Top ten places to see in Ireland

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Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

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SEE PHOTOS - click here - Top places to see in Ireland

From the windswept Cliffs of Moher to the rain-soaked Aran Islands, there are a number of  sites that no trip to Ireland is complete without. If ancient history is your thing, Ireland has plenty of it: try Newgrange or the Hill of Tara in County Meath.  For sheer unadulterated, natural, beauty try the Giant's Causeway or the entire county of  Kerry.  But there is more to Ireland than countryside and rocks, as any number of attractions in Dublin, such as Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, suggests. 

To narrow this list down to 10 is quite a challenge. But it nevertheless reflects an array of tourist attractions from all corners of Ireland, that will have something for every one.

We compiled this list ourselves but we're open to change! What's your favorite place in Ireland?

1. Boyne Valley

Brú na Bóinne (the Boyne Palace) in County Meath contains some of the most important historic sites and monuments in Ireland, and is a designated World Heritage Site.

It features the massive megalithic ancient passage tombs - which are graves dating back to ancient times - of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. These tombs are older than both Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Newgrange, which was built about 5,000 years ago, is Ireland's most famous prehistoric site.

It's especially famous for a spectacular event on Dec. 21, also known as the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The tomb was built in such a way so that on this day, it is illuminated by a narrow beam of sunlight which shines through a specially designed roof box. Those who have seen this say its an unforgettable experience.

Nobody knows why the tomb was built in the way it was, or indeed how the stones were even transported to the site. But it does seem fairly certain that Newgrange was built before the invention of the wheel.

The tomb itself was almost lost to history itself. It was sunk into the ground for over 4,000 years, only rediscovered in 1699 when workers carried away building stones for the landowner. As they removed the stones they discovered the entrance. But they left it undisturbed as they thought it was a cave. Then, in 1962, archaeologists began to investigate the sinking mound. Newgrange was then excavated and restored to its former glory.

Today, access to Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth begins at a visitor center, from where you can take a guided tour of the site.

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