But there is more to Ireland than its spectacular scenery.  Dublin and Belfast are vibrant and fascinating cities to visit – and can be a great idea for a shorter city break during the hard Canadian winter. And don’t forget Cork, Galway, Killarney and some of Ireland’s other up and coming cities. 

Here are some of the many reasons to visit Ireland this year!

Choice and competition on flights to Ireland

First and foremost - getting to Ireland has never been easier. Aer Lingus and Air Canada rouge are now flying year round from Toronto to Dublin, and Air Transat will continue their seasonal service from Toronto and Montreal to Dublin. WestJet fly seasonally from Toronto/St. John’s to Dublin and ASL airlines, formerly Europe Airpost also provide seasonal service Halifax to Dublin.

The awe-inspiring Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way, stretching all the way from the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal to Kinsale in Co. Cork is amongst the world’s best driving tours. It stretches along 2,500 km of the wildest, most captivating scenery found anywhere - with lots to do and see along the way. Go whale watching and then enjoy an amazing seafood dinner in County Cork; take a walk along the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and stop for homemade ice cream. Or see the Northern Lights along the Donegal coastline.

Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route

As well as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland has more than its fair share of stunning coastal scenery. In Northern Ireland the majestic Causeway Coastal Route, famed for its dramatic landscapes, is counted as one of the world’s great road journeys.

Ireland’s Ancient East

Ireland’s Ancient East represents a wonderful opportunity to experience 5,000 years of European history in a compact area.  The Ancient East area allows visitors to get off the beaten track to see, hear, touch and feel the imprints made over millennia by the settlers in this beautiful landscape.

Ancient Man, Early Christians, Medieval Lords, Colonial Settlers and their descendants have all been seduced by Ireland’s lush, green and fertile lands. And it’s easy to explore as visitors can go at their own pace to discover tombs older than the pyramids, a Viking settlement or castles and fortresses. And, as everywhere else you go in Ireland, there are stories from the friendly locals who are some of the best story tellers in the world.

Not to be missed is the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Newgrange - a Stone Age monument in the Boyne Valley, County Meath. Newgrange was constructed about 3,200 B.C., which makes it older than both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza. It is a large circular mound with a stone passageway and chambers inside. The mound is ringed by 97 large kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art.

Newgrange is famous for the spectacular shaft of light that spills through its roof-box every year at winter solstice. Amazingly, this alignment, which coaxes the sunlight 19 metres into the heart of the chamber, was engineered some 5,000 years ago.

Ireland showcased at the movies

Much of the Fantasy blockbuster TV series “Game of Thrones” is filmed on location in Northern Ireland. If you are a fan – Northern Ireland is the epicentre of all things Game of Thrones. Aside from the landscapes that evoke true fantasy - there’s a good reason why Northern Ireland was picked by Game of Thrones location scouts. There are castles everywhere; incredible structures that catapult you right to the heart of the mythical land of Westeros.

Northern Ireland offers fans a self-drive tour through scene-stealing locations along the Causeway Coast and Glens. And the Titanic Studios in Belfast are also frequently used for filming.

In Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens the heart stopping scenery of Skellig Michael was depicted as the hideout of Luke Skywalker in the movie. Skellig Michael, a remote island in Co Kerry, housed a monastery from around the 6th to the 12th century, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Scenes for Star Wars: Episode VIII: The Last Jedi were recently filmed on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donnegal.

In addition the popular TV series “Vikings” on the History Channel is filmed in Co Wicklow. This is a very appropriate setting as Viking heritage runs deep in Ireland’s Ancient East.

Year round festivals

St Patrick’s Day is Ireland’s day of pride, heritage and celebration. And while St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many other countries - if you really want to get a piece of the party, you’ve got to go to Ireland. Ireland on St Patrick’s Day is unlike anywhere else in the world and the celebrations go on throughout the land.

In Dublin, St Patrick’s Festival runs from 16 - 19 March, 2017. The four-day festival embraces everything from salsa dancing to céilís (traditional dances) and culminates in a huge parade. The oldest St Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland is in County Wexford. It began in 1917 and is still going strong. For the earliest, you’ll need to head out west, to Dingle. They kick things off at 6am, with the Dingle Fife and Drum Band taking to streets. While Limerick uses St Patrick’s Day to host the International Band Parade and Competition.

County Armagh is where St Patrick founded one of his churches, so it’s only natural that they throw a week-long festival in his honour. While Derry-Londonderry’s Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week) is a lively and linguistic build-up to the big day, with events throughout the city.  

But St Patrick’s Day is only one of the far too many to mention festivals that go on year round throughout Ireland. No matter when you visit you will discover the folk in Ireland having a good time at fantastic, fun, foody, or downright frivolous festivals! Check out www.ireland.com for the full calendar.

Jump into Ireland with Royal Irish Tours! With a depth of knowledge and understanding of Ireland, plus friendly and well-informed staff, Royal Irish offer an exciting range of tours - or they can customize your own itinerary.

Royal Irish is Canada’s leading tour operator to Ireland with the largest and most diverse range of holidays - and they have just celebrated 16 years of offering tours to the Emerald Isle.

 Royal Irish offer 8 first class coach tour vacations with leisurely itineraries that allow you lots of time to explore and to enjoy the relaxed pace of Irish life. In many cities you stay 2 nights at each stop – and with all tours you get a full Irish breakfast and 3 course evening meals, plus an abundance of visits showing the very best of Ireland. It’s a great way to see Ireland worry free. Everything is taken care of for you and your Tour Director is with you every step of the way.

