Tap to Read ➤

Exciting Things to do in Ireland

Raksha Kulkarni
Ireland, a picturesque island in Europe, is famous for almost everything under the sun! Ireland has got it all; warm people, stunning scenery, delicious cuisine, a rich history, magnificent coasts & cliffs, and many more! We wouldn't want you to miss anything here so here's a list of the best things to do in Ireland.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.

The Beautiful Scenes of Ireland

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.

1. Visit the Pubs

Ireland is known for its pubs so you must go bar-hopping! In Dublin, you can visit the Temple Bar area where there are numerous pubs, cafes, and galleries. Also, there are tours like the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl or The Traditional Irish Music Pub Crawl where you can mix up music with the bar-hopping.
Indulge yourself in some “black stuff”. Don’t worry, we are just talking about Guinness – a dark Irish stout. Guinness Storehouse, in Dublin, has seven whole floors that give you the brewery experience with its tasting rooms and a bar.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.

2. Cruise on the Shannon River

Shannon River is the longest river in Ireland and you can experience cruising on it. The most travelled route is from Limerick to Lower Lough Erne in the North.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
3. Take a kayaking tour in Cork to explore the beautiful city. The tour takes you around and under those pretty bridges to see the beautiful castles.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
4. If you are a child at heart and love fairytales, you need to visit the Brigit’s Garden in Galway. The cute garden has several natural trails, crannogs, and even fairy forts depicting the Celtic heritage. There are playgrounds for kids and summer camps that take place here too.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
5. Heard about The Burren? It’s a 360 square kilometer area filled with rare plant species and limestone rock formations. You can hike on the 45 km hiking trail and witness more than 700 species of ferns and plants along the way.
6. The Passage Grave of Newgrange is one of the oldest historic places in Europe.
The specialty of the tomb is that a ray of sunlight travels the whole tomb and brightens the floor in winter. Lakhs of people visit here every year. The tomb is situated at Bend of the Boyne. There are several chamber tombs, henges, and grave passes here.
7. Are you a fan of Star Wars? If yes, then you should visit the Skellig Michael. It is located 12 km off the coast and has stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. An old monastery stands there and the beehive huts are a beautiful scene to watch.
8. Visit The Giant’s Causeway, Ireland’s most stunning rock formation. It is a sight to behold! It is located on the Antrim coast and is a must visit site here.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
9. Visit the famous rope bridge “Carrick-a-Rede” near Ballintoy in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is 66 ft in length and stands at a height of 98 ft above the ground.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
10. Ireland is said to be a golfer’s paradise. Playing golf with those scenic views makes for a wonderful experience! The Ballybunion Golf Club in Co Kerry, Royal County Down Golf Club in Newcastle, Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin, and Lahinch Golf Club on the West Coast; are amongst the top 100 golf clubs in the world.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
11. Ireland is one of the top surfing destinations in the world. Head to Mullaghmore to watch surfers flawlessly ride those huge waves. You can also take a beginner surf lesson here.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
12. Up for some adventure? You can do kayaking at night at Lough Hyne. It is a lake and a nature reserve which inhabits numerous plant and animal species. You might even be lucky to watch bio luminescent plankton while you’re paddling.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
13. Take a tour to learn the art of hurling in Kilkenny city. In this tour, you can actually learn to strike and block with your hurling stick. Apart from the Nowlan Park, you can explore the Kilkenny Castle and the numerous churches or monasteries.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
14. Visit the magnificient Cliffs of Moher, one of the most photographed sights in Ireland.
The cliff stands tall at an altitude of 200 feet and offers stunning views of the Irish Coast. O’Brien’s Tower is the highest point here and is close from the Doolin village.
The Slieve League Cliffs aren’t as popular but sure are amazing! They stand tall at 2000 feet and is the sixth highest sea cliff in Europe.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
15. Looking for an offbeat experience? You can go for an off road driving experience just outside Dublin. It is a ride where you have to pass through muddy patches, rivers, steep slopes, and a few more obstacles.
16. Kiss the Blarney Stone! Visit the Blarney Castle to be gifted with “the gift of gab” by kissing the Blarney stone. You must lean backwards and kiss the stone upside down. Apart from this, the castle has fairy gardens, wishing steps, and the witches’ kitchen.
17. If you’re looking for an adventurous day, head over to the Tayto Park. It has the biggest wooden rollercoaster in Europe and many more thrilling rides. Also, Take a free tour of the Tayto factory and enjoy free bags of wafers. You also need to make a Tayto crisp sandwich. You just need bread, butter, and some cheese and onion crisps.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
18. Visit the Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland. It’s a wonderfully maintained park with numerous kangaroos, zebras, giraffes, and many more animals. You can also visit the Dublin Zoo or the Killarney National Park.
19. Try the authentic Irish cuisine. No, we aren’t just talking about 'Fish and Chips'. Of course, do try that but there’s more. Try their seafood pie, the Irish stew, or Colcannon (a dish made of potato pancakes with mashed potatoes and cabbage).
20. Visit the northernmost part and the southernmost part of Ireland to tell an interesting tale to everyone you know! Malin Head, Co. Donegal in the north and Brow Head, Co. Cork in the south. Both are stunning and have picturesque views!

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
21. If you don’t have enough time to visit a lot of places, you can sign up for a 2400 km road trip called The Wild Atlantic Way. It covers the west coast and gives you an authentic Irish experience. You can learn about the history, culture, and actually interact with the locals.
22. If you’re a fitness freak and like cycling, you should definitely go to the Mayo Greenway. It is a 42 km cycling path in the west which takes you around picturesque coasts, mountains, and villages.
23. Relax by taking a Seaweed Bath. This was a very famous trend in the 20th century. The bath helps in reducing stress, muscle pain, and stiffness.
24. Ireland boasts of numerous magnificent castles. Visiting them should definitely be in your list. But, you can also stay in one. The stays are very expensive but definitely worth the royal experience!
25. If you can play any music instrument, many bars in Ireland allow you to play or join in a music session. You’re always welcomed and you get a lot of appreciation from the crowd.

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 video.
26. Visit the Dingle Peninsula to experience one of the best drives on the earth. The stunning route boasts of scenic views of the coast, churches, beehive huts, and a stone monastery. You can watch the Blasket Islands and the Three Sisters Islands from the cliff.