Ireland is a fascinating, wild land, rich in history and magic, memory and folklore.

Every year, thousands of visitors are enchanted by its immense green meadows, surrounded by a blue sea that breaks resolutely against gigantic cliffs plunging sheer into the ocean.

On this beautiful “Emerald Isle”, where time flows between present and past, between Vikings and Normans, between myths and legends, you can admire wonderful green expanses, among woods and moorland, castles perched on high and cities of ancient charm.

Exploring on foot some of the region’s most remote and characteristic paths offers a unique perspective: the imagination travels far, immersing itself in ancient folk beliefs, among fairies, leprechauns and pots of gold.

The fishing towns, with their distinctly maritime flavour, will however tell you of a reality from another age, when a pint of beer and some good music were all it took to find peace of mind.

And Ireland is indeed the land of hospitality and warmth: with music and whiskey, good humour is guaranteed.

What is more, by choosing exceptional tours, you could enjoy special experiences, including kneading bread with the locals, seeing how sheep were once shorn and wool spun, and admiring the works of man that tell the story of the land.

What to see in Ireland

Dublin

Among the things to see in Ireland, the first could only be Dublin, the capital of the country, where a unique atmosphere fills the air.

Among the must-see attractions in the city crossed by the Liffey is undoubtedly Trinity College, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, whose library is heaven on earth for lovers of literature. Within the campus we also find the Douglas Hyde Gallery, the largest art gallery in Ireland.

In Dublin you also cannot miss St Patrick’s Cathedral, considered the most important Protestant church in Ireland. Built in the Gothic style, it has a very long nave and a beautiful, richly inlaid choir: a true gem for lovers of this architectural style.

Not far from the cathedral stands Dublin Castle, built by King John and for years the symbol of the English Crown.

Finally, to speak of Dublin is to speak of Guinness, the most famous stout in the world. It is right here that you will find the Guinness Storehouse, shaped like a pint glass: seven floors on which you can discover all – or almost all – the secrets of this drink.

After this visit you will need to pop over to Temple Bar, Dublin’s pub district, where it will be impossible not to be drawn in by the music that rings out from every venue!

The Gobbins Cliff Path

The Gobbins Cliff Path is certainly a very special visit. The original Gobbins path was opened in 1902 and immediately captivated visitors.

The path was part of the vision of Berkeley Deane Wise, chief engineer of the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway Company, to use the recently extended railway line to draw visitors to this spectacular part of Ireland.

However, the high cost of maintaining it became less and less attractive to a railway company whose profits were hit both by the Depression of the 1930s and by the growing popularity of the motor car.

With no staff to supervise and maintain it, the path was closed during the Second World War and fell into ruin. Over the years many local people worked tirelessly to try to reopen the path and finally, in 2014, the path was restored and in places rebuilt.

Hillsborough Castle

Hillsborough Castle holds a unique place in the history of Northern Ireland. Since its construction in the eighteenth century, the castle has gone from being a simple country house for the Hill family to the official residence of Northern Ireland, the place where many of the formal and informal stages of the peace process took place.

The story of Hillsborough Castle begins as a modest country house built in the 1770s by Wills Hill, first Marquess of Downshire. In 1900 the house was let privately, and in December 1924 it was bought for £25,000 by the Imperial Office of the British government.

Following the Irish Act of 1922, the position of Lord Lieutenant was replaced by the post of Governor, the representative of the British monarch in the newly constituted Northern Ireland, and so Hillsborough Castle became the seat of government.

For many years Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret spent many holidays at Hillsborough. Later, the post of Governor was abolished and Hillsborough Castle became the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which it remains to this day.

Hillsborough subsequently served as the venue for the formal and informal stages of the peace process, including the signing of the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, the decommissioning talks in 1999 and the negotiation of the devolution of policing and justice powers in 2010 (the Hillsborough Agreement).

Grianán of Aileach

The origins of the Grianán of Aileach date back to 1700 BC. Many figures, legendary and otherwise, are linked to the fort. First of all, it is connected to the Tuatha Dé Danann, who invaded Ireland before the Celts and built a series of stone forts on hilltops at strategic points.

They worshipped Dagda (the Good God), and he too is associated with the origins of Aileach. It was he who ordered the building of a stone fort to serve as a funerary monument to his dead son.

According to one legend, the Giants of Inishowen now lie sleeping, but when the sacred sword is removed they will come to life to reclaim the ancient lands. It is also thought that Saint Patrick visited the site in the fifth century and baptised the local chieftain Eoghan (from whom Inis Eoghan takes its name) right here.

Choose the Guiness Tour

If you are captivated by Ireland and its lands, you can only choose the dedicated tour by Guiness Travel.

Indeed, Guiness Travel, which once again proves itself the most attentive tour operator when it comes to the well-being of places and visitors, has put together an exclusive journey to discover the wonderful lands of Ireland.

Dublin, Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway, the Inishowen Peninsula, Derry, Slieve League and Donegal will be the stars of a magical Tour to rediscover the magical atmosphere of a country anchored to its own traditions and folklore, capable of offering unique and unforgettable emotions.

Those green expanses will remain indelibly in your memory!

Why choose this tour?

  • to visit the two capitals, Belfast and Dublin
  • to walk the Gobbins Cliff Path, a very special visit (please note: an excursion not suitable for everyone)
  • to discover the legend of the Grianán of Aileach
  • to step into the shoes of the locals, love their music and enjoy their warmth.

For further information

Discover the Tours dedicated to Ireland

Team Guiness