Top Things to do in Ireland
10 Things to do in Ireland That You Shouldn't Miss
Woven with wild greenery and Gaelic legends, the Emerald Isle is one of Europe’s most prized jewels. Rugged Atlantic beaches and mystery-shrouded sites rub shoulders with the cosmopolitan cities of Belfast and Dublin, where literary history and warm Irish hospitality are always in abundance.
Restaurants in Ireland
1. Killarney National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7,201 reviews
Reviewed By thewarrensDublin - Dublin, Ireland
Spent a wonderful couple of hours walking around this Park! it has really spectacular views of the surrounding area I'm beautiful red deer wandering around very close to you. it is a "must visit" place when you are in Killarney and parts of it are located right beside the centre of Killarney.
2. Irish Whiskey Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10,549 reviews
Irish whiskey is fast becoming one of the most popular spirits across the World. The Irish Whiskey Museum, based in the heart of Dublin City in a historic building on Grafton Street, tells the complete and unbiased history of Irish whiskey and its importance in Ireland’s turbulent past. The Irish Whiskey Museum is independent of all whiskey distilleries, offering its visitors the opportunity to taste and experience a huge selection of Irish Whiskey. Whether it’s Single Grain, Malt, Pot Still or a Blended Whiskey, the Museum’s whiskey experts will always be able to help you find the perfect whiskey to suit your palate. Tours take place from 10am-6pm every day, while visitors can experience a variety of live traditional music, storytelling and events every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening until 10.30pm.
Reviewed By laurenmudle
Mark O’R or little jesus for short was great! Amazing knowledge and great way of interacting, made everyone comfy and made us laugh too. With the premium tour you get the 3 standard whiskeys (to help you decide your favourite type of whiskey!) and then 1 extra special one and a nice take home gift which in the gift shop was 8€ so it’s amazing value for money! Would do again if I knew I’d forget the history of Irish whiskey and could get the drinks again ;)
3. Wild Atlantic Way
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,705 reviews
Reviewed By 2hopeless - Chichester, United Kingdom
After spending 3 days in Dublin we headed to the west stopping en route at the diner in Ballinasloe which was good for a quick lunch. We spent 3 nights in Galway, taking in the Galway Food Tour and enjoying the bars and street entertainment in the Latin Quarter. Onward for a few nights in Doolin Co. Clare visiting The Buren, Inis Oirr Aran Island, and the local hostelries. A lengthy scenic drive through Kerry, around the lakes of Killarney (unfortunately on a rainy misty day) to the Beara Peninsula for 4 days. Whilst we enjoyed all of it the change in scenery at each place captured the imagination and we all felt that it was merely an introduction for us to revisit soon. We travelled in June, however, roads are narrow and at peak holiday time it may be annoying as there are so many camper vans and huge tour buses at some of the more well known sights so cars have to move over, getting superficial scratches from the hedgerows. Be careful because there are ditches alongside the roads which are not obvious as they are covered in vegetation and may appear as solid ground.
4. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7,771 reviews
Don't just visit Ireland, understand it with a visit to the EPIC, winner of Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards 2019. EPIC is an interactive journey about how a small island made a big impact on the world. Discover why Irishness is celebrated around the world, with a journey through Irish history & culture, told from the perspective of those who lived. To begin your journey you will receive a stamped passport as you enter the exhibition, & then follow a path through the 20 themed galleries. You will discover why people left, see how they influenced the world they found, & experience the connection between their descendants & Ireland today. Immerse yourself in the stories of some of the most remarkable tales of sacrifice, endurance, adventure, and discovery the world has ever known. EPIC brings these amazing stories to life in a unique & spectacular way. Located in Dublin's Docklands. Open daily from 10am. Last entry is 5pm, museum closes at 6:45pm.
Reviewed By pqflyer - San Diego, United States
The EPIC Irish Emigration Museum really is an epic experience. The title "museum" doesn't say enough. Everything is interactive, giving visitors the possibility of a quick overview or -- at any point -- more in-depth information. The best use of current technology I've seen in such an institution. The path through the exhibit is clear and logical -- no chance of getting lost or missing something. Much to see and do and think about. If you love Ireland or have Irish roots or are interested in history or simply want to experience the use of cutting-edge technology in a museum setting --- this is a must-see in Dublin. Near the Jeannie Johnston ship and the Famine sculptures.
5. Kilmainham Gaol Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,638 reviews
This bleak old jail was notorious in the 19th century for its harsh treatment of prisoners.
Reviewed By tomslaughter112 - Zurich, Switzerland
The gaol allows a fascinating glimpse of some of the key events in Irish history, providing an interesting and approachable insight into to the events that took place there during the Easter Rising and Irish Civil War that have shaped the Ireland that we know today. The building is remarkably well preserved and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and are happy to answer and questions. The gaol is by far my favourite place that I visited during my trip to Dublin!
