The Best Irish Attractions to Discover This Year

There’s something absolutely magical about planning your holidays for the upcoming year. That sense of possibility, of adventures waiting to unfold, of places calling your name from across the Atlantic. 

If Ireland has been whispering to you from your travel dreams, we think this might just be the year to finally answer that call. In our books, there is no better time than now to start planning and scheming for all the adventures that await you.

Spanning the length and breadth of the country, we’ve considered our top picks for the next twelve months. We’ve traveled every winding road, climbed every ancient stone step, and shared countless cups of tea with locals in every corner of this remarkable island, all to bring you this carefully curated list. 

These aren’t just tourist attractions. They’re doorways into the soul of Ireland, each one offering its own unique story, its own moment of wonder, and its own reason to fall completely in love with the Emerald Isle.

Ready to start that bucket list? These are the best Irish attractions to discover this year.

10. Newgrange, County Meath

To kick off our list of the best Irish attractions, we have Newgrange. Located in Donore, County Meath, this ancient Celtic burial site is not only the most impressive in Ireland, but one of the most magnificent found the world over.

Newgrange is part of Brú na Bóinne, or the Boyne Valley tombs. As the most impressive, it dates back to the Neolithic period, around 3200 BC. 

The massive circular mound rises before you like something from a fairy tale, its white quartz facade gleaming in the Irish light, and you’re about to step inside a chamber that has been welcoming visitors for over 5,000 years. It’s older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and has been preserved in stunning condition for all to see.

But here’s what makes Newgrange truly extraordinary: every winter solstice, for just 17 precious minutes, a narrow beam of sunlight penetrates the specially constructed roof box and illuminates the inner chamber. Our Neolithic ancestors designed this astronomical marvel with such precision that it still works perfectly today, over five millennia later. 

Guided tours bring the site to life with stories of the people who built it, the art they carved into its stones, and the mysteries that still puzzle archaeologists today. The nearby visitor center provides fascinating context about the broader Boyne Valley complex, including the sister sites of Knowth and Dowth.

9. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, County Antrim

For those who like to take a walk on the wild side, this is a thrilling Irish attraction for you. Located in Northern Ireland, along the coast of County Antrim, is Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

There’s something both terrifying and exhilarating about standing at the edge of the mainland cliffs, looking across at this swaying rope bridge that connects you to a tiny rocky island. Your heart might be racing, but this is one of those experiences that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear once you’ve conquered your fears.

Swinging above perilous waters that crash against the cliffs below, a walk across this unique rope bridge is certainly not for the faint of heart. The bridge stretches 20 metres from side to side and stands 30 metres above the Atlantic Ocean.

Originally built by salmon fishermen over 350 years ago to check their nets, today’s bridge is completely safe and sturdy. The key is to not look down (easier said than done) and focus on the incredible views of Rathlin Island and, on clear days, the Scottish coast.

Keep your eyes peeled for seabirds, including razorbills, guillemots, and, if you’re very fortunate, puffins during their breeding season. The island on the other side, once you’ve made your crossing, offers a moment of peaceful triumph and some of the finest coastal views in Northern Ireland.

8. Guinness Storehouse, County Dublin

Another one of our best Irish attractions to discover this year is the Guinness Storehouse at St. James’s Gate in County Dublin. This iconic landmark has evolved into one of the Emerald Isle’s most exciting interactive visitor exhibitions.

Even if you’re not much of a beer drinker, there’s something absolutely fascinating about stepping inside the home of Ireland’s most famous export. Even the building itself is impressive; a stunning seven-story conversion of the old fermentation plant, designed in the shape of a giant pint glass.

The experience takes you on a journey through over 250 years of brewing history, from Arthur Guinness’s original lease to the modern global phenomenon. You’ll discover the secret behind the perfect cascade effect, learn about the advertising campaigns that made Guinness a cultural icon, and maybe even try your hand at pulling the perfect pint.

But the real showstopper is the Gravity Bar on the seventh floor. This circular glass-walled space offers 360-degree views over Dublin, and your entry ticket includes a complimentary pint to enjoy while you take in the panorama.

So, whether you’re keen to learn more about ‘the black stuff’, crave a bird’s eye view over the capital or want to learn how to pour the perfect pint, this is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Ireland.

7. The Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim

No trip around Ireland would be complete without a visit to the world-renowned natural wonder, the Giant’s Causeway. This landmass has been much-loved by locals and visitors for generations due to the unique rock formations that drift from land to sea, and is an absolutely iconic tourist attraction in Ireland.

The perfectly formed hexagonal basalt columns, some reaching up to 12 meters high, create a geological masterpiece that seems almost too perfect to be natural. Yet here they are, formed by volcanic activity around 60 million years ago, creating what UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage Site.

According to Irish legend, the Irish giant Finn McCool built a causeway across the sea to challenge his Scottish rival, Benandonner. When he saw how massive his opponent was, Finn fled home, where his clever wife Oonagh disguised him as a baby. 

