“Tourism is coming” and Tourism Ireland is eager to report that there is a raft of new, or perhaps overlooked due to the pandemic pause in travel, experiences, that will be there when visitors are able return to the Emerald Isle. From a Games of Thrones studio tour to canoeing in St. Patrick’s country, here are five that rank highly:
The Burren: Often overlooked, The Burren in County Clare on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, is 72,000 hectares of craggy limestone terrain forming a unique and otherworldly landscape. Tipped as one of the best places to visit in 2021 by Lonely Planet, the UNESCO Global Geopark is a global leader for sustainable tourism thanks to the work of Burren EcoTourism, a network of providers of eco-friendly attractions, activities, amenities, and accommodation.
Irish Racehorse Experience: The Irish Racehorse Experience at the National Stud is a journey through the rich history and heritage of the Irish thoroughbred sector. This multi-lingual experience moves from the birth to the retirement of a racehorse. With the chance to take part in an interactive auction, purchase an unbroken yearling, learn about training, jockeys and the anatomy of horses, and experience the dynamic atmosphere of a race meeting, the experience is a must-do for all horse lovers. It concludes in the Living Legend room, where large windows overlook the elite, retired horses as they graze in the paddock.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour: The highly anticipated Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Linen Mill Studios, Banbridge, Northern Ireland, will bring fans face-to-face with authentic, original set pieces, props and weapons used to create the worlds of the fantasy TV blockbuster. With the great hall of Winterfell as its centrepiece, the tour will feature behind-the-scenes insights, interactive elements and expansive, fully dressed sets from King’s Landing to The Wall. Developed under licence with Warner Brothers Consumer Products, and created by HBO Licencing and Retail, the studio tour will be the only permanent officially licensed Game of Thrones experience in the world.
Pilgrim Walk Camino and Canoe: A new St Patrick’s Camino experience will offer the chance to combine a guided walk through St. Patrick’s country in County Down with a 90-minute canoe journey. The six-hour tour visits St Patrick’s first church, Saul, which is known as the ‘cradle of Christianity in Ireland,’ and the saint’s grave at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick as well as other sites related to Patrick’s life. It starts from the Saint Patrick Centre, one of Northern Ireland’s leading attractions, where St Patrick’s life and legacy are presented in award-winning interactive galleries and IMAX experience.
Brú na Bóinne interpretive centres: The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne is famous for the passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth, built some five millennia ago. Following an extensive upgrade to the visitor centre, a new immersive experience will showcase the archaeological and historical heritage of Brú na Bóinne in an evocative and absorbing way. The new exhibition will include a full-scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange, famous for its illumination when the sun rises on a winter solstice morning. There will also be a full model of one of the smaller tombs at Knowth.
