Add ⭐ highlight markers to stop files — matches HIGHLIGHTS.md top 15
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@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ The capital and arrival point. Victorian seafront promenade (the Loch Promenade)
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### Castletown (south)
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### Castletown (south)
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The old capital of the island, worth a half-day.
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The old capital of the island, worth a half-day.
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- **Castle Rushen** — One of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. Built by Norse kings. Entry fee, absolutely worth it.
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- ⭐ **Castle Rushen** — One of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe. Built by Norse kings. Entry fee, absolutely worth it.
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- **Nautical Museum** — Small but good; housed in an 18th-century boathouse
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- **Nautical Museum** — Small but good; housed in an 18th-century boathouse
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### Port Erin & Port St Mary (southwest)
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### Port Erin & Port St Mary (southwest)
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@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Most atmospheric town on the island. A working fishing harbour with a ruined cat
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### Laxey (east coast)
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### Laxey (east coast)
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- **Laxey Wheel (Lady Isabella)** — The world's largest working waterwheel. Built 1854 to pump water from the mines. Striking industrial heritage, great photos.
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- **Laxey Wheel (Lady Isabella)** — The world's largest working waterwheel. Built 1854 to pump water from the mines. Striking industrial heritage, great photos.
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- **Snaefell Mountain Railway** — Electric mountain railway up to Snaefell summit (621m), the island's highest point. Views to Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales on a clear day.
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- ⭐ **Snaefell Mountain Railway** — Electric mountain railway up to Snaefell summit (621m), the island's highest point. Views to Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales on a clear day.
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### TaxT Course / Mountain Road (TT Circuit)
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### TaxT Course / Mountain Road (TT Circuit)
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The famous Isle of Man TT Snaefell Mountain Course is 60km of public road. In August, the roads are open at normal (low) speed limits. You can drive the entire circuit.
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The famous Isle of Man TT Snaefell Mountain Course is 60km of public road. In August, the roads are open at normal (low) speed limits. You can drive the entire circuit.
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@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ The SS Nomadic is the last remaining White Star Line vessel — the tender that
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## Day Trip: Causeway Coast
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## Day Trip: Causeway Coast
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If you have a second day, the Causeway Coast east of Belfast is unmissable.
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If you have a second day, the Causeway Coast east of Belfast is unmissable.
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- **Giant's Causeway** — UNESCO World Heritage Site; 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns from volcanic activity. Can be busy in summer — arrive early.
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- ⭐ **Giant's Causeway** — UNESCO World Heritage Site; 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns from volcanic activity. Can be busy in summer — arrive early.
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- **Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge** — Suspension bridge to a tiny island; dramatic coastal views
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- **Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge** — Suspension bridge to a tiny island; dramatic coastal views
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- **Dunluce Castle** — Ruined clifftop castle, one of Ireland's most dramatic
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- **Dunluce Castle** — Ruined clifftop castle, one of Ireland's most dramatic
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- **Bushmills Distillery** — Oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world (1608)
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- **Bushmills Distillery** — Oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world (1608)
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@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ Donegal is the wildest, most remote part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Fewest touris
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## Must-See
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## Must-See
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- **Slieve League Cliffs** — Three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, a fraction of the crowds. The highest sea cliffs in Europe accessible on foot. Walk the "One Man's Pass" ridge for vertigo and spectacular Atlantic views.
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- ⭐ **Slieve League Cliffs** — Three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, a fraction of the crowds. The highest sea cliffs in Europe accessible on foot. Walk the "One Man's Pass" ridge for vertigo and spectacular Atlantic views.
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- **Glenveagh National Park** — Vast bog and mountain wilderness with a castle on a loch. Red deer roam freely; golden eagles have been reintroduced. The walk from the visitor centre to the castle is easy and beautiful.
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- **Glenveagh National Park** — Vast bog and mountain wilderness with a castle on a loch. Red deer roam freely; golden eagles have been reintroduced. The walk from the visitor centre to the castle is easy and beautiful.
