Nothing can purify your soul and rekindle your spirit like a trip to the Emerald Isle. Ireland, which boasts some of the greenest and most magnificent scenery on earth, is bursting with tourist destinations that are so alluring that you’ll want to check them all out.
There are many exciting things to do in Ireland, from the mind-blowing Cliffs of Moher to the glittering lights of Dublin’s Grafton Street and the revered halls of Trinity College. Choosing which exciting sites should be at the top of your must-see list will be the challenging part.
You won’t run out of interesting things to do, whether you want to spend your time participating in one of Ireland’s countless outdoor pursuits (think horseback riding, waterfall hiking, golf, and sailing) or looking at the works of some of the nation’s most well-known artists in public museums and galleries.
With our list of the top tourist attractions in Ireland, you can learn about all the things to do in this breathtakingly beautiful nation.
- The Cliffs of Moher
It’s difficult to find the perfect words to adequately describe the majestic Cliffs of Moher because so many superlatives have been used. They immediately come to mind as vertigo-inducing and awe-inspiring, and they are both of these things in addition to being absolutely untamed and ruggedly gorgeous. The cliffs are well-known to people who have read about the Emerald Isle because they are the subject of numerous postcards and travel guides. A picture, though, can never do them justice. There is a solid reason why this is one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations.
The cliffs, located about one and a half hours by car from Galway in neighbouring County Clare, are visited by nearly a million people from all over the world each year. It is a popular day trip from Dublin. They stretch for eight kilometres along the Atlantic and reach a height of 214 metres at their peak. Take a walk along the trail to witness nature’s raw power at its most majestic.
- Killarney National Park and Muckross House & Gardens
The 19th-century Muckross House, Gardens, and Traditional Farms, set in the spectacular Killarney National Park, should be at the top of your must-see list if visiting the Kerry region. There are numerous reasons why this is regarded as one of Ireland’s best tourist attractions; you must visit to discover them all.
This former mansion oozes the grandeur and gentility of bygone days, standing close to the shores of Muckross Lake, one of three Killarney lakes famed worldwide for their splendour and beauty. Remember that Queen Victoria once visited here when you’re out exploring. A royal visit was no small matter back then; extensive renovations and re-landscaping were undertaken in preparation, and no detail was overlooked.
The house and gardens are stunning, and there are Jaunting Cars (Killarney’s famous horse and traps) to transport you around the grounds in style. The old farmsteads at the attraction are also worth seeing if you want to see how ordinary people used to live.
The Killarney National Park & Lakes region is filled with stunning scenery, and any route through it will provide views of its lakes and mountains. The 11-kilometer drive through the scenic Gap of Dunloe, a narrow and rocky mountain pass carved by glaciers at the end of the Ice Age, is a highlight in the western part of Killarney National Park. Purple Mount and its foothills are separated from Macgillycuddy’s Reeks by this chasm.
- Grafton Street, Dublin
Grafton Street is much more than just a great place to shop in Dublin; it is alive with buskers, flower sellers, and performance artists. There are also numerous places to stop and simply watch the world go by. Café culture has taken off in the capital, and on a sunny day, you could easily mistake yourself for being in Barcelona or Lisbon.
True, this is Dublin’s shopping district, but there’s no need to blow your budget if you go. From the bottom of the street to St. Stephen’s Green at the top, you’ll find friendly, chatty service and be entertained. Bewley’s Grafton Street Café serves coffee and a legendary Irish breakfast in the mornings.
- Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin
Kilmainham Gaol, featured in many a rebel song and occupying a notoriously dark place in Irish history, should be high on the list of Dublin’s best places to visit for anyone interested in Ireland’s troubled past. The leaders of the 1916 Uprising were brought here and executed in the prison yard after being convicted of High Treason. The only person spared was future Irish President Eamon De Valera, who was spared due to his American citizenship.
The prison, which opened in 1796, was a dank, vile institution that housed those who were unable to pay their train fares and, during the famine, the destitute and hungry. Kilmainham became an unmistakable symbol of oppression and persecution in the eyes of the Irish.
A visit here will open your eyes and stay with you forever. The previously mentioned yard is particularly spine-chilling. In a nutshell, this is one of Ireland’s must-see attractions.
- The Ring of Kerry
If you’re in Kerry, take the time to explore the Ring of Kerry, which is arguably Ireland’s most scenic route (Iveragh Peninsula). While you can begin anywhere along this spectacular 111-mile-long tourist route, most people start in either Kenmare or Killarney and end in the same place.
The entire journey could be completed in under three hours, but that is unlikely. En route, there are breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, stunning islands to visit, wild sweeping mountains, and many picturesque villages.
Golf, water sports on pristine beaches, cycling, walking, horseback riding, and fantastic freshwater and deep-sea angling are all available in this breathtaking natural beauty.