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Not for nothing is Ireland described as the "Emerald Isle." This is a verdant and bucolic nation carpeted with a countryside of lush, green fields and steep rolling valleys, a landscape complemented by a spectacular coastline of precipitous cliffs and yawning bays. Dotted across this scenic quilt are numerous towns and villages that add unique character to a land already personified by centuries-old Gaelic culture and tradition. So, are you planning a visit?
Click through and discover Ireland's picture-perfect destinations.
Located at the start of the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,500-km (1,533 mi) scenic tourist on the west coast, and on parts of the north and south coasts, Kinsale is known for its historic and brightly-colored streetscape. Notable buildings include the early 16th-century Desmond Castle and Markey House, completed in 1600.
The Carrowbeg river flows through Westport, a handsome town laid out in the Georgian architectural style. A tree-lined promenade known as the Mall runs along the river, which is spanned by several stone bridges.
The Cashel skyline is dominated by the Rock of Cashel, a 12th-century site comprising the ruins of a cathedral, chapel, and a well-preserved round tower, the oldest and tallest structure in the historic complex and dating back to 1100.
The historic village of Baltimore and the enchanting islands of Cape Clear, Sherkin, and Heir lie near the very southern tip of Ireland. One of the most notable landmarks in the area is the Baltimore Beacon, also known as Lot's wife, a conspicuous conical white tower built in the mid-19th century.
Roundstone, a village on the west coast of Ireland, is known as a home for creativity and the arts. Its scenic outlook has provided a backdrop for several Hollywood movies, including 'The Mackintosh Man' (1973) starring Paul Newman and James Mason, and 2008's 'Marley & Me,' starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.
Colorful Dingle sits on the edge of the Dingle Peninsula, on the southwest coast of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. Once the center of a thriving hand-woven linen industry, Dingle still maintains a number of workshops dedicated to designer weaving and tapestry.
The pretty village of Inistioge is entered by crossing a 10 arch stone bridge over the Nore river. The Woodstock Estate, with its derelict Georgian house, is open to the public.
Designated as a heritage town by the Irish government, points of interest in Adare include an Augustinian priory founded in 1316, Desmond Hall and Castle (not to be confused with Kinsale's castle of the same name), and several wonderfully-preserved thatched cottages near the entrance to Adare Manor.
Dalkey, a seaside resort southeast of Dublin, is one of the city's wealthiest districts. Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw lived here, as does the likes of U2's Bono and fellow musical performers Van Morrison and Enya. Some of Dalkey's main street has structures dating back to the 10th century.
Birr is another designated Irish heritage town with a carefully-preserved Georgian architectural signature. Its principal tourist draw is Birr castle, the residential areas of which are not open to the public, though the grounds and gardens are.
Rosses Point refers to both the name of this County Sligo village and the surrounding peninsula. No less than three lighthouses guard the approach to Rosses Point, which has claimed numerous vessels throughout history, including three ships of the Spanish Armada, which sank in September 1588.
Fans of John Wayne will recognize Cong as the filming location for John Ford's 1952 Oscar-winning film 'The Quiet Man,' which costars Maureen O'Hara. Little has changed since Hollywood visited the destination, with Ashford Castle, now a hotel, featuring prominently throughout the production.
Derrynane is what's known as a townland, a small geographical division of land the system of which is Gaelic in origin. Located on the Iveragh peninsula, Derrynane is not much more than a cluster of cottages surrounded by the ruins of an ancient abbey and a couple of old forts. A dolmen standing nearby is believed to date back to 3000 BCE.
Also located on the Iveragh peninsula is Portmagee, named for Captain Theobald Magee, a notorious 18th-century smuggler. During the summer, visitors to Derrynane can take boat trips to the Skellig Islands, a pair of rocky islets one of which cradles a 6th-century monastic settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The charming village of Sneem is considered "the knot" in the Ring of Kerry—a 179-km-long (111 mi) circular tourist route in County Kerry that serves as a scenic bracelet enclosing a beautifully wild and stark landscape.
