Five things you might not know about Ireland!

1. County Wicklow is a Diva!
Due to its natural beauty, County Wicklow, just south of Dublin, is also a movie star!  It has been the location for movies including "Braveheart", "Excalibur", "Into the West", "Michael Collins", "Reign of Fire" and "King Arthur".  Diehard movie fans can appreciate the stunning setting while taking one of our tours of the area such as the "Excalibur Drive", the "Michael Collins Drive" and the "Braveheart Drive".
In addition to this natural beauty, The Harbour Bar in Bray in Co Wicklow has scooped the prize for the best overall pub in the world according to Lonely Planet. See Wicklow for yourself and revel in its beauty at our 5-star rated Glendaloch International Hostel and Knockree Hostel.

2. The World’s Oldest Alarm Clock?
Newgrange in County Meath is home to an Ancient Temple best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice. At dawn, from December 19th to 23rd, a narrow beam of light penetrates the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the chamber. As the sun rises higher, the beam widens within the chamber so that the whole room becomes dramatically illuminated. Newgrange's accuracy as a time-telling device is remarkable when one considers that it was built over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.), 500 years before the Great Pyramids and more than 1,000 years before Stonehenge.
See where Hallowe’en got its origins and visit the pagan temple while staying at our Newgrange Lodge Hostel.

3. Irish Seventh Wonder of Nature
The Cliffs of Moher are contenders on the short-list of the global online campaign for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. You may recognise them also as the “Cliffs of Insanity” in The Princess Bride, and the location of Voldemort’s cave in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as well from a couple of episodes of Father Ted!  Lonely Planet are also fans – Co. Clare and the famous cliffs were selected in their top ten places in the world to cycle. Check out the famed surf in Lahinch while you’re there and stay in the Burren Hostel.

4. Haunting Donegal
The atmosphere of Donegal is part of the Clannad sound, says singer and band member Moya Brennan. “There’s a haunting, surreal beauty and an earthiness to the old land. Because it’s almost surrounded by the Border it has been a forgotten county, which now serves it well.  This haunting sound is also to be heard in the works of Enya, who is from the area, but the haunting doesn’t end there.  The renowned Poisoned Glen with its resident ghost 'The Green Lady' gives a sense of mystery as do the many ghost stories of the county as you go exploring the Bloody Foreland walk!
Chill out and avoid the ghosts at our Errigal Hostel.

5. Adventure in Killarney
TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice selected Killarney as one of the Top 10 Outdoor & Adventure Destinations in Europe. The popular Kerry destination was voted in as no.5.
The TripAdvisor comment read - "Forget fashionable footwear, only your most comfortable shoes will cut it in Killarney. It's a walking town, and every trail is a history lesson. Journey on foot through Ireland's first national park, 26,000 acres of woodlands, sandstone mountains and low-lying lakes. When your feet wear out, take in Killarney National Park via boat from Ross Castle".  With EcoAdventure Ireland packages available for groups at our Killarney International Hostel there’ll be an outdoor adventure pursuit to challenge your sense of adventure!
Pull on your hiking boots and forget the pedicure while staying at Killarney International Hostel.