
Hook Lighthouse – The oldest original operating lighthouse in the World.
Enjoy a tour of Hook Lighthouse, one of the most popular visitor attractions on Ireland’s Ancient East. Loved by visitors year round this 800 year old lighthouse has many accolades, chief amongst them; it is the oldest original operating lighthouse in the world… yes, the world!
The 800-year-old lighthouse stands proudly at the tip of the beautiful Hook Peninsula; it is a true gem situated in the South East corner of Ireland’s Ancient East. It was voted in Ireland’s top 10 favourite attractions plus Ireland’s favorite hidden gem in the 2018 Irish Travel Awards and with a fascinating tour on offer, it’s not hard to understand why it ranks so highly.
4. Discover Downpatrick Head
Visit the magnificent heritage site of Downpatrick Head, 5km north of picturesque Ballycastle village in Mayo. Experience unrivalled views of the Staggs of Broadhaven islands and the Dún Briste sea stack. Discover Downpatrick Head in County Mayo. Breathe in the fresh sea air on an exhilarating coastal trek and see the site of a former church founded by St Patrick, where you’ll find a holy well and stone cross.
Experience stunning views of the Dún Briste sea stack, marvel at the coloured rock formations and spot the sea birds who call this place home including puffins, kittiwakes, and cormorants. Legend says that St Patrick struck the ground with his staff, causing the sea stack to break away from the mainland.
5. The Giant’s Causeway
Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s first UNESCO Heritage Site is a geological wonder and home to a wealth of history and legend. The 40,000 basalt stone columns left by volcanic eruptions 60 million years ago, has captured the imagination of all who see it. Recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s most precious landscapes is cared for by the National Trust, a registered conservation charity founded to protect beautiful and special places for ever, for everyone.
Experience stunning views of the Dún Briste sea stack, marvel at the coloured rock formations and spot the sea birds who call this place home including puffins, kittiwakes, and cormorants. Legend says that St Patrick struck the ground with his staff, causing the sea stack to break away from the mainland.
