Ireland is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. One of the top reasons people choose to travel and see it is that there are breathtaking landscapes everywhere you look. With a long history behind it, there’s also no shortage of cultural landscapes you can explore. And, of course, there’s the entertainment factor, as you get to experience the culture, cuisine, music and festival Ireland has to offer. It also doesn’t hurt that the Irish are very friendly, so you’ll feel safer when traveling. You might also want want to look into what is esim before heading out, so you can ensure you remain connected at all times.
If you’re thinking about giving Ireland a chance and having a trip there this year, here are some top destinations you must add to your itinerary.
Beautiful Cities
Dublin is naturally a must-see spot. As the capital, it is naturally vibrant and entertaining and offers plenty of opportunities to have fun and enjoy your free time. There’s always some event you can attend, such as a concert or an exhibition.
Just outside of Dublin, there are some stunning, small seaside towns you should see. Malahide, approximately nine kilometers to the north, is home to several sporting clubs, a beautiful beach, and a castle dating back to the 12th century. Dún Laoghaire, another seaside resort, is a place of significant importance for Irish culture, associated with the works of writers such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett. Killiney developed around an ancient church established in the 11th century and currently includes a hotel and a small shopping center. Since the early 2010s, locals have occasionally spotted bottlenose dolphins in Killiney Bay.
Cork has one of the best restaurant scenes in Ireland, owing to its numerous traditional foods and recipes, such as drisheen, tripe and crubeens. You can visit the English Market to have your pick between several varieties of artisanal foodstuffs and ingredients, such as bread and cheeses, as well as fresh fruits, veggies, seafood and meat products.
Kinsale, established in 1333, is known for its colorful architecture and old streets. In 2020, the Bastion restaurant located in the town won a Michelin star. There’s also an annual jazz festival in Kinsale, while pubs and restaurants host live blues and jazz concerts on the weekends. Celebrity cook Keith Floyd briefly lived in Kinsale during the mid-1990s. And if you enjoy festivals, then Galway is the place for you. There are over one hundred of them each year, as well as several other events.
So, whether you prefer an energetic holiday or are fine with something a little more slow-paced, an Irish city or town can provide you with the perfect holiday. Before setting out to travel to Ireland, visit Holafly to get unlimited data and a stable connection throughout your trip. You won’t have to worry about incessantly searching for WiFi, and you can keep in contact with friends and relatives back home at all times.
Pro tip: If you’re traveling to Ireland from oustide the EAA with your spouse who is Irish and you are not, you’ll need to obtain special permission to arrive in the country. Learn more in this article on obtaining a spouse visa in Ireland.
Sky Garden
Ireland is well-known for its vibrant mythology, and you can expect to see some truly magical things during your trip. The garden is actually a large piece of public art, on top of being a natural display. Located in Skibbereen, against the natural landscape of the Liss Ard, the Sky Garden is a truly magical place. Despite its modern style, it manages to keep its fairytale-like qualities intact.
The garden is shaped like a bowl, and there’s a stone pedestal set in the center, reminiscent of an altar. Due to the design, the viewer can take in both the green grass and the wide sky, creating a serene experience and an atmosphere reminiscent of ancient rites and spiritual rituals. At all times, there’s a connection between the ground and the sky, so if you’ve been looking for a spot that’ll allow you to quiet your mind and meditate for a few moments, you might have just found it.
Kilcoe Castle
One of Ireland’s most impressive spots is Kilcoe Castle, a 15th-century fortress that was purchased and restored by actor Jeremy Irons. The project took around six years, commencing in 1998. At the time, there was a bit of controversy regarding the castle’s color, as Irons opted for a terracotta limewash instead of the traditional stone gray. But since then, it seems most visitors have become accustomed to it.
Built during the 1450s, Kilcoe Castle has two adjoining towers and was one of the last to fall during the Tudor conquest of the Elizabethan era.
Pro Tip: If you could see yourself starting a company in Ireland after your visit, there are many nuances you’ll need and want to consider before incorporating. Key is finding a consulting firm that specializes in local and foreign investors, which can vary from company formation services to audit or tax advice.
Dunmore Cave
This impressive show cave is a fascinating spot, and not just for tourists and speleologists, but also for archaeologists and historians. That’s because Dunmore is mentioned in a 9th-century Irish poem where it is deemed one of the darkest places in the entire country. There’s more to that claim than the natural environment, as the cave was the site of a Viking massacre in 928. A 17th-century manuscript mentions that approximately 1,000 people lost their lives here. While human remains have been uncovered, their number is too small to justify the considerable number discussed in the chronicles.
Yet, the cave remains an interesting tourist attraction, and if you enjoy locations that are a little spooky, this is a must-see for you.
Skellig Michael
Monasteries have often been established on lofty peaks, with dramatic landscapes all around, and the Skellig Michael is no exception. This rocky, windswept and sea-beaten island is approximately eight miles from County Kerry, jutting up from the Atlantic Ocean and rising to 230 meters.
There are several legends surrounding the island’s importance since pagan times, but its better-known history began around the 7th century when a monastery was established close to the peak. There are several stone huts, a vegetable garden and an oratory. Incredibly well-preserved after so many centuries, you must climb 600 steps to reach the summit.
The monastery survived Viking incursions and endured until the 12th century when the monks moved towards the mainland. Not many visitors come to Skellig Michael due to its remoteness, so if you want to add quiet spirituality to your trip, this is the place for it.
Ireland is one of the best tourist spots in both Europe and the world. You won’t be disappointed if you choose to visit.