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Top ten most popular counties in Ireland for travellers

From cosmopolitan Dublin to the natural beauty of Kerry - a low down on the top destinations

By
DARA MCBRIDE,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Monday, January 16, 2012, 7:32 AM
Updated Monday, January 16, 2012, 11:10 AM

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Kinsale, County Cork
Kinsale, County Cork
Photo by Google Images


The following counties are among the most widely visited in Ireland.

With their lively arts and culture attractions it's not hard to see why.

Here are IrishCentral's guide and recommendations:

COUNTY ANTRIM

Belfast City (in Irish, Beal Feirste) is the capital of Northern Ireland and is located in County Antrim, one of Ireland most visited counties. History and politics have always played a major role in the fabric of Belfast, and perhaps for that reason its citizens are among the most vivid and witty people you'll ever meet.

Unsurprisingly, Belfast is rich in culture, art, music, dance, sports, shopping, attractions and historical sites. City Hall, one of the main seats of power, is located on Donegall Square and dominates the area with its magnificent architecture of classical renaissance style and Italian marble interior. It was completed in 1903.

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The Linen Hall Library, located on Donegall Square, was established in 1788. It houses an Irish collection of over 20,000 volumes and a Robert Burns collection. Visit and you'll be keeping company with many noted Irish authors.

The Crown Liquor Saloon is the most famous pub in Belfast and - frankly - one of the most beautiful pubs in the world. Featuring Victorian architecture, with the outside covered in thousands of colorful tiles, the inside decor has stained and painted glass, carved oak screens and mahogany furniture. Don't miss it.

The Botanic Gardens, the rose gardens and herbaceous borders were established in 1920 are unmissable. Two greenhouses dominate the gardens and the Palm House has a conservatory containing tropical plants like coffee, sugar, and banana plants. The Tropical Ravine has a high walkway that provides a great viewpoint.

Overlooking the city, Belfast Castle was built in 1870 and was the former home of the Donegall family, who gave the main square in the city center its name. The castle offers a spectacular view of the city. There is also a heritage center, antique shop, and children's play area on the premise.

COUNTY CLARE

County Clare in the Republic of Ireland is steeped in history, and it offers beautiful seascapes, landscapes, lakes, cliffs, caves and music. Highlights include The Burren (an ancient perfectly preserved landscape), The CLIFFS OF MOHER (700 foot high cliffs facing the wild Atlantic), and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park (an impressive castle dating from the early Middle Ages).

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13 Comments

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BrianO | Apr 26, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
ihirish, Ireland is a beautiful spot and most people Ive met there have been pleasant industrious people, before you go check up a little on local customs, and enjoy your vacation. Be a ware of some posters on Irish central that have a problem with tourists and are a bit depressing to read, don't let them get you down they are a minority. Dingle peninsula in Kerry always nice, The west coast of Cork is littered with nice harbor towns-Kinsale,skibbereen,baltimore,bantrybay. My advise is not to cram too many things to see into too little time, if you find a spot you like stay an extra day and relax.

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GeorgeDillon | Jan 17, 2012, 02:26 PM EST
While obviously these lists represent one person's opinion, and therefore are not a matter of right and wrong, for the benefit of those who don't know Ireland I would strike out Kilkenny and Offaly. There's almost nothing worthwhile in the former, while apart from Clonmacnoise, Offaly is a bore. I would also dump Cork. I accept that there are a few pretty places in Cork, Kinsale and Glengariff for example, but given how large that county is, it really isn't worthwhile to put Cork in this list. Huge areas of Cork are B-O-R-I-N-G and not worth seeing. Instead I would recommend Mayo, Fermanagh and Sligo.

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mcdolan | Jan 17, 2012, 07:05 AM EST
And what about Ireland's hidden gem -- unspoiled Lovely Leitrim with its mountains, hills, valleys, 110 lakes, Glencar Waterfall, River Shannon and the cosmopolitan county seat of Carrick-on-Shannon?

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peterson | Jan 16, 2012, 07:40 PM EST
Each of the 32 counties has special and uniqueness -- that is what makes Ireland such a wonderful country.

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edmundburke | Jan 16, 2012, 07:01 PM EST
As the son of a Mayoman, I have to agree with others that Mayo should be on the list in place of another. Westport, Cong (home of Ashford Castle and Quiet Man filming), Clare Island of Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley fame, Achill Island, Croagh Patrick, Ballintubber Abbey, Ceidhe Fields, numerous prehistoric and medieval sights, great golf and fishing, breathtaking coastlines, etc etc. Also, I was surprised how Kerry was understated as a tourist destination. County Kerry is probably the oldest favorite tourist destination in Ireland. And how can you describe tourism in Kerry without one mention of the Lakes of Killarney, again one of the oldest tourist destinations in Ireland?

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jackieo | Jan 16, 2012, 05:05 PM EST
was in ireland in november- what a great time it was magical, would like to retire there

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ihirish76 | Jan 16, 2012, 03:54 PM EST
I LOVE everything Irish! I am tickled to get to read your news & do so daily! I hope to come within the year!!

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pilib04 | Jan 16, 2012, 12:24 PM EST
No Mayo, are you people for real. If this is scietific research please state your sources. No way Mayo is not in the top ten visited counties!!! As for Donegal, remember McClory's pub Culdaff, Donegal.

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antoman | Jan 16, 2012, 11:48 AM EST
I misinterpreted the headline of this story. I was thinking of those who collect scrap metal, tarmac peoples drives and live in Transit vans. 'Tourists' would be a better word.

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RockNReel | Jan 16, 2012, 10:59 AM EST
No Mention of Sligo in there and it probably has more to offer than most of the counties mentioned. Had a good laugh to see Offally and Kilkenny in there LOL. Check your research again writer--The Yeats country should have been mentioned

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DiscoveringCork | Jan 16, 2012, 10:00 AM EST
A generally good list, though I agree Mayo should be included and dropping one of the others. There are a couple of errors on the Cork section. There is no Cobh Harbor - Cobh is located in Cork Harbour. The Lusitnia never visited and it was actually torpedoed off the Old Head of Kinsale and not in the harbour itself... apart from that,good article

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Torroemore | Jan 16, 2012, 09:40 AM EST
I am with George: this really is NOT a good list!

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GeorgeDillon | Jan 16, 2012, 09:33 AM EST
Correct me if I missed it, but is Mayo missing from the list? Ludicrous. And Kilkenny is included? Ridiculous, Kilkenny is quite broing, except for the southern tip down near Waterford. Meath shouldn't be in the list either, if only to punish them for driving a turnpike thru the heart of Royal Tara. I have resolved never again to spend a cent in Meath and so far I have kept my word. And there's no room in the list for hidden gems? West Cavan, for example? Carlow, around Mount Leinster? North Westmeath, around Fore? Pretty poor IrishCentral list, I say.

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