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- **Inishowen Peninsula / Malin Head** — Ireland's northernmost point. Dramatic and very remote. Only worth the detour if you have the third day; skip if time is tight.
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- **Inishowen Peninsula / Malin Head** — Ireland's northernmost point. Dramatic and very remote. Only worth the detour if you have the third day; skip if time is tight.
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- **Fanad Head Lighthouse** — One of Ireland's most photogenic lighthouses; the drive along the Fanad Peninsula is itself a highlight.
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- **Fanad Head Lighthouse** — One of Ireland's most photogenic lighthouses; the drive along the Fanad Peninsula is itself a highlight.
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@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ Mayo contains two of the best experiences on the entire Wild Atlantic Way: Achil
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## Must-See
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## Must-See
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- **Westport** — Planned Georgian town on the Carrowbeg River, consistently voted Ireland's favourite town. Outstanding pub and restaurant scene for its size, good EV charging, excellent base for the whole section. Matt Molloy's pub (owned by The Chieftains' flautist) has traditional music nightly.
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- **Westport** — Planned Georgian town on the Carrowbeg River, consistently voted Ireland's favourite town. Outstanding pub and restaurant scene for its size, good EV charging, excellent base for the whole section. Matt Molloy's pub (owned by The Chieftains' flautist) has traditional music nightly.
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- **Achill Island** — Ireland's largest island, connected by a bridge — no ferry needed. **Keem Bay** is a pristine turquoise beach in a natural cliffside amphitheatre; the drive/cycle to it is one of the most dramatic in Ireland. The Slievemore Deserted Village (over 100 stone houses abandoned during the Famine) is haunting and very quiet. Excellent cycling on quiet Atlantic Drive roads.
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- ⭐ **Achill Island** — Ireland's largest island, connected by a bridge — no ferry needed. **Keem Bay** is a pristine turquoise beach in a natural cliffside amphitheatre; the drive/cycle to it is one of the most dramatic in Ireland. The Slievemore Deserted Village (over 100 stone houses abandoned during the Famine) is haunting and very quiet. Excellent cycling on quiet Atlantic Drive roads.
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- **Croagh Patrick** — Ireland's holiest mountain; pilgrims climb it barefoot on the last Sunday of July (Reek Sunday). The quartzite cone above Clew Bay is one of Ireland's most iconic views. The hike takes 3–4h return; the summit (764m) has a small chapel and extraordinary views over the bay's 365 islands on a clear day.
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- **Croagh Patrick** — Ireland's holiest mountain; pilgrims climb it barefoot on the last Sunday of July (Reek Sunday). The quartzite cone above Clew Bay is one of Ireland's most iconic views. The hike takes 3–4h return; the summit (764m) has a small chapel and extraordinary views over the bay's 365 islands on a clear day.
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- **Céide Fields** — The world's most extensive Stone Age monument: a complete 5,000-year-old farming landscape (field walls, houses, tombs) preserved intact under the bog. On the north Mayo coast; good detour if driving the full coastal route.
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- **Céide Fields** — The world's most extensive Stone Age monument: a complete 5,000-year-old farming landscape (field walls, houses, tombs) preserved intact under the bog. On the north Mayo coast; good detour if driving the full coastal route.
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@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ Galway is Ireland's most vibrant city outside Dublin — a university town with
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## Must-See
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## Must-See
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- **Latin Quarter** — The medieval heart of Galway: Shop Street, Quay Street, Kirwan's Lane. Tigh Neachtain at the corner of Cross Street is the traditional music epicentre — session most nights. Buskers fill the streets in August.
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- ⭐ **Latin Quarter** — The medieval heart of Galway: Shop Street, Quay Street, Kirwan's Lane. Tigh Neachtain at the corner of Cross Street is the traditional music epicentre — session most nights. Buskers fill the streets in August.
