Within Ireland and Northern Ireland, many new attractions opened for visitors in 2022. The world’s only official Game of Thrones Studio Tour opened in early February in the series’ original filming location of Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland, and is certain to attract many Thrones fans from around the world. The new, interactive experience will allow visitors to explore original sets, costumes and props, with the aim of bringing them closer to the Seven Kingdoms than ever before.

© Tourism Ireland

The new Ancient East Maze opened at Skypark, an adventure park in Carlingford, County Louth. Suitable for all ages, the 8,000-square-foot wooden maze is built from sustainable wood, and the escape route can be altered via movable gates, which create a plethora of different solutions!

There are many new walking destinations, including Borris Viaduct Walk in County Carlow, offering a spectacular 16-arch viaduct with beautiful views to the Blackstairs Mountains and Mount Leinster. In southwest Ireland, Cork developed a self-guided walking tour of the city’s new murals and street art installations, bringing pops of color to the city’s walls and building facades. An audio tour of the murals and a street map of the art is also available.

© Tourism Ireland

The South East Greenway, currently under construction, will shortly link up with the well-known Waterford Greenway and connect the Norman town of New Ross, County Wexford, to the city of Waterford, through the scenic countryside south of Kilkenny. And in Youghal, County Cork, a major extension to an existing structure resulted in Ireland’s longest seafront boardwalk at more than four miles long.

© Ruth Maria Murphy

In Dublin, the new 137-room Wren Urban Nest has been constructed using advanced sustainable technologies, eliminating the need for fossil fuels and allowing the venue to use 100 percent renewable electricity to achieve ‘net zero carbon’ status. It is the first hotel in Ireland to comply with the World Green Building Council’s definition of ‘net zero carbon’ without having to purchase carbon offsets. Located between Trinity College, the shopping district of Grafton Street and Temple Bar, it is close to many of Dublin’s popular attractions.