I am often asked how I have chosen the top 10 list, that I put up on my blog.  While in college I found it much easier to create a list when I started studying for a test or writing a term paper. Knowing that it is easy to understand why I create a top ten list, now as to how do I decide what goes on the list, simply put it is things I would like to do or have done in Ireland.  I have chosen things on this list either because I have come across them while studying for certifications, personal experience, research, or client recommendations. Each of the item on the top 10 has a link, which will open a new window for more information.

 Let us know what you think of our list in the comments below the list. 

1. Croagh Patrick

‘But the mountain got its name from Ireland’s Patron Saint, St. Patrick. The story goes that after spending 40 days and nights fasting at the mountain peak, St Patrick was set upon by demons and snakes. He promptly banished them from the island. Ireland has been a snake free zone ever since!’

2. Stay in a castle

‘We’ve all heard the stories about “once upon a time” where a Prince heroically saves a Princess in some sort of way and they live together in a magnificent castle, so naturally, fairytale castles hold a special place in our hearts.’

 3. Guinness Storehouse

‘Nearly 6 years ago, I had the opportunity to visit one of the most iconic beer landmarks in the entire world. I was on my first ever trip abroad between my sophomore and junior year of college and had just finished studying abroad in Spain.’

 4. Giant’s Causeway

‘The Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking hexagonal columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

However, legend says that the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant (Finn MacCool) to use as a bridge to Scotland. MacCool was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. MacCool accepted the challenge and built the causeway so the two could meet. However, MacCool outwitted Benandonner, leading him to flee back to Scotland, destroying the causeway along the way so MacCool could not follow.’

5.  Sean’s bar

‘Welcome to Sean’s Bar. Located in the town of Athlone, which is a 90-minute drive due west from Dublin, Sean’s Bar is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland, especially after its claims of being the oldest pub in Ireland were accepted by the Guinness Book of World Records back in 2000.’

6. Ring of Kerry

‘Driving the Ring of Kerry was a fantastic experience full of quintessential Irish sights- colourful towns, green fields, craggy cliffs, small islands, windswept beaches, low mountains, castle ruins, and ancient stone forts.’

 7.  Bushmills Distillery

‘The Old Bushmills Distillery produces single malt—that’s it. “We’ve always stayed true to 100% malted barley,” explains Master Blender Helen Mulholland. That’s really the history of Irish whiskey on the whole as well; at least until the Crown imposed taxes on malted barley. That of course led to an evolution of Irish whiskey based on the usage of unmalted barley’

 8.  Leap Castle

‘There is stiff competition for the title of “Ireland’s Most Haunted Castle”. Yet if the history of the castle is the single deciding factor, then there is only one clear winner, and that is Leap Castle in Offaly. People have dwelt on the site of the castle since at least 500BC, and possibly even back to neolithic times.’

 9.  Spike Island

‘Spike Island sits in Corks harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours. It is 104 acres, half a mile in length and one third of a mile in breadth. Its prime location has been the reason for its use as a monastery, defence and prison. Its history is rich and varied. The town of Cobh looks across the harbour to it. In September 2017, at the World Travel Awards, Spike Island was named ‘Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction’, ahead of the Acropolis in Athens, Buckingham Palace in London, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It is one of the tourist attractions that Cork has to offer.’

 10. Cliffs of Moher

‘A cold wind blows as I walk along the legendary Cliffs of Moher. The most famous natural landmark in Ireland rises dramatically out of the ocean, waves crashing into rocks far below.’

I am often asked how I have chosen the top 10 list, that I put up on my blog.  While in college I found it much easier to create a list when I started studying for a test or writing a term paper. Knowing that it is easy to understand why I create a top ten list, now as to how do I decide what goes on the list, simply put it is things I would like to do or have done in Ireland.  I have chosen things on this list either because I have come across them while studying for certifications, personal experience, research, or client recommendations. Each of the item on the top 10 has a link, which will open a new window for more information.

 Let us know what you think of our list in the comments below the list. 

1. Croagh Patrick

2. Stay in a castle

 3. Guinness Storehouse

 4. Giant’s Causeway

5.  Sean’s bar

6. Ring of Kerry

 7.  Bushmills Distillery

 8.  Leap Castle

 9.  Spike Island

 10. Cliffs of Moher