The BEST Things to do Around Ireland

Ireland is one of the most magical countries in the world. Not only is it full of friendly people and a rich cultural history, but it’s also absolutely beautiful with lush green rolling hills, ancient forests, and jagged coastline.

​The luck of the Irish is truly with those who call this place home and the special ones who get to visit.

There is so much to do and see, and I know I have not seen it all during my travels, but my two trips to this spectacular country have been remarkable and unforgettable. I want to share a few special places we have found around the Emerald Isle from castles to pubs and secret fairy forests.

Here are some of the most remarkable places I recommend visiting in Ireland.

Trip map created with Wanderlog, an itinerary planner on iOS and Android

Dublin:

Most people fly in and out of Dublin when they travel to Ireland. This is a great launching point for your vacation, but I highly recommend getting out of the city and seeing as much of the country as you can.

​Though while you are in Dublin, there are some places you should visit (in alphabetical order):

• Dublin Castle

 

• Guiness Storehouse at St James Gate

 

• St Patricks Cathedral

 

• St Stephen’s Green 

 

• Temple Bar 

 

• Trinity College to see The Trinity Library and the Book of Kells

​

The Dublin Castle - stand where royalty once stayed.

Tour the Guinness beer factory.

See St Patricks Cathedral where he baptisms thousands of converts.

The famous Temple Bar Pub.

The Trinity Library at Trinity College.

When you have had your fill of Dublin (and Guinness), get out of town and travel to one of these quaint, picturesque towns (listed in alphabetical order):

Ballincollig - 

Visit the Blarney Castle or walk along The River Lee to view The Ballincollig Royal Gunpowders Mills in the tiny town of Ballincollig. I have explored here more than anywhere else and cannot recommend it enough. The people here are the most kind, but I might be biased, because this is the hometown of some of our friends!

Kissing the Blarney Stone is one of the most famous places in Ireland. Go fourth with the gift of eloquence afterwards!

Ballincollig Royal Gun Mills were the 2nd largest stocks under British control in the 1800's!

Cork -

Shop at The English Market for some local delicacies, meats, cheeses, and other fine goods before walking the city streets or touring The Kerrygold Butter Museum orBlackrock Castle Observatory. There is so much to do and see in this historic fort city that we recommend a day or two to take it all in!

The English Market in Cork.

The Blackrock Castle Observatory.

See more things to do around County Cork in my more detailed blog post here!
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Glenbeigh -

Checkout one of Ireland’s most scenic beaches at this popular locals’ vacation spot. There are great historic places to check out like The Kerry Bog Village Museum (which you can read more about HERE) along with silly places like the Fairy Forest to explore!

Kerry Bog Village Museum.

Taken in the Fairy Forest.

Killarney -

Discover one of Ireland’s Crown Jewels, the 25,000 acre preserve of Killarney National Park. We took a horse drawn carriage ride through the park on a beautiful summer afternoon to see the Muckross House and Torc Waterfall. 

The Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park.

You can learn more about Killarney National Park in my blog post here!

Our horse drawn carriage ride from The Muckross Park Hotel & Spa.

Kinsale -

Kinsale is a colorful fishing town with bright storefronts and delicious restaurants. I recommend before stopping in for a bite to eat, traveling down to the nearby cliffs close to The Olde Head Golf Course. ​

If you would like to see where to stay in all of these towns, check out my “Best Places to Stay Around Ireland” blog post here!

There are still many places I hope to come back and visit. Here are some of these iconic locations I can’t wait to see one day:

• Cliffs of Moher and Galway 
• Jameson Distillery in Dublin
• Skellig Islands - This former monastery was the filming location for Star Wars The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.
• Northern Ireland - Though this is technically an entirely different country, I really want to visit here to see The Giants Causeway, a natural rock formation that looks like stepping stones and stairs built for giants.

I know I haven’t seen all of Ireland, but what I have seen has been nothing short of magical. I hope this post helps you find just how truly special this place is during your own visits to The Emerald Isle.

See more from our adventures around Ireland HERE: