Top 10 Places to Visit in Ireland for an Unforgettable Trip
09 Jun 2023
Image by Hans Hansen from Pixabay
If you are looking for the top 10 places to visit in Ireland that will make your trip unforgettable, then you have come to the right place. This list of 5 amazing cities and 5 incredible landmarks to visit in Ireland will have you eager to board that plane and get your feet on the ground.
Ireland is a country that has so much to offer visitors who flock in their thousands to this small island on the edge of Western Europe.
Famed for its lush green landscape, ancient history spanning thousands of years, and the warmest of welcomes, it is little wonder why it is a popular destination with tourists and visitors alike.
So, if you have been thinking about visiting, here is a list of 10 places to visit in Ireland for a truly unforgettable trip.
Image by Jonas Fehre from Pixabay
Top 10 places to visit in Ireland
The best places to visit in Ireland include a mixture of some of its great cities and incredible landmarks. And with so much on offer it can be hard to decide what cities and landmarks to add to your itinerary, especially if you have limited time on the Emerald Isle.
To help you make your decision, we’ve rounded up the 5 best cities and 5 best landmarks to visit in Ireland so that you have a smaller list to work from. Let’s look at what they are.
Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
Dublin
No list of the top places to visit in Ireland would be complete without mentioning the Irish capital, Dublin.
Dublin is a sprawling city that reaches to the far edges of its county borderlines and beyond. And with the highest concentration of the population living in and around Dublin, it has become a metropolitan city to rival any other in Europe.
No matter what your interests or the type of traveler you are, Dublin has something for everyone. It is also the city most people arrive in when visiting Ireland and starting their tour of the island.
As one of the top ten places to visit in Ireland, Dublin also has some of the top tourist attractions in Ireland, meaning if you are short on time, you will still get a taste of Ireland.
For the history enthusiasts among you, Kilmainham Gaol is a great place to start. A former prison, Kilmainham Gaol is now a museum dedicated to preserving Ireland’s fight for independence and recognizing the political figures who found for it.
The Book of Kells, housed in Trinity College, is another great thing to see. This early-Christian manuscript is a work of art and the exhibition about the book is incredible, definitely a must-see in Dublin.
And of course, there are plenty of museums around the city where you can learn more about Ireland and its past, including the free National Museums of Ireland.
For the foodies, Dublin is a brilliant city to indulge your taste buds. Whether you choose to go solo and discover Dublin’s food-scene yourself, or join one of the best Dublin food tours, you will discover dishes and treats that will make your mouth water.
For those visiting with kids, Dublin Zoo, the ‘Dead Zoo’ as the Natural History Museum, and Dublinia are great places to visit as a family.
First-time visitors to Ireland should start or end their trip with a few days in Dublin.
Image by sktlloyd3 from Pixabay
Galway
One of the best cities to visit in Ireland if you don’t fancy the busy capital is Galway, capital of the West of Ireland.
Located less than 2.5 hours from Dublin by car, or 3.5 hours by train, Galway is a great city to visit along with Dublin if you want to cover two cities in one trip, and also ideal if you are touring Ireland without a car.
Galway is smaller than Dublin and the centre is easy to navigate on foot. You can also walk to Salthill, the seaside area of Galway City that has a beautiful sandy beach and long promenade which is perfect for a stroll in the sea air.
Within Galway City itself you will find plenty of pubs, restaurants and shops, as well as the Galway City Museum. This is a free museum that allows visitors to learn about the history of Galway from the mid-1800s and is conveniently located close to the Spanish arch, one of the famous points of interest in the city.
Galway is also the ideal location for taking a trip to the Cliffs of Moher (see below) and the Aran Islands, a group of three small islands located in Galway Bay. Note that direct links between Galway City and the Aran Islands are limited to the summer. Outside of summer, trips depart from Rossaveal Ferry Terminal, 37km west of the city.
If you want a slower pace and are looking for a great city to visit in Ireland, add Galway to your shortlist.
Image by Howard Walsh from Pixabay
Waterford
One of the 10 best places to visit in Ireland when it comes to cities is Waterford, in the southeast of the country.
Waterford is situated less than 2 hours south of Dublin by car, or 3.5 hours by public transport, making this another option for those who do not want to hire a car.
Waterford was established as Ireland’s first city by the Vikings in the 10th century and is a great city to visit in Ireland.
The city is proud of its Viking heritage and nowhere is it more evident than in the Viking Triangle, an area of the city where you will find the likes of Reginald’s Tower, the Medieval Museum, and Bishop’s Palace, a historic palace which now houses a museum dedicated to the history of the city.
