You could fill a book with things to do in Ireland and still have to leave lots out. The Emerald Isle has something for everyone, from iconic landmarks and epic coastal walks to centuries-old castles and traditional pubs.
Whatever you like doing, Ireland quickly pulls you in with its unique charm, history, and natural beauty. Today, I want to highlight its best bits. Whether you’re planning a trip to Ireland or simply putting new ideas on your Irish bucket list, here are 17 of the best things to do there.
1. Explore Dublin
Ireland’s capital city is a great place to begin your trip. Dublin is dynamic, vibrant, a great place to let your hair down, and full of must-do activities.
Highlights include the Guinness Storehouse tour, where you learn all about Ireland’s most iconic beer, visiting Kilmainham Gaol to explore its most notorious (former) prison, and visiting Trinity College – Ireland’s oldest university. Temple Bar is a hive of activity, too. Head there for bars, galleries, buskers, open-air markets, and the eponymous pub.
2. Catch a Gaelic Game at Croke Park
Another popular thing to do in Dublin is watch a game of hurling or Gaelic football at Croke Park. The self-proclaimed home of Ireland’s Gaelic Games, Croke Park offers a uniquely Irish experience that any sports fan will appreciate.
3. Explore the Wicklow Mountains
An hour south of Dublin is the Wicklow Mountains, a popular spot that showcases Ireland’s characteristic natural beauty. Expect mountains, lakes, valleys with rivers coursing through them, and grassy plains full of life and color.
As you’d expect, there are hiking and biking trails aplenty here. And don’t miss the chance to visit Glendalough. The “Glen of Two Lakes,” as it’s known in Irish, is one of the country’s most picturesque places, famous for the monastic settlement founded here in the 6th Century.
4. Visit Giant’s Causeway
An iconic location comprised of 40,000 interlocking columns, Giant’s Causeway is one of the most popular attractions in Northern Ireland.
The location of this UNESCO World Heritage site is epic, too. Massive cliffs provide an atmospheric backdrop, and the stormy North Atlantic Ocean stretches to the horizon. Wild and windy walks blessed with dramatic coastal views are the order of the day here.
5. Slieve League Cliffs
Talking of wild coastal views, head to County Donegal on the Republic of Ireland’s northwest flank to visit Slieve League. Rising 600+ meters from rough seas below, they’re some of Europe’s highest and most impressive cliffs – rivaling the famed Cliffs of Moher.
When the clouds clear, the views from the top of Slieve League are outstanding. A head for heights helps, but anyone can appreciate the rugged natural beauty of this stretch of the Irish coast.
6. Go to Achill Island
If you love nature, cozy pubs, and old-school charm, Achill Island won’t let you down. I’ll talk more about the Wild Atlantic Way later, but Achill Island’s a fantastic stop along it. After crossing the bridge from the mainland, you’ll have access to enchanting and untouched natural landscapes.
Outdoor enthusiasts will be in their element. Expect beach walks, surfing, coastal hikes…you name it. I can’t recommend Achill Island enough as one of the best things to do in Ireland.
7. Ring of Kerry Road Trip
The Ring of Kerry is a 179km (111 mile) circuit around the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. Yet that description really doesn’t do it justice. This is arguably the country’s most scenic drive.
Think of it as a highlights reel of Ireland’s best bits. The route takes you up epic mountain passes, past lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, and along dramatic stretches of coast. Cute towns dot the circuit, too, including the likes of Killarney, where the Ring of Kerry technically begins and ends.
8. Visit Skellig Michael
Anyone looking for an adventure should go to Skellig Michael. This striking island off the coast of County Kerry is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in two Star Wars movies (the Force Awakens and The Last Jedi) and has an ancient monastic settlement on top.
Skellig Michael is the definition of rugged. It’s isolated, too, taking about an hour to get there by boat. I’ve read that it’s only open to visitors from May to September. Furthermore, there are tight controls on how many people can go, so book months ahead to secure your spot.
9. Go to Galway
Galway is a beautiful city on the west coast renowned for its colorful buildings and lively artistic vibe. It’s a fun place steeped in Celtic culture and traditions. If you want to drink, dance, sing, and enjoy the best of Irish music, then go to Galway! Sure, it’s busy and touristy, but that all adds to the atmosphere.