There are also a wide choice of rail tours offering the perfect alternative for travelers who prefer not to drive in Ireland, but want to see as much of the Emerald Isle as possible. Sit back and relax, taking in the beauty of the Irish countryside as you let the train take the strain. The choice is yours between an independent package with the freedom to travel as you please, or departures that include local guides. Rail tours range from 1 to 5 days in length, starting from Dublin. Examples include a 5 day tour that covers a large part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a two day tour to Belfast City and The Giants Causeway and a 1 day tour including Cork and Blarney Castle.

Royal Irish small group sightseeing tours have a maximum of 16 people and take you along the back roads and off the beaten path. The 5 day Northern Ireland & Atlantic Coast tour includes Belfast and the Titanic Experience as well as the stunning Atlantic coast.

If you want to travel more independently – with unbeatable value and choice –  Royal Irish have 14 self-drive itineraries. This is a great way to meet the friendly Irish people. Royal Irish take care of the car rental arrangements for you – plus you can select accommodation from self catering cottages and B&Bs to chic city centre hotels and Irish Manor Houses and Castles. And if you don’t want to do the driving – Royal Irish even have the option for chauffeur driven tours.

And lastly Royal Irish have city stay options in Dublin, Belfast, Killarney and Galway. Short Rail Tours and city breaks are great options to combine with other Royal Irish Tours – you can “mix and match” to make your vacation exactly as you wish it to be.

Royal Irish has an Ireland vacation to suit almost everyone – but if you can’t find exactly what you want then Royal Irish will customize it for you by designing itineraries and accommodation choices to suit your needs. And you can be sure that your Royal Irish vacations represent great value because they offer more inclusions, meals and admissions than other vacation companies.

Royal Irish has the expertise to create your perfect vacation because Ireland is their business and they are specialists in their field. They have friendly and knowledgeable agents with a wealth of personal experience of travelling in Ireland and the team is passionate about what they do and committed to giving you the holiday of a lifetime.

Here are just three of the popular Royal Irish Tours available to Ireland.

Irish Twist - Pub and Heritage Tour 

The Irish Twist - Pub and Heritage Tour is a different take on the traditional tour with more free time and plenty of opportunities for dinners with Irish music and dancing in the evenings. It combines Ireland’s magnificent beauty, music & folklore on this lively 7 night tour. Explore the famous Guinness storehouse, the mighty Cliffs of Moher; enjoy the views of the wild Atlantic Way. Wander the cobblestone streets of Galway by day and take in some Irish song and music by night. The Twist will leave you with the spirit of Ireland for years to come.

Your 8 day tour includes:

• Motor coach transportation and services of an experienced driver & local touring guide
• 7 nights first class ensuite accommodation in feature hotels with baggage handling included
• Full Irish breakfast daily
• 4 table d’hôte evening meals
• Farewell Irish evening with dinner & entertainment
• Lunch at Nancy Hands - a classic Irish bar in Dublin
• An evening of music, song and dance at ‘Trad on the Prom’, Galway
• Tour and tastings at the following: Guinness Storehouse, Midleton Distillery & Franciscan Well Brewery
• Visits and admissions to: Rock of Cashel, Cobh Heritage Centre, Cliffs of Moher

Manor Royal – Deluxe Coach Tour

The NEW and improved Manor Royal tour still has all the same luxuries as in past years - however there are some fantastic new additions. This exclusive tour is now capped at a maximum of 26 Passengers. It includes accommodations at some of the finest hotels in Ireland as you stay at some signature and unique locations including 5 star hotels and castles. This relaxed, deluxe vacation now arrives earlier so you can enjoy what the hotel has to offer such as spa treatments, country walks or reading by the fire. This is truly one of the most luxurious, deluxe, first class coach tours Royal Irish has ever offered.

Your 11 day tour includes:

• Motor coach transportation and services of an experienced driver & local touring guide
• 10 nights accommodation in superior first class hotels with baggage handling included
• All rooms ensuite
• 10 full Irish breakfasts in hotels
• 6 table d’hôte evening meals
• Farewell dinner & entertainment in Dublin
• Signature dinner at famous traditional Belfast pub
• Admissions to: Parke’s Castle, Foxford Woollen Mills, Cliffs of Moher & Atlantic Edge Exhibition, Dunbrody Famine Ship, Powerscourt House, Florence Court, Giant's Causeway
• Light lunch in a traditional pub
• Tickets for Shannon Estuary ferry
• Music session at Marine Bar
• Tour and tasting at the Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin

Shamrock Royal – Coach Tour

The Shamrock Royal coach tour is a perfect introduction to Ireland. It allows you to relax with two and three night stays in first class hotels. Enjoy a hearty full Irish breakfast daily, as well as 10 evening meals. Discover the traditional yet cosmopolitan cites of Dublin, Cork and Belfast. Be inspired by the magical landscapes and quaint fishing villages. You will truly enjoy the best of Ireland on the delightful fully inclusive tour.

Your 15 day tour includes:

• Motor coach transportation and services of an experienced driver & local touring guide
• 14 nights accommodation in first class hotels with baggage handling included
• All rooms ensuite
• 14 full Irish breakfasts
• 8 table d'hote evening meals in hotels
• Welcome drink on arrival
• Visit the top voted tourist attraction in Europe - Titanic Experience in Belfast
• Dinner and entertainment at Quill's farmhouse, Muckross Park
• Farewell dinner and entertainment in Dublin
• Admissions to: Saint Patrick Visitor Centre, Belfast City Hall, Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway Centre, Belleek Pottery, Kylemore Abbey, Cliffs of Moher, Kingdom of Kerry Museum, Cahir Castle, Dunbrody Famine Ship, Waterford Crystal Centre, Irish National Stud & Gardens
• Walking tour of Derry City
• Jaunting car ride through Killarney