Ireland · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Ireland
These are the places worth your time in Ireland, from Dublin's pubs, museums and sea swims to Galway's music, Kerry's lakes, Cork's food and the cliffs and limestone of Clare. Famous classics sit beside quiet corners many visitors miss, so nervous first timers, families and returning diaspora all find something to love.
Places to Visit in Dublin
Arts and Culture
- Trinity College and the Book of Kells (College Green)
A ninth century illuminated gospel book and the soaring Long Room library in the heart of the city. - Kilmainham Gaol (Kilmainham)
A moving guided tour of the prison where leaders of the 1916 Rising were held and executed. - Chester Beatty (Dublin Castle)
A free and beautifully displayed collection of manuscripts, prints and books from across the world. - EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (Docklands)
An interactive museum on why millions left Ireland and what they achieved abroad, ideal for diaspora visitors. - National Museum of Ireland Archaeology (Kildare Street)
Free entry to Celtic gold, Viking finds and the eerie preserved bog bodies. - The Little Museum of Dublin (St Stephen's Green)
A witty, people's history of the city told in a Georgian townhouse. - Glasnevin Cemetery Museum (Glasnevin)
Ireland's national cemetery, with tours that bring Daniel O'Connell, Michael Collins and ordinary Dubliners to life. - Marsh's Library (St Patrick's Close)
An early eighteenth century library with its original oak shelves and reading cages. - St Patrick's Cathedral (St Patrick's Close)
Ireland's largest cathedral, where Jonathan Swift was dean, set beside a quiet park. - Hugh Lane Gallery (Parnell Square)
A free city gallery that holds Francis Bacon's reconstructed London studio.
Things to Do
- Guinness Storehouse (St James's Gate)
The story of Ireland's famous stout, ending with a pint and a city view in the rooftop Gravity Bar. - Dublin Zoo (Phoenix Park)
A family favourite zoo with an African savanna and plenty of space to wander.
Nature and Outdoors
- Phoenix Park (Phoenix Park)
One of Europe's largest city parks, with wild fallow deer, the zoo and wide open lawns. - Howth Cliff Walk (Howth)
A sea cliff loop above Dublin Bay, with seals in the harbour and fish and chips after. - Forty Foot (Sandycove)
A historic year round sea swimming spot where Dubliners plunge into the bay in all weather.
Bars and Nightlife
- The Brazen Head (Merchants Quay)
Claims to be Ireland's oldest pub, with snug rooms and nightly traditional music. - The Long Hall (South Great George's Street)
A Victorian pub of mirrors, dark wood and red lamps that feels like a step back in time. - Kehoe's (South Anne Street)
A classic old pub with snugs, just off Grafton Street, loved by locals. - The Cobblestone (Smithfield)
The city's best known pub for real traditional music sessions played by and for musicians. - Mulligan's (Poolbeg Street)
A no fuss pub famous for one of the best poured pints in town.
Restaurants
- Chapter One (Parnell Square)
A celebrated fine dining room beneath the Dublin Writers Museum building, for a special night. - The Winding Stair (Ormond Quay)
Irish produce served above a bookshop with windows onto the Ha'penny Bridge. - Leo Burdock (Werburgh Street)
Dublin's famous old chipper for cod and chips eaten on a wall near Christ Church.
Cafés
- Bewley's Grafton Street Café (Grafton Street)
A grand old café with Harry Clarke stained glass windows, an institution since the 1920s. - Queen of Tarts (Cork Hill)
A cosy little café near Dublin Castle for scones, tarts and a proper breakfast. - 3fe Coffee (Grand Canal Street)
One of the roasters that started Dublin's speciality coffee scene.
Shopping and Markets
- George's Street Arcade (South Great George's Street)
A Victorian covered market of vintage stalls, records, books and snacks. - Avoca (Suffolk Street)
Irish woollens, homewares and a good café under one roof.
Stays
- The Shelbourne (St Stephen's Green)
A grand old hotel on the Green where the Irish constitution was drafted. - The Merrion Hotel (Merrion Street)
Four restored Georgian townhouses with a fine Irish art collection and quiet garden. - Generator Dublin (Smithfield)
A lively budget hostel with private rooms beside the Jameson distillery.
Events
- St Patrick's Festival (City centre)
Several days of parades, music and céilís around Ireland's national day in March. - Bloomsday (City centre)
Every 16 June, fans in Edwardian dress retrace Leopold Bloom's day from Joyce's Ulysses.
Places to Visit in Galway
Things to Do
- Latin Quarter and Shop Street (City centre)
Buskers, painted pubs and medieval lanes in the most cheerful few streets in Ireland.
Arts and Culture
- Galway City Museum (Spanish Arch)
Free exhibitions on the city's past and the sea, beside the old Spanish Arch. - Kylemore Abbey (Connemara)
A neo Gothic castle and Victorian walled garden on a lake under the mountains. - Galway Cathedral (Nuns' Island)
A huge twentieth century cathedral with striking mosaics, free to visit.
