Ireland, an island nation located in the northwest of Europe, is often referred to as the "Emerald Isle". It boasts a rich cultural heritage and magnificent natural scenery, exuding a poetic romance by nature.

Here, the natural environment coexists harmoniously with the ancient culture, interweaving into a beautiful picture.

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Our in-depth 20-day tour of England and Ireland includes a 环岛行程. Today, I will introduce to you in detail the places in Ireland that are definitely worthy of being added to your bucket list.

 

 

 

 

 

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is renowned for its abundant historical sites, unique cultural atmosphere, and hospitable residents.

 

 

 

 

 

Dublin Castle, a landmark building in Dublin, has a long history. Initially constructed in 1204, it is now mainly used for national ceremonies and celebrations. You can visit its luxurious interior decorations and the medieval underground ruins to learn about the historical changes of Dublin.

St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Ireland, is also the national cathedral. It is not only a religious sanctuary but also the burial place of Jonathan Swift. Inside the cathedral, there are many historical relics and beautiful stained glass windows, which are worthy of careful appreciation.

Located in the heart of Dublin, Trinity College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. It is one of the universities in Ireland and is on a par with the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford in the academic world. The campus features an enchanting architectural complex. The college library, established in 1592, is one of the oldest libraries in Ireland. It houses more than 200,000 of the oldest books of Trinity College, including the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow.

In 1816, the Irish built an exquisitely designed pedestrian bridge over the River Liffey to connect the north and south urban areas of Dublin. After the bridge was completed, pedestrians had to pay a halfpenny "bridge toll", giving rise to the name "Ha'penny Bridge". At night, the Ha'penny Bridge is illuminated with yellow lights, resembling a golden curved bow poised to shoot, lying gracefully on the tranquil River Liffey. Although the halfpenny bridge toll has long been abolished, Dubliners still affectionately call it by this name, and the Ha'penny Bridge has become another scenic spot that carries the history of Dublin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kilkenny, located 120 kilometers southwest of Dublin, is a relatively small city in Ireland and one of the renowned scenic spots in the country. It is dotted with many winding paths, preserving the charm of the Middle Ages quite well. Kilkenny City is rich in historical sites, and the most famous among them is Kilkenny Castle, one of the top ten most beautiful castles in the world. The castle was initially built in 1172 and has undergone damage and multiple reconstructions.

Dublin is popular among tourists, and Galway is known for its artistry, but Cork is the "happy hometown" secretly cherished by the Irish! As the second largest city in Ireland, it is rebellious and laid-back, resembling a cup of coffee with a splash of whiskey - the more you savor it, the more intoxicating it becomes!

 

 

 

 

 

Built in 1446, Blarney Castle is one of the oldest castles in Ireland and also one of the most fortified. When you look out from Blarney Castle, you can see a dense forest nearby, and in the distance, there is an endless expanse of greenery with small towns scattered here and there, presenting a pleasant scenery. Another place full of fairy-tale romance is the Wishing Steps. It is said that if you close one eye and step on the Wishing Steps while making a wish, your wish will come true. Inside the castle, the most well-known attraction is the famous "Blarney Stone". It is said that those who kiss the "Blarney Stone" will become eloquent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the top universities in Ireland and among the top 100 universities in the world. As one of the three Queen's Colleges, it is one of the oldest universities in Ireland and belongs to the "National University of Ireland" consortium, which is known as the Ivy League of Ireland.

 

 

 

 

The Dingle Peninsula is located in County Kerry in the southwest of Ireland and extends into the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the westernmost lands in Europe. It is renowned as the "most beautiful peninsula in Ireland", boasting a rugged coastline, steep cliffs, golden beaches, and emerald-green hills.

Located near the mouth of the River Shannon in the southwest of Ireland, Limerick is the largest city on the west coast of the island and a famous university city in Europe. It is the third largest city in Ireland. The city is home to St. John's Cathedral, the tallest church in Ireland, King John's Castle, one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Europe, St. Mary's Cathedral, and the renowned University of Limerick. You can take a tour of the city upon arrival.

 

 

 

 

 

The Cliffs of Moher in Ireland are located in County Clare on the west coast and are one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, with an elevation of 214 meters and stretching for about 8 kilometers. The steep cliffs drop straight into the Atlantic Ocean, presenting a magnificent landscape with seabirds often hovering around. Facing the vast Atlantic Ocean, the cliffs are famous for their breathtaking 险峻. They were formed by the continuous impact of the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the crustal movements over countless years, a masterpiece of nature. The cliffs, with their sharply carved layers, resemble an ancient and massive book, rising more than 200 meters above sea level.

Galway is the cultural, tourism, and trade center of Ireland, known as the "Cultural Capital" and the "Capital of the West" of Ireland. It is also one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe, with a perfect blend of traditional and modern styles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only remaining part of the old city walls of Galway, it is also one of the few remaining sections of the ancient city walls in Galway and is now part of the Galway City Museum. This section of the city wall was built at the end of the 16th century, exuding a strong sense of history.

It is a large stone cathedral built recently in Europe and serves as a vibrant community center.

 

 

 

 

In the Irish language, Sligo means "surrounded by shells" and is famous as the birthplace of the great Irish poet Yeats. It is one of the birthplaces of Irish literature, art, and music and is known as the "Art Capital of the West of Ireland". The city has a Catholic church and an Anglican cathedral, as well as the ruins of a 13th-century castle and abbey.

In Northern Ireland, there is a city that still has two names. The British call it Londonderry, while the Irish call it Derry. It has a city wall that has never been breached by the enemy in history, so Europeans also call it the "virgin city".

 

 

 

 

 

 

The walking path here allows you to easily climb onto the city wall. The city wall is not very high, and this easily accessible sense of history truly makes you feel the perfect integration of history and reality✨.

Located on the edge of the Antrim Plateau in Northern Ireland, the Giant's Causeway consists of about 40,000 giant columns stretching out from the sea at the foot of the basalt cliffs. These columns, of uniform size, gather to form a causeway that extends for several kilometers and is regarded as a natural wonder of the world. For 300 years, geologists have studied its structure and learned that it was formed by the continuous eruption of a volcano in the Tertiary period. Streams of basaltic lava flowed out of the ground, and after cooling, they contracted to form hexagonal, quadrilateral, or pentagonal prisms. In 1986, it was listed as a World Heritage Site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dark Hedges is located near the village of Armoy in Northern Ireland and is renowned as one of the ten most beautiful tree tunnels in the world. In the 1750s, members of the Stuart family planted a row of beech trees along the avenue around their villa, hoping to impress their visiting guests with these intertwined trees. These trees entangle with each other, creating some ethereal scenes with light and shadow, achieving a perfect effect. Due to its dreamy and enchanting scenery, the Dark Hedges...