Last year, we published a condensed list of sites that are likely to be near the top of everyone's list when it comes to travelling in Ireland. It was by far our most popular post of the year so we're back to look towards the coming year with a new and improved Ireland Bucket List 2018.
While we certainly wouldn't disagree with their suggestions, last year's bucket list was penned by the good folks over at Ireland.com. Having seen the popularity of their selection, we thought we'd take a more hands on approach to this year's list and expand the choices to fifteen carefully selected places from throughout the island of Ireland. That seemed simple enough.
Narrowing the list down to fifteen was nigh on impossible and putting some semblance of a ranking on the fifteen was even more difficult. In truth, there's so much to see and do in Ireland that, no matter your preferences, we're certain you'll have an incredible time. And on that subject, don't feel too pressurised to see everything on your 'Ireland Bucket List 2018'. We're not big fans of living life at 100 miles an hour. By all means see the sites but make sure to pencil in some time to sit back and relax!!!
Ireland Bucket List 2018
With that in mind - when you travel with YourWay Ireland, your trip is 100% about you and your interests. We don't do 'one size fits all' tours. It's not how we like to travel and it's not how we want you to see Ireland. If you'd like to travel with us, your trip is yours from start to finish. From itinerary through to transport and accommodation we get to know you before planning the kind of trip that we know is perfect for you. And we want to help you save money while we're doing it.
We'd love to hear from you but, before that, take a look at this year's bucket list to help get some inspiration ahead of your trip to Ireland in 2018.
15. Hook Head, County Wexford
Home to the oldest continually operational lighthouse in the world, Hook Head packs an awful lot of history and intrigue into what is a very small patch of land. With the historical centres of Waterford, Kilkenny and New Ross all just a short drive away, 'the Hook' is now beginning to get some much deserved attention from Irish and international visitors.
The lighthouse is of course the star attraction but the stately remains of Loftus Hall, 'Ireland's Most Haunted House' also sit proudly on the barren peninsula. Occupying a nice middle ground between family friendly and 'what the hell just touched my shoulder?', Loftus Hall certainly adds to Hook Head's charm. Having said that, it's difficult to take too much attention away from a lighthouse that's been in use for over 800 years. See more here.
14. Dún Aonghasa, Aran Islands
A trip to the Aran Islands is an adventure in itself. Located off the coast of counties Clare and Galway, the islands are as socially intriguing as they are geographically beautiful. A trip back to old Ireland some might say. The stone walls of Connemara and the lunar landscape of the Burren continue through to these three islands in the Atlantic Ocean with Inis Mór (the big island) being the most accessible.
While there is plenty to see and do on the island, there's one undoubted highlight. Situated on the southern coast of the island lies Dún Aonghasa, a prehistoric stone fort that dramatically hangs on to cliffs, 100m above the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Visitors can take the ferry from either Rossaveel or Doolin port, a journey that's more than worth the effort once you're standing in the middle of Dún Aonghasa. See more here.
13. Kinsale, County Cork
As we mentioned in the introduction, one of the greatest pleasures in Ireland is found in simply taking a step back and watching the world go by for an hour, a day or as long as you might want. You'll find no shortage of places to do just that but one of our favourites has to be the town of Kinsale in County Cork.
While places of interest abound in the surrounding areas, Kinsale excels in creating an atmosphere that's as welcoming as it is enjoyable. With some of Ireland's very best food and drink to be found clustered side by side in Kinsale's narrow streets, it's east to see why some people make it all the way to the south coast and then decide to go no further. See more here.
12. Game of Thrones® Territory, County Antrim
At the time of writing, Season 7 has just come to a close and we're still coming to terms with everything that's happened. Shooting for the much anticipated final season is expected to begin in October 2017 and, with production centred in Belfast all eyes are on Ireland once more.