10. Tour the Dingle Peninsula
Located on the southwest Atlantic coast, the Dingle Peninsula lives up to its reputation as one of Ireland’s most stunning destinations. It’s raw, rugged, and windswept, with jagged cliffs, verdant hillsides, sandy beaches, and turbulent waters.
Slea Head Drive on the Wild Atlantic Way is the route that takes you around the Dingle Peninsula. It’s a twisting, turning, and breath-taking loop that starts and finishes in Dingle Town. It’s undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Ireland.
11. See the Cliffs of Moher
Welcome to one of Ireland’s most popular attractions. This dramatic stretch of coast feels like the end of the earth. Sheer cliffs drop like some impenetrable rock fortress to stormy oceans below.
A hiking trail around the cliff edge offers sublime panoramic views, but you’ll get that iconic “Cliffs of Moher” shot next door to the visitor center (which is worth checking out, too). Weather permitting, you can spend a happy few hours here just walking and enjoying the scenery.
12. Kiss the Blarney Stone
One of the more “unique” things to do in Ireland is climb to the top of a castle, lay on your back, grasp two metal handrails, and kiss a stone. Sounds mad, but people travel from around the world to do it! Known as the Blarney Stone, they say kissing it grants you the gift of the gab.
The stone itself is in the once-mighty Blarney Castle. Its impressive ruins and surrounding gardens are worth visiting regardless of how you feel about the legendary rock set within its walls.
13. Go Surfing
Despite the icy waters, surfing quickly became one of my favorite things to do in Ireland. There are loads of beginner-friendly spots perfect for learning. But experienced surfers will also have plenty to get their teeth stuck into.
One of the best spots for beginner to intermediate surfing was a small town called Lahinch on the West Coast. The waves were consistently good, and several surf schools made hiring gear simple and affordable.
14. Visit Ancient Stone Circles
There are hundreds of incredible stone circles dotted around Ireland. They’re often in remote and beautiful places, too. For example, one of the most impressive was the Uragh Stone Circle on the Beara Peninsula. It sits on a grassy knoll between two lakes, surrounded by mountains, and seems to align with a waterfall in the distance. I highly recommend paying it a visit if you’re in the area.
15. Explore Ireland’s Castles
Stone circles aren’t the only age-old stone attractions in Ireland. There are literally thousands of immense castles to explore, as well. Some “only” date back to the 19th century, others were built in the 16th or 17th, and the oldest have stood for over 800 years. Yet all of them are sights to behold. Here are a few of the most impressive castles in Ireland:
Kinbane Castle is a 16th-century ruin perched dramatically on a rocky promontory called Kinbane Head in Northern Island. Kilkenny Castle dates back to 1195 and has become a significant tourist attraction. Located in Limerick, King John’s Castle is a 13th-century Norman fortress with a dominant silhouette overlooking the River Shannon
16. Drive the Wild Atlantic Way
The Wild Atlantic Way is a famous 2600km (1600 mile) route along Ireland’s western coast. It starts (or ends, depending on which direction you travel) on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal and ends in Kinsale, County Cork.
Along the way, you’ll stop at many of the iconic destinations described earlier on this list, including the Cliffs of Moher, Achill Island, the Dingle Peninsula, Galway, and a significant portion of the Ring of Kerry.
17. Listen to Traditional Irish Music at a Traditional Irish Pub
Dancing, singing, and drinking are three things Irish people do incredibly well. So do yourself a favor and stop in at a bar or two on your Irish adventures – preferably one with live music playing.
If you’re lucky, you’ll be sitting sipping a Guinness or an Irish whiskey when a local pulls a fiddle out of nowhere and starts a singsong. Otherwise, whenever you get to a new place, keep an ear to the ground or ask around if any music is playing at the local watering hole.
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS COMING UP:
Europe’s 15 Most Beautiful Cities to Visit in Your Lifetime
European cities have history, charm, and aesthetic appeal. Here are 15 particularly beautiful examples that everyone should visit at least once!
EUROPE’S 15 MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES TO VISIT IN YOUR LIFETIME
These 12 Stunning Destinations Are Criminally Underrated
Some of the world’s best travel destinations fly under the radar. Here are 12 such places that deserve more attention from tourists.
