Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

DISC OVERING IRELAND  13

a whiskey sampling session.
The highlight of the day is the
wonderful landscape of the
Giant’s Causeway (pp266–7),
made up of basalt columns.
Continue on to the Carrick-a-
rede Rope Bridge (p265) – it
makes a fine adventure for
those with a strong stomach.
Relax for the rest of the day
and enjoy the stunning views
as the road follows the coast
back towards Belfast.
One Week in Ireland
The Rock of Cashel, rising dramatically out over the Tipperary plain
• Arriving Arrive and depart
from Dublin Airport or To extend your trip… Day 5: Galway to Sligo
by ferry from Liverpool Spend two days on the Head towards Clifden (pp210–
or Holyhead. beautiful Dingle Peninsula 11), through stunning lakeland
(pp162–3) and stay a night and mountain scenery. From
• Transport A car is essential here, head to Westport (pp208),
in Dingle town (p161).
for this trip. stopping off to visit Westport
House. Next, travel to Sligo
Day 4: Tralee to Galway (p238) a busy rural town with
Day 1: Dublin From Tralee head towards a vibrant arts scene.
Pick a day from the city itinerary Limerick (p195). Here, visit the
on p12. Hunt Museum, with its superb To extend your trip…
collection of antiquities, and the Visit beautiful Achill Island
Day 2: Kilkenny to Cashel beautiful St Mary’s Cathedral. (p208) in County Mayo.
Visit Kilkenny (pp146–8) for Next stop is Ennis (p193), a It is easily reached by a
some elegant architecture, the pretty, working town with some road bridge.
medieval St Canice’s Cathedral, old­fashioned restaurants. Stop
the beautifully restored Kilkenny off for lunch in Ennis before
Castle and some great shopping heading towards the coast and Day 6: Northern Ireland
opportunities. Take a tour of the stunning Cliffs of Moher From Sligo, head towards Derry
the Nicholas Mosse Pottery (p188). From here you can and spend a day exploring the
Factory (p333), in nearby follow winding coastal roads North Antrim Coastline (p265).
Bennettsbridge. Next, visit through Ballyvaughan in the Make the first stop at Benone
Cashel (p199) with its imposing Burren to Galway (pp214–5). Strand (p264), an amazing
medieval abbey. Round the day The city has lively nightlife with stretch of sandy beach. Visit the
off with a trip to the Brú Ború lots of options for traditional seaside town of Portrush (p264)
Cultural Centre, also in Cashel. and not­so­traditional music. before moving on to the ruins of
Dunluce Castle (p265). The
Day 3: Ring of Kerry highlight is the Giant’s Causeway:
Start the day in the lively town it’s easy to spend a couple of
of Killarney (p163), where you hours wandering this bizarre, but
can enjoy Irish tourism at its beautiful landscape. End the day
most flamboyant. Killarney has with dinner in Belfast (pp280–3).
many attractive features, and it
makes a good base, but it is the Day 7: The Boyne Valley
circular drive around the Ring The route back to Dublin
of Kerry (pp168–9), stopping at lies through Newgrange and
quaint villages and taking in the the Boyne Valley (pp248–9).
stunning seascapes, that really Here you will find passage
makes the trip worthwhile. graves, ancient ring forts and
End the tour in Tralee (pp160– Neolithic artwork. Admission
61), a working town steeped to the passage tombs are by
in tradi tional Irish culture. tour only and cannot be
Pay a visit to the County Kerry booked in advance. Heading
Museum, and take in a perfor­ on, leave the M1 for Balbriggan
mance of Siamsa Tíre – the The beautiful, dramatic landscape of the and follow the coastal roads
National Folk Theatre of Ireland. Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim towards Dublin.

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