Spiritual and Religious Sites
1. Knock Situated in Knock, County Mayo, Knock Shrine is a place of reverence and pilgrimage for many worshippers and visitors. The Shrine offers a museum, daily Mass and other points of interest and faith. Knock is believed to be the site of an apparition of Our Lady. Visiting Knock is one of the most spiritual things to do in Ireland. 2. St. Patrick’s Cathedral The tallest and largest church in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the spiritual center of the city of Dublin. The cathedral features some stunning iconography, Gothic architecture, and religious culture. The cathedral was founded in 1191 and has a rich history, which is illustrated throughout the building. Tours of the Cathedral as well as daily Mass and Eucharist are all to be availed of. It is an essential stop on any spiritual tour of Ireland. 3. Clonmacnoise The Clonmacnoise Monastery is one of the oldest houses of worship on the entire island of Ireland. Founded in 544 AD by Saint Ciarán, the monastery is situated in Co. Offaly and has a closely entwined history with the Kings of Connacht. The site is comprised of Cathedral ruins, seven churches, two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian tombstones in Europe. 4. Trinity College & The Book of Kells The sparkling jewel of Ireland’s historical and spiritual artifacts, the priceless Book of Kells has resided in Trinity College Library for decades. The book is a must-see exhibit, featuring the four gospels of the New Testament and stunning illuminations. Trinity College is also home to the famed Long Library and has plenty of spiritual and historical things to learn.
History & Folklore
1. The Titanic Experience, Belfast This award-winning attraction is the single most immersive walking tour of the history of the Titanic. The tour offers the opportunity to follow the footsteps of the people who built and boarded the doomed ship, learning the history of the shipyard and the region. The museum is an essential stop on our Northern Welcome tour. 2. Poulnabrone Dolmen The portal tomb of Poulnabrone is situated in County Clare. The dolmen dates back to the Neolithic period – somewhere between 4200 BC and 2900 BC – and is one of the oldest archaeological sites on the island. The site is rich with history and also serves as a wonderful spot to observe the stars. 3. Temple Bar The famed Temple Bar area of Dublin is awash in history, folklore and culture. Enjoy a walk through the cobbled streets of the area known as the Cultural Quarter, hearing traditional music, chatter and general liveliness. The area has a rich history dating back to Anglo-Norman times and is an important part of Ireland. Our Historical Ireland Tour features an immersive stop at Temple Bar. 4. Loughcrew Passage Tomb The Loughcrew Passage Tomb, also known as Hill of The Witch, is a collection of ancient cairns dating back to around 3200 BC. The cairns feature intricate carvings and were built to track the passage of time – visiting on an equinox is guaranteed to be a special occasion. 5. Newgrange Newgrange is one of the most easily recognisable historical things to do in Ireland. The prehistoric monument stands proud as a testament to the endurance of Irish history, offering insight and clarity into a part of our ancestry. The building is thought to be older than both Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza. Be sure to visit the famed monument during a full circle of Ireland.
Hidden Gems and Curios
1. Aillwee Cave Based in The Burren National Park, the brilliantly strange Aillwee Cave is a great place to spend an hour or two. The Cave consists of weird caverns and oddly-shaped formations and is also home to a Bird Conservation Centre and a Visitor’s Centre. The area has been used to breed and care for endangered red kites and vultures. Contact us today to find out more about tours with stops to this fabulous natural monument. 2. Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge Linking the tiny island of Carrickarede to the mainland of Ireland, this famous rope bridge is perfect for adrenaline junkies and curious people alike. The bridge is one of the lesser-known things to do in Ireland but is definitely worth a walk across for the stunning views alone. 3. Belvedere House Belvedere House is a stately house and gardens situated in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The House is rich in history, featuring interesting sites such as the Jealous Wall and the shores of Lough Ennell. The gardens also offer an adventure, rambling through trees and flowers to find swing-sets and streams. Photo courtesy of Belvedere House and Gardens(must credit photographer! Kevin Monaghan) 4. The Long Room Library Nestled in the halls of Trinity College, Dublin, the Long Room Library is a breathtaking stretch of books and culture. The Library is home to marble busts, historic artefacts and relics, and over 200,000 books and documents. A tour of the Long Room Library is one of the more cultured things to do in Ireland on a short break away. 5. Glasnevin Glasnevin is a sprawling cemetery situated in Dublin. The cemetery is the final resting place of hundreds of famed Irishmen and women, including Michael Collins and Charles Stewart Parnell. Tour mausoleums and learn more about Irish history through the extensive and modern on-site museum.
Haunted Hotspots
1. Charleville Castle A Gothic castle hiding in the oak forests of Co. Offaly, Charleville is a favourite spot for ghost hunters and history fanatics everywhere. Tour the eerie halls and learn all the secrets of the fortification, which has a surprisingly spooky past. A chauffeur driven tour to Charleville is a must. 2. Castle Leslie The secluded Castle Leslie estate possesses an eerie beauty and, according to rumours, is home to a friendly ghost. The castle’s famous Mauve Room is said to be haunted by the Lady Leslie, while the Red Room is home to the late Norman Leslie. Be sure to visit to learn more about the spooky inhabitants. 3. Kylemore Abbey The Benedictine monastery of Kylemore Abbey is swathed in stories of hauntings, apparitions and mysterious happenings. It has served as a refuge for Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium during the First World War, while acting as an international boarding school for Catholic girls until June 2010. It is high on our must-visit places to see in Ireland. The Abbey is a great stop on a haunted Ireland tour. 4. Leap Castle Bestowed the title of “world’s most haunted castle”, Leap Castle is guaranteed to give you the willies. The castle has a bloody and wild history spanning centuries, and comes equipped with its own tomb. Legend has it that the mad Captain Darby buried gold in the castle, and killed the two servants who helped him – their spirits reportedly haunt the halls. Be sure to visit during a self-drive tour. 5. Kilmainham Gaol The infamous Kilmainham Gaol is the stuff of horror movies and spooky stories. Not only does the Gaol serve as the backdrop for some of Ireland’s most important history, it also is reported to house several spirits and ghosts. Take a self-drive tour and visit the Gaol to learn more about it.
