Things to Do in Ireland

Visit Ireland: The Emerald Isle

Ireland has long retained this nickname and for good reason! This lush green, extremely beautiful country is a sight for nature lovers and incredibly beautiful. Rolling hills and bushy lands, Ireland has lakes, rivers, cliffs and no shortage of historical attractions.

Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you will never fall short of things to do in Ireland if you ever come here. As you research, prep and get ready for this trip, don't forget to add Ireland travel insurance to your to-do list! It'll keep you safe from a lot of dangers that can come anybody's way!

Ireland Travel Facts

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Most Popular Things to Do in Ireland

Ireland has plenty of awe-inspiring sceneries, thrilling recreational activities, and a blend of modern and mediaeval European architecture. So if you are wondering about how’d you list all the things to do in Ireland, then you should consider these:

1. Take a Hiking Trip to the Stunning Moher Cliffs

   There are almost vertical 200+ foot high cliffs located on the edges of Ireland, overseeing the vast Atlantic Ocean. These cliffs are more than 8 kilometres wide and offer several viewpoints from where one could stare into the vast expanse of ocean below.

   Although most of such viewpoints are quite accessible by vehicle, some points can only be reached through hiking the cliffs. This is a perfect thing to do in Ireland for people looking for some more thrill and adventure.

2. Go for a Boat Cruise Along the River Shannon

   Shannon is the longest and the most beautiful river in Ireland. It flows through the most densely populated as well as the most sparsely populated parts of Ireland. Several boat cruises are available to explore this ancient waterway.

   These boat cruises can easily be over 500+ km and last 2-3 days in total. However, tourists can also take cruises as short as just 20-50km if they want. The most mesmerising cruise to venture out for is in between Portumna to Carrick. If you’re a couple looking for things to do in Ireland, make sure to go for this.

3. Visit the Mediaeval Irish Castles

   The British Isles were the epicentre of mediaeval castle architecture in Europe after Italy. Ireland has multiple castles open for tourists to visit. King John's is the most easily accessible castle if one has opted for the Shannon River Boat Cruise. An abode to the King John of England, the castle is very beautifully constructed with lush gardens surrounding it and large, even by the standards of the mediaeval castles.

   For those seeking a foray into the Irish Legends and Folklores, head for Blarney Castle, where the legendary Blarney Stone is kept, which is famous for granting wishes. Similarly, one can also head to the Rock of Cashel, a mediaeval castle that is said to be associated with the Devil itself.

4. Hike to the Carrauntoohil

   Famously called the rooftop of Ireland, Carrauntoohil is the highest mountain in Ireland. The mountain has the famous Eagle’s Nest point from where almost half of the peninsula can be seen.

   It will easily take 6 to 7 hours to reach the top if you go through the most direct route, the Devil’s Ladder. The mountain is as thrilling as it is dangerous since it contains several narrow gullies, sharp edges, and loose stones prone to land sliding.

5. Visit the Stunning Dingle Peninsula

   Arguably one of the most untouched and beautiful parts of Ireland, Dingle Peninsula lies at the westernmost point of Europe and Ireland. Like Moher Cliffs, the region is mostly a large wall overseeing the vast Atlantic Ocean.

   Unlike Moher Cliffs, the region also hosts remains of ancient human settlements such as the Dry Stone huts of the Glanfathan and the ancient stone fort of Ballywiheen. You can’t miss this place if you’re fond of wildlife and stunning scenery.

   You can easily drive to this place thanks to the Wild Atlantic Way, the 1700-mile route of which the Dingle Peninsula is a part.

6. Spend a Night in Dublin Castle

   Dublin castle is where the Presidential inaugurations take place. One of the most ancient castles of Ireland, built in the 1200s, the castle is a work of fine masonry and décor, especially in the Chapel Royal.

   If you desire to spend a night or two living in a castle rather than just visiting it during the daytime, they should head to the County Cong and book a suite at the Ashford castle.

Best Things to Do in Ireland for Foodies

Ireland has a significantly distinct cuisine from the rest of Europe. The country is very famous for many dishes and especially its liquors. Home to some of the oldest distilleries in the world and perhaps the tastiest alcoholic beverages, here are some things to do in Ireland if you’re in love with food:

1. Visit the Guinness Draught Brewery

   You have to try the world-famous Guinness Beer on visiting Ireland if you’re fond of beers. Known for being one of the best beers in the world and the best Irish dry Stout, Guinness offers a taste unparalleled by any other similar beer.

   The best part is that they are available in every bar across Ireland. So no need to visit a specific part of Ireland and no need to visit a brewery for supplies; locate a nice bar nearby and enjoy a pint of Guinness.

2. Try Irish Red Beer

   Playing second fiddle to the Guinness Draught Beer is Murphy's Irish Red Beer. This beer is only locally available in Ireland and nowhere else, so it makes sense to try it out while visiting Ireland. Don’t forget to try some Soda Bread with it. Irish Soda Bread is a dish native to Ireland, and this fact reflects in the hundreds of different varieties of Soda Bread available in Irish Bakeries.

3. Have some Irish Stew

   This pot-filled dish consists of mutton/lamb meat, potatoes, and onions. The ingredients are simple enough, but the result is a tasty dish to keep oneself warm and energetic in the cold Irish weather. Make sure to have it if you are visiting during winter!

Planning Your Ireland Itinerary

Once you’ve cleared things like the best time to visit Ireland or apply for a suitable Irish visa, get ready to brainstorm over your Thailand itinerary. Here are some of the most important steps of your itinerary before you prepare your list of things to do in Ireland:

Step 1: Plan Your Ireland Journey: How to Reach Ireland?

By Air: Catching a flight is the quickest and most preferred way to reach Ireland from India. Though there are no direct flights for Ireland from India, you can get a flight with a layover in Dubai or a European country. The shortest flight including the layover will be around 13 hours.

By Sea: If you are up for a long sea voyage, reaching Ireland on a cruise will be a stunning experience! However, there are no direct cruises available from India to Ireland. Indians can also take a ferry to Dublin if they're in France or Great Britain.

Step 2: Buy Ireland Travel Insurance

The things to do in Ireland are endless, and so are the chances of going something wrong. It could be a sudden tumble while trekking through the Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail or unfortunate news back home that may force you to leave Ireland. With travel insurance policy, at least you’d be able to save the financial heartache that comes with such emergencies.

Your travel insurance for Ireland will come with many benefits like coverage for passport loss, delay or cancellation of flights, personal accident, emergency cashless hospitalisation, legal liabilities and more.

Step 3: Pack for Ireland: Travel Trips

Visiting a foreign land and culture is never easy. Here are a few tips that you should be mindful of while visiting Ireland:

• First things first- Do not confuse Northern Island and Island! Although you can visit both if you're travelling on a British and Irish visa scheme (BIVS), the currencies used in both these countries are different and you’d need to be ready for that!
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast and pack for all seasons as Ireland sees unpredictable weather.
• If you plan to drive here, remember they drive on the left side of the road! You'll also need an international driving permit to drive in Ireland.
• If you plan to explore rural areas and smaller towns, make sure to get all your shopping done before Sundays. Sundays are usually closed in these areas.
• As much as you love Irish whiskey, drinking in public areas like public parks, beaches or any other public area will fetch a huge fine or even imprisonment.
• If you're into historical attractions, buy a heritage card which will let you visit around 70 heritage sites all over Ireland.

Lastly, don’t forget to buy the right international travel insurance for Ireland before coming here. It’s the ultimate safeguard against any crisis that may cost you more than you can afford to.