The city also has two cathedrals and is where you will find the House of Waterford Crystal where you can learn about the famous crystal and the glass-making that is involved in its production. Waterford Crystal is the perfect souvenir if you are wondering what to buy in Ireland to remember your trip by.
Waterford is also home to a 16th-century Tower House on a private island which is now the Waterford Castle Resort, boasting a 4-star hotel with luxury lodges, an 18-hole championship golf course, and even resident deer. It is located 5km from the city centre and is a great place to stay.
If you want to know more about the history of Ireland and the Vikings, then Waterford City is a great place to do it in.
Image by Josef Kotarba from Pixabay
Belfast
One of the best places to visit in Northern Ireland is the second capital city located on the island of Ireland, Belfast.
Located in County Antrim, Belfast is a city that has gone through turbulent times and is coming out the other side with increased tourism and rejuvenation across the city. It is a convenient 2-hour drive or just over 3 hour train journey from Dublin.
Belfast is also famous for its associated with the Titanic, the famous ill-fated liner who was built in the shipyards of Harland and Wolff in the city. The headquarters of Harland and Wolff have been converted into a hotel located within the area of the city known as the Titanic Quarter.
Visitors can also enjoy learning more about Titanic at the Titanic Museum, one of the most popular places to visit in Ireland for those heading north of the border. There are also two ships in this area to visit if you have an interest in maritime history.
The city is also home to museums, has a beautiful Botanic Gardens, a castle which you can view from outside, and City Hall is also worth visiting.
And of course, Belfast is a great place to base yourself if you don’t have a car but would like to take day trips to see places such as the Giant’s Causeway (discussed further below).
Visit the ‘other’ capital in Ireland if you want to go north and have a love of Titanic or want to see the famous Giant’s Causeway.
Limerick
One of the top 5 cities to visit in Ireland that is often overlooked by many is Limerick, located in the southwest of Ireland.
Limerick is the third largest city in Ireland and is located just over 2 hours from Dublin by car, or around 3 hours from Dublin by public transport.
Limerick also sits on the estuary of Ireland’ longest river, the Shannon. As a former City of Culture, Limerick’s waterfront was rejuvenated and is now a great spot in the city.
King John’s Castle on the banks of the river is a great place to visit in the city. There are towers to climb, exhibitions to see and is also great for those visiting Ireland with kids.
Limerick is also home to two cathedrals, perfect for those interested in architecture, and the city is also home to several museums, and galleries.
So, if you want to add another of Ireland’s great cities to your itinerary, consider adding Limerick.
Image by Marine Briois from Pixabay
Giant’s Causeway
One of the best places in Ireland to visit for amazing natural beauty is the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Located just over 1 hours’ drive from Belfast, it is possible to visit via public transport, but it is better to take an organised day trip from Belfast to see it.
The Giant’s Causeway is one of the top sites to visit in Ireland and as a result can be a busy place. That said, it is worth it.
The Giant’s Causeway is an area of interlocking basalt columns that were formed 50-60 million years ago due to volcanic fissure eruption. The tops of the columns are like steppingstones and are mainly hexagonal in shape, although there are some columns with four, five, seven and eight sides.
Thousands of visitors flock to see the columns every year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland.
The Giant’s Causeway also has a great legend attached to it and is thought to be why it was named as it is.
Legend has it that the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill was challenged to a fight by a Scottish giant, Benandonner. Accepting the challenge, he built to causeway so they could meet. When Fionn realises his opponent is much larger than him, he disguises himself as a baby.
When Benandonner arrives and sees the ‘baby’ of his opponent, he believes the father to be a far larger giant than he. Legend says that Benandonner fled across the causeway in ear, tearing up the causeway as he fled, leaving behind what remains today.
Across the sea on the Scottish island of Staffa there are identical columns, lending weight to the legend that surrounds the Giant’s Causeway.
If you choose to visit the Giant’s Causeway, you will be visiting one of only three UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the island of Ireland.
Image by Franz P. Sauerteig from Pixabay
Glendalough
Another of the popular tourist destinations in Ireland with visitors is the monastic site of Glendalough. Located south of Dublin, about an hours’ drive from Dublin City Centre, Glendalough can also be visited via a day trip from Dublin or at a push, via public transport.
Glendalough was established by Saint Kevin in the 6th century in what is a glacial valley in the Wicklow Mountains.
This world-famous site is free to visit, although you need to pay to enter the Visitor Centre where there are fascinating exhibitions and displays about the saint and the monastic site.
One of the most famous buildings at Glendalough is the round tower, standing 30m in the air. It is surrounded by a graveyard in which you will find examples of Irish High Crosses. There are also chapels, monk’s buildings, and the ruins of a cathedral.
