Lonely Planet's 21 must see things in Ireland

Travel bible Lonely Planet has released a new list of 21 things that you must do and see when you visit Ireland.

It is included in the latest edition of the Lonely Planet guide to Ireland.

It is an extensive and varied list which includes a variety of activities and sights ranging from big cities to beautiful countryside, from supping a Guinness in an Irish pub to heading to one of Ireland’s glorious beaches.

Here is a countdown of the top ten.

1 – Take in the sights of Dublin. Lonely Planet says Dublin has ‘all the baubles of a major international metropolis’.
2 – Connemara. The beautiful area in Co Galway has striking scenery including hills and lakes.
3 – Visit an Irish pub. Lonely Planet doesn’t specify any particular pub. There are thousands of great pubs all over the country and ‘every town and hamlet has at least one: no matter where you go you’ll find that the social heart of the country’.
4 – See some live traditional music. Lonely Planet advises to find a good Irish pub and take in ‘western Europe’s most vibrant folk’.
5 – Visit ‘Ireland’s liveliest city’ – Galway. The guide suggests visitors should ‘Join the locals as they bounce from place to place, never knowing what fun lies ahead’.
6 – Expore Dingle, Co Kerry. As well as the main town, the surrounding areas make up a ‘picturesque peninsula strewn with ancient ruins’.
7 – Glendalough, Co Wicklow. Lonely Planet call Glendalough ‘unforgettable’ and ‘one of the country’s most beautiful sites’.
8 – Rock of Cashal, Co Tipperary. This was the old seat of Kings, before the Norman Invasion.
9 – Links golf. The golf courses in Ireland are described as ‘some of the world’s best-known courses share spectacular scenery with lesser-known gems’.
10 – A trip to the city of rebels – Cork

Lonely Planet’s guide also includes important information such as travel advice, food and drink guides and in depth profiles on many of the attractions.

Here is Lonley Planet’s list in full;

1 – Dublin
2 – Connemara
3 – Visit an Irish pub
4 – See some live traditional music
5 – Galway
6 – Dingle, Co Kerry
7 – Glendalough, Co Wicklow
8 – Rock of Cashal, Co Tipperary
9 – Links golf
10 – Cork
11 – Walking and hiking
12 – Brú na Bóinne, Co Meath
13 – Ring of Kerry
14 – Causeway Coast
15 – Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Co Sligo
16 – Kilkenny City
17 – Titanic Belfast
18 – Donegal coastline
19 – GAA or hurling
20 – Derry
21 – Clare coast

While it is an impressive list, there is plenty more to Ireland that has been left off.

Take a look at our tourism section for more great places to visit in Ireland.

Lonely Planet names 21 must see attractions in Ireland

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