What to see in Ireland: 10 must-sees
Discover what to see in Ireland: 10 must-see destinations, from Dublin to Cliffs of Moher. Predominantly city and natural; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
City(4)
Hop between the literary pubs of central Dublin, a city in Leinster that saw the birth of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and Samuel Beckett. Visit Trinity College and its library, wander through Temple Bar where live music plays every night, and head up to the Guinness Storehouse to enjoy a pint with views over the Liffey. Browse the stalls of George's Street Arcade, stroll around Merrion Square past colorful Georgian doors, and end the day with a traditional music session in a neighborhood pub.
Stop in Galway, the city of artists, music and the sea in Connacht, a capital of Irish culture. Listen to traditional music sessions in the city-center pubs, cross the Spanish Arch beside the River Corrib, and head to the street market to sample local produce. Walk down Shop Street among buskers and colorful façades, and continue to the Salthill promenade, where the bay sets the rhythm of a city that keeps the soul of a bohemian village.
Stop in this medieval city, where the castle, cathedral and alleyways create a fairy-tale atmosphere. 13th-century castle, crafts and nightlife. Stop in this city where architecture, markets and everyday life create a vibrant atmosphere. Wander its streets, admire its monuments and discover the local culture. The city blends tradition and modernity in a fascinating cultural mosaic.
Follow the aroma of freshly baked bread to the English Market, a covered market open since 1788 where stalls sell artisan cheeses and Atlantic fish. Cork, Ireland's second city and the capital of Munster, unfolds steep streets along the River Lee, pubs with live traditional music and galleries showing contemporary Irish art. Cross its footbridges, enjoy a coffee on the Grand Parade terraces, and find out why so many travelers prefer this city to the capital.
Natural(2)
Follow the marked trails that run along the 14 kilometers of cliffs in Munster, with walls plunging 214 meters to the Atlantic. Track puffins and guillemots in flight through the mist, listen to the sea crash against the rock, and walk out to O'Brien's Tower for an open view of the coast. Ireland's most visited cliffs reward early risers: fewer crowds, shifting light, and seabirds nesting on the ledges. Wear sturdy waterproof footwear, because wind and rain show up unannounced even in summer.
Stop at every viewpoint on this 179-kilometer loop that skirts the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. Drive past cliffs above the Atlantic, beaches like Rossbeigh, and towns such as Killarney, Kenmare and Sneem, where you can stop for seafood beside the harbour. Hike one of the trails in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, or follow the Kerry Way if you'd rather walk for several days. From Portmagee harbour, boats head to the Skellig Islands, visible on clear days. Bring warm clothing: the Atlantic wind can change the weather in minutes, even in summer.
UNESCO Heritage(1)
Enter the megalithic passage of Newgrange (3200 BC), older than the pyramids, in the heart of Brú na Bóinne, County Meath. This monument, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lights up every winter solstice, when the sun enters through the roof box and travels down the corridor to the burial chamber. Surrounded by stones carved with spirals and a ring of standing stones, the great passage tomb keeps drawing those who seek to understand the astronomical precision of its Neolithic builders.
National Park(1)
Stroll the trails of this park in Connacht, home to the largest active blanket bog in Western Europe, beside the Nephin Beg mountains and Mayo's Atlantic coast. Hike through heathland and lagoons, follow wooden boardwalks across the peat, and watch for birds such as the golden plover and peregrine falcon, as well as deer and otters. From April to September the visitor center opens daily with exhibitions on how the bog formed. Pack waterproof footwear: the wet ground and changeable weather are part of the experience.
Religious(1)
Enter the Valley of the Two Lakes and explore the monastery founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, where the 30-meter round tower, St Mary's Church and the ruined cathedral rise among carved gravestones. Walk the paths around the Upper and Lower lakes, cross oak woods and climb to viewpoints that take in the whole monastic site. In spring you'll see sika deer grazing near the shores; in winter, mist among the stones.
Beach(1)
Swim in the Atlantic waters that wash the 3 km of white sand on this Munster coastal spit on the Dingle Peninsula, where surfing is the usual activity and local schools run lessons on its waves. Walk along the shore with cliffs behind you and the Kerry mountains silhouetted across the bay. The fine sand draws swimmers in summer and birdwatchers the rest of the year, when the sea wind sweeps an almost deserted beach.
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