Top Ten Attractions

Best Westerns Top Ten Attractions in Ireland

1) Dublin Zoo

(963,053 Visitors 2011)

top ten1 There's a world of animals and a heap of surprises waiting for you at Dublin Zoo. Come in and spot giraffe and zebra on the Plains of Africa and catch a glimpse of our growing herd of Asian elephants in the Rain forest - and don't worry you can go all round the world and still be home in time for tea.

There are tigers, hippos, bats, lions, rare monkeys, gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and red pandas to name but a few of the amazing animals you'll find waiting for you around every corner.

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2) The Guiness Storehouse

(930,000 Visitors 2011)

alt Come and explore Ireland's number one visitor attraction, providing an unforgettable welcome and a magical journey deep into the heart of the world famous Guiness brand and company. This historical building is central to Dublin's and Ireland's heritage, and has been continually updated to create a blend of fascinating industrial tradition with a contemporary edge. The seven floors bring to life the rich heritage of Guiness, telling the story from its origins here at St. James's Gate in Dublin to its growth as a global brand, known all around the world.

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3) National Gallery of Ireland

(736,855 Vistiors in 2011)

alt The National Gallery of Ireland is just off Merrion Square West, where you can see the most beautiful of art for all to see.

To find out more visit www.nationalgallery.ie

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4) National Aquatic Centre

(721,871 Visitors in 2011)

alt The National Aquatic Centre is under the remit of the National Sports Campus Development Authority and is operated by a wholly owned subsidiary of the NSCDA

The Centre was officially opened on Monday, 10 March, 2003. It successfully hosted the swimming events of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games, the first time this event was held outside of the United States. It also hosted the European Short Course Swimming Championships in December 2003.

5) Cliff of Moher Visitor Experience

(720,574 Visitors in 2011)

alt An undulating landscape suddenly ends in a sheer drop of more than 650 feet, straight down to the Atlantic. One of the most spectacular coastal areas in Europe. The visitor centre has been rebuilt on a grand scale - which explains the high price of a visit.

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6) National Botanic Gardens

(533,120 Visitors in 2011)

alt The National Botanic Gardens can be found in Glasnevin where you could spend hours exploring the glorious gardens. The activities and role of the Gardens is a great deal more varied than meets the eye. It's purpose is to explore, understand, conserve, and share the importance of plants. The ground keepers aim to make the National Botanic Gardens a place where leisure, recreation and education are all compatible for the enjoyment of our visitors.

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7)Book of Kells

(469,674 Visitors in 2011)

alt The Book of Kells (Trinity College Dublin MS 58) is celebrated for its lavish decoration. The manuscript contains the four Gospels in Latin based on a Vulgate text, written on vellum (prepared calfskin), in a bold and expert version of the script known as "insular majuscule".It has been on display in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin from the mid 19th century, and attracts over 500,000 visitors a year. Since 1953 it has been bound in four volumes. Two volumes are on public view, one opened to display a major decorated page, and one to show two pages of script. The volumes are changed at regular intervals.

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8) Irish Museum of Modern Art

(408,000 Visitors in 2011)

alt The Irish Museum of Modern Art is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. The Museum presents a wide variety of art in a dynamic programme of exhibitions, which regularly includes bodies of work from its own Collection and its award-winning Education and Community Department. It also creates more widespread access to art and artists through its Studio and National programmes.

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9) Fota Wildlife Park

(377,004 Visitors in 2011)

alt Fota Wildlife Park is located in Co.Cork. In 1979, the late Dr. Terry Murphy, Director of Dublin Zoo, proposed to the Society’s Council that, as Dublin Zoo had reached maximum development in the space available, they should establish a wildlife park and that it should be quite different in concept from a conventional zoo or safari park. The Council accepted the proposal as a project to mark its 150th Anniversary, and started to view sites in the Leinster area.
For more information go to www.fotawildlife.ie

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10) Blarney Castle

(308,000 Visitors in 2011)

alt Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention beyond Munster ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures. Now that might have something to do with the Blarney Stone, the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of our Tower. Kiss it and you'll never again be lost for words.