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- **Aran Islands (Inis Mór)** — Day trip or overnight from Rossaveal (40 min ferry; Rossaveal is 37km west of Galway). Inis Mór is the largest island: **Dún Aonghasa** is an Iron Age fort perching directly on the edge of a 100m Atlantic cliff — one of the most dramatic ancient sites in Europe. Rent a bike on the island; flat-ish roads, no cars to speak of.
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- ⭐ **Aran Islands (Inis Mór)** — Day trip or overnight from Rossaveal (40 min ferry; Rossaveal is 37km west of Galway). Inis Mór is the largest island: **Dún Aonghasa** is an Iron Age fort perching directly on the edge of a 100m Atlantic cliff — one of the most dramatic ancient sites in Europe. Rent a bike on the island; flat-ish roads, no cars to speak of.
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- **Salthill Promenade** — 2km seafront walk; kick the wall at the end (a Galway tradition taken seriously by locals). Blackrock diving tower for the brave.
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- **Salthill Promenade** — 2km seafront walk; kick the wall at the end (a Galway tradition taken seriously by locals). Blackrock diving tower for the brave.
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- **Spanish Arch** — Medieval arch at the mouth of the River Corrib; good spot to sit and watch the city.
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- **Spanish Arch** — Medieval arch at the mouth of the River Corrib; good spot to sit and watch the city.
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- **Food:** Galway punches well above its size — Ard Bia at Nimmos (riverside, excellent), Cava Bodega (Spanish tapas), Dela (café/brunch).
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- **Food:** Galway punches well above its size — Ard Bia at Nimmos (riverside, excellent), Cava Bodega (Spanish tapas), Dela (café/brunch).
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@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ Clare is where the Wild Atlantic Way delivers its most famous image — the Clif
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## Must-See
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## Must-See
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- **Cliffs of Moher** — 8km of sea cliffs rising to 214m. Ireland's most visited natural attraction, and the crowds show it mid-afternoon. Go **before 9am or after 6pm** to avoid the coach tour peak. The walk south from the visitor centre to Hag's Head (3km return) gives the best elevated views and loses most of the crowd within 500m.
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- ⭐ **Cliffs of Moher** — 8km of sea cliffs rising to 214m. Ireland's most visited natural attraction, and the crowds show it mid-afternoon. Go **before 9am or after 6pm** to avoid the coach tour peak. The walk south from the visitor centre to Hag's Head (3km return) gives the best elevated views and loses most of the crowd within 500m.
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- **The Burren** — 250km² of limestone pavement unlike anything else in Ireland. Arctic, Mediterranean, and alpine plants grow in the same cracks. The **Green Road** above Ballyvaughan is an old drove road with wide views; the **Burren Way** cycling route follows quiet lanes through the heart of it.
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- **The Burren** — 250km² of limestone pavement unlike anything else in Ireland. Arctic, Mediterranean, and alpine plants grow in the same cracks. The **Green Road** above Ballyvaughan is an old drove road with wide views; the **Burren Way** cycling route follows quiet lanes through the heart of it.
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- **Doolin** — A tiny village with a global reputation for traditional Irish music. Three pubs — McGann's, Gus O'Connor's, and McDermott's — all have live sessions every night in August. The most unpretentious traditional music you'll find anywhere on the WAW.
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- ⭐ **Doolin** — A tiny village with a global reputation for traditional Irish music. Three pubs — McGann's, Gus O'Connor's, and McDermott's — all have live sessions every night in August. The most unpretentious traditional music you'll find anywhere on the WAW.
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- **Poulnabrone Dolmen** — A portal tomb on open Burren limestone, 5,500 years old. Roadside, free, and genuinely striking — the stone is elevated enough above the flat karst to be visible from a distance.
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- **Poulnabrone Dolmen** — A portal tomb on open Burren limestone, 5,500 years old. Roadside, free, and genuinely striking — the stone is elevated enough above the flat karst to be visible from a distance.