With the final season expected to premiere in early 2019, any Game of Thrones® fans worth their salt will need to make the quest to the real-world Westeros in 2018 before it's too late. County Antrim is home to more Seven Kingdoms locations than anywhere else. You can dress up in authentic costumes and combine epic location tours with activities like archery and medieval banquets. This is as close as you’ll ever get to claiming the Iron Throne. See more here.
11. The Skelligs, County Kerry
What do Jedi, hermit monks and puffins have in common? At one time or another, they all lived on Skellig Michael, a remote island that rises from the Atlantic. The massive outcrop appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and has since had an even bigger role in The Last Jedi. Since the latest installment was released in December 2017, there's no doubt that interest in this fascinating World Heritage Site will increase once more.
If you plan to follow in the footsteps of the Star Wars crew, you'll have to plan ahead and hope luck is on your side. Conservation efforts on Skellig Michael are of paramount importance and visitor numbers are strictly controlled. However, the Skellig Ring, situated at the tip of the Ring of Kerry is more than worth the trip in itself - even if it is just to see the islands from dry land. If you do manage to secure a much coveted place (and provided the weather is on your side), boat tours – not the Millennium Falcon –can take you there in 2018. See more here.
10. Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary
Rising out of the County Tipperary landscape, it doesn't take long to see why the Rock of Cashel is the obvious stop on so many road trips through the heart of the Irish countryside. It's not just the scale of the complex or the architectural beauty of it all. There's almost a natural quality to it as if the building grew out of the limestone outcrop below.
Originally a site of great strategic importance in pre-Christian Ireland, the site's religious affiliation goes all the way back to St. Patrick in the 5th century. From there, it's religious significance continued to flourish with the oldest buildings on the current site dating from as far back as 1100. See more here.
9. Brú na Bóinne, County Meath
Older than the pyramids of Egypt and twice as impressive!!! Granted we may be biased but this UNESCO World Heritage Site in County Meath contains more than 5000 years worth of history and continues to astound visitors to this day. A series of neolithic passage tombs dotted across the landscape near the River Boyne, Newgrange (above) has long been the most impressive and most visited site.
And while Newgrange will no doubt be near the top of every Ireland bucket list in 2018, the nearby site of Knowth is no less impressive. In particular, the view of the surrounding countryside is a sight to behold and the concentration of prehistoric art in one small field, will have you rethinking just how close we are to our ancestors of five millennia earlier. See more here.
8. Cliffs of Moher and The Burren, County Clare
There’s a good reason why almost 1.5 million people visited the Cliffs of Moher every year. Considered one of the natural wonders of the world, the dramatic cliffs stretch for 5 miles and soar over the churning Atlantic below. Getting a photo here has become a rite of passage for those travelling in Ireland – just watch out for the 30,000 pairs of seabirds photobombing!
While the cliffs took pride of place on last year's list, we felt it only right to expand the scope a little bit this year. The cliffs are undoubtedly impressive and, if you're in the area, you should of course visit. However, while you're there, take the time to understand a little bit more about the area and jump head first (figuratively speaking) into everything that the dramatic karst landscape of the Burren has to offer. See more here.
7. Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny
As impressive as it undoubtedly is, there are quite a few castles in Ireland which rival Kilkenny in terms of size and historical importance. Having said that, few, if any, are as delightfully intertwined with the modern town which surrounds the castle walls.
Of course, the castle is a wonderful attraction in itself but with a thriving arts and social scene taking place alongside the living history of Kilkenny Castle that really makes this such a 'can't miss' stop on any Ireland itinerary. See more here.
6. Glendalough, County Wicklow
If you thought it was just Ireland's west coast that was home the jaw-dropping natural scenery, you would very much be mistaken. Just an hour south of the (relative) metropolis of Dublin lies more greenery than you can shake a stick at.
If you want to see Ireland’s 40 shades of green, look no further than Glendalough. Part of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, this glaciated valley is a haven of woodlands, moors and lakes. It was first inhabited by St Kevin in the 6th century ,whose monastic site can still be seen in the round tower and Celtic crosses that remain at the lower lake. Hey, if it’s good enough for a saint... See more here.