The monastic site is located at the start of trails that lead to the Upper Lake of Glendalough which has walks around it. You can also hike to one of Ireland’s best waterfalls, the Poulanass waterfall.
And further up from the Upper Lake are more monuments including St Kevin’s Cell and St Kevin’s Bed, both reputedly to be associated with the 6th century monk.
If you are looking for a great day trip to take from Dublin, then visit Glendalough and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the setting.
Image by NakNakNak from Pixabay
Cliffs of Moher
The place that often takes the top spot when it comes to the best tourist destinations in Ireland is the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. Located on the west coast of Ireland, not too far from Galway City, these spectacular sea cliffs attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The Cliffs of Moher are considered a bucket list place to visit in Ireland and when you get to visit them, it is easy to see why.
The cliffs rise out of the Atlantic Ocean at Hag’s Head in the south and continue for 14km (9 miles) to the north until they reach O’Brien’s Tower, where they reach their maximum height of 214m (ft).
Many people walk along the paved paths on the top or view the cliffs from a boat tour below. The Visitor Centre, which is payable, offers visitors the chance to learn more about the cliffs and the flora and fauna to be found among them.
On a clear day, visitors can see across Galway Bay to the Aran Islands and the Twelve Bens peaks in Connemara.
The Cliffs of Moher are located one hour and forty minutes south of Galway City by car and there are lots of organised day trips to the Cliffs of Moher from both Dublin and Galway, should you wish to visit them without driving yourself.
If you are trying to narrow down the list of places you have to visit in Ireland, make sure not to forget the Cliffs of Moher.
Image by Herbert Bieser from Pixabay
Brú na Bóinne
One of the most interesting things to visit in Ireland if you enjoy history are the Neolithic Passage tombs at Brú na Bóinne in County Meath.
These prehistoric monuments were built around 3200 BC along the banks of the River Boyne and are older than the Pyramids of Giza. These are one of only three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland and entry is strictly limited.
The Brú na Bóinne Valley monuments are located about 1 hours’ drive north of Dublin and you can only visit them via guided tours that start at the Visitor Centre. Note that tickets are limited and sell out fast, so pre-booking is highly advisable.
Departing from the Visitor Centre, the first monument visited is that of Knowth where the largest concentration of Megalithic Art in Western Europe is located. Guides impart their extensive knowledge of the tombs and the artwork to visitors, while also explaining the importance of the tombs and the people who built them.
After Knowth, visitors are taken to the most famous of the passage tombs at Newgrange. On and around the winter solstice, the passage of the tomb is illuminated by the rising winter sun for just a few minutes each year. Normally, for the rest of the year, the passage and chamber lie in darkness. However, nowadays they are illuminated by light to allow visitors to enter the chamber.
There is a fascinating exhibition about the monuments in the Visitor Centre and a smaller exhibition at Knowth, along with a short video that helps visitors understand the tombs even more.
If you are looking for a truly fascinating place to visit in Ireland from Dublin, then don’t miss out on a visit to the Neolithic passage tombs of the Brú na Bóinne Valley.
The Rock of Cashel
When people ask, what is the best place to visit in Ireland, one place the regularly features in the top five is the Rock of Cashel. Located in County Tipperary, the Rock of Cashel is a 2-hour drive from Dublin. It can be visited by public transport, but that journey can be upward of 3 hours.
The Rock of Cashel is one of the other top tourist destinations in Ireland and is a ruined abbey sitting on top of a rocky hill.
It is located on what was once the seat of the Kings of Munster before being donated to the church by the last king of Munster in the early 12th century.
At the Rock of Cashel you will find a roofless cathedral with amazing architecture, a round tower, Cormac’s Chapel (which can only be entered via a guided tour), and an extensive graveyard with several examples of High Crosses, important among Irish symbols.
The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most important and stunning historical sites and when you see it appearing high in the landscape it is easy to see why.
Image by Siggy Nowak from Pixabay
Visit Ireland for an Unforgettable Trip
If you are looking for amazing places to visit in Ireland, this post should have helped you narrow things down with recommendations on five of the best cities in Ireland to visit, as well as five must-see landmarks across the country. Even adding just a few of these places to your itinerary will make it a trip to Ireland never to forget!
Catherine McKenna Jordan
Cath is the author of Travel Around Ireland, a site dedicated to helping people plan their perfect trip to Ireland through helpful Ireland travel guides and reviews from across the island. Cath is an Irish expat who returns to the Emerald Isle annually to visit family and explore the country with her husband and son.
