A journey across Ireland’s rolling green hills and rugged coastlines takes you through beautiful backdrops and into the heart of the country’s creative soul. Each rocky castle and sweeping vista over lakes and fields is home to at least one story. For centuries, the landscape has inspired storytellers who capture its beauty – and the enduring spirit of its people – in their work.

Step into this landscape that has inspired generations and discover how legendary castles and windswept beaches inspire your inner artist.

Ireland

A visual tour of Ireland.

Immerse Yourself in the Rugged Beauty of Ireland's West Coast

The Wild Atlantic Way, running along the entire western coast of Ireland, is like stepping into another world. Both rugged and bucolic, it boasts rocky coastlines, green hillsides, land and sea adventures and enough local characters to make you want to return again and again.

Connemara National Park

Striking aerial images of 12 Pines Island, on the lake of Derryclare Lough, in Connemara National Park.

Charted: The River Lee

A fascinating exploration of Cork's River Lee—the city's lifeblood—from its origins in the historical hills of Gougane Barra right the way down to Cork Harbour where it joins the Atlantic Ocean at Cobh.

Top Things to Do on the Ring of Kerry in Ireland

Ring of Kerry, an immense scenic drive of about 111 miles in southwest Ireland, crosses through Killarney National Park (Ireland’s first national park) and offers stunning views of rugged beaches, traditional Irish pubs and stone forts. Also visible from the road is Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the ruins of Gaelic monastery founded between the 6th and 8th centuries sit atop a craggy island (and recognizable for its role in Star Wars).

Rock of Cashel

While the oldest surviving building in this castle complex dates to c. 1100, legend has it that Saint Patrick converted the King of Munster here in the 5th century. The castle, in County Tipperary, is home to one of the best collections of Celtic art and architecture in Europe.

Fanad Head Lighthouse

Located on the far northern coast of Ireland, this light has protected travelers in the North Atlantic since 1817.

Great Gardens: Glin Castle

Built as the home of the Knight of Glin—otherwise known as the Black Knight—Glin Castle has been tucked away along the Irish coast in County Limerick for over 700 years.

Blessings by David Whyte

This artistic short film by Emmy-winning filmmaker Andrew Hinton interprets a series of poems by the acclaimed author through a visual journey across the Irish landscape. Whyte’s (b. West Yorkshire 1955) poetry is accompanied by music by Irish composer Owen Ó Súilleabháin. To purchase the collection, The Bell and the Blackbird, which features these poems, click here.

Róisín Murphy’s Irish playlist

In partnership with The Guardian, the singer-songwriter shares songs from folk to rock and electronica that will transport you to her homeland. Highlights include Van Morrison and The Dubliners. For more info behind her song choices, read the related article here.

For the Love of Ireland

This compilation features the jewels of Irish literature, with more than 60 destination-referential works by Samuel Beckett, Roddy Doyle, James Joyce, Frank McCourt, Jonathan Swift, John Millington Synge and WB Yeats (and many more). By Susan Cahill.

Legendary Irish Landscapes

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