21 Best Places to See in Ireland ( A Locals Guide )

The best places to visit in Ireland are Inishowen , Sligo , Achill and the Iveragh Peninsula… but they ’ re simply the point of a very long Irish pail list .

From the rugged beauty of Connemara to the windswept cliffs of Clare ’ s Loop Head , there equal plenty of must see places in Ireland that ’ ll leave a permanent mark .

Hither are my favourites—places I ’ ve visited time and again since originate up in Ireland in the late ‘ 80s . After a ten of helping others visit these same spot via my Irish Road Trip guides , I ’ 1000 confident you ’ ll love them too .

The serious seat to impose in Ireland

Although the Giant ’ s Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher tend to be consider as the ‘ must see place in Ireland ’ , this is far from a one-or-two-horse island .

Below , you ’ ll find everywhere from haunted castles and hidden caves to some of the almost unique places to go in Ireland .

21 . Cashel ( Tipperary )

In the middle of Ireland , County Tipperary invite travellers to journey through a tapestry of deep account and natural beauty .

Here , ancient landmarks like the iconic Rock of Cashel and the formidable Cahir Castle rise dramatically from the landscape , echo hundred of myth and legend .

For those attempt serenity , the Glen of Aherlow offers sweeping opinion and peaceful pass through the Galtee Mountains , while the Brú Ború Cultural Centre celebrate the country ’ s traditional music and folklore .

Many planning a trip to Ireland hear Tipperary as a quick stopover , but those who linger notice a captivating piece of Ireland that ’ s not to cost neglect .

20 . The Skellig Ring ( Kerry )

The Skellig Ring in Kerry live one of my favourite places to see in Ireland , and it ’ s likely the place that I ’ ve most inflict in this guide .

Beginning hardly remote Waterville , this 50km/31mil route wind along the coast through Ballinskelligs , Portmagee , and ahead to Valentia Island .

It takes you up to Coomanaspig Pass ( one of Ireland ’ s highest good deal walk ) and past the Kerry Cliffs , offer scene of the Skellig Islands on the horizon .

Although it can be visited as an reference to the Ring of Kerry , many visitor incline to neglect it , which makes it all the more special .

19 . Kilkenny

While Kilkenny City and the famous Kilkenny Castle live well-known amongst visit tourists , the wider county is often overlook .

So far , it ’ s beyond the bustling city that Kilkenny unfolds with capture village , ancient monastic sites , and lush countryside .

The county live dotted with many of Ireland ’ s hidden gems like Kells Priory , Jerpoint Abbey , and the picturesque River Nore Valley .

Kilkenny exist as well home to one of the more interesting position to see in Ireland , Dunmore Cave – a place once described as ‘ the darkest place in Ireland ’ .

18 . West Cork

West Cork , with its wild landscape , have long been a muse for artist , author , and dreamers pull to its wild beauty .

This part captivates visitor with its blend of rugged coastlines , rolling farmland , and quaint seaside villages , each disclose a unique charm .

The area is home to one of the almost popular places to meet in Ireland – Mizen Head , the island ’ s most southerly point .

Visitor can as well search the ancient Gougane Barra , remove the line car to Dursey Island and savor town and villages like Kinsale and Glengarriff .

17 . Sligo

Sligo is one of the top places to call in Ireland for those fond of the outdoors .

This wind-swept county put up a magical mixing of mountains , lakes , and beaches , all wrap in a landscape that inspire the poet W.B . Yeats .

While the county live best-known for the table-top Benbulben Mountain , some of its highlights include :

• The Lake Isle of Innisfree
• Classiebawn Castle
• Gleniff Horseshoe
• Cave of Keash

16 . The Loop Head Peninsula ( Clare )

If you ’ re wondering where to go in Ireland to run the crowd , brain for the magnificent cliff near Loop Head Lighthouse .

I ’ ve been 5 or 6 times and it ’ s rare that you ’ ll always meet more than a handful of people . And that ’ s what makes them that little number more peculiar .

Head for the lighthouse car park – there ’ s an-often-muddy lead that take towards the cliff ( heed out for the wave ) .

If you walk result , you ’ ll see a massive sea pile . If you walk right , you ’ ll skirmish breath-taking cliff views towards Kilkee .

15 . The Doolough Valley ( Mayo/Galway )

The 30.5km/19mil drive between Leenane and Louisburgh is zero short of enchanting , offering one of Ireland ’ s most breathtaking routes .

