14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Ireland

Ireland is an island country in Western Europe. Its capital is Dublin, and the government is a democratic republic. The country covers an area of about 70,273 square kilometers. The weather is generally cool and humid, with cloudy and rainy weather most of the year. The main airport for traveling to Ireland is Dublin Airport. Domestic travel is easy by rail, bus, and car rental.

The country has numerous natural and historical tourist attractions. The Cliffs of Moher receive about 1.5 million tourists a year. The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cities of Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Limerick are popular with tourists. Historically important sites include Trinity College, Blarney Castle, Rock of Cashel, and Kilmainham Gaol. The Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula are also very popular scenic drive routes.

In this blog, you will find detailed information on 14 of the best tourist attractions in Ireland. Each place’s location, how to get there, opening times, best time to visit, and what to see will be briefly highlighted.

1. Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are located on the west coast of Ireland, in County Clare. They are one of the country’s most popular natural attractions. The cliffs extend for about 14 kilometres (7 mi) along the sea. They reach a maximum height of about 214 metres (700 ft), from Hag’s Head to O’Brien’s Tower.

There is a modern visitor centre, called the Atlantic Edge Experience, which has interactive displays, a cinema, restrooms, and a cafe. When the weather is good, the Aran Islands and Galway Bay can be seen from here. The area is also popular with birdwatchers. More than 30,000 seabirds of about 20 species live here, especially puffins. Travel is possible by car, bus, or tour package. It is about 3 hours by car from Dublin.

2. Giant’s Causeway

Giant’s Causeway is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, in the north of Ireland. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of about 40,000 hexagonal basalt stone pillars, which were formed by volcanic eruptions 50-60 million years ago. The stones are shaped in such a way that they seem to have been made by humans.

There is a popular folktale about this place. It is said that the giant Finn McCool built them to fight another giant in Scotland. In reality, however, it is a geological wonder. That is why it attracts hundreds of tourists every day. There is no entrance fee, but you need a ticket to enter the visitor center. It is about 1 hour drive from the city of Belfast.

3. Dublin Castle

Dublin Castle is located in the heart of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. It is one of the country’s most historic and administrative buildings. It was first built in the 13th century by the Normans. It was the headquarters of British rulers for almost 700 years. When Ireland gained independence in 1922, it came into the hands of the government.

It is currently used for official events, such as presidential inaugurations or international meetings. Inside the castle are the “State Apartments”, the “Chapel Royal”, and the “Chester Beatty Library”. Tourists can take guided tours of these places. The rooms inside are decorated in royal style and contain many ancient works of art. Dublin Castle is open daily, but some parts may be closed if there are official events. It is close to the Temple Bar area and Trinity College, so it can be reached on foot.

4. Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a popular tourist route in County Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland. It is a circular driving route of approximately 179 kilometres (109 mi). The road starts and ends in the town of Killarney. The route passes through mountains, coastline, lakes, old castles, small villages, and beaches.

The Ring of Kerry has many attractions, such as Killarney National Park, Muckross House, Gap of Dunloe, Derrynane Beach, and Skellig Michael (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It can be explored by car or bicycle. For those who do not want to drive themselves, day tours or bus tours are available. The entire route takes one to two days to complete. There are places to stay, small restaurants, shops, and hotels for tourists. The weather is good from June to September, and this is the best time to travel.

5. Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone

Blarney Castle is a historic castle in County Cork, southern Ireland. It was first built in the 10th century, but the current version dates back to 1487. The castle is famous for the “Blarney Stone”, which is located at the top of the castle.

According to legend, kissing the stone gives people the gift of eloquence or the “gift of the gab”. Tourists can climb the stairs to the top of the castle and kiss the stone—although it requires a bit of bending. Hundreds of tourists come here every day for this experience. The castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens, caves, a reservoir, and a special botanical garden known as the “Poison Garden”. The castle is open daily and requires a ticket to enter. It is only a 20–25 minute drive from Cork city.

6. Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol is a historic prison in Dublin, Ireland. It was built in 1796 and was in operation until 1924. It was the site of many of Ireland’s most famous political leaders, most notably the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.

It is now a museum and a popular tourist destination. Visitors can learn about the prison’s history on guided tours. The old cells, empty balconies, gallows, and prisoners’ writings on the walls can still be seen today. This place is an important monument to Ireland’s struggle for independence.

7. Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park is located in County Galway, in the west of Ireland. It is a nature reserve covering an area of approximately 2,950 hectares. It includes mountains, forests, rivers, wetlands, and open grasslands. The park was opened to the public in 1980.

The park has a popular trail called Diamond Hill. You can enjoy the stunning views of the entire park and the Atlantic Ocean. There are trails for walking, ranging from easy to difficult. It is home to a special breed of horse known as the Connemara pony, which is native to the area. The park has a visitor centre with information, maps, and a cafe. Entry is free. It takes about an hour by car from Galway city.

