Ireland's Best Scenic Spots

Dublin is an excellent starting point for seeing the rest of Ireland, a small but very varied nation ideal for day or multi-day road journeys. While studying abroad at Dublin City University, enjoy the opportunity to visit this lush, verdant island full of fairytales and some of the most breathtaking landscapes you've ever seen. While you're there, be sure to visit these most picturesque locations.

Cliffs of Moher

The breathtaking Cliffs of Moher get over 1.5 million visitors annually, making them one of Ireland's most visited tourist destinations. As one of the nation's most important emblems, they are recognized for their stunning elegance all around the globe. The cliffs, a group of eight craggy headlands, are readily accessible from Dublin in a single day and are situated in County Clare in western Ireland.

Spanning 8 kilometers along the untamed but stunning coastline, the Cliffs rise to a height of 702 feet. Sometimes, there may be fog during the day, but that adds a unique and beautiful quality, along with the sounds of birds and crashing waves below. Plan your visit to coincide with a sunset for an even more breathtaking vista and fewer tourists.

Ring of Kerry

Any path you choose around the 111-mile Ring of Kerry will reward you with view after view and picture-perfect scenery of Ireland. The Ring of Kerry begins and finishes in Killarney, about 3.5 hours away from Dublin by car. This is the ideal place for a leisurely drive to take in the beauty and highlight Ireland's flora, passing by the well-known Skellig Michael at sea and Killarney National Park. Ladies View is among the most picturesque and well-known viewpoints in the Ring of Kerry, named in honor of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who paused here during the 1861 royal visit and were so taken by the vista that they asked to have it named after them.

Make stops along the way for tranquil photographic opportunities, a stroll around the breathtaking scenery, or a bite at a café.

Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula sticks out into the Atlantic like a huge appendage. It is abundant with natural splendor, with coastal cliffs, ruined castles, craggy hills, quaint villages, and ancient beehive houses. Several beaches, from magnificent sandy bays to jagged coves, are fun to stop and visit. The Blasket Islands, a short boat journey away, are home to seals and puffins' breeding sites.

Set just 4.5 hours from Dublin by car, this peninsula might be best for a weekend trip or an overnight stay on the West Coast. But it is definitely not a place to be missed during your study abroad time in Dublin, as it has some of the country's best views.

Aran Islands

Off the west coast of Ireland are three beautiful isles known as the Aran Islands: Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer. You have to take a boat out to the islands, weather permitting, but it is well worth the journey. All three places have a rough, bleak beauty, but on Inishmore, you can find the ruins of Dún Aenghus, a Celtic castle that clings to a rock edge as if to say that this is the real edge of the world. These islands provide the ideal setting for both day and overnight trips and the opportunity to experience a centuries-old rural way of life. Take a hike in the hills, a bike trip along the seaside roads, or a journey in a carriage drawn by horses.

Rock of Cashel in Tipperary County

Tipperary’s Rock of Cashel is just two hours away from Dublin, and the trip is a must-see.  Before the Norman conquest, the Kings of Munster had their customary throne at this castle for many hundred years. The massive 13th-century cathedral is the main attraction at the Rock of Cashel. This destroyed Gothic cathedral, was once used for worship until the mid-1700s and still is a beautiful sight.

Reminiscent of a storybook castle, this building's oldest portions date back a millennium since it was initially constructed as a fort and fortress for the Munster kings. It is believed that St. Patrick himself stepped on these grounds, and converted one of the kings to Christianity.

Enjoy seeing this stunning nation, and keep these top gorgeous locations in mind for your next trip away from the books. If you’re considering studying abroad at DCU, schedule a consultation with an SAF counselor to find out more information.