The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
TOP NATIONAL ATTRACTIONS not to be missed
The Irish National Stud & Gardens
The great thing about this place is that you don’t even need to be that interested in horses to appreciate its breathtaking beauty. The Irish National Stud belongs to the people of Ireland and the staff there always go over and above the call of duty when it comes to making your visit a memorable one.
It’s a gem in the heart of Kildare that you simply must visit. It’s a place where some of Ireland’s top stallions are kept and when you stroll along the paddock areas you get to see the beautiful horses and foals in full throttle. It’s a unique place in the sense that while its primary function is to produce future thoroughbred champions, it does so by making the general public a part of the story.
And if gardening is your thing, you won’t be disappointed because the Japanese Gardens alone are worth the visit. There’s also a fantastic restaurant to take timeout in. Children love seeing the horses and this is one day out you must have. Be sure to visit and say hello to the living legends while you’re at it.
Newgrange/Brú Na Bóinne
If you’ve ever been captivated by Ireland’s amazing history and heritage then you’ll have heard of Newgrange and Brú Na Bóinne. But this stunning sequence of prehistoric monuments is more than just an architectural achievement, it also forms part of a complex landscape which has been shaped over thousands of years by the ceremonial aspirations of our prehistoric and medieval ancestors.
There are guided tours of the monuments, including the hill of Tara where Ireland’s high kings were crowned. You should also know that Newgrange passage tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is older than the Pyramids of Egypt. The megalithic tomb at nearby Knowth is also a must see, as is Trim Castle just a short drive away. The River Boyne is another one of Ireland’s most historic sites and famous for the battle between the armies of King James and William of Orange in 1690. This entire area is the heartbeat of Ireland’s past but you must see it for yourself.
Kilmainham Gaol
When it opened as a common gaol in 1796 no one could have foreseen that by the time it closed again 128-years later in 1924 it would have incubated the national self-consciousness to the extent it did. This is no ordinary building in Ireland’s history for it housed the men and women who drove the resurgence in Irish nationalism during the 19th century.
The memory of Henry Joy McCracken, James Connolly, Robert Emmet, Anne Devlin, Charles Stewart Parnell and the leaders of the 1916 Rising are now part and parcel of the jail. They are its resident ghosts who will ignite the imagination of
visitors as they stroll through its eerie corridors and empty cells. The stone-breakers’ yard, where the executions in 1916 took place, is another poignant place of interest. If you haven’t already visited Kilmainham Goal then there’s no time like the present to do so. There are guided tours of the building which are very informative and will leave you feeling happy that you visited what is one our most historic and thought-provoking buildings.
Fota Wildlife Park
This is one the south west’s truly great attractions and has been for over three decades. It’s a day out that can be enjoyed either as a family or by the wildlife enthusiast who just wants to enjoy the amazing animals at Fota. It’s home to a number of species that are in danger of extension and the park helps in this regard through cooperation with institutions and breeding programmes.
The park is just 10km east of Cork City and draws around 440,000 visitors a year making it the second largest visitor attraction outside of Leinster. Its range of animals include Asiatic lions, gibbons, wallabies, cheetahs, flamingos, monkeys, bison, zebras and rhinos to name a few. There is also some fantastic flora and fauna to observe with educational tours that are well worth it. Conservation is also important at Fota Wildlife Park and along these lines the visitor will also learn a great deal. There are great facilities including a restaurant and coffee shop. Put Fota Wildlife Park on your ‘to do’ list this summer. nstitutions they help to restore the population
Cliffs of Moher
While it’s a given that the entire western coastline is absolutely beautiful with its natural and rugged appearance, there are a few notable exceptions. One of these is the Cliffs of Moher which is uniquely stunning. The ‘edge of the world’ feeling you get from the cliff face can’t be described and it’s a great location to enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors, literally!
The cliffs are located close to Liscannor village in Clare and once you arrive at this stunning location you get to take in the beauty of a cliff face that stretches for some 8 miles. The cliffs are around 720 ft. high and on a clear day you’ll get to see The Twelve Pins, Maum Turk mountains, Galway Bay, the Aran Islands, Connemara, the Dingle Peninsula and Blasket Island.
But aside from the breathtaking views, the Cliffs of Moher are also a treat for geology enthusiasts with over 300 million years of rock formation. Birdwatchers won’t be disappointed either as the cliffs are home to Atlantic Puffins. This is the perfect time of year to see them as the birds have returned to the cliff face for the nesting season. There are so many reasons to spend a day at the Cliffs of Moher.
Tayto Park
A theme park and zoo located in Co. Meath which offers over 100 attractions to its visitors.
Among these many attractions are a zoo, an extreme climbing wall, a ferris wheel, a 5D cinema, a Nissan driving school, a shot tower, a playground and water fun, a tour of the Tayto Factory, and the Cúchulainn Rollercoaster.
Skyline walk Croke Park
The Ericsson Skyline tour at Croke Park offers visitors unmatched panoramic city views and insights into Dublin’s celebrated landmarks combined with the thrill of walking on top of one of Europe’s largest stadiums.