My name is Brianne Chou and I am doing my study abroad here at the University of Limerick coming from McMaster University in Canada. I’ve always loved travelling and with Ireland’s beautiful landscape, I made it a priority to visit as many of the wonders here during my study abroad term. I’ve explored Northern Ireland visiting the Giant’s Causeway and the Titanic Museum in Belfast, the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary, Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, the Guinness Storehouse, the Book of Kells Experience, the Little Museum of Dublin in Dublin, Howth, Torc Waterfalls in County Kerry, and Kinsale and the Marina Market in County Cork.
To say the least, I’ve been to many of the wonders in Ireland.
Giant’s Causeway – Northern Ireland
Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is at 44 Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT57 8SU. This was about a three-hour drive from Dublin, but it was so worth it. Offering audio guides, guided tours, shops, and a cafe, I took the opportunity to learn about the basalt columns, which originated from an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. It was formed over 60 million years ago after volcanic activity where lava cooled, forming the hexagonal shape of the columns.
The Myth
Interestingly enough, many legends are associated with the formation of the causeway. The one I learned was about two giants, one named Finn McCool, traditionally known as Fionn mac Cumhaill and the other named Bennandonner. They were
rivals against each other. McCool was from Northern Ireland and Benandonner was from Scotland. McCool created the causeway by tearing up chunks of the coastline and throwing them into the sea for him to reach Benandonner. However, his plan wasn’t well thought out, as Benandonner was a huge giant compared to McCool. To preserve his life, McCool decided to retreat to Ireland and disguised himself as a baby. When Benandonner arrives, he sees McCool disguised as a baby. He assumes that if the ‘baby’ was so large, then McCool must be even bigger! With that, Benandonner returns to Scotland, ripping up even more of the Causeway to distance himself between himself and Ireland.
If you watched Rose and Jack fall in love with the movie Titanic, you have to see this attraction. It is located in northern Ireland at 1 Olympic Way, Belfast BT3 9EP, United Kingdom. Offering a self-guided tour of over ten interactive galleries, the sights, sounds, smells, stories, and people of the ship are fascinating. You learn everything from the making of the ship to the eventual sinking, as well as the stories of survivors.
If I were to give you one piece of advice, I would say to glance over the first few galleries, as it only provides a history of the building of the ship. The most interesting parts (for me) were exploring the rooms dedicated to specific economic classes, reasons why the ship sank, and the legacy of the ship– all of which were in the mid-to-late galleries.
Rock of Cashel – County Tipperary
Although there are many castles to explore in Ireland, the Rock of Cashel is located at St. Patricksrock, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. It is famous for its history of converting the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century A.D. The self-guided tour offers a viewing of the limestone and monuments. It rose to fame in 1101, showcasing its power in the country with five main buildings. This includes the round tower, 12th-century chapel, 13th-century cathedral and the Hall of the Vicar’s Choral.
Cliffs of Moher – County Clare
One of the most beautiful attractions in Ireland is easily the Cliffs of Moher. The scenery here is immaculate towering the west coast overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Aran Islands. The paved pathways allow you to see the cliffs from varying perspectives. The main platform looks towards Hag’s Head, the north platform is the highest point with all views and the south platform oversees Goat Island.
It is beautiful here and I could’ve stayed for hours just admiring the view. If anything, I would recommend dressing warm as the winds are not here to play.
How can you come to Ireland and NOT go to the iconic Guinness Storehouse? This brewery is located at St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H where you can discover the brand, the brewery and the people who developed Guinness into what it is today. The experience included a self-guided tour, entry to the tasting rooms, gravity bar, a pint of Guinness (18+) or a soft drink. There are several experiences to choose from including the connoisseur, Guinness Brewery, and the Guinness Storehouse and Roe experiences.
The Guinness Storehouse has seven floors encompassing the making of the Guinness, how it is brewed, advertising around the beverage, a cinema room, a stoutie, a dining hall and shopping to conclude your trip!
Book of Kells – Trinity College Dublin
The Book of Kells is a famous manuscript illustrating four gospels. It has layers of symbolism, lettering, portraits and Celtic motifs, inspiring people for centuries. It was created around 800AD and originally produced on the Scottish Island of Iona.
There are three experiences to choose from, including the guided Book of Kells experience (75 mins), Book of Kells Experience (90 mins) and Book of Kells Experience and Trinity Trails (120 mins). Chapter 1 explores the old library showcasing the Book of Kells, Long Room and Gaia. Chapter 2 involves the Red Pavilion with a digital exhibition and gift shop.
Little Museum of Dublin – Dublin
This pop-up museum is truly one of the greatest performances I’ve been to. It is located in the heart of Dublin at 33 Pembroke Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 FK06. With only 29 minutes, it engages you in stories encompassing Ireland’s history. It is a charming institution where you can get a crash course on everything to know about Dublin. Bringing you from the history from 1900 to the rise of the band U2, it is meticulously organized in a small space to showcase everything you want to know!
Howth
Howth is a village located east of central Dublin. This charming area has beautiful coastlines where you can explore the harbour, pier, and lighthouse. If you are into long walks by the coastline, there are four versions of the Howth Cliff walk, varying in length and difficulty. This includes the red route (2.5 hours), the purple route (3 hours), the green route (2 hours) and the blue route (2 hours). If you’re interested in learning more about the maps, trails and guides, you can look here!
However, if you are not a huge fan of walks, don’t be disappointed. There are also many outdoor activities, museums, as well as places to eat and drink.
Torc Waterfall – County Kerry
Torc waterfall is a cascade formed by the Owengarriff River draining from Devil’s Punchbowl Corrie Lake. It is 20m high and 110m long in Killarney National Park. It is an easy walk up to the falls with minimal rocks and a slight uphill.
The Myth
The waterfall’s name is derived from the Gaelic word ‘torc’– a wild boar. According to the myth, the waterfall was created by a man cursed by the devil. Each night, he transformed into a wild boar. His secret was discovered by a local farmer hunting for missing animals. The boar begged the farmer not to reveal his secret. Despite his wishes, the farmer did not comply, leaving the boar to burst into flames, disappearing into the Devil’s Punchbowl Lake where the water hid the boar underneath the waterfall.
Kinsale – County Cork
Kinsale is a town in Cork known for its colourful streets, history, food, boutiques and events. It is home to many independent boutiques showcasing local and Irish designs. From everything lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and art, you can find anything from household essentials to gifts for your loved ones. This small town has many activities including golf courses, a ghost tour, a farmer’s market, boat tours, sea safaris, and even a surf school!
Marina Market is located in Marina Market, Centre Park Rd, Cork, T12 YX76. It is Cork’s largest indoor marketing with over 35 full-time food vendors, open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm. Their vendors include coffee shops, pizza and cuisines, satisfying any cravings. This vibrant venue holds the record for Ireland’s best Mexican food and pizza in 2024. In addition to the food stalls, many vendors were selling local goods, clothes, and knickknacks!
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