Make the most of the May Bank holiday with a short break to Ireland

Ireland is the ideal destination for a short break over the bank holiday period. Offering amazing natural scenery, a rich history and friendly and welcoming people, Ireland has deservedly earned its reputation as the home of superb hospitality. Visiting Ireland offers the chance to take in its unique culture and see remarkable sights from the famous Giant’s Causeway to the towering mountains of Wicklow and the famous lakes of Killarney while retaining a familiar, homelike feel.



Being so close to the UK, Ireland is readily accessible from cities all over the country. There are daily flights from most cities to the Dublin and Belfast and it’s possible to fly to Cork, Galway, Knock and elsewhere from many airports too. Alternatively, if you’d prefer the freedom of having your own car, you can take a ferry to Ireland instead. Regular ferries cross the Irish Sea from Fishguard in Wales to Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland, from Holyhead to Dublin and Dun Laoghaire, from Stranraer in Scotland to Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland and from Liverpool in England to Dublin. The crossings are short and allow you to cross the sea and get on the road in Ireland in just a matter of hours.

Both the North and the South of Ireland have their own charms and it is unlikely that you will manage to see everything in one trip. Probably Northern Ireland’s most famous attraction is the stunning Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim, a naturally formed collection of basalt columns stretching out into the sea. The Causeway is only one feature on the amazing Antrim coastline, however, and it is well worth taking a day or two to explore its sheer cliffs, charming seaside villages and long sandy beaches. Travel to the area around Ballycastle or head out to Rathlin Island and you will be treated to spectacular views of Kintyre and the island of Islay in Scotland.



Most people who visit Ireland pass through Dublin in some shape or form. As well as being a fascinating destination in its own right, the city is the gateway to some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, including the Wicklow Mountains. These ancient hills are located to the south west of the city less than an hour’s drive from the centre and offer excellent hillwalking opportunities, bracing mountain air and an idyllic landscape of peaks, valleys, forest and lakes. The Wicklow Mountains are home to Glendalough, a wonderful monastic site located in a narrow glen between two lakes that is yet another of the country’s most loved attractions.



Visitors to the south west of the country should make sure to stop by the town of Killarney and its three famous lakes, situated in a valley next to Ireland’s tallest mountain, Carrantoohil. The area contains many sites of historic interest, including Bronze Age copper mines, Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and the mansion of Muckross House. Ferries to Ireland bound for Rosslare are the best entry point for those wishing to explore the Killarney area with their own cars.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.