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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

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

Photo by Google Images

COUNTY MEATH

County Meath has traditionally been known as the Royal County, being the seat of the ancient Kings of Ireland at Tara. In the Boyne Valley of County Meath are some of Ireland's most important archeological monuments, including the Megalithic Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth, Fourknocks, Loughcrew and Tara.

Newgrange is the most famous of these prehistoric monuments. It was originally built around 3,100 B.C. and accidentally discovered in the 17th century.

COUNTY OFFALY

The heart of the Midlands, County Offaly offers bogs, meadowlands, and undiscovered pastures. Clonmacnoise, located at Shannonbridge on the banks of the River Shannon, is one of the most famous monastic sites.

Begun as an isolated monastery founded by St. Ciaran in 545 A.D. it is to this day an ecclesiastical site, with ruins of a cathedral, eight churches, and three high crosses.

Irish chieftains, Vikings and Anglo-Normans plundered Clonmacnoise. Cromwell's forces devastated it beyond restoration. There are guided tours during the summer months; a video presentation at the Visitor Center, and an informative five-mile trail tour of the Blackwater.

COUNTY TYRONE

Located in the center of the historic province of Ulster, County Tyrone is blessed with an array of places to visit. The Ulster American Folk Park, for example, is located three miles north of Omagh.

The Folk Park is an open-air living history museum that explores Ulster's links to the many famous Americans who trace their ancestry to the North of Ireland. The park is comprised of an indoor gallery with information on the causes and patterns of immigration. Outside are a variety of reconstructed buildings of 18th and 19th century Ireland.

Throughout the park are costumed guides and craftsmen that add to the authenticity. Also on site is the Centre for Emigration Studies, an extensive research library. Plan at least half a day to explore the park.

COUNTY WICKLOW

County Wicklow is often referred to as the Garden of Ireland, due to its breathtaking scenery and located just south of Dublin it makes for a wonderful day trip or overnight stay away from the big smoke.

Glendalough is a 6th century monastic site that was founded by St. Kevin.

Nestled into the heart of the Wicklow Mountains it offers a truly spectacular setting, featuring a stone tower that stands 110 feet tall. There is a visitor center and guided tours are available.

Wicklow National Park is an unspoiled natural wonder with nearly 50,000 acres of raw beauty. A drive through the Wicklow Gap from Glendalough to Hollywood is one of jaw dropping beauty.

Powerscourt is a beautiful upscale estate with some of the finest gardens in Europe.

Orginally published April 2010.

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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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