If you are from Newcastle—which is among the most iconic cities in Britain—you are all too familiar with its famous industrial heritage, eponymous brown ale, vibrant nightlife, and distinct regional ‘Geordie’ dialect. But if you are looking for something different yet somehow familiar, all you have to do is book an Ireland guided tour and take a 1-hour flight to Ireland, just 215 miles away from Newcastle. 

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration.

Home to some of the world’s lushest, greenest landscapes, Ireland is brimming with ancient landmarks, idyllic sceneries, lively music, and a wealth of folklore that will captivate any tourist’s interest. Its western region is famed for its ocean coastline with towering sea cliffs, fine sand beaches, medieval castles, quaint villages, and breathtaking islands where ancient traditions are well-preserved.

Meanwhile, the east and northern sides, where the modern metropolis of Dublin and Belfast are, offer a rich culture and diversity. Here are the top attractions in Ireland that you should explore.

The Cliffs of Moher

The scenery at the Cliffs of Moher looks like it is straight out of a movie scene. Some would describe it as awe-inspiring, while some would say it is vertigo-inducing. Nonetheless, what’s sure is that the panoramic views offered by these cliffs are ruggedly beautiful, which is why it is the top tourist attraction in Ireland.

To get to the Cliffs of Moher, you would need to travel for approximately one and a half hours from Galway. The cliffs stretch about eight kilometers along the Atlantic and rise 214 meters at their highest point. 

Upon getting there, you can do several things. First, take a walk along its scenic coastal trail to get a good look at the panoramic views of the pristine waters. You can also go bird watching as the Cliffs of Moher is one of the best places in Ireland to watch birds. Don’t miss the chance to witness the majestic sea birds and their nesting colonies.  After that, you can dine at the restaurants as there are a wide variety of food options available at the Cliffs Cafés, which are made with the freshest locally-sourced produce, such as wild Irish salmon and farm cheese.

After getting your fill, you can head over to the Craft and Gift Store located within the Visitor Centre. Here, you can find an assortment of products from 80 Irish suppliers, of which 60 are local or artisan.

Grafton Street, Dublin

Grafton Street is much more than just a place to shop in Dublin. You will find lots of interesting things here as this street is always bustling with buskers, flower-sellers, and performance artists. Although Grafton Street is touted as the heart of Dublin’s shopping center, there is no need to spend a fortune here just to get good items. The merchants here are friendly and chatty and will even give you great discounts if they fancy you.

There are also plenty of cafés to spend leisurely afternoons in. The atmosphere here is certainly similar to cafés in Barcelona and Lisbon. Also, don’t miss the chance to get a taste of the world-famous Irish breakfast at Bewley’s Grafton Street Café.

Killarney National Park and Muckross House & Gardens

When you visit the Killarney National Park in the Kerry region, stopping by the 19th-century Muckross House, Gardens, and Traditional Farms is a must. This majestic mansion that Queen Victoria once visited was built close to the shores of Muckross Lake, and although it is antique-ish now, it still has the grandeur and splendor of its bygone days. 

Here, you can ride the Jaunting Cars—Killarney’s famous horse & traps—and ask the coachman to take you on a tour around the area in style, just as how the Irish traveled way back in 1865. And if you want to get a feel of how the ordinary Irish folks once lived, visit the old farmsteads.

The Ring of Kerry

If you are in the mood for road-tripping, take Ireland’s most scenic route—the Ring of Kerry in the Iveragh Peninsula. This 111-mile-long circular route will take you through various towns and villages such as Killarney, Kenmare, Sneem, Caherdaniel, Waterville, Cahirciveen, Kells, Glenbeigh, Killorglin, and Beaufort.

The Ring of Kerry route takes around three and a half hours to drive around without any stops, but that’s unlikely to happen because you will be greeted with the most spectacular views that will compel you to stop for a while so you can fully appreciate its beauty. Some of which are the jaw-dropping Atlantic Ocean views, wild sweeping mountains, and various picturesque villages.

Aside from the spectacular views, you can try a wide variety of outdoor pursuits like golf, water sports on its pristine beaches, cycling, horse-riding, freshwater fishing, and even deep-sea angling. For history buffs, you will surely have a blast marveling at the Ogham Stones, Iron Age forts, and ancient monasteries.

The Rock of Cashel

If you own any postcard from Ireland, you have probably seen the iconic Rock of Cashel—Ireland’s most visited heritage site. Even Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain could not resist visiting this scenic spot during her 2011 official Ireland tour.

These majestic medieval buildings, including the High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, the 12th-century round tower, the 15th-century castle, and a 13th-century Gothic cathedral, stand tall, perched upon a limestone rock formation in the Golden Vale. It is said that this was once where the High Kings of Munster reigned before the Normans invaded Ireland.

Apart from marveling at its architectural ingenuity, you can also learn about the Rock of Cashel’s history by watching the audio-visual shows and exhibitions they prepare onsite.