Ireland Bucket List: Where to Go and What to See

Are you planning a trip to Ireland but don’t know where to begin? We’re here to help.

We’ve gathered data from two of the most trusted sources out there when it comes to planning holidays in Ireland - Fáilte Ireland’s official list of Ireland’s top visitor attractions and TripAdvisor users’ top rated things to do. Taking this information, we’ve built the ultimate list of where to go and what to see in Ireland. We’ve broken it down by region and type of attraction to help you pick out your own personal must-see spots.

NewWay’s Big List of Where to Go In Ireland

Ireland’s relatively small area of just 85,000 km2 (32,600 square miles) is packed full of remarkable places to see and things to do. The long list of must-see attractions highlights Ireland’s fascinating historical journey, its unique culture and heritage and unveils jaw-dropping landscapes and natural beauty.

With so much to see on such a small island, Ireland is an ideal spot to simply pack up the car and hit the road. Unless you decide to travel the country from tip to tip in one effort, you’ll be unlikely to have to drive any longer than 4 hours to get from one region to another.

To give you a sense of the driving experience, the below outlines typical drive times (according to Google Maps) from Dublin Airport to the various different regions across Ireland.

Ireland Drive Times (from Dublin Airport)

CHECK OUT OUR RENTAL CARS AT DUBLIN AIRPORT

Now that you’ve got a sense of some initial drive times from Dublin Airport, you’re all set to start planning where you want to go and what you want to see. We’ve taken the above list and selected some of our top picks from each region below.

What makes your bucket list?

North

The Giant’s Causeway

Natural Beauty, Co. Antrim

Known to the Irish as the 8th Wonder of the World, the Giant’s Causeway is a ‘has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed’ area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt rock columns covering 4 miles of the northern coast of Northern Ireland. There are numerous ways you can enjoy this unique natural landscape such as the fully-guided Clifftop Experience which takes you on a 5-mile hike along the coastline, or pick up an audio guide and explore your choice of routes (The Blue Trail, the Red Trail or the Runkerry Trail) at your own pace.

Titanic Belfast

Historical, Co. Antrim

Titanic Belfast tells the story of the ill-fated Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage in 1912. Interactive galleries, full-scale reconstructions and special effects take visitors on a journey through the shipyard, the ship’s fit out, its sinking and the aftermath - a visit to the Titanic Belfast is an experience in the truest sense of the word. Admission is £19 for an adult, £8.50 for children and free for kids under 5. Check the website for seasonal opening times when planning your itinerary.

East

Guinness Storehouse

Cultural, Dublin

Is there a more iconic image than that of St. James’s Gate - the entrance to the world famous Guinness brewery?

The Guinness Storehouse is officially Ireland’s most visited attraction, but is it really worth it?

We say definitely!

Glendalough

Natural Beauty, Co. Wicklow

Glendalough is famous for its glacial valley landscape and its early Medieval, 6th century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin. The area is made up of nine waymarked trails of varying length from 30 minutes strolls to 4 hour hikes. No matter which you choose, you’re guaranteed breathtaking scenery, so don’t forget your camera!

Parking is available in the Visitor Centre Car Park, the Upper Lake Car Park, or in nearby Laragh. Charges for car parking can vary across the year depending on seasonality so keep an eye on the Glendalough.ie website for the most up to date information.

South East

Kilkenny Castle

Historical, Co. Kilkenny

Built in 1195 and fabulously restored, a couple of hours spent in Kilkenny Castle feels like a step back in time. Inside, informative staff will point out details as you pass through each room, bringing each one to life. Outside, the beautiful grounds provide the perfect ambiance to unwind or have a picnic.

Waterford Greenway

Natural Beauty, Co. Waterford

Across Ireland, disused networks such as railway lines are being brought back to life in the form of dedicated, off-road, walking and biking-friendly trails. Ireland’s Greenways are proving a hit with locals and visitors alike. The Waterford Greenway spans 46 kilometers and features 11 bridges, 3 viaducs and the iconic 140 year old Durrow Tunnel. The trail runs between the city of Waterford to Dungarvan taking in parts of the stunning Copper Coast - one of Ireland’s best kept secrets!

Midlands

Sharonlflynn / CC BY-SA

Sean’s Bar, Athlone

Cultural, Co. Westmeath

Sitting on the River Shannon in the lively town of Athlone is Sean’s Bar. Dating back to 900AD, Sean’s Bar is officially the oldest pub in Ireland (Guinness Book of Records research is ongoing into the title of “The Oldest Pub in the World” - watch this space!)

However, this proud title is not the only reason Sean’s Bar is worth a visit. Today, it is renowned for its buzzing atmosphere, genuine character and top class live traditional Irish music. It’s probably best to leave your car at your lodgings when planning your visit!