Nature and Outdoors
- Salthill Promenade (Salthill)
A long seaside walk where locals kick the wall at the end for luck. - Connemara National Park (Letterfrack)
Bog, heath and the Diamond Hill walk with views over the Atlantic islands. - Dún Aonghasa (Inis Mór, Aran Islands)
A prehistoric stone fort on the edge of a sheer sea cliff. - Sky Road (Clifden)
A short loop drive or cycle with huge views of the Connemara coast.
Bars and Nightlife
- Tigh Neachtain (Cross Street)
A crooked old pub of snugs and wood panelling, the heart of the Latin Quarter. - Taaffes Bar (Shop Street)
A friendly old pub with traditional music sessions most days. - The Crane Bar (Sea Road)
An upstairs music room across the river where serious trad sessions happen.
Restaurants
- Ard Bia at Nimmos (Spanish Arch)
Seasonal west of Ireland cooking in an old stone building by the river. - McDonagh's (Quay Street)
A long running fish restaurant and chipper for fish and chips and seafood chowder.
Shopping and Markets
- Galway Market (Church Lane)
A street market by St Nicholas' Church with crafts, cheese and hot food stalls. - Charlie Byrne's Bookshop (Middle Street)
A maze of new and second hand books, beloved by readers. - Thomas Dillon's Claddagh Gold (Quay Street)
A long established jeweller with a small museum on the history of the Claddagh ring.
Events
- Galway International Arts Festival (City wide)
July theatre, music and street spectacle that fill the city. - Galway Races (Ballybrit)
A famous summer horse racing week that turns the whole city into a party. - Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival (City centre)
A September celebration of native oysters, shucking contests and music.
Cafés
- Coffeewerk + Press (Quay Street)
Speciality coffee downstairs and a design shop of prints above. - Griffin's Bakery (Shop Street)
A family bakery for brown bread, scones and cakes since 1876.
Stays
- The g Hotel (Wellpark)
A playful designer hotel with lounges by milliner Philip Treacy. - Kinlay Galway (Eyre Square)
A central hostel with private rooms right by the bus and train station.
Places to Visit in Killarney
Nature and Outdoors
- Killarney National Park (Killarney)
Lakes, oak woods, red deer and mountains right on the edge of town. - Torc Waterfall (Killarney National Park)
A short woodland walk to a waterfall, easy for all ages. - Gap of Dunloe (Beaufort)
A narrow mountain pass you can walk, cycle or cross by pony and trap. - Ladies View (N71 Kenmare Road)
A free roadside lookout over the Killarney lakes named for Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting. - Slea Head Drive (Dingle Peninsula)
A coast road of beehive huts, beaches and views to the Blasket Islands.
Arts and Culture
- Muckross House (Killarney National Park)
A Victorian mansion with gardens and traditional farms in the national park. - Ross Castle (Lough Leane)
A fifteenth century tower house on the lake shore, with boat trips nearby. - Kerry Bog Village Museum (Glenbeigh)
Thatched cottages that show rural life in the 1800s, with Irish wolfhounds.
Things to Do
- Ring of Kerry (Iveragh Peninsula)
Ireland's famous scenic loop of beaches, mountains and villages. - Skellig Michael (Portmagee)
A UNESCO listed island monastery reached by boat in season, weather permitting. - Killarney Jaunting Cars (Killarney)
Horse drawn carts with jarveys who tell stories as they ride into the park. - Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium (Dingle)
An aquarium with otters, penguins and sharks, good for a rainy day.
Cafés
- Murphy's Ice Cream (Dingle)
Kerry ice cream in flavours like sea salt and brown bread.
Bars and Nightlife
- The Laurels (Main Street)
A long running family pub with hearty food and music. - O'Connor's (High Street)
A small traditional pub with nightly music, often packed and friendly. - Courtney's Bar (Plunkett Street)
A locals' pub with good sessions away from the busiest strip. - The Killarney Grand (Main Street)
Traditional music early in the evening and a dance club later. - Dick Mack's (Dingle)
A pub and old leather shop where you drink among the shoe lasts.
Stays
- The Europe Hotel and Resort (Fossa)
A lakeside hotel and spa with mountain views from almost every window. - The Killarney Park Hotel (Town centre)
A classic, warm country house style hotel walking distance from everything.
Places to Visit in Cork
Shopping and Markets
- English Market (City centre)
A covered food market trading since 1788, full of local cheese, meat and fish.
Restaurants
- Farmgate Café (English Market)
Simple Cork dishes cooked from the market below, served on a balcony. - Market Lane (Oliver Plunkett Street)
A busy, relaxed restaurant built on local produce. - Café Paradiso (Lancaster Quay)
A long loved vegetarian restaurant that changed how Ireland cooks vegetables.
Things to Do
- Blarney Castle (Blarney)
Kiss the famous stone for the gift of the gab, then explore wide gardens. - Shandon Bells and Tower (Shandon)
Climb the tower of St Anne's Church and ring the bells yourself. - Fota Wildlife Park (Fota Island)
Animals roam freely in a large park, a favourite family day out.
