AWAY Ireland: Top 5 Places to Visit this Year

Are you ready to head to the Wild Atlantic Way? Here are the must-visit places when you travel to Shannon, Ireland. Fly nonstop to Dublin or Shannon from New York/Newark on United.

Ashford Castle

County Mayo, Ireland

Ashford Castle

Your royal adventure begins when you enter through the grand stone gates of this Forbes Five-Star hotel. Standing sentinel on the shores of Lough Corrib for over 800 years, magnificent Ashford Castle occupies an estate of such spectacular proportions that spending any amount of time on its grounds creates indelible memories. Once home to the Guinness family and today a multi-generational resort, Ashford Castle is lovingly run by a team who passionately cares about every single guest. The expansive 350-acre Ashford Estate lends itself perfectly to a range of experiences, from country classic pastimes such as horse riding, fishing, falconry, and shooting, to more modern activities such as golf and cycling. Discover creative Irish cuisine inspired by the finest seasonal ingredients from the West of Ireland and the produce foraged from the resort’s grounds and kitchen garden.
ashfordcastle.com

Aillwee Burren Experience

Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Aillwee Cave

Geology and history stretch over 330 million years at Aillwee Cave. Here, expert tour guides will walk you through an ancient underground landscape where you can marvel at a frozen waterfall and see the remains of the now extinct European brown bear. After your visit to the caves, witness some of Ireland’s and the world’s top predators at the Birds of Prey Centre. Eagles, owls, vultures and hawks all reside at Aillwee.
aillweeburrenexperience.ie

The Burren Smokehouse and Roadside Tavern

Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare

Burren Smokehouse

Book an experience at the Burren Smokehouse to learn about their award-inning Irish smoked salmon and unique smoking process.

Roadside Tavern

Then visit their neighboring Roadside Tavern, a micro-brewery and one of the oldest pubs in County Clare, to try a tasting platter of the organic smoked salmon alongside a flight of four of Burren Brewery’s unique craft beers.
burrensmokehouse.com

Foynes Flying Boat Museum

Aras Ide, Main Street, Foynes, Co. Limerick

Foynes Flying Boat Museum

Travel back to the 1930s and ’40s, when Foynes played a pivotal role in establishing commercial transatlantic passenger flights. Interactive exhibits and memorabilia showcase the history of Flying Boats, early transatlantic planes that took off and landed on water, and the celebrities who visited Foynes. Visitors can also attend a masterclass in making the original Irish Coffee in the very building where it was invented. Each participant receives a certificate and an Irish Coffee Champion Medallion.
flyingboatmuseum.com

International Rugby Experience

40 O’Connell St., Prior’s Land, Limerick

International Rugby Experience

At this interactive institution, move through six stages that follow the sport of rugby from a community, grass roots level up to the players, clubs and nations that have reached legendary status. The experience is rooted in World Rugby’s values of passion, discipline, integrity, solidarity and respect. Discover the people behind the game, plus how it has impacted politics, brought rivals together, transformed communities, and improved lives.
internationalrugbyexperience.com