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O’Brien’s Tower
Photograph by Ryan Donnell, Aurora
Ireland’s booming tourist industry was predicted by Sir Cornelius O’Brien—a self-proclaimed descendent of legendary High King Brian Boru—who wanted to capitalize on the throngs of Victorian tourists coming to see the magnificent views from the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. In 1835, O’Brien built his tower at the highest point of the cliffs so that visitors could stand on the roof in hopes of catching a glimpse of attractions like Galway Bay, the Twelve Pins, and the Aran Islands.
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Irish Farmer
Photograph by Chris Rainier/National Geographic Stock
A farmer and his dogs rest for a moment in a County Mayo field. Farming remains an important industry in Ireland, a land that was shaped millions of years ago by the last ice age.
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Irish Castle
Photograph by Gina Martin/National Geographic Stock
A weather-beaten gate invites curious passersby to explore an equally weathered castle on Ireland's west coast. The country is home to countless castles, most of which once served as strongholds for warring chieftains.
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Brazen Head Pub, Dublin
Photograph by Amantini Stefano/4Corners Images
Dublin’s historic Brazen Head Pub, established in 1198, calls itself Ireland’s oldest pub. Literary fans will recognize the pub from its appearances in Ulysses, James Joyce’s Modernist novel about the life of Dubliner Leopold Bloom.
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Eagle Island Lighthouse
Photograph by Chris Rainier, National Geographic
Built in 1835, Eagle Island Lighthouse in County Mayo warns ships away from treacherous rocks. In 1861, a massive wave broke over the wall and shattered the east lantern.
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Doolin Church and Cemetery
Photograph by Andrew Leahy, My Shot
Celtic crosses mark graves outside a church in Doolin, a seaside town in County Clare. A number of crumbling churches dot the ancient town, which draws world-class musicians—and music lovers—to its pubs.
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Killiney Beach
Photograph by James OGorman, My Shot
Low tide exposes moss-covered rocks at Killiney Beach in Dublin County. The town of Killiney features exclusive neighborhoods that house Irish celebrities like rock star Bono, songstress Enya, and crooner Van Morrison.
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Irish Fiddlers
Photograph by Jim Richardson/National Geographic Stock
Ireland’s music has a storied history that runs the gamut from traditional Celtic sounds to U2’s anthemic rock. Here, Irish musicians play their fiddles at a tavern while enjoying a pint.
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Dublin Pubs
Photograph by Fantuz Olimpio/SIME-4Corners
A brightly lit pub entices customers looking for a pint in Dublin. A mix of traditional Irish pubs and more modern nightclubs and cocktail bars makes up the city's thriving nightlife scene.
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Children and Pony
Photograph by Sam Abell
"He's quiet and easy to catch," says Lee Johnson, at left, of his pony Gypsy. Lee tends his charge in a stable behind his home in the Clondalkin district of Dublin, a metropolis where cars still dodge horse-drawn carts hauling vegetables to market.
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Pastoral Ireland
Photograph by Jim Richardson, National Geographic
Ubiquitous stone fences snake across Ireland’s idyllic pastoral countryside. Although many towns have transformed themselves into tourist hot spots, many remain virtually untouched by modern influences.
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Poulnabrone Dolmen
Photograph by Ripani Massimo/SIME-4Corners
Although dolmens, large Neolithic tombs crafted from stone, are common in the Irish countryside, perhaps the most famous is County Clare's Poulnabrone, which translates to “hole of sorrows.” Excavations in the 1980s found that the imposing stones served as a marker for the graves of 16 to 22 people.
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Cliffs of Moher
Photograph by Jim Richardson/National Geographic Stock
The craggy Cliffs of Moher wrap around the western coast of County Clare, providing a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean. The rocky cliffs reach 702 feet (214) meters at their highest point and stretch nearly 5 miles (8 kilometers) across.
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Old Library at Trinity College, Dublin
Photograph by Damm Fridmar/SIME-4Corners Images
Visitors to Dublin’s historic Trinity College marvel at the vaulted ceilings of the Old Library Building’s Long Room, which houses the Book of Kells and a rare first edition of Dante's Divine Comedy. The library serves as the primary place of study and research for the more than 15,000 students that attend Ireland’s oldest university.
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Dingle Peninsula Pub
Photograph by Medford Taylor/National Geographic Stock
The number of visitors to Dingle skyrocketed after the scenic harbor town served as the setting for the Academy Award-winning Ryan’s Daughter, a 1970 film starring Robert Mitchum. Today, the town officially goes by the Gaelic name of An Daingean (“the fortress”) and relies heavily on the annual summer influx of tourists.
