>>2873843 Tullamore Dew of all the distilleries? OK then... For castles there's Trim, Kilkenny, Bunratty, Blarney and a bunch in around Dublin which are less important. Apart from that the standard sights you'll see recommended anywhere and maybe since you're looking at castles you might as well look at round towers and abbeys.
>>2873843 I'm Irish, I'd recommend going to Kilkenny if you like castles or anything, you can get some nice lunch and sit in the park then get a tour inside. You can get the train from tullamore but it requires a change and it's pretty bad public transport desu.
>>2873843 Old castles and some 19th century pubs are about it really.
One of the shittier parts about being a farming colony for the better part of 900 years is that you don't have a lot of social development or monumental structures.
>>2873843 Go to Kerry if you want nature. Skip Limerick if you're looking at the largest cities, nothing worthwhile goes on there. Galway has lots of trad music and Irish culture, but it's turned up to a degree that almost feels like a theme park for Americans rather than an authentic experience. Dublin has a day's worth of things to do, but the amount of immigrants and foreigners makes is hard to enjoy. >>2880325 >Kinsale To elaborate, there are two forts: James Fort (small ruin and free. Might be closed but you can climb in) and Charles Fort (paid and a proper exhibit). Small seaside town. Would recommend if you're near. If you're in county Cork, visit Cork City, Blarney castle, Cobh, and the old brewery in Midleton (for Jameson whiskey) if you so desire another brewery.
ireland seems like comfy road trip sightseeing - lots of cool not specifically famous things to see that you would go to if you were in the area but not travelling to the country with it as a must visit
>>2873843 I had one of the best times of my life in Dingle peninsula. Lots of old stuff, including bronze age ruins, down there. Small cozy vibes. Friendly people.
It's in the Gaeltacht but only heard Irish once maybe twice, which is sad.
The real problem with Ireland is how damn expensive it is. For me, I would only stick to the small rural soulful places. Truthfully places like Cork or Dublin really just feel like the UK and aren't magically different somehow. Great Blasket Island also looks cool.