Looking for the best things to do in Ireland? We’ve had the good fortune of visiting Ireland four times and have traveled from South to North, East to West, and all the way back around again. I can safely say that we’ve seen a lot of the country and have done every Ireland attraction that we mention.
These attractions in Ireland are the most awe-inspiring, coolest things to do in Ireland that you simply should not miss!
Best Things to do in Ireland
This guide is focused on the Republic of Ireland tourist attractions, if you are looking for Northern Ireland Ideas, check out the Very Best Things to do in Northern Ireland.
1. Explore Dublin
Starting in Dublin, you’ll want to spend at least two days exploring Ireland’s capital city of Dublin. It is one of our favourite cities in Europe and there are many things to see and do. If you are going to visit Ireland, you must spend time in Dublin. Many of Ireland’s top attractions are located in Dublin and here are a few highlights.
Things to do in Dublin include:
Suggested Dublin Hotels
2. Skellig Michael – County Kerry
I think Skellig Michael is the most magical place we visited in all of Ireland. Located 12 km off the coast, Skellig Michael is home to a 6th-century monastery standing 200 meters above sea level. The beehive huts are left in extraordinary condition overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is such a mysterious and beautiful scene.
Star Wars The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi used this magical location as its backdrop. It definitely feels out of this world! Go as soon as you can, this has become one of the top things to do in Ireland now that Star Wars introduced it to the world. Watch Star Wars now! Read more at the Mysterious Monasteries of Skellig Michael
3. Cliffs of Moher – County Clare
The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most photographed sights in all of Ireland and rightfully so. Standing at 214 metres above sea level, these magnificent cliffs plunge into the sea offering spectacular views of the Irish Coast.
Take a coastal walk from Doolin with Pat Sweeney as you walk through the local farmlands along the coast while listening to history and stories about the area. Beware, The Cliffs of Moher the most popular of things to do in Ireland, so get there early in the morning or later in the evening. Day tours can be booked from Dublin if you have limited time through Get Your Guide’s Cliffs of Moher Full Day.
4. Mizen Head – County Cork
Another spectacular cliff destination in Ireland is Mizen Head. It’s less crowded than Cliffs of Moher but just as impressive. Read more: The Best Things to do in Cork, Ireland
There’s a series of walkways taking you around the cliffs and the Mizen Head Fog Signal Station. It’s a trip through time as you learn about the fishing and shipping history of these treacherous waters. The signal station was made to combat the loss of life off the coast and there are tales of great rescues happening from the shore. Download your Lonely Planet Travel Guide to Ireland on Amazon
5. Book of Kells
Trinity College is most famous for is its library housing the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells was written in 800 AD by a group of monks and was buried in the ground for safekeeping against the Vikings.
In the 1600s it was rediscovered and sent to Trinity College where it has been ever since. The library itself is amazing. The long room houses 200,000 books. It is said that the books act as the foundation to the library and it would collapse should the books be taken away.
6. Poulandrone Portal Tomb – County Clare
Speaking of ancient, the Poulandrone Portal Tomb located in the Burren dates back to 4200 BC and 2900 BC. Up to 22 adults and 6 children were placed in this ancient tomb. Tall stone slabs guard the portal supporting a giant capstone.
The limestone landscape of crisscrossing cracks is a magnificent site creating one of the most unique terrains we’ve ever seen.
7. Dingle Peninsula – County Kerry
Slea Head Drive has often been considered one of the most beautiful drives on earth. Starting in the town of Dingle, there are many things to see along this coastal drive. Here you’ll find more old monastery beehive huts, ancient ruins, churches, and a stone monastery. It’s the cliffs and coast that takes your breath away as you overlook the Blasket Islands and the Three Sisters Islands.
8. Ride a Horse – Dingle and Wicklow Counties
Take a horseback ride up into the hills to truly take in the beauty of the Dingle Peninsula. It’s amazing landscape is littered with ancient ruins. Horses are an integral part of Irish history and in nearly every county you’ll find a stable where you can join a trail ride. For you western riders out there, be aware, it’s English style on these Irish beauties.
