If you’re mapping out your Irish holiday, consider adding Ireland to your maybe list. You might know that Ireland is known for green landscapes, a wild coastline, a long and varied history, and its friendly people (I’m one of them!).
But you might not know that a holiday in Ireland could be** the experience of a lifetime**. I’m a local, but since travelling the world, I’ve become an avid tourist in my own country. So if you’re thinking of becoming a first-time visitor to Ireland, here’s my take on why this island should be a contender for one week of your next Big Trip.
1. Jaw-Dropping Natural Landscapes
Ireland’s nickname, the Emerald Isle, barely does justice to the breathtaking (and green) natural landscapes that our island has been blessed with. From the towering Cliffs of Moher on the west coast to the unusual geological formations of the Giant’s Causeway in the north, Ireland’s natural beauty is legendary.
If you love to hike, you’ll find international-grade trails in the Wicklow Mountains, Mourne Mountains or Macgillycuddy’s Reeks.
Or sail on Lough Erne, the River Shannon or cruise beyond the Cliffs of Moher. Escape the world for just a breath and imagine life on the Aran Islands, enjoying the traditions of Irish culture, music and craic (fun).
2. Music and Festivals
The Irish spirit might be best experienced through music and festivals. During the summer season, Irish pubs and regional venues play host to numerous ‘sessions’ of traditional (trad) music and dance. Places like Doolin, Dingle and Donegal are famous for it.
Watch out for Dublin TradFest held in January and Belfast TradFest held each summer, some of the largest festivals of traditional music in Ireland. Of course, St Patrick’s Day turns the entire city of Dublin into a full-on long weekend celebration.
Each September, the Galway Oyster Festival is a major draw and the Dublin Fringe Festival is a unique theatre experience that speaks to Ireland’s cultural diversity. I’ve seen some of my favourite shows at the Fringe.
3. Ireland’s Castles
Ireland’s history dots the landscape with around 30,000 castles (and ruins). You can kiss the infamous Blarney Stone on an easy-access tour of Blarney Castle, visit an iconic site like Bunratty, or stop off at the fortress of Dunluce Castle with its dramatic sea views.
The Rock of Cashel might tick all of your ‘medieval’ boxes with its ancient buildings, and you can even stay in a converted castle, like these castle hotels near Dublin.
4. Game of Thrones
If you watched Game of Thrones, then a visit to Northern Ireland is a must (plus it’s where I come from!).
So many of the most iconic scenes from the show were filmed in the North, including the slightly haunted-feeling Dark Hedges (shown above), as well as locations in the Mourne Mountains, which doubled as the Stark stronghold of Winterfell.
You can step for a moment into George RR Martin’s Westeros, albeit the slightly colder Northern part! Day trips run from Dublin every day during the summer.
5. Scenic Road Trips
Ireland is practically tailor-made for a road trip. The principal motorway network is very well-maintained and it’s only when you’re much further out that roads become single-track.
If it’s your first time in a rental car driving on the correct side (!), you’ll develop confidence on the main roads before taking it slowly on smaller routes.
Doing a self-drive itinerary gives you the freedom to explore places that you want to prioritise, at your own pace. Some popular road trip routes include:
My 3-day Donegal Road Trip on the Wild Atlantic Way
Ring of Kerry, County Kerry
Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
Copper Coast Drive, County Waterford
The Burrne Loop, County Clare
Ring of Beara, County Cork
Mourne Coastal Route, County Down
6. Guinness and Whiskey
If you drink alcohol, your trip to Ireland will be *greatly enhanced *by two of Ireland’s famous exports - Guinness and Whiskey!
Visit the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin to learn about the brewing process and enjoy a pint right at the source.
If you’re a fan of whiskey, distilleries like Jameson in Dublin or Bushmills in Northern Ireland offer tours that take you through the rich history of Irish whiskey and you get to taste the goods!
7. Irish Locals
As an Irishman, it feels odd to talk about our national characteristics! But when I’m a tourist in Ireland myself, on a domestic trip, it doesn’t take long to see that our strength lies in our people.
