The sound of waves crashing against the Cliffs of Moher, the scent of peat smoke drifting from a country pub, and the warmth of a Guinness in a fireside snug embody the Ireland that draws visitors back again and again.
In This Article
Making the Most of Bank Holiday Weekends
Irish bank holidays offer perfect opportunities for exploring the island’s beauty. In 2012, the bank holidays fall on March 19 for St Patrick’s Day, April 9 for Easter Monday, May 7 for the May Bank Holiday, June 4 for the June Bank Holiday, August 6 for the August Bank Holiday, October 29 for the October Bank Holiday, and December 25 and 26 for Christmas. These long weekends allow for short breaks that can focus on a specific region or attraction. Booking accommodation well in advance is essential, as bank holiday weekends are popular with both domestic and international travellers. The extended daylight hours of spring and summer bank holidays provide more time for exploring, while the autumn bank holiday offers beautiful foliage colours and fewer crowds. Each season brings its own character to the Irish landscape, making bank holiday weekends throughout the year worthwhile for different reasons.
The Cliffs of Moher and the Wild Atlantic Way
The Cliffs of Moher, rising 214 metres above the Atlantic Ocean, represent one of Ireland’s most dramatic natural attractions. The cliffs stretch for 14 kilometres along the coast of County Clare, with the sweeping views extending to the Aran Islands and the Twelve Bens mountain range in Connemara on clear days. The visitor centre, built into the hillside, provides information about the geology and wildlife of the area. Walking paths along the cliff edge allow you to experience the scale and power of the Atlantic from multiple viewpoints. The Cliffs of Moher form part of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s 2,500-kilometre driving route that follows the entire west coast. A bank holiday weekend provides enough time to drive a section of this route, taking in the Burren’s limestone landscape, the surfing beaches of Sligo, and the fjord at Killary Harbour. The route offers accommodation options ranging from bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels, with pubs in every village providing traditional music and hearty food.
The Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park
The Ring of Kerry, a 179-kilometre circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, showcases some of Ireland’s most stunning scenery. The route passes through Killarney National Park, which contains Ireland’s only herd of native red deer, the beautiful Lakes of Killarney, and the 15th-century Ross Castle. The town of Killarney provides a perfect base for exploring the area, with its range of accommodation, restaurants, and traditional pubs. The Gap of Dunloe, a mountain pass between MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and the Purple Mountain Group, offers hiking and horse-drawn carriage rides through spectacular scenery. The route continues to the coastal villages of Kenmare, Waterville, and Cahersiveen, each with its own character and attractions. The Skellig Islands, visible from the coast, have become more famous since featuring in recent films, though boat trips to the islands depend on weather conditions and should be booked well in advance. A bank holiday weekend allows for a relaxed drive around the ring with stops at viewpoints, beaches, and historic sites along the way.
Dublin’s Cultural and Historical Attractions
Dublin offers a wealth of attractions that can fill a bank holiday weekend without leaving the capital. Trinity College houses the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating from the 9th century, and the Long Room library, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Dublin Castle, with its state apartments and medieval tower, tells the story of Ireland’s relationship with Britain. The Guinness Storehouse, one of Ireland’s most visited attractions, offers a self-guided tour that ends with a pint of stout in the Gravity Bar with panoramic views over the city. The cobbled streets of Temple Bar contain traditional pubs, live music venues, and the Irish Film Institute. The National Museum of Ireland and the National Gallery provide free admission and world-class collections. St Stephen’s Green offers a peaceful park in the city centre, while Grafton Street provides shopping and street entertainment. Dublin’s compact size makes it easy to explore on foot, with public transport connections to the suburbs and coastal villages of Howth and Dun Laoghaire.
The Ancient East and the Boyne Valley
The Ancient East region of Ireland, centred on County Meath and the Boyne Valley, contains some of Europe’s most significant prehistoric sites. Newgrange, a passage tomb older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, was constructed around 3200 BC. The winter solstice illumination, when sunlight enters the passage and illuminates the inner chamber, demonstrates the astronomical knowledge of its builders. The Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, offers panoramic views across the surrounding countryside and a deep connection to Irish mythology and history. The nearby town of Trim contains Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, which featured prominently in the film Braveheart. The monastic site of Monasterboice preserves some of Ireland’s finest high crosses and round towers. The Boyne Valley provides excellent walking and cycling routes that connect these sites, with the Boyne River itself offering fishing and boating opportunities. A bank holiday weekend provides enough time to visit the major prehistoric sites while also enjoying the area’s gastropubs and country house hotels.
Which of Ireland’s beautiful regions would you explore first on a bank holiday weekend, the wild west coast or the ancient east?
Explore all our Ireland travel guides, from Dublin pubs to the Wild Atlantic Way.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
