Ireland must do's are nicely spread across the country, with big city stops at Dublin and Galway and nature trips to the River Shannon and Giant's Causeway. And of course, you can't visit this beautiful country without doing the most famous of Ireland must do's: kissing the Blarney Stone. Here's an in-depth look at each of these top 5 Ireland must do's.

Dublin

Start your trip with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and learn all about the fine art of making (and pouring and drinking!) a pint of Guinness. Take a tour of the factory, watch a few videos, pick something up at the shop and relax in any of the bars, including the famous Gravity Bar with its panoramic views of Dublin. If you're interested in the history of the area you can visit Dublin Castle and Trinity College, where you can see the Book of Kells. Finally, head to the Cultural Quarter to do some shopping, sample the nightlife and visit Christ Church Cathedral.

The River Shannon

Boating on the River Shannon is one of the more relaxing Ireland must do's. Start at Carrick-on-Shannon and head toward any of the major destinations along the river. Boyle is famous for its 12th century Cistercian abbey ruins, and Athlone for its 13th century castle on the river. Clonmacnois was once Ireland's Christian capital and is filled with cathedrals and churches that are well worth a visit. And all along the way you'll enjoy some of Ireland's best scenery, so relax and enjoy!

Galway City

Begin with a trip around the original Medieval Walls of Galway, the best remains of which are around the Spanish Arch, a 16th century piece of the original bastion, and Eyre Square, once visited by U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Lynch's Castle gives you an historic look at "Old Galway," and Lynch's Window a slightly more dismal look (the patriarch of the Lynch family had his son hanged from the window in 1493). Compare St. Nicholas Church, built in the 14th century, and Galway Cathedral, constructed 500 years later. The Claddagh is the area where the Claddagh Ring originated, and don't forget to try the oysters, a Galway specialty.

Giant's Causeway

Over 65 million years ago, intense lava flows met with sea water and formed what is known as the Giant's Causeway. The Causeway is a group of over 40,000 stones which have formed hexagonal columns of various heights, an occurrence that we now know is the natural result of hot lava meeting cold water and cracking. Still, it's fun to stand on the stones of this impressive natural wonder and imagine the hands of giants carving the land.

Blarney Castle

Don't leave Ireland without stopping at Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone and be given the gift of eloquence. As well as pressing your lips to this famous stone, you can tour the castle and its beautiful grounds and gardens. Some other points of interest include the Witch Stone, the Witch's Kitchen and the Wishing Steps.