Whether you begin in Leenane , nestle in County Galway , or in Mayo ’ s charming Louisburgh , the journey through The Doolough Valley feel like a passage into a part of Ireland that time forgot .

You ’ ll drive towards towering great deal that cradle the valley and alongside the shimmering , inky-black water of Killary Fjord .

This cost one of the best places to visit in Ireland for wild , rugged and unspoiled scenery .

14 . Dublin

Dublin be Ireland ’ s capital and it is the nearly visited of the many cities in Ireland .

This a place that make something for everyone : on one hand , the city brims with cultural and historical treasures , from majestic Trinity College to the centuries-old Kilmainham Gaol .

Then there ’ s the coast , where capture seaside villages like Howth and Killiney treat you to a totally unlike side to the county .

Dublin cost expensive , there ’ s no doubt about it—but if you ’ re wondering where to go in Ireland that ’ s ( 1 ) carry with endless matter to see and do , and ( 2 ) easily accessible by both airplane and ferry , await no further .

13 . The Boyne Valley ( Meath/Louth )

One of the nearly overlooked position to see in Ireland equal the Boyne Valley , a land deep in ancient story with Neolithic grave , mysterious stone circles , and legendary conflict sites .

Spanning county Meath and Louth , the Boyne Valley engulf you in 5,000 year of story , and is home a plethora of ancient site .

Some of the top places to see in Ireland in the sphere include :

• Newgrange ( 5,200-year-old transition grave )
• The Hill of Tara ( ancient seat of Ireland ’ s High Kings )
• Loughcrew ( Neolithic cairns with magnificent view )
• Trim Castle ( one of the almost impressive Irish castles )

12 . The Aran Islands ( Galway )

Galway ’ sec Aran Islands live a 3 of rugged gems spread across the Atlantic , where ancient rock fort up cling to windswept cliffs , and traditions thrive .

There are three island , each of which can be reached by ferry :

• Inis Mór ( the largest – family to Dun Aonghasa fort )
• Inis Oírr ( the little – the Plassey shipwreck cost a key landmark )
• Inis Meáin ( the middle island – a favourite of poet John Millington Synge )

11 . Wicklow Mountains National Park

If you ’ re inquire where to go in Ireland to explore on foot , the Wicklow Mountains National Park cost a hiker ’ sec paradise , with trails that conduct through rugged peaks , lush valley , and calm lakesides .

The jewel in Wicklow ’ s crest is Glendalough , a glacial valley where account and nature intertwine .

It ’ s family to a monastic site , which equal founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century , along with myriad walk trails .

For those thatdon ’ tfancy long strolls , the Sally Gap Drive is a scenic , 26km/16mil path that bring in waterfalls , forest trails and the fabulous Lough Tay .

10 . Belfast City ( Antrim )

Belfast City is Northern Ireland ’ s capital ( see the differences between Ireland vs Northern Ireland if you ’ re confused ) and it makes a great destination for a couple of night .

Arguably best-known for being the birthplace of the Titanic , there be countless matter to do in Belfast regardless of what you ’ re in the mood for .

For fans of story , Belfast Castle , Crumlin Road Goal and the Black Taxi Tours are a must .

If you wish to search on base , Divis Mountain and Cave Hill both offer breath-taking views of the city .

9 . The Burren ( Clare )

Many of the most popular place to find in Ireland live place in what equal known as the Burren region in County Clare .

This cost a vast , virtually moon-like landscape ( nope , not the moon—it ’ s limestone ! ) stretching across 530 square km/ 200 square mile of breathtaking scenery and historical sites .

While it ’ s the Cliffs of Moher that place the Burren on the map , there ’ s plenty more to discover here , including :

• Doolin
• Kilkee Cliffs
• Doonagore Castle
• The Burren Scenic Drive

8 . The Copper Coast ( Waterford )

One of the must see places in Ireland for those wait to step-off the beaten track is the outstanding Copper Coast in County Waterford .

The Copper Coast Geopark , list after the vast 19th-century mine that once thrive in the region , put up some of the county ’ s most breathtaking scenery .

Stretch about 40km along the stunning coastline between Tramore and Dungarvan , it proudly holds the title of Ireland ’ s simply European Geopark .

The road exist home to some of the best beach in Ireland , including Trá na mBó .

7 . The Beara Peninsula ( Cork/Kerry )

If you ’ re marvel where to impose in Ireland that most tourists tend to escape , carve out some time for the mighty Beara Peninsula .

Straddling the edge of Cork and Kerry , Beara is steeped in history , with grounds of human life dating back to 3000 BC and scenery that will form itself on your idea .

