IRELAND

Tiny, and with ever-changing scenery, Ireland is an addictive place to explore. Within a few miles you can travel from plunging cliffs to flat pastureland to towering mountains to gloomy peat bog. You can spend the night in ancient castles or state-of-the-art spa hotels, dine on fine Irish cuisine or snack on fish and chips served in a paper bag. The sheer number of sights, little villages, charming pubs, and adorable restaurants and shops is overwhelming. You always feel that you might be missing something.

Our favorite places and things in Ireland for a 10-day Itinerary of the  Highlights of Southern Ireland:

This 10-day itinerary is ideal for first-time visitors to Ireland. Focusing on the southern coastal counties, it includes many of the country’s highlights. You’ll begin in Dublin, where you’ll see the key sights and make a day trip to famous Newgrange. You’ll then head south through rugged County Wicklow to Waterford. You’ll have a chance to explore the medieval town of Kilkenny along with other points of interest in the region, such as the Rock of Cashel or Jerpoint Abbey. Next is County Cork, whose attractions include Blarney Castle and the Jameson distillery.

DUBLIN

 Wicklow

Just an hour south of Dublin is the epic scenery of County Wicklow. We take the scenic route to Wicklow, passing by the forty foot bathing area, James Joyce tower and the towns of Dalkey and Killiney where Irish stars like Bono live. The Wicklow Mountains offer scenery that is often seen in Hollywood blockbusters about Ireland. The Glendalough valley was carved by glaciers during the ice age and the two lakes are a result of the thawing ice. If you like enjoying nature walks and hiking, Glendalough is a must!

In the evening you will drive to Waterford.

 Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny

There is really so much to see and do in Ireland. The Kennedy family hail from Wexford and of course there is still a connnection there. The Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross is well worth a visit. Waterford Crystal is no longer the powerhouse visitor center that once attracted big crowds, as a small amount of production only takes place in Ireland – that being said, there is a visitor center to bring to life the story of such an iconic Irish brand. Just north of Waterford is the colorful town of Kilkenny. Kilkenny Castle is a must-see attraction, and Jerpoint Abbey should also be fitted.

Cork and County Kerry

Not far from Waterford, on the way to Cork along the scenic coastal drive near Youghal, we visit the Middleton Distillery where Ireland's premier whiskey is produced. Then we visit the picturesque town of Cobh with its colorful streets, houses and businesses perched above a magnificent harbor where the Titanic last berthed on her ill fated voyage in 1912. We continue through Cork on the road for Killarney and there is the opportunity to visit Blarney and kiss the Stone of Eloquence, or if you prefer, a quick photo stop. In the afternoon we arrive in the heart of Killarney.

 Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is one of the most talked about places to visit in Ireland. What is it? Well, basically it’s a loop which tours the best of County Kerry, considered by the locals as the 'Kingdom.' The Ring of Kerry tour commences in Killarney and travels counter clockwise west, south and east, taking the climatic ascent north into the mountains before coming through Killarney National Park and back into the village. The Ring of Kerry takes in the key sights, and with spectacular lakes, mountains, rivers and ocean at almost every turn, you will likely take a lot of pictures.

Dingle Peninsula

People traveling to Ireland often talk about the Ring of Kerry as being top of their list to visit. Those who spend a little longer in Kerry and venture over to Dingle are in for a treat. The Dingle Peninsula is worth dedicating a day to, as there is so much to see – ancient beehive-shaped huts where people once lived, mountains sweeping down to foam-flecked waters and quaint small towns with colorful shop fronts.

 En route to  Dromoland Castle

Since you will be checking into Ireland’s must exclusive castle today, we have a light sightseeing agenda in mind en route from Killarney to Newmarket-on-fergus. The Foynes Flying Boat Museum tells the remarkable story of a Trans Atlantic air travel service which once operated between the US and Ireland. Further along we will pass through the quaint town of Adare, whose thatched-roofed cottages are very easy on the eye. Limerick City has Ireland's first mint at King John's Castle, which is built alongside the River Shannon in the heart of the city. Noteworthy in Limerick is The Hunt Museum, which exhibits one of Ireland's greatest private collections of art and antiquities, dating from the Neolithic to the 20th Century, including works by Renoir, Picasso and Yeats.

Dromoland Castle is where you could stay tonight, so we suggest getting there in the early afternoon to get the full experience of this wonderful property.

Burren, Cliffs of Moher

The Burren & Cliffs of Moher are the highlights of today’s touring. The Burren, (from the Gaelic word Boireann) is an area of limestone rock covering imposing majestic mountains, and tranquil valleys with gently meandering streams. With its innate sense of spiritual peace, extraordinary array of flora and wildlife, and megalithic tombs and monuments older than Egypt’s pyramids, the Burren creates a tapestry of color and a seductively magical aura which few people leave without wanting to experience again.

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, reaching 214m at their highest point and ranging for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara, and Loop Head to the South.

Vaughan’s in Liscannor is a place we can stop for lunch after visiting the Cliffs. If you stop here, you will learn an interesting fact regarding how the Holland Tunnel in NY gets its name.