Best Things to See in Ireland - 7 Days Vacation

Day 1: Cruise on the River Shannon

The perfect beginning! If you are an explorer at heart, nothing can be a better beginning of any Ireland vacation than a cruising trip across the River Shannon. You are going to enjoy how the river snakes its way meeting the Sea in Limerick City. This trip will invigorate you from inside out ~ it’s going to be more of a relaxing day, moving along with the pleasant sound of the sea. Today’s highlight is going to be a wonderful scene of the area along the 500km of waterways. 

Highlights of Cruise on the River Shannon: 6thC Clonmacnoise ruins, Portumna Castle and Galway, Traditional Guinnesslunch, the haunted Leap Castle, Birr Castle’s Gardens, the Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery, traditional Irish hand-weaving workshop visit, and more. 

Day 2: Explore Ancient Irish Castles

The second of this Ireland vacation is about the exploration of Irish castles. Today, you will visit the assortment of Castles that are scattered all through the country. With this, you will definitely discover amazing things about ancient Ireland and go back into time. Each of the fortresses that you are going to visit today will acquaint you with a new story and add a new chapter into your life. 

The first thing that you will see today is going to be the Dublin Castle. Your guide will be taking you through the State Apartments and then to the Chapel Royal whose fine decor & the exotic beauty will win your heart. Another spot of the day is going to be the Ashford Castle in County Cong, where you will feel like staying in a real castle. 

You will never estimate the age of this Castle with five-star like luxurious facilities that it offers. The Castle was built during 1228 and this makes out that you are definitely going to discover some really amazing historical facts. End your day with the perfect Irish style dinner at your hotel.

Day 3: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

The Cliffs of Moher is going to be your spot of the day ~ the third day of this vacation. Without visiting the Cliffs of Moher, your sightseeing expedition cannot be complete. With a walkthrough of around 8km, you will reach to the top of the cliff (at a 200 feet altitude). And, there are some amazing hiking points, where you can get your adrenaline going. Standing a few inches away from the edge is another kind of adventurous feeling. But, here you will have to be really cautious or it can be dangerous. When you reach the highest point of the cliff, O’Brien’s Tower, you get this opportunity to visit the Doolin village, which is in the vicinity. 

Day 4: Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin

Day 4 ~ and the spot of the day is going to be Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin. While this may not be a very good idea to visit a prison while you are on a relaxing vacation, but you will definitely take back home historical lessons that are worth it. Kilmainham Gaol, which used to be a prison in the past has transformed into a museum. The art gallery located on the top floor of this museum, where sculptures, paintings, and other exhibits are worth seeing. Every year, travelers in thousands come here to admire the amazing interior and learn about the stories of Eastern Rising of 1916. And, if you are more curious, you have this opportunity to visit the interior cell where the prisoners spent their last moment. It is worth mentioning here that a visit to Kilmainham Gaol is definitely going to enrich your knowledge of Ireland’s past. 

Day 5: Slieve League, Donegal

Sliabh Liag Cliffs, situated on the southwest coast of County Donegal, are said to be one of the highest and finest marine cliffs in Europe. To fully enjoy the spectacle of Sliabh Liag it is best to leave your car at the car park and walk the few miles to the cliffs so as not to miss the exciting scenery of the area.

There are terrific views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sligo Mountains, and Donegal Bay as you walk towards the terrifyingly high top of Sliabh Liag, where the cliff face of Bunglas rises over 600m above the raging ocean. Experienced walkers only should venture beyond the viewing point onto One Man's Pass which loops around onto the Pilgrim's Path.

This is a sacred mountain, for over a thousand years there was a Christian pilgrimage, no doubt Sliabh Liag was a sacred mountain before the Christians arrived here. You should remember this when visiting, so please do not disturb these monuments of Irish cultural heritage. There's much to know about Sliabh Liag, like the monks who went to Iceland or the eagle and the baby. To learn more visit the award winning Slieve League Cliffs Centre which is all about local culture, food and crafts served with a real warm Donegal welcome and sense of humor.

The best part about Slieve League Cliffs is that crowds of travelers seldom flock to this natural beauty.

As a result, you can take in the sights and smells without hordes of tourists jostling you around while blocking your view.

Admittedly, Slieve League Cliffs aren’t as popular as the Cliffs of Moher.

However, Slieve League Cliffs are up to three times higher than Moher’s cliffs and there’s nothing more thrilling than gazing down Europe’s sixth-highest sea cliff for a truly “top of the world” experience.

The sight of crashing waves pounding onto the massive rocks 2000 feet below will leave even the most seasoned traveler awestruck.

Day 6: Killarney National Park

One of the best places to commune with nature while exploring Ireland is Killarney National Park.

This is the only place where you’ll get to see red deer grazing peacefully in the wild. The 100,000ha Park is also home to 141 bird species and if you love to fish, you’ll be pleased to know that the glacial Lower Lake (or Lough Leane. thrives with trout, salmon, and perch.

As you trek through the park, you’ll be rewarded with sights of mountain ranges in the distance, lush moorlands, parks, gardens, and rumbling waterways.

For the best scenery in Ireland, be sure to visit the Ring of Kerry. Some of the highlights along this route include Torc Waterfall, Ross Castle, Ogham Stones, Gap of Dunloe, and the Stone Pillars. The area around Iveragn Peninsula, in particular, has some stunning scenery spanning a distance of 170km.

Day 7: Departure