When compiling an Irish bucket list of the 20 best things to do in Ireland, whether you are backpacking Ireland or taking a road trip, there is no shortage of things to do in Ireland. Ireland is known for having one of the world’s friendliest people and one of the best countries. Ireland is a country full of beautiful scenery and natural attractions steeped in history. It’s no surprise that Ireland should be on everyone’s bucket list.
tripreviewhub has done its best to compile a list of the best things to do in Ireland with every great place and bucket list ideas.
Top things to do in Ireland
1. Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone
Climb the narrow, winding staircase that spirals through Blarney Castle’s battlements to reach the Blarney Stone, one of Ireland’s most iconic tourist attractions and urban legends.
Blarney Castle was built in the 15th century, and its medieval design, moss-covered walls, and gardens with sprawling green acreages will transport you to a fairytale.
2. Take a stroll through Phoenix Park in Dublin.
Phoenix Park in Dublin is Europe’s largest enclosed public park and one of the best places to visit in Ireland, covering over 700 hectares. This Zoological Gardens, ras an Uachtaráin (the Irish president’s residence), and a variety of wildlife, including squirrels and a herd of fallow deer, are among the many attractions in Phoenix Park.
The park is one of Dublin’s most popular tourist attractions and one of the best things to do in Dublin for families with children.
3. The Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s most famous touring routes. It begins and ends in Killarney and roughly skirts the edges of the Iveragh Peninsula in the country’s southwestern corner. Driving on this route is one of the best things to do in Ireland.
4. Greenway of Waterford
Ireland had a great network of regional railways in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries than it does today. The Waterford Greenway is a 28-mile trail that connects the southern port city of Waterford and the seaside town of Dungarvan, passing through tranquil countryside, over viaducts, and through moss-strewn railway tunnels with glimpses of the sea.
5. Antrim’s Giant’s Causeway
The otherworldly, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s unmissable landmark. It’s a geological wonder tumbling into the sea, an expanse of more than 40,000 hexagonal columns resembling a super-sized pathway formed by volcanic activity between 50 and 60 million years ago.
6. Clare’s Burren
The extraordinary limestone landscape of The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark in County Clare has a lunar appearance. This UNESCO World Heritage site has many archaeological and natural wonders. Such as the lonely Poulnabrone Dolmen near Ballyvaughan, which dates from around 3,800 BC; Doolin Cave, which contains Europe’s longest free-hanging stalactite; and the far-reaching views from the aptly named Corkscrew Hill.
7. Attend a game at Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is Ireland’s largest sports stadium and the home of Gaelic Football and Hurling, both of which are part of the Gaelic games. No trip to Ireland is complete unless you attend a game and experience this aspect of Irish culture.
8. Enjoy Nightlife and Shopping in Dublin
Because Dublin is a young city, the nightlife is fantastic. Every Dublin travel guide will advise you to visit Temple Bar, a popular nightlife destination. Leeson, Harcourt, and Wexford Street have the best pubs and nightclubs in Dublin.
9. Visit The Most Important Irish Castles
Dublin Castle is one of the most well-known structures in Irish history. It was built as a medieval fortress and served as the seat of English and British rulers for centuries. Visiting these Irish castles is one of the best things to do in Ireland.
10. Climb Carrauntoohil
Carrauntoohil Mountain in County Kerry is Ireland’s highest mountain, and its summit is often referred to as the “Rooftop of Ireland” because it is officially the highest point in Ireland. It is a must for any adventurer who wants to see breathtaking scenery.
11. Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is another attraction in County Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is a driving enthusiast’s dream. The Iveragh Peninsula’s 180-kilometer (111-mile) circular tour includes stunning scenery and heritage attractions. The Ring of Kerry is part of the 2,500-kilometer (1,553-mile) Wild Atlantic Way route.
12. Discover Connemara National Park
Connemara Park in County Galway has a strong connection to traditional Irish culture. Connemara Park is an area of wild and untamed beauty that is also home to the country’s largest Irish-speaking Gaeltacht area.
13. The Moher Cliffs
The Cliffs of Moher, along the coast of County Clare, are movie stars in their own right, having appeared in films such as The Princess Bride and Harry Potter. It’s easy to see why: the cliffs are breathtaking. The Cliffs of Moher, which stretch for five miles along Ireland’s west coast, are a perennial favorite due to the dramatic drop, crashing waves, and spectacular views.
14. The Isles of Aran
Visit the isolated Aran Islands by ferry from Doolin or Galway, where you can step off the boat and into the past (the islands didn’t even have electricity until 1973!) Explore old stone forts and churches—some dating back to the 8th century—take in the view from dramatic seaside cliffs, and visit the famous “Worm Hole,” where Red Bull once held a cliff-diving competition.
15. Visit the Burren
One of the most beautiful and unique places in Ireland is the Burren in County Clare, which has a landscape made up of ruts, rocky mounds, and fissures that have led to the experience of walking the Burren is like walking on the moon.
16. Visit the Giant’s Causeway
One of the best things to do in Ireland is to visit the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim.
The Giant’s Causeway is a coastal area in County Antrim comprised of over 40,000 basalt columns formed by a volcanic eruption, and steeped in Irish mythology.
17. The Peninsula of Dingle
The incredible nature views along the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry are hard to beat. Take a walk along Inch Beach (it actually stretches 190,080 inches, or about 3 miles), see the ancient stone “Beehive Huts,” or take a long hike up Mount Brandon in Dingle.
18. The Cashel Rock
Check out the incredibly cool Rock of Cashel for a dramatic sense of Ireland’s rich history. The steep hill is dotted with limestone crags and is home to a 13th-century Gothic cathedral and a 15th-century castle, both of which are impressive reminders of Ireland’s fascinating history.
19. Northern Ireland, Derry
The dramatic city walls of the neo-Gothic Guildhall (where visitors can catch a concert or see an exhibition), and the Tower Museum, these walls provide a guide to Northern Ireland’s complicated past.
20. National Park of the Burren
Depending on where you stay in Ireland, there are six incredible national parks that you should visit. Burren National Park is one of our favorites. It is located in the north of Ireland and has spectacular rocky cliffs and rugged landscapes that some say resemble the moon’s surface.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of our Irish bucket list of the 20 best things to do in Ireland. These activities are possible on your itinerary and will ensure that your next trip to Ireland is a success and that you have a memorable vacation. Moreover, you can head to tripreviewhub or Booking.com to check more things to do in Ireland.