Ireland has many attractions for students to visit and enjoy. As you can see from the map to the right, 2 of the places to visit are close to Dublin, making them perfect for day trips! The others are perfect for overnights or weekend trips, meaning that there's something for everyone. Places outside Dublin can be visited using the national rail and bus providers Bus Eireann and Irish Rail. Private bus operators such as Air Coach and City Link also operate the popular routes such as Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Galway. Prices vary between the operators and also by date and route so you should always compare to see which is the most efficient and cheapest for you! If you prefer a tour, several operators conduct tours to the Irish tourist attractions listed below such as Paddywagontours.com |
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1. Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare The cliffs are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction, simply because they are stunning. They are 214m high at their highest point and stretch for 8 kilometres along the Atlantic Coast. Entrance to the Cliffs for students is €4. There is plenty to see and do at the Cliffs, such as visiting the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience or the O’Brien’s Tower viewpoint.
From Dublin, you may have to change busses if using Bus Eireann to get to the Cliffs. However Paddy Wagon Tours operate a day trip to the Cliffs for €40, which includes a professional tour guide! |
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2. Blarney Castle, Co. Cork
Blarney Castle was originally a medieval stronghold built over 600 years ago but is now a partial ruin. Student tickets cost €11 for entrance into the castle, which includes the Blarney Stone, Gardens, the Rock Close and the Castle itself. The castle grounds feature over 60 acres of park lands which include gardens, avenues, arboretums and waterways, there is even a garden full of poisonous plants. However, most visitors come here to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, an act that is said to give the “gift of the gab”. There is plenty to do at Blarney Castle, a day trip there would definitely be a fun and engaging one! Getting there from Dublin is also quite easy, with Irish Rail and all three of the previously mentioned bus operators featuring routes to Cork. Once in Cork, Bus Eireann runs the local 215 service to Blarney from Cork bus station, which is less than a 5 minute walk from the train station too. This bus costs roughly €7 for a student return ticket, and leaves every half hour. In less than a half hour, you will be in Blarney! |
3. Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim
The Giant’s Causeway is one of the most famous attractions in Ireland, and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant (hence the name), but in reality the columns are the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. Nonetheless, the attraction is one of the most visited attractions of Northern Ireland. The entrance fee is £8.50, roughly €10. Getting to the Giant’s Causeway is a little tricky from Dublin, involving numerous transport changes and the need for currency exchange. A bus or train to Belfast is needed, then a transfer to Coleraine before getting on a shuttle to the Causeway. Not impossible at all, but if you would like to remove any stress from the day, Paddy Wagon Tours operate a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway for €60! |
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4. Titanic Experience, Belfast.
Titanic Museum Belfast is the world's largest Titanic visitor experience. There are 9 interactive galleries showcasing the Titanic, a café, and the last remaining White Star vessel the SS Nomadic. The Titanic Belfast experience explores the sights, sounds, smells and stories of RMS Titanic, as well as the city and people who made her. There is also a separate one hour tour called the Discovery Tour, which is about the history and symbolism of the Harland and Wolff Drawing offices, where the Titanic and its sister ships were made. Tickets to the experience start at £12.50 for weekdays, and rise to £14.50 for weekends. This is roughly €15-18. The extra fee for the Discovery Tour is £6, roughly €8. Titanic Belfast is only a 20 minute walk from the centre of Belfast town, and a visit to the experience generally takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours, meaning you have plenty of time to explore the city of Belfast too! Belfast is an easy day trip from Dublin, with Irish Rail, Bus Eireann, and the 2 private operators all operating multiple routes a day to the city from Dublin. As always you should compare times and prices between the operators to see who is best for you. |
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5. Powerscourt Estate, Co. Wicklow.
Powerscourt waterfall is only 20 minutes from County Dublin, so perfect for day trips! It is Ireland’s highest waterfall, set in parklands at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains. There are plenty of nature walks to keep you entertained, as well as a picnic area, or a kiosk to buy food. The Waterfall is an excellent place to see Irish wildlife such as deer and red squirrels. Entrance to the waterfall costs €5.50 for students. The rest of the Powerscourt Estate is 6km from the Waterfall, and features over 47km of gardens, which were recently voted no.3 in the World’s Top Ten Gardens by National Geographic. There is an Italian Garden, The Japanese Gardens, and a Pets Cemetery, among other attractions. Entrance to the Gardens costs €8 for students. The Powerscourt Estate is accessible by public transport, including Dublin Bus and the Dart. If you would prefer a tour, The Dublin Sightseeing Company operates a 6.5 hour tour of Ireland’s South coast which visits the Powerscourt Estate as part of the tour. Tickets for the tour costs €28. |
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6. Glendalough, Co. Wicklow
Glendalough is a glacial valley featuring a 6th century early medieval monastic settlement. There are 2 lakes at Glendalough, and 9 walking trails of varying difficulty and distance that go all around the valley, which makes it perfect for hiking or even just relaxing! There is also the possibility for rock climbing and mountaineering activities. There are even mines that date back to 1790 that can be explored, as well as the fact that Glendalough is also an excellent place for spotting wildlife. If you are interested in Irish history, then the Glendalough visitor centre is a must, as it features an interesting exhibition on the monastic settlement. As you can see, you could easily spend a day or more at Glendalough! Getting to Glendalough is quite easy, as there is a private bus company called St Kevin’s Bus that run a direct daily return service from Dublin city centre direct to Glendalough. What's even better is that a return ticket only costs €20! |