8. The Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel is an ancient historical site in County Tipperary, Ireland. It is a collection of medieval castle and church ruins standing on a high hill. It is also called “St. Patrick’s Rock”. It was once a symbol of the power of the kings of Munster.

The most notable of the structures here is Cormac’s Chapel, an ancient Romanesque church, built in 1134. There is also a cathedral, a round tower, and many ancient tombstones. The surrounding scenery from this place is extraordinarily beautiful. It is an important example of the architectural, religious history, and cultural heritage of Ireland. There is an information center and guided tours for visitors. It takes about 2 hours by car from Dublin.

9. Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park is located in County Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland. It was established in 1932 and was Ireland’s first national park. It covers approximately 26,000 acres of land, with mountains, forests, lakes, and waterfalls. The park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The main attraction of the park is “Muckross House” and its surrounding gardens and lakes. There are three main lakes here Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake. Visitors can also visit Torc Waterfall, Ross Castle, and the Gap of Dunloe. The park can be enjoyed by walking, cycling, boating, and even by horse-drawn carriages. Entry is free, but tickets are required for some special areas. Getting to the park from Killarney town is very easy, and can be reached by walk.

10. Trinity College and the Book of Kells

Trinity College is located in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. It was founded in 1592, and it is the oldest university in Ireland. The college is famous for its architecture, history, and education. The college has a large library called “The Long Room” within its walls.

The most popular attraction is the Book of Kells. It is an ancient Christian scripture, which is handwritten and filled with beautiful decorations. This book was created in the 9th century and is still very well preserved today. Many tourists flock to the library every day to see this manuscript. You have to buy a ticket to enter Trinity College, especially if you want to see the Book of Kells and the library. It is located in the center of Dublin, so it is easy to get there on foot or by public transport.

11. Newgrange

Newgrange is located in County Meath, Ireland. It is part of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. Newgrange is a “passage tomb” or corridor tomb. It was built around 3200 BC. It is older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza.

The tomb looks like a large circular mound. It is about 85 meters in diameter and about 13 meters high. Inside it is a narrow corridor, about 19 meters long. At the end of the corridor is a stone chamber, where the remains of the dead were kept. The tomb is made of huge stone blocks. Newgrange is best known for the Winter Solstice event. Every year on December 21, the first rays of the sun enter the chamber through a special hole in the roof (roof-box). The entire room is illuminated for a few minutes. There are ancient carvings on the walls of Newgrange. These signs are called “megalithic art”. The meaning of many of the symbols is still unknown. Visitors can purchase tickets and take part in tours from the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, which provides detailed information about Newgrange, Knauth and Douth.

12. The Burren

The Burren is located in County Clare, Ireland. It is one of the most unique geological areas in Ireland. The word “Burren” comes from the Irish “Boíreann”, which means rocky area. It is a vast area of large white limestone rocks. The formation of this area began about 300 million years ago. This limestone is made of fossils and calcium-rich material deposited under the sea. This special landscape has been created by the erosion of ice and water over thousands of years. As a result, cracks, caves, pits, and thin soil have been created here, which are called “karst landscape”. Colorful flowers bloom in the gaps between the rocks in spring and summer. More than 70 species of orchids are found here. There are also various birds, butterflies, and rare animals.

The Burren area also has many ancient monuments. Dolmens, ring forts, and burial mounds dating back 5,000 years can be found here. The most famous is Poulnabrone Dolmen, a prehistoric rock tomb. The Burren National Park is a free area to visit.

13. Galway City

Galway City is located on the west coast of Ireland. It is the main city of County Galway. The city is built on the shores of Galway Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. Live music, street performances, and artists can be seen on the streets. The city has narrow streets, colorful buildings, and traditional shops. Various festivals are held here every year. Among them, the Galway International Arts Festival, Galway Film Fleadh, and Galway Races are very popular.

Galway was declared the European Capital of Culture in 2020. There are many places of interest near the city. Such as: Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, and the Aran Islands. These can also be visited from Galway city.

14. Titanic Belfast

Titanic Belfast is located in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. It is located in the Titanic Quarter area. This is where the famous RMS Titanic ship was built. The museum opened in 2012 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s construction. The museum has 10 modern galleries.

The story of the design, construction, voyage, and sinking of the Titanic is presented here. Visitors can experience the construction of the ship through a ride. There are old photos, videos, original designs, and personal stories of passengers. In addition, you can enter a small ship called the SS Nomadic, which was the Titanic’s auxiliary ship. Titanic Belfast is open every day. Tickets are required to enter. There are also cafes and shops inside.