Dublin, the capital!

You'll probably arrive at the capital either by boat or plane, and you won't be disappointed as Dublin is a charming and bustling capital. Some of the best places to visit are Grafton Street, which was constructed in 1708 by a wealthy Dawson family. It began as a residential street for Dublin's more affluent citizens during the eighteenth century, but today it is full of shops, restaurants and pubs. Trinity College is also an essential place to visit, the library's highlight is the Long Room, with its fantastic interior, that is both grand and cosy at the same time! This iconic library is also home to The Book of Kells, which is a 9th-century manuscript that documents the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ. The Book of Kells is Ireland's most significant cultural treasure and the world's most famous medieval manuscript. Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison, located about 4km from the centre converted into a museum by the Government of Ireland. Many Irish revolutionaries were imprisoned and executed here, including the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising. They hold some great exhibitions giving some background on the Troubles in Ireland. 

If you're looking for somewhere extraordinary to stay then try The Shelbourne Hotel. It is one of the most elegant and historic hotels in the city, set in a row of Georgian houses that look like dolls houses. This hotel has been around for a long time, and it still retains its classic charm because the interior has a timeless style and features a spa with an indoor swimming pool. All the meals are made with local Irish ingredients.  

The natural beauty of the emerald isle 

Ireland has some beautiful natural landscapes; coastlines are very dramatic, and there are endless fields of the greenest grass. While the weather in Ireland cannot always be trusted, the beautiful landscape can because it still looks stunning even in bad weather. The southwest of the country is particularly spectacular. Firstly you have The Cliffs of Mohar, which are the most epic set of cliffs overlooking the mighty Atlantic Ocean. They are truly dramatic, and the wild seas here never fail to leave you in awe, both summer and winter. The Killarney National Park is also very pretty, it's less dramatic and more quaint, but evokes all those images of rural Ireland with green fields, little stone bridges and cosy pubs full of curious locals. You also have Muckross House & Gardens nearby, which are worth a visit. If you want to follow a well-established road trip, then try the Ring of Kerry, a scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland's County Kerry. It's a circular 179km route that takes in the rugged coastline and some lovely seaside villages. Skellig Michael, a rocky island with an abandoned 7th-century Christian monastery, is a major destination point, with several boats from Portmagee making the 12km crossing during the warmer months.

Galway, Ireland's musical city 

While in the west of the country, take a trip up to Galway. Galway is a cultural hub and bursting with great pubs which host live music every night of the week. The city is also full of students, so there are plenty of exciting things to do, good value restaurants and great vintage clothes shopping. While in Galway, try a lovely pub called Tigh Neachtain, a busy, traditional wooden panelled pub. This place is excellent, it has open fireplaces, live music and an excellent restaurant upstairs. All the food on the menu is locally sourced, and the prices are very reasonable with most dishes costing less than 15 euros. The city has a beautiful cathedral to visit, the Latin Quarter is a great place to take some photographs, and the modernist Galway Museum can provide you with a bit of background to the city.

Ferries to Ireland 

Netferry has a range of opportunities not to be missed: on the site, you can get information on the ferries that connect Ireland with the rest of Europe. There are ferries to Cork, Dublin, Rosslare and Belfast and you can find information on rates, timetables and provisions at any time with just a few clicks!

NetFerry: find your ferry!