Another option that doesn’t involve horseback riding is to take a day tour to Kilkenny and Wicklow Mountain from Dublin through Get Your Guide. Another one of our favorite spots to ride in Ireland was in County Wicklow.
9. Kylemore Abbey – County Galway
A mere hundred and fifty years old (young by Irish standards), Kylemore Abbey is a beautiful stop in Connemara of County Galway. It was originally built as a private residence for a wealthy doctor from England and then as an estate for the Duke and Duchess of Manchester in 1909. In 1920, the Irish Benedictine Nuns purchased the castle after fleeing Belgium in WWI.
Kylemore Abbey is a part of the Connemara Full-Day Tour but you can tour it on your own, stop in for lunch or a slice of pie from their bakery.
10. The Kilkenny Way – County Kilkenny
The medieval city of Kilkenny is an excellent stop to explore the Kilkenny Castle and many churches and monasteries. But if you really want to get a taste of Irish culture, do the Kilkenny Way where you learn the art of hurling. It’s the most popular sport in Ireland!
This tour starts at the Legends Bar where you discuss the Celtic sport of hurling and learn about previous legends and champions. It’s then off to Nowlan Park, home of the Kilkenny Cats where you’ll hit the pitch and learn to hit the sliotar with your hurling stick as you practice blocking, hooking, lifting, and striking on the legendary field.
11. Play at the Beach – Sligo County
The beaches of Ireland are impressive. Long sandy beaches filled with activities from Stand up Paddle Boarding, Sailing and surfing. Surfing is all the rage in Ireland and there are plenty of beaches to give it a shot. There are surf schools all along the coast filled with long sandy beaches.
12. Go Off-Road Driving – County Kildare
One of the best adventures we had in Ireland was off-road driving with OffRoadDriving IE. This course takes you through rivers, mud holes, up steep hills, and over obstacles with an expert instructor showing you the ropes. Located just about 45 minutes outside of Dublin it makes for a great day trip.
If you are looking for some different things to do in Ireland, try this. It is most certainly unique!
More Adventures South of Dublin
13. Aran Islands – County Galway
Anyone you talk to in Ireland will tell you that you must get off the mainland and visit the Araan Islands. Inishmore is the largest of the three islands and houses Dún Aengus, an incredible prehistoric fort standing atop a 100 meter high sea cliff.
The island has strong traditional roots and it feels as if you have stepped back in time as horse carts bring tourists out to the fort from the village. You can rent a bicycle to explore the island and it’s a beautiful spot to delve into Irish culture listening to traditional music as you enjoy a pint a the pub. Explore Inishmore and the Aran Islands on a full-day tour including a flight.
14. Malin Head – County Donegal
Go to the most Northerly point of Ireland on the Inishowen Peninsula. If you are driving the Wild Atlantic Way, you must drive as far as you can to overlook the Northern Atlantic. The winds swirl as the waves crash and you feel as if you have reached the end of the world! If you really want to explore this area in-depth, a 5-day tour of Ireland’s northern coast could be just the thing.
15. Saltee Islands – County Wexford
Catch a boat from Kilmore Quay to tour the Saltee Islands, one of the largest sea bird sanctuaries in the world. Here you’ll spot Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx migrating through the area at different times of the year. It is also home to a large grey seal population. Boats can drop you off for day trips letting you hike and explore this ancient island.
16. Kiss the Blarney Stone – County Cork
It’s something we’ve always wanted to do. Kissing the Blarney Stone gives you the gift of the gab and a visit to the Blarney Castle is a must. Even if you don’t kiss the stone, the castle grounds are a beautiful day trip visiting the fairy gardens, the witches kitchen, the poison garden and the wishing steps. The castle is something made of fairy tales.
17. Ring the Bells of Shandon – County Cork
Cork is Ireland’s second-largest city and it’s worth spending a few days to explore. One of the things you must do when visiting Cork is pop over to the Church of St. Anne and ring the bells of Shandon. Visitors are given headphones to climb into the bell tower as people ring the bells following along with sheet music telling them what strings to pull to play musical bells like Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head and Mama Mia. From the top of the church, you are offered panoramic views of the city.