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- **Lahinch** — Atlantic surf beach at the southern end of Clare; busy in summer, great fish and chips.
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- **Lahinch** — Atlantic surf beach at the southern end of Clare; busy in summer, great fish and chips.
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@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ Kerry is the final section before Dublin and the one most people picture when th
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## Must-See
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## Must-See
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- **Dingle Peninsula** — More intimate than the Ring of Kerry, less touristy, arguably more beautiful. The **Slea Head Drive** (55km loop from Dingle town) passes 6th-century beehive huts (*clochán*), ruined Gallarus Oratory, the Blasket Islands viewpoint across the water, and **Connor Pass** — the highest mountain pass in Ireland driveable by road, with views down to both coasts. Dingle town has the best seafood restaurants and traditional music on the peninsula. Fungie the dolphin has been replaced by an actual thriving harbour.
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- ⭐ **Dingle Peninsula** — More intimate than the Ring of Kerry, less touristy, arguably more beautiful. The **Slea Head Drive** (55km loop from Dingle town) passes 6th-century beehive huts (*clochán*), ruined Gallarus Oratory, the Blasket Islands viewpoint across the water, and **Connor Pass** — the highest mountain pass in Ireland driveable by road, with views down to both coasts. Dingle town has the best seafood restaurants and traditional music on the peninsula. Fungie the dolphin has been replaced by an actual thriving harbour.
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- **Ring of Kerry** — The classic 180km circuit of the Iveragh Peninsula: Killarney National Park, Kenmare, Waterville (Charlie Chaplin's favourite holiday spot), Cahersiveen, Portmagee. Busy with tourist coaches — if driving, go **counterclockwise** (opposite to coach direction) to avoid head-on meetings. If cycling, start before 8am.
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- **Ring of Kerry** — The classic 180km circuit of the Iveragh Peninsula: Killarney National Park, Kenmare, Waterville (Charlie Chaplin's favourite holiday spot), Cahersiveen, Portmagee. Busy with tourist coaches — if driving, go **counterclockwise** (opposite to coach direction) to avoid head-on meetings. If cycling, start before 8am.
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- **Skellig Michael** — UNESCO World Heritage Site; early Christian monastery built on a sea stack 12km offshore. 618 stone steps to the beehive huts at the summit, puffins everywhere in August, otherworldly. Also a Star Wars filming location. **Boats from Portmagee and Ballinskelligs — book months in advance.** If you haven't booked, check now.
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- ⭐ **Skellig Michael** — UNESCO World Heritage Site; early Christian monastery built on a sea stack 12km offshore. 618 stone steps to the beehive huts at the summit, puffins everywhere in August, otherworldly. Also a Star Wars filming location. **Boats from Portmagee and Ballinskelligs — book months in advance.** If you haven't booked, check now.
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- **Killarney National Park** — The three Lakes of Killarney, Torc Waterfall (15 min walk from the road), Muckross House (Victorian mansion, free grounds), and the Gap of Dunloe (glacial valley; walk it or hire a jaunting car). Ireland's oldest national park and genuinely beautiful.
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- **Killarney National Park** — The three Lakes of Killarney, Torc Waterfall (15 min walk from the road), Muckross House (Victorian mansion, free grounds), and the Gap of Dunloe (glacial valley; walk it or hire a jaunting car). Ireland's oldest national park and genuinely beautiful.
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- **Kenmare** — Elegant small town on the estuary between the Iveragh and Beara peninsulas. Good food, good pubs, stone circle just outside town.
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- **Kenmare** — Elegant small town on the estuary between the Iveragh and Beara peninsulas. Good food, good pubs, stone circle just outside town.
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@@ -17,6 +17,11 @@ The Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Notre Dame vs Navy at Aviva Stadium (ca
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### Bon Jovi Concert — Sunday August 31 (possible)
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### Bon Jovi Concert — Sunday August 31 (possible)
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Verify venue and tickets — likely Aviva Stadium or a major outdoor venue. Check [ticketmaster.ie](https://www.ticketmaster.ie).
