The Irish Summer is in full swing, and things are happening everywhere. Now is a great time to head over to the Green Isle. Here are some of our favourite suggestions:
The Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum
The Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum is the only aviation museum in Ireland and the only dedicated flying boat museum in the world. This unique attraction preserves the rich history of aviation and the development of passenger travel. A primary attraction is the world's only full scale replica of the the Boeing 314 "Yankee Clipper". In addition to the aviation exhibits, a whole floor is dedicated to the history of the Port of Foynes, which continues to be central to the economy of the region.
And, if you like airplanes, be sure to visit the museum on 26th July for the Foynes Air Show. The first air show in 2014 was a great success, so it is being repeated this year with new displays and a good time for all!
Another of our favourites is The Corrib Princess in Galway. Rory Costello has been the Captain of the Corrib Princess for the past 20 years; he strives to make each cruise enjoyable and memorable for everyone. Manager of the Corrib Princess, Roísín Sweeney, who has been with the company for 19 years, joins groups on board treating passengers to Irish coffee demonstration, showing off the same skills that made her a champion two years ago when she won the all Ireland Powers Irish Coffee competition making her the first woman ever to win this title. She also encourages the group to get lively and dance with her, she teaches them the Siege of Ennis, a traditional Irish dance. The Corrib Princess is a great ride down the Corrib river that runs along the edge of the city.
If you like spectacular scenery, you only have to travel a short way from Galway to find some of the best in the world at the Cliffs of Moher. These spectular cliffs rise directly from the sea in a most dramatic way. The first time we were there, you just stopped along the road and walked a short way up the hill to look over to the sea! Thankfully, things are a bit more organised now with a proper car park, a very interesting visitor centre and yes, even security! We have several tours of this area, some combining other spots along the way, but this tour out of Galway is very cost-effective.
And finally, we can't forget the other coast of Ireland, as Dublin is well worth a visit. There are too many sites to mention, which is why you may want to consider a 2, 3 or 6-day Dublin Pass. It provides free access to more than 30 top Dublin attractions for one great-value price, including the famous Guinness Storehouse, GAA Museum, Dalkey Castle and other visitor draws and landmarks, with convenient skip-the-line access to select attractions. You will also enjoy a free transfer from Dublin Airport to the city center, and discounts at select shops, restaurants and more.
There is much more to see in Ireland, and we've only scratched the surface here. Be sure to check out our Ireland pages and don't forget to check our hotel an rental car booking engines well before you leave.