6. King John's Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,522 reviews
This newly renovated 13th-century castle is open for tours.
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland
Fantastic castle, a wonderful museum that really brings the history of Limerick to life with a combination of audio visual displays, interactive exhibits, artefacts and really interesting story-boards. The first half of the self-guided tour deals mostly with medieval history, the sieges, treaties and battles for power and what life was like for the people of the city then. There are superb models of the city at its various stages of growth. Then you can go down to the medieval foundations before ascending the towers and waking the battlements. Fantastic place, I was there well over 2 hours and just loved every minute. The staff were so, so helpful as well, it's important for me to mention that.
7. Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,939 reviews
Since John Jameson's brave first steps into this building in 1780, we've been focused on his ambition to create unforgettable experiences (along with great whiskey, of course). The new look Jameson Distillery Bow St. carries on this ambition through five fully guided experiences: Bow St. Experience Distillery Tour, Premium Whiskey Tasting, Whiskey Blending Class, Whiskey Cocktail Making Class, and a Cask Draw Experience in Dublin's only Live Maturation Warehouse - all of which have a firm focus on immersive storytelling. You'll be invited to touch, smell, and most importantly, taste Jameson in the original Bow St. Distillery buildings. Stay to enjoy the World’s Leading Distillery Tour at this historical landmark and tribute to the craft of Irish whiskey making!
Reviewed By RougesTour - Dublin, Ireland
I really enjoyed this tour, the tour guide was great and very informative and entertaining, I would highly recommend this tour and you get to indulge in a fair amount of Whiskey tasting.
8. Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,819 reviews
***FREE OF CHARGE*** Connemara National Park is one of Ireland's six National Parks. The Visitor Centre for the National Park is located beside Letterfrack Village. Entrance to the National Park grounds and trails (Diamond Hill), exhibition and Audio Visual is ***FREE OF CHARGE***. The Visitor Centre is the starting point for Diamond Hill trail.
Reviewed By notions - Galway, Ireland
Kylemore Abbey is a must see and diamond hill is a great hike for all levels. There are long and short paths and it is accessible for people of any fitness level,
9. Spike Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,550 reviews
Discover Ireland's Captains & Convicts, Rebels and Rioters & Sinners and Saints at Spike Island Cork, voted Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction of 2017! The Island is located off the coast of Cobh in Cork harbour & has over 1300 years of Irish history. From an island monastery & fortress to the world's largest prison in the 1850's and centuries of island homes. Your journey starts with a ferry ride before Ireland's best storytellers take you on a guided tour of the outer island and fortress. You can then self explore our prison cells, fortress, beautiful island walks and also use our on-site cafe. Attractions include the 1850's punishment block with its dark cells, the 1980's prison cells and riot exhibition, Ireland's largest artillery gun park and several penal, military and social history museums. With activities for children and families and guided and self-guided tours, Spike Island has something for everyone. Groups welcome, audioguides in French, German and English available.
Reviewed By LindaS3814
What a great experience we had on a day out to spike island ,I have lived in Cobh for the last 48 years and never new what history was at our door step . From start to finish it was a great few hours spent Our tour guide (Ross) had us enthralled with his knowledge and story telling and made it an experience that I will defiantly be repeating soon Thanks Claudine Kavanagh for recommending this tour to us .Colie and Linda O Sullivan
10. The Little Museum of Dublin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,381 reviews
Discover the amazing story of Dublin in this quirky museum on St Stephen's Green. Our famous 29-minute guided tours are a celebration of great Irish storytelling. You will learn about our history, you will laugh a lot and you will meet some of the friendliest people in Ireland. Please note that the museum is small and most of our tours sell out quickly.
Reviewed By 959gailc - Dublin, Ireland
The tour is included with GREEN hop on hop off ticket The staff welcomes you to this little museum jam packed with historical elements that are reviewed by decade starting in the 1900s. Come early for the movie on entry level for video of 1950s Dublin, it stay after. They do have historic elements prior to that as well, learn about them on the tour! Andrew does an excellent job as tour guide and Kathryn, one of the volunteers, gives us a head ups about a great question to ask. What did Hedy Lamarr Invent? Take an informative and frequently funny 29 minute tour with Andrew or others and learn how Ireland got to where she is today. There are surprising figures and spot quizzes in the room and few are what you may think ... guess wrong, learn more! After the tour, go up to the top floor to see Irish history through the eyes of the Irish Times, meet Alfie, Lord Mayor x10!, and listen to U2 songs as you view their donations to this loveliest of little museums Btw, entrance here gets you 10% off at Hatch & Sons for when you’re ready for tea or a bite of something to eat! Plan to spend 2-3 hours to really explore
