Temple Bar is a busy riverside neighbourhood, spread over cobbled pedestrian lanes. Crowded pubs host live folk music and DJ sets, and diners pack restaurants serving Asian, American and Irish cuisine. Quirky boutiques stock clothes and crafts by local designers. The National Photographic Archive highlights Ireland’s past, while the Project Arts Centre and Temple Bar Gallery + Studios shows

Located in the heart of Dublin, Trinity College is Ireland's most prestigious university and well worth a visit. Founded in 1592, it's the alma mater of writers like Swift, Wilde and Beckett, and its 19 hectares (47 acres) are an oasis of aesthetic elegance. The biggest draw is the barrel-vaulted Long Room in the Old Library. It’s the home of one of Ireland's greatest cultural treasures, the Book of Kells, the beautifully illuminated Gospel manuscript that dates back to the 9th century.

Planning tip: Other attractions include the neo-Gothic Museum Building, home to the Zoological Museum (a top place to visit if you're traveling with kids), and the beautiful wildflower meadows that make for a delightful place to wander.

The most popular attraction in Dublin is the multimedia homage to Guinness, the Guinness Storehouse, one of the world’s most famous beer brands. An old fermentation plant in the St James's Gate Brewery has been converted into the seven-story Storehouse, devoted to sharing the company’s history and showcasing how the beer is made.

The top-floor Gravity Bar offers panoramic views of Dublin city. You can test your pouring power and drink a pint here, and maybe stick around for lunch at the excellent restaurant on the floor below.

Setting off from the pretty harbour village of Howth, explore some of Dublin’s most spectacular coastline on a 6km clifftop loop boasting idyllic island and lighthouse views.

The delightful Howth - Cliff Path Loop takes two hours to complete and starts from the village DART (train) station.

First up is one of the more unique things to do in Howth – a ferry tour out to Ireland’s Eye– an island just off the coast.

On the tour, you’ll see everything from cliffs and Gannets, to (hopefully) seals, the island itself and plenty more. There are three companies, at the time of typing, offering tours to Ireland’s Eye from Howth:

Dublin Bay Cruises (€25 p/p)

Ireland’s Eye Ferries (€20 p/p)

Island Ferries (€25.00 p/p)

Ireland’s Eye Ferries is the only company who seems to (from what I can see on their website) offer you the opportunity to go onto the island (boats return every hour).

According to legend, Grace O’Malley, pirate queen of Connacht, visited the castle in 1575, apparently hoping to dine with Lord Howth.

It’s said that he turned her away, as the family was in the middle of having dinner… Apparently, she kidnapped the Earl of Howth’s grandson as payback, and only let him go when it was agreed that no guest would be turned away from the castle ever again.

The Cliffs of Moher are sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They run for about 14 kilometres

May to August 08:00 – 21:00

Please book your tickets online to be sure of entry.

Doonagore Castle is a round 16th-century tower house with a small walled enclosure located about 1 km south of the coastal village of Doolin in County Clare, Ireland. Its name may be derived from Dún na Gabhair, meaning "the fort of the rounded hills" or the "fort of the goats". Doonagore Castle is at present a private holiday home, inaccessible to the public.

Doonagore Castle sits on a hill overlooking Doolin Point and, along with a nearby higher radio mast, is used as a navigational point by boats approaching Doolin Pier. It is located in the townland of Doonagore, parish of Killilagh, County Clare. It is sometimes considered to be located in the area known as the Burren.

Gus O’Connor’s is arguably the best known of the 4/5 pubs in Doolin, you’ll find it on Fisher Street where its been rocking since 1832.

Doolin Pitch and Putt provides a great combination of scenery and golf. This is an 18-hole links course located between Fisher Street and the Pier.

As you play, you’ll get an eyeful of the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands and Doonagore Castle as you (hopefully) sink a few putts.

You can rent a set of clubs and head off on your merry way.

arguably one of the most popular things to do in Doolin.

This colourful little ‘street’ is like something whipped straight from a postcard thanks to its brightly painted buildings.

If you visit during the busy summer months, prepare for the entire place to be mobbed with people!