Arts and Culture
- Spike Island (Cork Harbour)
An island fortress and prison reached by ferry from Cobh. - Cobh Heritage Centre (Cobh)
The emigration story of the port that was the Titanic's last stop. - St Fin Barre's Cathedral (Bishop Street)
A Gothic Revival cathedral with rich carvings and stained glass. - Cork City Gaol (Sunday's Well)
A castle like old prison with lifelike figures telling inmates' stories. - Crawford Art Gallery (Emmet Place)
A free gallery of Irish art beside the opera house. - Charles Fort (Kinsale)
A star shaped fort above the harbour of Ireland's prettiest food town. - Cork Butter Museum (Shandon)
The surprising story of how Cork butter once fed the world.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sin É (Coburg Street)
A small pub with traditional sessions that draw players from all over. - Franciscan Well Brewery (North Mall)
A brewpub with a beer garden and pizzas on the riverside. - The Mutton Lane Inn (Mutton Lane)
A tiny candlelit pub tucked in a lane off Patrick Street.
Events
- Guinness Cork Jazz Festival (City wide)
Late October weekend of jazz in pubs, hotels and halls.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mizen Head Signal Station (West Cork)
A bridge and signal station at Ireland's most south westerly point. - Ballycotton Cliff Walk (East Cork)
A coastal path of wildflowers and sea views from a fishing village.
Stays
- The Imperial Hotel (South Mall)
A historic city hotel where Michael Collins spent his last night. - Hayfield Manor (College Road)
A quiet manor style hotel near the university.
Cafés
- Cork Coffee Roasters (Bridge Street)
A small local roaster for good coffee on the walk to Shandon.
Places to Visit in Doolin
Nature and Outdoors
- Cliffs of Moher (Liscannor)
Sheer Atlantic cliffs with a visitor centre set into the hillside. - Burren National Park (The Burren)
Limestone pavements and rare wildflowers in one of Europe's strangest landscapes. - Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk (Doolin to Liscannor)
Walk the cliff top path from Doolin and see the cliffs away from the crowds. - Lahinch Beach (Lahinch)
A long surf beach with schools for complete beginners. - Ennistymon Cascades (Ennistymon)
Free river cascades right in the middle of a lovely market town. - Fanore Beach (Fanore)
A quiet sandy beach where the Burren meets the sea.
Things to Do
- Doolin Cave (Doolin)
Walk underground to one of the longest free hanging stalactites in Europe. - Doolin Pier ferries to Inis Oírr (Doolin Pier)
Seasonal boats to the smallest Aran Island, many sailing below the cliffs. - Aillwee Burren Experience (Ballyvaughan)
Show caves plus a birds of prey centre, great for families.
Bars and Nightlife
- Gus O'Connor's Pub (Fisherstreet)
The famous village pub for traditional music and seafood. - McGann's Pub (Roadford)
A small, cosy pub with music most nights and good chowder. - McDermott's Pub (Roadford)
Lively sessions and hearty food in a family run pub.
Arts and Culture
- Poulnabrone Dolmen (The Burren)
A portal tomb over five thousand years old standing on bare limestone.
Shopping and Markets
- Burren Perfumery (Carron)
A tiny perfumery and tea room in a hidden valley of the Burren. - Burren Smokehouse (Lisdoonvarna)
Smoked organic salmon from a small family business, with tastings.
Stays
- Hotel Doolin (Fitz's Cross)
A friendly village hotel with its own pub and music.
Restaurants
- Stonecutters Kitchen (Doolin)
A family friendly kitchen known for chowder, burgers and a play area.
Events
- Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival (Lisdoonvarna)
A September festival of dancing and music with a real matchmaker.
Places to Visit in Kilkenny
Arts and Culture
- Kilkenny Castle (Kilkenny)
A restored castle and parkland at the heart of a medieval city.
Places to Visit in Brú na Bóinne
Arts and Culture
- Newgrange (County Meath)
A passage tomb older than the pyramids, lit by the winter solstice sun.
Places to Visit in Cashel
Arts and Culture
- Rock of Cashel (County Tipperary)
A cluster of medieval church ruins on a rock above the plains.
Places to Visit in Glendalough
Nature and Outdoors
- Glendalough (County Wicklow)
An early monastic site and two lakes in a glacial valley with walking trails.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Temple Bar Food Market (Meeting House Square, Dublin)
A weekend food market with oysters, cheeses and street food in a covered square. - Aniar (Dominick Street, Galway)
Inventive tasting menus built on the produce of the west. - Bricín (High Street, Killarney)
Kerry home cooking upstairs in a craft shop building. - Aille River Hostel (Doolin, Doolin)
A small riverside hostel in an old farmhouse. - Cullinan's Restaurant (Doolin, Doolin)
Seasonal Clare cooking in a small guesthouse dining room.