Top ten must see places in Ireland - PHOTOS

Ten places around the Emerald Isle you wont want to miss on your next trip

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Inishmore Island, the Aran Islands

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2. Ring of Kerry

For many people around the world, the Ring of Kerry drive encapsulates their image of Ireland: ancient monuments, romantic castles, spectacular gardens and colorful towns and villages. The spectacular scenery, dramatic coastline, colorful towns and villages and ancient archaeological treasures have been featured in postcards, film, poetry and song.

Here, the idealized pictorial of Ireland as a land of rural greenery and stunning natural beauty springs to reality. Tourists come to Kerry to experience this rare dip into a lifestyle foreign not just in language and nationality, but in pace, philosophy and spirit. Each twist and turn on a drive around the Ring of Kerry reveals new sights -  windswept cliffs, breathtaking scenery, spectacular lakes, rich flora and fauna, green and yellow checkered hills and unspoilt beaches.

There is evidence of the region's unique heritage and culture everywhere, in the place names, the standing stones and the many archaeological sites. The 6th century beehive huts on Skellig Michael are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also worth checking out are the stone forts at Caherciveen and Castlecove, the Neolithic stone circle in Kenmare, the 15th century Ballycarberry Castle, the magnificent O'Connell Memorial Church, Derrynane House and Gardens or the pretty 19th century Heritage town, Kenmare.

The Ring of Kerry is also highly regarded for it culinary delights, such as the local cheeses, seafood and shellfish, lamb and homemade breads.  The town of Kenmare, in particular, has a number of very highly regarded restaurants. (It is thought to be the only town in Ireland that has more restaurants than pubs.)

The area is a favorite among artists, writers and sculptors, and there are a number of craft shops and galleries such as Cill Rialaig showcasing their best works. It's also ideal for activity holidays, such as walking and cycling routes, diving and angling and adventures sports, to its array of championship golf courses - Waterville (An Coireán), Dooks, Kenmare and Killorglin.

The coastal roads provide an ever-changing landscape around the Iveragh Peninsula, with snapshots of the famous offshore islands popping in and out of view around every corner.

3. The Cliffs of Moher

The most famous and breathtaking parts of Ireland’s craggy west coastline are the Cliffs of Moher, which feature some of the most breathtaking views on the entire island.

The Cliffs stretch for almost 5 miles and rise up to 702 feet over the waters of the Atlantic ocean. The amazing view from the Cliffs includes the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, The Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk Mountains. The landscape and seascape of the Cliffs of Moher have, for centuries, welcomed a multitude of visitors; close to 1 million people per year now travel to this iconic location.

But don’t get the wrong impression – just because many people flock to the site, this in no way spoils the experience of being there; it’s easy to forget your surroundings and lose yourself in nature as you stand near the edge of the majestic Cliffs.

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