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17th May 2016

Here are Ireland’s top 10 landmarks according to Tripadvisor users

emma lahiffe

How many have you visited?

TripAdvisor has released its rankings for global landmarks today, with a top 10 for each country around the world.

Top of the Irish list for a fourth year running is Kilmainham Gaol, with Blarney Castle & Gardens and Trinity College taking the second and third spots.

Also in the mix are a couple of hidden Irish gems, including the stunning Dun Dúchathair cliff fort at Cill Éinne, Inis Mór, and the Arigna Mining Experience in Co. Roscommon.

Top of the global list of favourite landmarks is Macchu Picchu, followed by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi and Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. You can take a look at the complete global list here.

Here’s the complete Irish top ten list to start planning those summer road trips:

1. Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin

Improving my knowledge of Irish history. Man this prison was beautiful.

A photo posted by ????? (@shelleyhenrietta) on

 

2. Blarney Castle & Gardens, Co. Cork

 

3. Trinity College, Dublin

I’m in Dublin today and have fallen in love with the Trinity College Library. ❤️?

A photo posted by A Lady in London (@aladyinlondon) on

 

4. Muckross House & Gardens, Co. Kerry

Felt like I was at Downton Abbey and loved every second! ?

A photo posted by Vanessa Schmidt (@tribesnpines) on

 

5. Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny

☘ #view #kilkennycastle #ireland

A photo posted by Letizia Nosella (@letiziaanosella) on

6. Dun Dúchathair, Aran Islands

The Black Fort, Aran Islands, Ireland

A photo posted by Judy | adventures abroad (@wanderingjudy) on

 

7. Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare

 

8. Arigna Mining Experience, Co. Roscommon

Views from Arigna Mining Experience today#arigna #coal#miners#roscommon#ireland#connaught #northwestireland

A photo posted by Arigna Mining Experience (@arignaminingexperience) on

 

9. Leap Castle, Roscrea, Co. Offaly

The Elemental of Leap Castle The Elemental is one of the most interesting spirits that reside at Leap Castle. It is an entity that is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The first encounter, origin and exact nature of the Elemental are unknown but there are many theories that have circulated over the years. As mentioned the time of its appearance is not certain but there have been vague mentions of a troublesome spirit at Leap Castle since very early times. One early belief is that the Elemental was put there by druids long before the castle was built to protect the sacred site used for initiations and druidic magick. Another theory is that the Elemental was placed there by an invading force to burn the castle from the inside. The person responsible is thought to be Gerald Fitzgerald Earl of Kildare. He was a renowned magick practitioner and had attempted to take over the castle on several occasions. Local myths say that the Elemental is the spirit of an ancient O’Carroll who died in the castle from Leprosy. This is said to be the reasoning for the decomposing facial features and appalling stench that accompanies the presence of the spirit. Mildred Darby was said to have dabbled in the occult. Her activities focused on séances and automatic writing. Some think that it was her dabbling that either awoke or summoned the Elemental. It was around this time that the horrific discovery in the Oubliette; three cartloads of bones, approximately 150 bodies. The huge release of emotional energy linked to the spirits in the Oubliette upon their discovery may have been enough to wake up the dormant spirit. It was shortly after this that Mildred Darby would have her terrifying encounter with the Elemental. Whatever this entity is, it only seems to make its presence known when people begin to provoke it. The current owners, the Ryans have lived at Leap since 1991 and have never felt its sinister presence. #paranormalresearchersireland #leapcastle #irishghosts #Ireland #paranormal #paranormalireland

A photo posted by Paranormal Researchers Ireland (@para_researchersirl) on

 

10. Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

Topics:

Ireland