The ruins of the landmark Black Castle, one of Ireland's earliest Norman strongholds, loom over the Barrow river and serve as a reminder of Leighlinbridge's past as a military center for all of Leinster province.
Tourism in Dunmore East is ocean-centric, an industry supported by excellent boating and sailing facilities. The village is also famed for a collection of fine, sandy beaches.
Killaloe on the Shannon river is distinguished by the Cathedral Church of St Flannan. Inside is a spectacular Romanesque doorway and the Killaloe stone, etched with an ancient runic inscription.
Tucked into a scenic valley in the east of Ireland where the Ow and Derry rivers meet to form the Aughrim river is Aughrim itself, a small town dotted with a number of unusual granite terraced houses and an old blacksmith's forge. Aughrim was originally built from granite, and this material is still widely used.
The coastal village of Doolin is marked by numerous archaeological sites, many dating to the Iron Age and earlier. Historical landmarks such as Doonagore Castle, a round 16th-century tower house overlooking Doolin Point, lends additional character to this popular tourist destination.
A city in fact rather than a town, Kilkenny nonetheless exudes a picturesque charm all of its own, built as it is on both banks of the Nore river and graced with Kilkenny Castle, the signature symbol of this historic medieval destination.
Ireland is peppered with dozens of old castles and forts, and at Kinvara it's Dunguaire Castle that takes the honors. It stands as a 16th-century tower house on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay, just a short drive from the village and well worth a diversion to explore.
The bright hues of Kenmare town center lend it a sunny disposition, even in the middle of winter. Kenmare lies on two noted Irish tourist routes, the aforementioned Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara.
This small market town lies on Donegal's north west coast, specifically the west side of Sheephaven Bay. A long sandy beach known as Killahoey Strand serves as an alluring summertime attraction, but Dunfanaghy's 19th-century veneer makes it a year-round proposition.
Revenue generated from copper mining built Allihies, a village located at the western tip of the Beara Peninsula. The Allihies Copper Mine Museum commemorates the area's mining heritage, while the engine house of the Mountain Mine (center of photograph) stands as a permanent reminder of a once-thriving industry.
The coastal town of Clifden actually resembles a rural destination, enclosed as it by verdant countryside. In fact, Clifden is the preferred base from which to explore Connemara National Park.
Strandhill is known as having some of the best surfing in Ireland. Its vast beach break is capable of holding huge waves in the right conditions, which makes it perfect for hanging ten, but dangerous to swim in.
The lofty spire of St Colman's Cathedral dominates the Cobh skyline, the second-tallest in Ireland, behind St John's Cathedral in Limerick. Cobh, incidentally, is where Annie Moore and her brothers departed from, bound for America. She was the first immigrant to the United States to pass through federal immigrant inspection at the Ellis Island station in New York Harbor.
Stone-clad Killarney is a previous Best Kept Town award winner, and has also been named Ireland's tidiest town. Killarney's tourism history dates back to the mid-18th century, when it benefited greatly from the coming of the railway. Today more than one million tourists visit the destination every year.
Carlingford sits on the Cooley Peninsula, between the waters of Carlingford Lough and the mountain of Slieve Foye. The coastal town is recognized for its medieval layout, noticeable by the narrow lanes and small streets threading through it center.
Sources: (Republic Word) (History)
Ireland's picture-perfect towns and villages
Scenic destinations across the "Emerald Isle"
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Not for nothing is Ireland described as the "Emerald Isle." This is a verdant and bucolic nation carpeted with a countryside of lush, green fields and steep rolling valleys, a landscape complemented by a spectacular coastline of precipitous cliffs and yawning bays. Dotted across this scenic quilt are numerous towns and villages that add unique character to a land already personified by centuries-old Gaelic culture and tradition. So, are you planning a visit?
Click through and discover Ireland's picture-perfect destinations.