From the scenic rolling green hills of the countryside and the rugged cliffs towering over the Atlantic coastline, to the abundance of historical landmarks and the unparalleled charm and genuine warmth of the locals – Ireland is a country that will leave you wanting more.

The Emerald Isle belongs at the top of everyone’s travel bucket list. It may be a small island, but there is no shortage of things to do and see. Global Partner Aer Lingus offers nonstop flights between Seattle and Dublin, and Alaska Mileage Plan members can earn miles connecting to Ireland and beyond. Starting June 20, 2019, Mileage Plan members can also redeem their Alaska miles to fly on Aer Lingus, and award travel to Dublin starts at just 30,000 miles each way.

From a two-week road trip around the island, here are a few places you won’t want to miss.

1. Hill of Tara

After picking up our rental car and getting accustomed to driving on the opposite side of the road, several near misses with curbs and oncoming cars, and a few dozen wrong exits on the roundabouts later, we were on the road headed north.

We stopped in the countryside of the Boyne Valley to visit the Hill of Tara, the ancient inauguration site of the High Kings of Ireland. If you have any interest in Irish history, this place and neighboring Newgrange, are a must. Even if you’re not a history buff, the visit is worth the idyllic views of the Irish countryside.

2. Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge

Arriving in the North, we headed straight for the coast. First stop on our itinerary was Carrick-A-Rede, a seemingly precariously-perched rope bridge erected by the area’s salmon fishermen back in 1755. The bridge hangs nearly 30 meters above sea level and offers rewarding views of the northern coastline.

3. Giant’s Causeway

The following morning, at the recommendation of our bed-and-breakfast host, we woke early and headed to Giant’s Causeway to explore before droves of tour buses arrived. Giant’s Causeway is steeped in mythology, but all folklore aside, the geological beauty of this area – with more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns – makes it a must-see on any Ireland road trip.

Go early, before the visitor center opens. You’ll have to pay a fee on your way out, but it’s worth having the entire place to yourself for a while.

4. Dunluce Castle

Leaving Giant’s Causeway, we stopped at Dunluce Castle for a quick walk around the ruins perched upon a picturesque clifftop that offers breathtaking views of the Causeway Coast.

5. The Dark Hedges

Back on the road headed south, we stopped at The Dark Hedges, one of the most photographed spots in Northern Ireland. Fun fact: it’s also a well-known Game of Thrones filming location (The King’s Road).

Lined with towering beech trees and surrounded by farmland on both sides, The Dark Hedges offers a nice break from driving as you stroll down the quiet country road.

6. Cliffs of Moher

Most tourists visiting Ireland’s West Coast amass to the iconic Doolin pubs for their traditional Irish music. In search of a more authentic, local experience, we were advised by our B&B host to spend the evening at Lisdoonvarna’s Roadside Tavern before heading out to catch the sunset at the Cliffs of Moher.

If there’s one thing we learned on this trip, it’s to always take the advice of the locals. They’ll never steer you wrong. Following one of the best smoked salmon dinners we’ve ever eaten, we were treated to the most magical evening alone on the cliffs. It felt like we had the entire Atlantic to ourselves.

7. Burren National Park

The following day, we headed out to explore Burren National Park. Limestone dominates this barren landscape. Pale rocks contrast with patches of green vegetation and yellow wildflowers, offering a dramatic, yet quietly humbling experience.

One place of particular significance in the park is the Poulnabrone dolmen, a portal tomb that dates back to 3200 BC.

8. Skillig Michael

Of all the places we visited, Southwest Ireland stands out as the highlight of our trip. In particular, I loved the boat tour out to the Skellig islands off the coast of Portmagee.

We set out early on choppy waters headed for Skellig Michael, made famous recently as a filming location in the newest Star Wars trilogy. This sea crag rises 700 feet above the Atlantic and is home to a series of monastic beehive huts that housed Christian monks from the 7^th to 12^th centuries. Almost entirely cut off from civilization, it’s amazing to think what life must have been like for the hermit monks that inhabited this island 1,000 years ago.

9. Dublin

This modern, yet historic city needs no introduction. With so much to offer, from art and historical attractions to the unrivaled Irish pub culture, you’d need at least a week to squeeze in all there is to experience here.

After spending the last days of our trip strolling through Trinity College and seeing the Book of Kells, visiting the city’s oldest pub (The Brazen Head) and the smallest pub (The Dawson Lounge), wandering up Grafton Street through St. Stephen’s Green, taking a tour around the famous Jameson Irish Whiskey distillery, and joining a traditional Irish music pub crawl through Temple Bar, I am left counting the days until I can return to the charmingly beautiful Emerald Isle.

Photos courtesy of Karen Grubb.

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