5. Causeway Coastal Route, County Antrim
Northern Ireland’s coastline is dotted with crumbling castles,rugged islands and secluded beaches. But the most impressive of all its coastal quirks has to be the Giant’s Causeway, a sweeping path of 40,000 hexagonal stone columns that tumble into the sea in a blaze of black basalt. Some say it was made by warring giants, others volcanoes. Whatever you believe, there’s no doubt that this is a must-see stop.
Not only that, the nearby attractions of Dunluce Castle and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge ensure that north Antrim coastline is one route that you definitely won't want to miss. See more here.
4. Slea Head Loop and/or The Ring of Kerry, County Kerry
The Dingle Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry?
It's come to the stage where we're refusing to pick one for fear of offending the other. County Kerry's two great driving routes are both remarkably beautiful, both contain numerous historical sites along the way and, most importantly, both begin and end in the kind of town that you never want to leave. To take in both routes, we'd suggest using Killarney as your base using one full day to explore the Ring of Kerry, one full day for Slea Head and, if you have time, another day to explore the sites in and around Killarney itself such as the National Park, Muckross House and Ross Castle.
Slea Head does have the benefit of having less traffic in parts (a considerable advantage on roads like these) but, one way or the other, set your GPS to one of County Kerry's great driving routes and just enjoy the journey!!!
3. Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal
It's seems like County Donegal has been waiting to be discovered by international visitors for quite some time. And while, places like Kerry, Clare and Galway deservedly see much of the footfall, Donegal remains a little too remote for some but just about perfect for others.
The Slieve League cliffs are a wonderful introduction to the county's scenery but, if you have time to explore, it's in Glenveagh National Park where Donegal begins to show what it's really made of. If ever the phrase 'colours are more colourful' makes sense, it's to describe the scenery in Glenveagh. See more here.
2. Croke Park on Match Day, Dublin
There are few better ways to understand the culture of a country than through its sport. That's true of Ireland perhaps more than anywhere else on earth. Our national sports of Gaelic football and hurling are both uniquely Irish and yet enthralling to witness for any first time spectator.
The third largest stadium in Europe, Croke Park is the epicentre of Irish sporting interest between the months of June and September. And while there are stadiums dotted throughout the country, having the opportunity to join 82,000 passionate fans in cheering on their county is not something to be missed.
Watch this space as we'll be putting together some specific Irish sporting trips over the coming months but if you have any questions about Gaelic football, hurling or anything at all, please don't hesitate to get in contact with us here.
1. Connemara and Kylemore Abbey, County Galway
Travelling from Galway city, it's often best to think of Kylemore Abbey as the halfway point of a journey that is about much more than just travelling to Kylemore Abbey. That, of course, is taking nothing away from the remarkably beautiful Abbey itself. It's simply the case that the journey from Galway through the heart of the Connemara region is like nothing else in Ireland.
Leaving Galway via Barna, the rocky coastline eventually leads you inland to Maam Cross where dramatic sea vistas give way to even more dramatic mountain views. Cutting through the Inagh Valley between the Twelve Bens and the Maumturk Mountains is really something to behold before Kylemore Abbey - home to an order of Benedictine nuns since 1920 - appears as if out of nowhere. The good news is that, having visited the Abbey, you still have to make the return trip to Galway. See more here.
And, if you're particularly adventurous, this area is also home to one of our favourite hikes in Ireland. The Diamond Hill route in Connemara National Park is a medium level hike with advanced scenery as the reward.
How To See It All
With all that said, hopefully your plans for your trip to Ireland in 2018 are starting to become a little bit clearer. If there's anything at all that we can do to help, you only need to ask. You can contact us at this link with any questions you might have and we'd be delighted to answer as best as we can.
We've also put this handy guide together to help you figure out a budget for your trip. We'll get back to you in no time with a quote as well as a personalised itinerary for your trip that's yours to use as much or as little as you want. And with that, all that's left to say is we can't wait to see you in Ireland in 2018!!!
