Welcome to Trips to Ireland .org.  As an experienced traveler and descendant of Irish forebears I have enjoyed many trips to Ireland.  The Emerald Isle always greets it tourists warmly and holds many different points of interest for those interested in taking a vacation to Ireland.

Whatever your budget or interests, vacations to Ireland can fit the bill – those interested in one particular region can tailor their own visit while others can take advantage of the many group tours or complete packages to Ireland.  Whether your wish is to enjoy city culture, view the dramatic landscapes of Kerry and Dingle, explore ancient abbeys and cathedrals, visit the rugged beauty of the Burren or take a ferry to the Aran Islands in the west – it is possible to plan a holiday that reflects your interests and your budget.  Personally, I am partial to walking tours, but have family and friends that recommend complete travel packages and luxury trips.  Their approach also allows you to relax knowing that you will see all of the top attractions, stay in nice hotels and most of all enjoy seeing the beauty of Ireland while leaving the driving to the bus tour operator.  If you prefer to have more flexibility during your time in Ireland and plan to organize your own travel package you should consider my favorite highlights which are organized below into the four provinces that make up Ireland.

Leinster – Dublin, Hill of Tara, Monastic ruins, Waterford

Whether you are interested in visiting historic sites involved in Irelands’ long quest for freedom (the General Post Office or the Four Courts building), visiting sites of religious significance, the Dublin Castle, the Guinness brewery or museums staying within Dublin’s city limits offers many attractions during the day, as well as the fun of the pub culture complete with authentic irish music in the Temple Bar district at night.  Ireland’s bus and Irish rail network centered in Dublin will enable you to enjoy the benefits of staying in the city center while making day-long excursions to such significant sites such as the Hill of Tara (ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland), monastic ruins at Clonmacnoise or Glendalough or visiting the Waterford Crystal works and shopping .  The province of Leinster holds many interesting destinations which you can reach from Dublin.  Dublin also benefits from the many ferries to Ireland from the United Kingdom easing travel complications.

Munster – Cork, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Ring of Dingle, Killarney,

The rugged beauty of Ireland’s’ southern coast has inspired poets, painters and patriots for centuries.  Cork was the major point of embarkation and the last sight of Ireland for most of the mass exodus of emigrants who gave birth to the Irish diaspora across the globe.  Munster gave birth to, and claimed the life of,  Michael Collins one of the greatest patriots of the Irish struggle for freedom.  Nearby is also the world famous Blarney Castle – home of the Blarney Stone.  Bus tours of the Ring of Kerry and Dingle peninsulas offer breathtaking views of Ireland’s rugged southwest coastline – trust me you will be glad you are not driving when you see the cliffs plunging downward off of the hairpin turns.  After seeing Cork move your base of operations to Killarney – from which you can choose among the different coach tours for your exploration of the Ring of Kerry and Dingle.

Connaught – Galway, Aran Isands, the Burren, Conemarra park

Of all Ireland’s’ provinces Connaught has perhaps the most colorful, and painful past – its severe beauty is certainly my favorite. The beautiful countryside was used as where they based the movie “The Quiet Man” and is also home to the Cliffs of Moher a dramatic sight. The delightful and historic college town of Galway, “perhaps the best city in Ireland,” offers a surprising history from medieval to modern times, a thriving theatre culture, diverse restaurants and many shops offering the beautiful handmade Irish crafts of the region from linen tablecloths, wool sweaters and jewelry (the home of the “irish wedding band” or Claddagh is nearby) – of course they have their fair share of pubs as well.  Day trips from the city include; the unique experience of ferries to the Aran Islands (Inishmore and Inishmaan) – home of the world famous Aran Sweater – the beautiful, handknit sweaters with labels certifying their authenticity are sold within the village where they are made, the Burren is an unique landscape of beauty with windsweapt views of the North Atlantic and many ancient ruins, and the Connemara region is another natural beauty of mountains, lakes and coastline as well as the home of the world famous Connemara pony.

Ulster – Giant’s Causeway

Although I have never traveled to Northern Ireland I hear that the Giants’ Causeway is a remarkable natural beauty along the coastline.  The counties of Ulster that are in the Republic of Ireland have their own beauty and points of interest, in particular, Donegal which served as the backdrop for Leon Uris’ bestseller and tome of the Irish diaspora, Trinity.

Irish Vacation and Holiday Destination Ideas