Last Updated on August 1, 2024 by Mrunal & Jiten
Ireland Offers Travelers Lots of Exhilarating Outdoor Activities Plus Amazing Food and Beverage Options to Make a Trip Memorable.
Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Ireland
Table of Contents
Dublin City
Dublin city looks just like a fairyland with craggy cliffs and moss-filled woodlands, probably filled with fairies and trolls. Some amazing landmarks here are:
- Phoenix Park – a 1,700-acre walled park with fallow deer and hawthorn trees.
- Dublin Castle – a 13th-century Viking fortress.
- Old School Book Shops.
- Ballyfin Estate is a private property offering boating, fishing, picnicking, playing, and falconry sessions.
Killarney National Park
This park has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its diversity of habitat and a wide variety of rare species. Outdoor lovers can explore this national park via bikes or walks. Popular walking trails are Knockreer Circular Walk, Dundag to Torc Path, Mining Trail, and Old Boathouse Trail.
Boating, canoeing, kayaking, bird watching, swimming, fishing, and horse riding are other activities you can undertake.
Galway
It is the festival capital of Ireland with 122 festivals and events happening every year. Galway International Arts Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, Galway International Oyster Festival, and Baboró International Arts Festival for Children are some of the popular ones.
Galway is also known for its incredible food scene. Take the Galway Food Tours to meet passionate brewers, producers, and chocolatiers that prop the food scene here.
Visit the Galway City Museum to know its history. At the local weekend market, seek out stalls selling cheese, charcuterie, sushi, and Mediterranean flavors.
Londonderry
It is a 400-year-old walled city famous for museums, theatres, and water sports. Walk on the 1.5 circumference of the wall to have unparalleled views of the city and beyond. Walk along the Foyle River away from the city’s noise and towards nature for some peace and quiet.
Guildhall, built in 1887, is a historical monument with magnificent stained glass windows. If you are a fan of the Derry Girls series, you can go on a “Derry Girls Original Sites Tour.”
Dingle Peninsula
Dingle Peninsula or Dingle County Kerry is an awesome place to visit not only for its historical landmarks but also for its beautiful natural landscapes. Minard Castle, a 16th-century monument, has been a shooting spot for the film Ryan’s Daughter. Hike to Ganteenassig Wood and Eask Tower for admiring nature.
Popular drives include the Slea Head Drive with lots of scenic loops, passing through Farha Beehive Huts, an archaeological Fairie Lios, the white statue of Jesus, Coumeenoule Beach, and more. Ferry to Great Blasket Island for fishing and watching seals, dolphins, puffins, and whales.
Visit Dingle Distillery for some gin, whiskey, and vodka and insights into the process of distillation. Inch Beach has all the action to be enjoyed – swimming, surfing, and kite surfing.
Waterford
Waterford, founded by the Vikings, is 1,000 years old. Attempt the guided Waterford Triangle to know the history of Ireland. Another option is to book the King of Vikings virtual reality experience. The epic tour takes you through the streets and monuments of Waterford such as Lismore Castle, Reginald Tower, and the Medieval Museum.
If you are an ardent biker, don’t miss the Waterford Greenway, a 46 km off-road cycling and walking track passing through eleven bridges, three viaducts, and a long tunnel from Suir River to Dungarvan Bay.
Barrow Princess Cruise carries you like a princess along the Barrow and Suir Rivers, the railway bridge, castles, and many other sites. Some museums you should not miss are the Irish Wake Museum, Museum of Time, and Irish Silver Museum.
Lisburn
Lisburn is the birthplace of the linen industry in this country. It also has some historical architecture to note. Hillsborough Castle is the official residence of the royal family, but visitors are allowed to see some rooms, suites, and the vast garden outside. Lisburn Cathedral was built in 1622.
Ulster Aviation Society is a place where you can see planes from the Second World War to the latest planes. Glens of Antrim is a short drive from Lisburn to gaze at the amazing scenery.
Belfast
Belfast is another fortified medieval city dating to 1867. Cathedral Quarter, Albert Memorial Clock, Grand Opera House, and Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum are all landmarks in the city. Top landmarks here are Belfast Castle, Titanic Belfast Museum, CS Lewis Square, City Hall, and St. George’s Market.
Some roads you should visit are Crumlin Road Gaol and Falls Road. Round off your day with a visit to a pub for social interaction over Irish beers and whiskeys.
Burren
Burren is famous for its unique karst landscape, unique flora, archaeological sites, and farming traditions. This unique fusion has been designated a “Special Area of Conservation” by the European Union. It has been a popular tourist spot since the 1850s.
Some signature sites are Doolin Cave and Aillwee Cave. Climb the Cliffs of Moher for grand views of the Atlantic and nearby islands. Caherconnell Fort and Burren Smokehouse are interesting to tour. Sample Irish traditional music at Doolin Music over canapés of smoked salmon, bread, cheese crackers, and a glass of wine.
Cork
It is the foodie capital of Ireland and the best place for food is Cork English Market. Blarney Castle and Gardens, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork City Gaol, Charles Fort, Blarney Stone of Eloquence, Elizabeth Fort, and Drombeg Stone Circle are historical landmarks here.
For museums, visit Crawford Art Gallery, Cork Butter Museum, Lusitania Museum, and Cork Public Museum. To experience its natural beauty, explore Glanmore Lake, Kilravock Garden, and Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve.
When to Go
The best time to visit Ireland based on good weather and festival timings is from June to August.
How to Reach
Etihad, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Jet Airways, and Lufthansa have flights to Ireland’s airports such as Dublin, Shannon, and Cork via Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
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