Ireland attractions

Ireland’s capital city is an important stop for cruise liners on round-the-world, transatlantic, and European routes. Not only do cruisers disembarking at Dublin Cruise Port have easy access to all of the city’s top sights—from Dublin Castle to Trinity College and the Book of Kells—but they can also head to day-trip destinations outside the capital.

Lining 1.8 miles (three kilometers) of Galway Bay, Ireland’s Salthill Promenade offers beautiful seaside views from the Claddagh Quay to the Blackrock Diving Board. The stroll along the paved promenade doesn’t take long, so many Galway visitors easily fit this memorable experience into their visit.

Extending for 79 miles (127 kilometers), this long-distance trail is one of Ireland’s best known walking routes. Wicklow Way starts in suburban south Dublin and cuts through scenic Wicklow Mountains National Park, leading past waterfalls, lakes, farmland, bogs, mountains, and glacial valleys, including the monastic ruins of Glendalough.

Castletown House is a destination for architecture and history buffs. This Palladian country manor in County Kildare was built during the 1720s and is located on a 550-acre (222-hectare) estate of sprawling grounds and riverside walks, about 45 minutes west of Dublin. Today the mansion hosts art exhibitions as well as guided visitors.

Paying homage to the great golden spread, Cork’s Butter Museum shines the spotlight on one of Ireland’s greatest trade stories. Displays and audio-visual guides here trace the history of butter production in Cork and its impact on Ireland’s social and agricultural development. Expect to hear offbeat facts and leave with a craving for bread slathered in the stuff.

When traveling the Wild Atlantic Way’s Sky Road outside the town of Clifden, the ruins of Clifden Castle are a popular stop. This stone castle, built in 1812, is abandoned and only the shell remains, yet it attracts visitors with its striking architecture and, for some, eerie vibes. Kids especially enjoy the opportunity to explore the exterior of the mysterious stone ruins and imagine the wealthy family who once lived here.

Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde is commemorated in the heart of Dublin with this sculpture, depicting the writer lounging on a boulder within the scenic environment of a public park called Merrion Square—across the street from his childhood home. The statue includes inscriptions of his poems, and is one of several landmarks dedicated to the city’s literary heritage, including the nearby Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI).

George’s Street Arcade is one of Dublin’s oldest shopping destinations. Dating back to 1881, this enclosed Victorian market is home to a fantastic range of independent boutiques, as well as market stalls selling vintage clothing, jewelry, rare books, old records, collectables, and souvenirs. There are plenty of places to eat, with everything from pizzas, falafels, veggies burgers, and cocktails.

Discover the natural beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way with a visit to Slea Head. Located on the western end of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Slea Head is a scenic lookout point with views of the Blasket Islands. This headland is also considered the most western point in Europe. It is a popular stopping point during a scenic drive along the coast.

Galway's Latin Quarter is a pedestrian’s paradise. The streets of this part of the Irish harbor city are lined with restaurants, pubs, arts-and-crafts tables, and other souvenir shops. It’s a wonderful area to take a break from the water and roam shops selling specialty, hand-crafted pieces, and then pop into a restaurant or pub for a traditional Irish meal.

Gin, vodka, and absinthe are made at Rebel City Distillery, which opened in 2020 in a restored Cork factory. Today, this landmark is a working distillery and a local attraction offering tours, tastings, and cocktail classes. Reserve a spot for everything from absinthe tasting to spirit school to a straightforward distillery tour, which includes a gin and tonic.

In the bustle of Dublin, you’ll find the James Joyce Statue in all its bronze glory. Created by US sculptor Marjorie Fitzgibbon, the statue stands as a commemoration to the Irish novelist known for works such as Ulysses and Dubliners. If you're a literacy fan, be sure to stop by while sightseeing in the city.

Cork is home to University College Cork (UCC), one of Ireland’s top universities. Founded in 1845, UCC is known for its striking stone architecture, location near the banks of the River Lee, and as a destination for learning about Irish history and culture. Guided campus walking tours provide historical and cultural context around landmarks such as the Honan Chapel and the Crawford Observatory.

Combining both aviation and maritime exhibits, Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum showcases the history of Foyes in the 1930s and ‘40s as the city began commercial transatlantic passenger flights and established itself as an international port. With beautifully built displays, flight simulators, and a flying boat replica, the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum is a must while in County Limerick, Ireland.

An 18-acre (7.2-hectare) green space flanking the River Lee, Fitzgerald’s Park boasts a peaceful atmosphere, a fun playground for kids, and public art including a range of sculptures. Many visitors come here to visit Cork Public Museum, then stop to enjoy the shady benches, stroll among the blooming flowers and scenic fountain, or to have a riverside picnic.