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Verify venue and tickets — likely Aviva Stadium or a major outdoor venue. Check [ticketmaster.ie](https://www.ticketmaster.ie).
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## Must-See
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- ⭐ **College Football — Aviva Stadium** — The Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Notre Dame vs Navy at Aviva Stadium (capacity 51,700), Lansdowne Road.
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- ⭐ **Trinity College & Book of Kells** — Ireland's oldest university (1592). The Long Room of the Old Library is one of the most beautiful rooms in the world — barrel-vaulted ceiling, 200,000 ancient books, marble busts. The Book of Kells (9th-century illuminated manuscript) is displayed here.
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## Why Via Dublin (Arrival)
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## Why Via Dublin (Arrival)
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@@ -72,45 +77,3 @@ See `08-return-via-france.md` for the Dublin → ferry to France → Walldorf le
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- [Aer Lingus College Football Classic](https://www.aerlinguscollegefootballclassic.com)
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- [Aer Lingus College Football Classic](https://www.aerlinguscollegefootballclassic.com)
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- [Ticketmaster Ireland](https://www.ticketmaster.ie)
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- [Ticketmaster Ireland](https://www.ticketmaster.ie)
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- [ESB ecars charging](https://www.esb.ie/ecars)
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- [ESB ecars charging](https://www.esb.ie/ecars)
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## Must-See
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### Trinity College & Book of Kells
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Ireland's oldest university (1592). The Long Room of the Old Library is one of the most beautiful rooms in the world — barrel-vaulted ceiling, 200,000 ancient books, marble busts. The Book of Kells (9th-century illuminated manuscript) is displayed here.
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- **Book ahead** — it sells out; [tcd.ie/visitors](https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/)
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- **Allow:** 1.5–2 hours
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### Temple Bar
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Dublin's cultural quarter on the south bank of the Liffey. Cobblestone streets, pubs, galleries, market on weekends. Touristy but genuinely lively. The Temple Bar pub is the famous one — it'll be packed and expensive; try Mulligan's or The Long Hall instead for a quieter pint.
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### National Museum of Ireland — Archaeology
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Free entry. Home to some of the finest prehistoric gold artefacts in the world and the famous Iron Age bog bodies. Worth 1–2 hours.
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### Kilmainham Gaol
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The prison where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. Essential to understanding modern Irish history. Guided tours only — book well ahead.
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- [kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie](https://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie)
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### Phoenix Park
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One of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital (1,750 acres). Herd of wild deer. The US Ambassador's residence and the Irish President's (Áras an Uachtaráin) are inside the park.
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### Guinness Storehouse
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The pilgrimage. Nine floors in a converted fermentation plant; the gravity bar at the top has panoramic city views and a complimentary pint. More enjoyable than it sounds.
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- Book ahead; busy in summer.
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## Practical Info
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- **Currency:** Euro (EUR)
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- **Ferry from Isle of Man:** Irish Ferries Dublin–Holyhead (but this goes to Wales first); or Stena Line Rosslare. Direct IoM–Dublin is seasonal via Steam Packet — verify availability.
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- **Driving:** Left side
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- **Luas tram:** Useful for getting around the city centre without parking stress
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## Onward: Wild Atlantic Way
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From Dublin, the most practical cycling start is to take the coast road north to Donegal (if starting north-to-south) or drive south toward Kerry/Limerick (if doing south-to-north).
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The most common cycling direction for prevailing westerly winds: **south to north** (Clare → Galway → Mayo → Donegal). See `08-wild-atlantic-way.md` for the full route.
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## Links
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- [Visit Dublin](https://www.visitdublin.com)
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- [Trinity College Visitors](https://www.tcd.ie/visitors/)
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- [Kilmainham Gaol](https://kilmainhamgaolmuseum.ie)
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