Irish people are great craic (fun, witty) and we like to make visitors feel at home.
I like to think you’ll have a conversation in an Irish pub, witness Irish stories through our music, voices and dance, or simply catch up with your B&B host while your Irish breakfast is being cooked.
Don’t be afraid to talk - we’re not!
8. Irish Cities
Don’t bypass Ireland’s cities. The capital is Dublin, a busy international hub for tech, finance and services that manages to blend old and new - the history of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, alongside the Guinness Storehouse.
Galway has a bohemian feeling and a thriving music scene that I keep returning to again and again. Cork has a great culinary heritage, and a culinary tour of the English Market needs to be on your list.
In the North, Belfast and Derry are both lively spots. Yes, you can get an insight into our complex past, but also enjoy the fruits of a very different present.
9. Rich Heritage
You’ll certainly find strands of Irish history in our castles and landscapes. But perhaps the richest part of Irish cultural heritage is in the very everydayness of Irish lives. The Irish language, music, dance and storytelling is our strength. I was proud to be a performer in Riverdance and got to help tell that heritage in the US, Canada and the UK.
When you visit, explore EPIC in Dublin (the Irish Emigration Museum) or the Glencolmcille Folk Village in Donegal to connect with stories of the Irish diaspora, but also with how the Irish traditions remain strong and alive.
10. Delicious Irish Food
Traditional Irish food is what you might term “hearty”, with Irish stews, soups and soda bread (in the North, we call it ‘wheaten bread’). However, the modern Irish dining scene is pretty vibrant and is all about local, seasonal produce.
If you visit the coast on your trip, you’ll find excellent fresh seafood.
Places like Dublin, Cork, Kinsale, Belfast are hotspots for foodies, where you’ll find a touch of innovation alongside traditional favourites. Note: if you go only to pubs, you’ll find a lot of heavier dishes. Vary the location - there’s very modern restaurants, cafes and places for vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free visitors!
11. LGBTQ+ Friendly Locations
I’m proud to say that Ireland stands out for a progressive and welcoming approach to LGBTQ+ visitors.
In a referendum held in 2015, Irish people voted that marriage between two people be recognised, irrespective of their genders, the first place in the world to do so by popular vote.
If you like to party, Dublin and Cork have a lively gay scene, with plenty of bars and clubs.
Pride events are held in the summer, including in Mayo, Waterford, Limerick, Drogheda, Cork, Galway and Dublin.
Any country has some people who see the world differently, but in general I hope you’ll find Ireland a welcoming place for people of diverse backgrounds.
12. Friendly to Solo Travelers
Solo Travel in Ireland is fairly easy, but probably a bit more expensive than other locations. The country is generally safe and welcoming, it’s compact and there’s lots of public transport options (frequency might be an issue), which makes Ireland ideal for people travelling on their own.
On the downside, accommodation can be expensive in Dublin and other cities, particularly in high season and there aren’t many options for single rooms, apart from certain hostels. That means you’ll pay the same price for a room as for two people (a major annoyance for me).
However, with so many group tours or self-drive itineraries, solo travelers can opt to enjoy time spent alone, get out and meet new people or enjoy conversations on the go.
Conclusion
So should you visit Ireland? Yes, you should! With its scenery, history, food, music and welcome, I think Ireland remains a fairly unique place to visit. Certainly, it can get busy in July and August, but a little forward planning and prebooking can help you manage your itinerary. I think that’s why Dublin or Galway keep showing up on ‘top places to visit’ lists year after year.
The weather can be an issue, and might be cooler or wetter for a lot of visitors. Take a look at my Packing List for Ireland to make sure you’re bringing the right clothes and accessories.
Don’t let a little rain put you off - why wait?
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If you’d like to develop your itinerary first, look at my sections on Where to Stay, Things to Do and Ireland Itineraries - these should help you narrow down your priorities.
Booking Resources
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