The dank interior of Dunmore Cave has provided not only geological wonders—among them the Market Cross, a 23-foot (7-meter tall calcite formation—but also some fascinating archaeological finds. Viking-era coins and valuables have been uncovered here, as have human remains that many theorize belong to victims fleeing Viking violence.

Standing tall, stoic, and questioning in bronze that has turned green with time, the Wolfe Tone Statue is a larger-than-life memorial to a larger-than-life man, who most consider the father of Irish republicanism. In front of a semi-circle of granite monoliths, the revolutionary’s angular features feel surprisingly modern, despite his 18th-century garb—and, indeed, the statue is from the 1960s.

Strandhill Beach extends for approximately 7 miles (11 kilometers) and offers sweeping views of Sligo Bay, Benbulben, Knocknarea Mountain, and Coney Island. Located near Sligo Town, this scenic stretch of sand is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, especially surfers who come for its famous break. Close by are cafés, bars, and a seaweed bathhouse.

Though oral tradition holds that the original Cromwell’s Bridge was built by monks back in the 11th century, the current structure is believed to date back to around 1700. The exaggerated curve of the rubble-stone arch is thought to have been designed to accommodate the fluctuating tidal range of the Finnihy River, which babbles below.

The largest aquarium in Ireland is not in the capital city of Dublin, but along the west coast in Galway. Saltwater and freshwater species inhabit the tanks at Galway Atlantaquaria including seahorses, stingrays, eels, sharks, and a white skate nicknamed ‘Valentine’. One of the most popular exhibits is an enormous skeleton of a Fin Whale.

The Aqua Dome in Tralee is one of Ireland’s biggest indoor water parks, offering a fun diversion from the historical stops and coastal scenery of the Wild Atlantic Way. There’s something for all ages to enjoy here, including water slides, a lazy river, children’s pools, an adults-only spa, gym, café, and a mini-golf course.

Along Ireland’s popular Wild Atlantic Way is the Alcock and Brown Landing Site in Derrigimlagh, where the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean landed in 1919. Following the stone-laid walking path to the site, there’s a white cairn marking the area for visitors who wish to learn about the aviation milestone, as well as take in the beautiful surrounding scenery.

In 2010, Ireland’s most beloved potato chip brand—Tayto—opened this chip-themed amusement park, Tayto Park, which fast became one of the country’s most-visited attractions. The park features more than 100 family-friendly diversions, including roller coasters, ziplines, a climbing wall, 5D cinema, and a zoo housing everything from tigers to alpacas.

Consisting of 15 heavy stone slabs set out in an oval shape, Kenmare’s Stone Circle—known locally as the Shrubberies—is among the biggest of the 100 or so such sites scattered throughout Ireland’s southwest. Though its original function remains unknown, the site most likely held spiritual significance for its Bronze Age builders.

A country manor in Ireland’s County Sligo, Lissadell House is an architectural landmark and scenic estate open to visitors during summer. Dating back to the 1830s and famous as the childhood home of Constance Markievicz (a leader of the 1916 Rising), Lissadell House today is a private home that opens for tours of the manor and access to the gardens seasonally.

Set on a grassy outcrop with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, the remote Leacanabuaile Fort is a worthwhile addition to any tour of the beautiful Ring of Kerry. The original fort, thought to date back to the ninth or 10th century, has been partially reconstructed to give a better sense of its original features.

Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park make for an engaging day out for visitors of all ages. Wander more than 30 rooms in the 18th-century house, while learning the story of its owners and connection to Grace O’Malley, the famed pirate queen. Then, head over to the theme park for a ride on the swinging pirate ship or mini Ferris wheel.

The word Kells may bring to mind the Book of Kells, an ancient manuscript currently displayed at Trinity College Library in Dublin. However, the book does not originate in Dublin; it was written by monks at the Kells Monastic Site in County Meath. Much of the original monastery remains intact today, and visitors can explore the site to see massive stone crosses, a round tower, a sundial, and preserved historic streets.

If you’re curious about your Irish background, head over to the Irish Family History Centre for an exciting way to look for your ancestors and discover new strands of your unique family story. Part of EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, the center can be an illuminating place to spend a few hours during your trip to Dublin.

Ireland’s Ancient East isn’t the only part of the country where megalithic landmarks are found. Set in County Sligo in the northwest, the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is a dense concentration of tombs that date back almost 6,000 years. Over 35 passage tombs remain here, with an on-site exhibition offering context for exploring the stones and their surrounding landscape.