Ireland may be known for its whiskey, though the gin craze has been taking over the last few years. Until recently, Ireland had no real history of making gin, but those days are over, as there are a number of renowned distilleries popping up.

Pubs doubling as hardware stores, white sandy beaches and lambs you can hold. What more could you ask for from a 46km road trip? Key events: Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, Dublin LGBTQ Pride, Irish Derby, Bloomsday, Cork Midsummer Festival, Mourne International Walking Festival. July is party timeA small capital with a huge reputation, Dublin is a multicultural, artistic city brimming with incredible architecture, beautiful green spaces and great opportunities for entertainment. Planning tip: The garden contains nudity and mature themes, and is considered to be a place for adults. It’s also somewhere for spiritual reorientation and philosophical enlightenment – or at least some incredible photos. The garden is open seasonally, and advanced booking is required. 11. Go gin tasting Planning tip: The Storehouse offers a range of experiences, including the Behind-the-Gate tour, which brings visitors to parts of St James's Gate that were previously off-limits to the public. 5. Get to know the city through a Talking Statues tour

While traces of Ireland's Viking past have been largely washed away, the city is a living museum of its history since then, with medieval castles and cathedrals on display alongside the architectural splendors of its 18th-century heyday. As an added bonus, Dubliners are the greatest hosts of all, a charismatic bunch with compelling soul and sociability. You're likely to stumble across live music on many streets and throughout pubs in Dublin, with Grafton Street being a particularly good spot for excellent – and sometimes famous – buskers. Once the sun sets, catch a gig at the Button Factory or head to Whelan's, the city's most beloved live-music venue. Planning tip: Combine a visit here with a trip to the next door Botanic Gardens. 15. Enjoy the small but perfect Little Museum of Dublin Local tip: Rinroe, a secret cove north of Erris, has caverns that offer a good photo op. 3. KilkennyYou will be treated to some of the most epic views of Ireland from each of these peaks, but the challenge is definitely not for the faint-hearted. If you decide to do a hike a day, though, then it can be quite pleasant, and you'll get to experience the beautiful Irish countryside while putting your body to the test. If you're unfamiliar with the road and going off the main motorways, it will often take longer to travel distances than you think. Don’t feel obliged to travel at the speed limit; roads in rural areas can be twisting, narrow and of varying quality, and it’s dangerous to drive at high speeds if you’re not familiar with the route. Also, if you’re never encountered roundabouts before, read up about them beforehand and remember to always give way to the right. Don’t take everything seriously The warmest months from April to August offer endless hours to explore the coastline or lush, rolling green countryside, but with a year-round temperate climate that rarely freezes in winter or blisters in summer, it’s possible to enjoy daytime outdoor activities in any month. Choose 3, 4, 5, or 7 top Dublin attractions and enjoy great savings with Go City. Taste the world-famous Irish drink at Guinness Storehouse, enjoy the sights on Big Bus Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, or discover Dublinʼs oldest building, Christ Church Cathedral - the choice is yours! 1. Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal

Towering mountains, glistening lakes and enchanting forests. The Ring of Kerry is one of those unforgettable road trips that leave your jaw on the floor from start to finish. With so many landmarks to see along this route, it can be hard to fit it all into one trip, but the beauty of this road trip is even if you rarely leave the car, you’ll still experience some of Ireland’s most beautiful spots. Leopold Bloom mused in James Joyce's Ulysses that a good puzzle would be to cross Dublin without passing a pub. Even in these times of green juices and heart-monitoring apps, the pub remains the alpha and omega of social interaction in Dublin. The city's relationship with alcohol is complex and conflicted but, at its very best, a night out in the pub is the perfect social lubricant and one of the highlights of a visit to Dublin. Every Dubliner has their favorite haunt, from the never-changing traditional pub to whatever new opening is bringing in the beautiful people. With more than 1000 spread throughout the city, you're spoilt for choice. Key events: Willie Clancy Summer School, Galway International Arts Festival, Longitude, Folkfest, All-Ireland Finals. August is crowdedThe most popular attraction in Dublin is the multimedia homage to Guinness, the Guinness Storehouse, one of the world’s most famous beer brands. An old fermentation plant in the St James's Gate Brewery has been converted into the seven-storey Storehouse, devoted to sharing the company’s history and showcasing how the beer is made. Planning tip: While you're out that direction, the James Joyce Tower & Museum in Sandycove features Joyce memorabilia and gives a fantastic view of the coast and the surrounding countryside. 17. Do a Dublin pub crawl The scent of aromatic spices is carried on the fresh Atlantic breeze that passes through the cobbled lanes off Quay Street, the medieval heart of Galway. Top local restaurants like Ard Bia at Nimmos cluster around its southern tip at Spanish Arch because of its romantic setting, making it one of the best places for couples to visit in Ireland. It was once a trading post where galleons carried cargos of wine and food.

An imposing grey building, built in 1796, it's played a role in virtually every act of Ireland's painful path to independence, and even today, it still has the power to chill. Sometimes referred to as "The Bastille of Ireland", Kilmainham Gaol was decommissioned in 1924 and is now a museum with an enthralling exhibit on the history of Irish nationalism. Key events: Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival. October means Halloween There isn't a weekend in the month that a major festival doesn't take place, while visitors to Galway will find that the city is in full swing for the entire month.

For many, the best route to take starts and ends at Silverstrand beach. Not only do you get constant coastal views on the trail, but you can also hop straight into the sea to cool down afterwards. 4. Mt Errigal, County Donegal There are Wild Atlantic Way markers at every point of interest along this incredible road trip to help you find your way, and you can follow the symbols attached to almost every road sign on the route so you don’t get lost.