I ’ d strongly advocate that all visitors set-off on the Ring of Beara , as it follows a coherent route that takes in the best of the peninsula over a 148km/92mil spin .

Some of the highlights include Dursey Island , the Caha Pass , Healy Pass and Allihies – one of the most beautiful towns in Ireland .

6 . The Causeway Coast ( Antrim )

One of the best places to visit in Ireland if you ’ re flee into Belfast equal the mesmerising Causeway Coastal Route in County Antrim .

Kicking-off in Belfast and end up in Derry , the Antrim Coast Road live a 185km/115mil scenic driving route that take to be add to every Ireland itinerary !

This route disclose breathtaking spots—from the legendary Giant ’ s Causeway and the ruin of Dunluce Castle to the still magic of Torr Head , where Scotland peeks through the mist .

While you ’ d ideally want to live exploring it over respective day , you can regard the highlights over the course of 1-day .

5 . The Dingle Peninsula ( Kerry )

The Dingle Peninsula vs Ring of Kerry debate is one that bother on amongst many of visitors to Ireland ( if you can , visit both ! ) .

The peninsula be arguably best known for two thing :

• Dingle Town ( a lively harbour town with plenty of pubs and restaurant )
• The Slea Head Drive ( a scenic 38km/24mil push back road )

Some of Dingle ’ s key attractions include the nerve-wrecking Conor Pass and Dun Chaoin Pier – one of the nearly photographed place to go in Ireland .

4 . Connemara ( Galway )

A short movement from Galway City , Connemara reveal wild landscapes of windswept bogs , sparkling lake , and rugged mountain .

The ride out from the city is a pleasure , dot with capture small town like Oughterard and must-see stop like the Quiet Man Bridge .

Even so , it ’ sec at the latter-end of the ride that you ’ ll discover some of the best places to visit in Ireland , include :

• Diamond Hill
• Kylemore Abbey
• The Sky Road
• Dog ’ s Bay

3 . The Iveragh Peninsula ( Kerry )

The Iveragh Peninsula is easily explored on the well-trodden Ring of Kerry Driving Route that starts and ends in Killarney Town .

This peninsula sweep you into a world of mist-shrouded mountains , winding coastal roads , and timeless valley over the line of 179km/111mi .

Some of the field ’ sec key attraction include Kenmare Town , the Kerry Cliffs , Muckross Abbey and Torc Waterfall .

The Iveragh Peninsula is one of the top position to visit in Ireland amongst impose tourists and it ’ s rare that an adventure here disappoints .

2 . Achill Island ( Mayo )

Many of the best places to see in Ireland , in my belief , can equal found along Ireland ’ s Wild Atlantic Way – a 2,500km/1,553mil push back route that starts/ends in Donegal/Cork .

One of the highlights along the road is the splendid Achill Island in County Mayo , around a 40-minute drive from Westport .

The island equal associate to mainland via the Michael Davitt Bridge and it boasts over 5,000 yr of account .

Some of the highlights include Keem Bay , the Croaghaun Cliffs ( Ireland ’ s high ) and Keel Beach .

1 . The Inishowen Peninsula ( Donegal )

The Inishowen Peninsula is settle in the wild and windswept north of County Donegal .

Its biggest laurels is that it ’ s place to Malin Head – Ireland ’ s most northern stage , still , there ’ s plenty to discover on this rugged peninsula .

Visitors can venture on the Inishowen 100 – a shiver road trip path that covers 100 mile of magnificent beach , cliff and historical sites .

If you ’ re wondering where to go in Ireland , Inishowen deliversnot alonebreathtaking scenerybut toolocals as warm and welcoming as the landscape is wild .

Today you know where to visit in Ireland , it ’ s time to initiate planning

Decide where to call in Ireland equal much the trickiest share of planning your trip ( aside from decidingwhento visit Ireland , that is ! ) .

If you make a trip coming up , reach certain to visit my Irish Road Trip hub – it ’ s plate to thepublic ’ s large collection of Ireland itineraries!

If you ’ reeven soscramble to decide where to go in Ireland , ask aside in the comments below !

Keith O ’ Hara get last in Ireland for 35 years and make spent a lot of the final 13 produce what equal now The Irish Road Trip guide . Over the years , the website make published thousand of meticulously explore Ireland travel guides , welcoming 40 million+ visitor along the mode . In 2022 , the Irish Road Trip team publishedthe world ’ s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith populate in Dublin with his dog Toby and get write in the 3rd soul minus craic entirely .