Where to Stay in Cork
18. Bru Na Boinne – County Meath
Bru Na Boinne is a world heritage site dating back 5000 years! Three large tombs dominate the landscape. A visit to Newgrange gives visitors the chance to go inside the narrow passageways. Venturing into the center of the tomb takes you to an altar where you can see the intricate stacks of stone reaching a height of 19 meters. Newgrange is older than the Pyramids of Giza and is a fascinating stop for anyone visiting Ireland.
19. Coasteering – County Mayo
You can’t go to a rugged coastal country without giving coasteering a shot. Coasteering is traversing and exploring coastlines in wet suits, helmets, and PFD’s as you swim, jump from rock to rock and crash in swirling waters. If you want a real thrill, you can leap off of high cliffs into the Atlantic Ocean. Read: Coasteering – It’s not as scary as you think!
20. Rock of Cashel – County Tipperary
The Rock of Cashel offers great photo opportunities of one of a 12th-century tower sitting atop high limestone rock. The Rock of Cashel has historic significance dating back to the 4th century where conquerors and kings used it as the center of power for Ireland. St. Patrick baptized Ireland’s first ruler, King Aengus, here in 427 AD. Check out Facts About St. Patrick’s Day
21. Ringfort at the Irish National Heritage Park – County Wexford
For something different spend a night in the Ringfort and live as they did in medieval times. You’ll be given a pot of stew to cook over an open flame as you are surrounded by high wooden fences while staying in tented houses. The Heritage Park takes you through Irish history with huts and villages recreated to display time through the ages. Read: 27 Photos That Will Make You Want to Discover Ireland Now
22. Seaweed Bath – Sligo County
If you want to try something very unique, slip into a Voya Seaweed Bath in Sligo County. At the beginning of the 20th century, seaweed baths were plentiful and popular. As population moved out of the west coast, seaweed bathhouses started to fade and in the 60’s they all but disappeared. Voya rejuvenated the Seaweed bath experience in 1996 and since then they attract 40,000 visitors a year.
23. Kayaking at Night – County Cork
When in Ireland you really need to get out on a kayak anywhere you can on the coast. But in Cork, there is an interesting night excursion on Lough Hyne with Atlantic Sea Kayaking that takes kayaking to another level. You’ll meet Jim Kennedy at 7;00 pm to launch your vessels into the beautiful lough while you paddle around waiting for the sun to go down.
Once it’s pitch dark, you’ll have an extraordinary view of the stars and nighttime sounds as you paddle through the dark. Don’t let your imagination run wild, you may start to see sea monsters in the shadows ahead.
Suggest Tours for Ireland
Get Your Guide – A good site for booking tours and finding discounts
Cliffs of Moher Full-Day Tour – Departing from Galway, this tour takes you to top sights on the Wild Atlantic Way including two hours at the Cliffs of Moher, lunch at the famous Doolin’s Pub, a drive through the magnificent landscape of the Burren, a view of Dunguaire Castle, the Poulnabrone Dolmen and more. Approx. $34 USD
Dublin Burren Galway and Moher Coastal Drive – Visit counties Kildare, Limerick and Clare. Selected sights you see are Bunratty Castle, surf resort of Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher. Premium entrance and a walk on the cliff’s edge where you’ll see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. Then venture on to Galway and the Burren.
Ring of Kerry – This full-day tour leaves from Killarney where you’ll drive one of Ireland’s most popular routes. On this tour, you’ll see the village of Waterville overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay. The misty Skellig Islands, Dingle Bay,, and Inch Beach.
Looking for more information? visit The best things to do in Northern Ireland!
Need to see where all the counties of Ireland are: Here’s a map
Plan your trip to Ireland
Ireland is on the Euro. 1 USD = .87 Euro Download the XE Currency Converter app for up to date exchange rates.
Pick up your Lonely Planet Ireland Guide to help with daily travel tips.
Pick up the Belkin Mini Surge Protector and Universal travel adapter for charging electronics. USB and plugs.
Read More about Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way:
If you enjoyed this all of these things to do in Ireland, save it to Pinterest for future reference.
