Irish scenery is among the most spectacular in Europe, with breathtaking views and stunning landscapes throughout the whole country.
Here’s our guide to the places that will make a trip to Ireland one to remember.
The Gap of Dunloe is a wild and scenic (and sometimes hairy!) mountain pass – studded with crags and bejewelled with lakes and waterfalls.
It lies to the west of Killarney National Park, squeezed between Purple Mountain and the high summits of the Macgillycuddy Reeks (Ireland's highest mountain range).
Take a pony and trap ride with a local for an authentic experience, or walk the Gap to allow time to take in the majestic views.
Soaring up from the green Tipperary pastures, this ancient fortress takes your breath away at first sight.
The seat of kings and churchmen who ruled over the region for more than 1000 years, it rivalled Tara as a centre of power in Ireland for 400 years.
Entered through the 15th-century Hall of the Vicars Choral, its impervious walls guard an enclosure with a complete round tower, a 13th-century Gothic cathedral and a 12th-century Romanesque chapel.
A perfect way to spend an afternoon in Dublin is to wander around the city's elegant spaces of Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares and take in the exquisite architecture.
Here you'll find the perfect mix of imposing public buildings, museums, and private offices and residences.
These include the home of the Irish parliament at Leinster House and, immediately surrounding it, the main branch of the National Museum of Ireland and the Museum of Natural History.
Take a trip over to the Northside to the more vibrant, community centered Mountjoy Square, and stop off at the Hugh Lane gallery on Parnell Square to view an incredible contemporary art collection.