Leap Castle

Historical, Co. Offaly

From the world’s oldest pub to “the world’s most haunted castle”.

It is thought that Leap Castle dates back to the 1500s under the rule of the O’Carroll clan. During its renovation in the 1900s, many human skeletons were found amassed on wooden spikes at the bottom of a shaft. Some say that the O’Carroll’s would drop guests down the shaft to the spikes 8 feet below. Crikey!

Tours are provided by the owner of the castle himself, Sean Ryan, which makes for a splendid, personal and authentic experience.

South

Kinsale

Cultural, Co. Cork

From the yachts dotted across the harbour, to the vibrantly coloured Georgian and Victorian buildings, Kinsale is arguably the prettiest town in Ireland. It’s known today as a foodie’s paradise and marks one end of the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the most stunning road trips you could possibly encounter.

Check out our ultimate Wild Atlantic Way road trip itinerary.

The Rock of Cashel

Historical, Co. Tipperary

Round towers, a high cross, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey and more, the Rock of Cashel offers the most impressive collection of medieval buildings you’ll find in Ireland in one place. Legend also has it that St. Patrick came here to convert the King of Munster, King Aenghus to Christianity in the 5th century.

South West

Skellig Michael

Natural Beauty, Co Kerry

Sitting just over 11 km west of the Iveragh Peninsula in Co Kerry are the Skellig Islands. Made up of Skellig Michael and Small Skellig, this twin-pinnacled rocky silhouette has captivated onlookers for centuries. While the Skellig Islands were already world renowned for their archaeological and zoological significance, Skellig Michael’s starring role as Luke Skywalker’s island sanctuary in the Star Wars movies has caught the attention of a whole new generation of admirers.

Muckross House

Historical, Co. Kerry

Muckross House is a furnished 19th century mansion nestled in the stunning backdrop of Killarney National Park. Guided tours provide insight into how the Victorian “well-born” and their servants lived their lives. And if that’s not enough, you’ve got Killarney National Park to explore in the same stop! The horse and carriage ride around the park is a great way to explore the surroundings and soak up the local knowledge from your guide.

West

Cliffs of Moher

Natural Beauty, Co. Clare

Not far from the village of Liscannor, the Cliffs of Moher are not to be missed. Whether you observe them from standing on top or from the beautiful Blue Flag beaches below, such as Lahinch, White Strand or Spanish Point, the view is quite frankly, breathtaking.

The cliffs tower over the Atlantic Ocean and safe and accessible viewing points are open for visitors to marvel at their magnitude. They stretch about 14 km along the coast and their maximum height stands at just over 700 ft near a round stone tower called O’Brien’s Tower.

It’s no surprise that the Cliffs of Moher have attracted numerous film crews over the years and have featured in films such as The Princess Bride and Harry Potter.

The Aran Islands

Cultural Co. Galway

The Aran Islands sit in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Galway. They are known individually as Inis Mór (Inishmore – “Big island”), Inis Meáin (Inishman – “Middle island”) and Inis Oírr (Inisheer – “East island”).

Being so isolated, the Aran Islands have maintained a rich traditional Irish culture and heritage. They’re also famous for their rugged and wild landscapes, Irish speaking locals and the knitted Aran sweater

Visitors are not permitted to bring cars to the Aran Islands, which when you get there, only adds to their character. Instead, prepare to leave the car in Rossaveel (all year) or Doolin (seasonal) and take the passenger ferry. Journey times vary depending on where you sail from and to, but trips are generally short. For example Doolin to Inis Oírr takes about 25 minutes, while Doolin to Inis Mór takes about 1 hour 30 mins.

North West

Knocknarea

Natural Beauty, Co. Sligo

At 320 metres above sea level, Knocknarea doesn’t register on any lists of Ireland’s highest peaks. However, it is certainly one of the most majestic, with some people likening its appearance to the famous Ayers Rock in Australia.

On the flat summit you’ll find Queen Maeve’s Cairn, probably one of the best preserved neolithic monuments in Ireland. It has never been excavated.

This hike only takes about 1 hour to reach the summit and provides spectacular views over Sligo and Ballisodare Bay.

Glenveagh National Park

Natural Beauty, Co. Donegal

Majestic mountains, clear lakes, waterfalls, oak woods and a 19th century castle - every which way you look is a feast for the eyes at Glenveagh National Park! Bikes are available to hire in the park allowing you to take in as much of the 170 square kilometres as you can.

As you can see, finding things to do in Ireland is never a problem, but choosing which amazing places to visit might be! We hope this guide helps to point you in the right direction. And before you arrive, don’t forget to

CHECK OUT NEWWAY’S CARS FOR RENT FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT