The Ring of Kerry Leprechauns
These next signs are more humorous than anything else and yet, they are great ways to appreciate the folklore associated with Ireland. They read “Leprechaun Crossing” and an image to the right of the text indeed shows a mischievous leprechaun. These signs are located on and around the Ring of Kerry (a 179-kilometre circular route that visitors often take during their stay) and each is impossible to miss. They have become quite famous and it is not uncommon to spot a few tourists napping a quick selfie before moving on.
Welcome to Northern Ireland sign
This road sign is more infamous than famous, as it silently signifies the political divide still present within the country. Unlike the ornate and colourful placard associated with the borders of Ireland, the sign informing travellers that they have entered into Northern Ireland is stark and utilitarian. In fact, some have become so contentious that they are regularly ripped down as a form of protest. Still, snapping a picture next to one of these signs can be a great way to add a memory to your holiday.
The Road to Tipperary
History buffs might already be aware of the significance of this road sign. A song written in 1912 called “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary” was originally composed for a total sum of five shillings. However, it soon became a favourite of Irish and English troops during the First World War. The song is still correlated directly with the battles in the trenches and with the desire of the troops to return home. While the original sign exists, many shops are able to make hand-drawn reproductions.
The Cliffs of Moher
Vertigo-inducing and awe-inspiring spring to mind, and they are indeed both of these things, as well as being utterly wild and ruggedly beautiful. For those who've read up on the Emerald Isle prior to visiting, the cliffs will be familiar, starring as they do in countless postcards and guidebooks. Yet no image can ever do them justice. This is Ireland's most visited natural attraction and with good reason.
Grafton Street, Dublin
So much more than just a great place to shop in Dublin, Grafton Street is alive with buskers, flower-sellers, and performance artists. You will also find countless places to stop off and simply watch the world meander by. Café culture has taken off in the capital, and on a sunny day, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in Barcelona or Lisbon.
The Little Museum of Dublin
A recent addition to the capital's museums, The Little Museum should be top on the list for anybody wishing to grasp Dublin's recent history. The museum grew organically from a "meet and greet" service for visitors, and quickly became what we see today. As well as informative, personally guided tours, new initiatives include Dublin by Land & Sea and The Green Mile Walking Tour.
Killarney National Park sign
If visiting the Kerry region, the 19th-century Muckross House, Gardens, and Traditional Farms, set in spectacular Killarney National Park, should be top of your must-see list.
The Killarney National Park & Lakes region is filled with beautiful scenery, and any route through it will reveal view after view of its lakes and mountains. A highlight in the western part of Killarney National Park is the 11-kilometer drive over the scenic Gap of Dunloe, a narrow and rocky mountain pass carved by glaciers at the close of the Ice Age. The gap separates Purple Mount and its foothills from Macgillycuddy's Reeks.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Standing as the tallest church in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was established in 1171 and is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland.
The Cathedral now plays host to a number of national remembrance events and hosted the funeral of two Irish Taoisigh (Prime Ministers): Douglas Hyde in 1949 and Erskine Childers in 1974.
Mulligans Old Irish Pub
The first Mulligan's was established on Thomas Street, Dublin in 1782.The Mulligan family moved their business to several different premises, before leasing the present building on Poolbeg Street in 1854. Mick Smyth bought the pub from John Mulligan in 1932. Ownership later passed to Smyth's nephews, Con and Tommy Cusack, before passing to Tommy Cusack's sons.
The pub is mentioned briefly in James Joyce's short story, Counterparts, and was used as a filming location on a number of occasions. Journalists and writers drank at Mulligans during the twentieth century, including staff from the Irish Times and from the former Irish Press newspaper - which operated next door until the collapse of the paper in 1995. A number of Dublin musicians also drank there, as several music industry management offices were in the nearby Corn Exchange Building.
An American tourist named Billy Brooks Carr, for whom Mulligans was one of his "favourite places to visit in Ireland", reputedly requested that his ashes be kept in the pub's grandfather clock