When it comes to making a list of the most incredible architectural structures in Ireland, there is no shortage of choices as Ireland is full of beautiful and unique designs.
From thatched-roof cottages to traditional blockhouses, Georgian structures to shops and pubs, which still retain remnants of Stone Age dwellings, there are many fascinating architectural structures throughout Ireland to explore and experience.
Taking a deeper look at the structures when you’re exploring the cities and countryside will allow you to discover a whole other piece of Ireland that lots of travellers miss.
In this article, we list the top ten most incredible architectural structures in Ireland that you must check out.
10. Georgian Ireland, Co. Dublin – a historically popular design
Many great examples of Georgian architecture still stand proudly in Ireland today and can be found practically all throughout Dublin.
They are great to see as they harken back to a specific time period when these houses were so popular. Lots of these can be found around Merrion Square and Harcourt Street.
Address: 1 Merrion Square E, Dublin, Ireland
9. The Samuel Beckett Bridge, Co. Dublin – named after a famous Irish Laureate
The design on the bridge is famous for displaying an Irish harp lying on its side.
The fabrication of the bridge deck was originally done in one piece in Rotterdam, Netherlands. A barge then transported it to Dublin in what was quite the engineering feat.
Address: Samuel Beckett Bridge, North Dock, Dublin, Ireland
8. Céide Fields building, Co. Mayo – appears as part of the bog
This pyramid-shaped peaked building, which is one of the most incredible architectural structures in Ireland, is built with part-limestone and part-peat-clad.
This gives it the appearance of growing out of the bog as a natural extension of the land instead of a man-made structure.
Address: Conaghra, Co. Mayo, Ireland
7. The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Co. Dublin – a great example of contemporary Irish public space architecture
The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Dublin is a great example of contemporary Irish public space architecture.
Its angular style helps it to perfectly blend in with its modern surroundings around the Grand Canal area.
Address: Grand Canal Square, Docklands, Dublin, Ireland
6. Busáras Dublin, Co. Dublin – a controversial design
The design of Busáras Dublin, located in Store Street, has proved to be controversial in the past. Michael Scott designed the building in 1953 to have a modern international style and received divided opinions at the time.
Nowadays, visitors to the centre will witness the original fittings and fixtures of the building, such as the terrazzo floor tiles, a mosaic-tiled canopy, and timber wall panels.
Address: North Dock, Dublin 1, Ireland
5. The Guinness Storehouse, Co. Dublin – a building that looks like a Guinness glass
The Guinness Storehouse was built in 1902 and was able to boast that it was the first steel-framed multi-storey building in all of Europe at the time.
Its famous design is that it, of course, resembles a Guinness glass. Many believe that the Chicago School of Architecture largely influenced the design.
Address: St. James’s Gate, Dublin 8, D08 VF8H, Ireland
4. The Sean O’Casey Community Centre, Co. Dublin – a building that doesn’t try to blend in
The Sean O’Casey Community Centre is located within the heartland of Dublin, and, unlike other buildings in the area, it doesn’t try and blend in with its surroundings.
The building has courtyards that possess diagonal transparency between the different social activities of the centre.
The architects of the building say that this design “connects old with young and relating passive and active recreations.
“An introverted organism, sub-divided in quarters for operational purposes, is expressed as a singular element in the local urban landscape.”
Address: Seán O’Casey Community Centre, 18-26 St Mary’s Rd, North, East Wall, Dublin, D03 AY74, Ireland
3. The Glucksman Library, Co. Limerick – a mix of modern and traditional design
From quiet traditional reading and study areas to areas that are more vibrant and have a modern technological focus, there is a wide variety of different types of unique design here.
Each architectural style serves its purpose excellently at the Glucksman Library at the University of Limerick. This is why it is one of the most incredible architectural structures in Ireland.
Address: University of Limerick, Plassey Park Rd, Sreelane, Castletroy, Co. Limerick, Ireland
2. Titanic Belfast, Co. Antrim – a building with a complicated design
Titanic Belfast is a building with complicated geometry. Its exterior façade replicates four 90 ft (27.5 m) high hulls and is remarkably clad in 3,000 individual silver anodised aluminium shards.
The architects claim that the five-storey central atrium was “inspired by the majesty of gangways, gantries, cranes that once filled the void between the Titanic and Olympic as they lay side-by-side upon the slipways.”
Address: 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Belfast BT3 9EP
1. Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, Co. Clare – a building that fits perfectly in its stunning surroundings
In first place on our list of the top ten most incredible architectural structures in Ireland is the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience building.
The architects designed this building to neither enhance nor distract from the natural scenery. Instead, they intended for it to blend in with the environment seamlessly.
Architects Reddy Architecture and Urbanism came up with the award-winning design.
They described it as “the concept of a subterranean building, taking its design and influences from the natural materials and forms of the area in order to minimise its impact and footprint in its visually prominent rural landscape setting.”
Address: Cliffs of Moher, Lislorkan North, Liscannor, Co. Clare, V95 KN9T, Ireland
That concludes our list of the top ten most incredible architectural structures in Ireland. How many of them have you seen and experienced in all their beauty and majesty?