When Benandonner saw the “baby,” he imagined how huge the father must be and fled back to Scotland, destroying the causeway behind him. The Giant’s Causeway is what remains on the Irish side, with similar formations on Scotland’s Isle of Staffa representing the Scottish remnants.

Beyond the main causeway, the area offers spectacular cliff walks, hidden coves, and the chance to spot seabirds, seals, and perhaps dolphins in the surrounding waters. The visitor center also provides excellent context about both the geology and the folklore of the area.

6. Dingle, County Kerry

At Irish Experience Tours, one of our favourite places to bring travellers is to the quaint fishing village of Dingle in County Kerry. Arguably one of the most authentic places across the Emerald Isle, this town has stolen the hearts of many travellers and locals thanks to its hidden gem status.

Maybe it’s the way traditional Irish music drifts from colorful pub doorways into the salt-tinged evening air, or how conversations with locals feel like you’re being welcomed into an extended family rather than just passing through as a tourist. The Dingle Peninsula, or An Daingean as it’s known in Irish, is also one of the few places in Ireland where you’ll hear Irish spoken as a living language in everyday conversation.

Today, it is a busy destination during the summer months, as more and more people have discovered it as an Irish attraction. Catch it on a quiet weekend in spring or autumn though, and you’ll see its true beauty really shine.

5. Kinsale, County Cork

Walking through the town of Kinsale feels like stepping into a watercolor painting where every building seems to be competing for the title of ‘most charming’. The narrow medieval streets wind their way down to one of Ireland’s most picturesque harbors, where colorful fishing boats bob alongside sleek yachts, creating a scene that has appeared on countless postcards and Instagram feeds.

Kinsale is another attraction in Ireland that continues to woo guests on their first visit. Painted shopfronts and higgledy-piggledy streets that are lined with gourmet food shops, local crafts and artisan producers make this one of the most engaging destinations on a trip around Ireland, particularly for foodies!

This town is, in fact, known to be one of Ireland’s biggest food destinations, with annual fairs and Michelin-starred restaurants to dine at. Kinsale was actually the first town in Ireland to be designated as a “Good Food Circle,” and that reputation has only grown stronger over the decades. 

You’ll find everything from cozy pubs serving the best fish and chips you’ve ever tasted to sophisticated restaurants where internationally trained chefs showcase local ingredients in innovative ways. In October, the annual Kinsale Gourmet Festival transforms the entire town into a celebration of Irish food and drink, with cooking demonstrations, tastings, and special menus in restaurants throughout the area.

4. The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

The Cliffs of Moher are undeniably one of Ireland’s biggest claims to fame, along with our rolling green pastures, trad music, pints of Guinness, and warm hospitality, of course. These aren’t just cliffs; they’re a statement from nature about the raw, untamed beauty that defines Ireland’s wild Atlantic coast.

Stretching along the west coast of Ireland, these impressive cliffs are bound to take your breath away. Standing at the edge, with the Atlantic Ocean stretching endlessly toward the horizon and seabirds wheeling through the salty air below, you’ll understand why they have become the most visited natural attraction in Ireland. 

On clear days, you can see the Aran Islands floating like green jewels in Galway Bay, and beyond them, the mountains of Connemara create a misty backdrop. When Atlantic storms roll in, the cliffs become a theater for nature’s most dramatic performances, with waves crashing against the rocks hundreds of feet below and spray shooting skyward in magnificent displays.

Rising to heights of over 200 meters and stretching for 14 kilometers along the Clare coastline, the Cliffs of Moher offer different moods depending on the weather, the season, and the time of day you visit. Opt for off-peak seasons to truly get away from the crowds and get that wow factor.

3. Glendalough, County Wicklow

The moment you first glimpse Glendalough, or the ‘Valley of Two Lakes’, you’ll understand why early Christian monks chose this stunning glacial valley as their spiritual retreat. Wicklow Mountains National Park is home to some of the most dynamic displays of wild beauty in Ireland, and Glendalough has to be one of its most amazing.

There’s something deeply peaceful about this Irish attraction, where ancient stone buildings reflect in dark mountain lakes and walking trails disappear into mysterious woodland shadows. St. Kevin founded his monastery here in the 6th century, seeking solitude and spiritual connection with nature. What he created became one of Europe’s great centers of learning, attracting scholars and pilgrims from across the continent. 

The 6th-century Medieval village still stands today and offers unique insight into Ireland’s Celtic past. Today, you can explore the remarkably well-preserved remains of this monastic city, including churches, a round tower, and Celtic crosses that have weathered over a millennium of Irish weather.

Not to mention, Glendalough is surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery you’re likely to come across during your Irish adventures. The two lakes are surrounded by dramatic mountain peaks and native oak forests that burst into spectacular color during autumn, and hiking trails reward you with panoramic views across the Wicklow Mountains.

Don’t miss the visitor center, which provides excellent context about monastic life and the valley’s natural history, or the chance to climb the round tower for incredible views over the entire valley.

2. Skellig Michael, County Kerry

Another one of our best Irish attractions to discover this year has got to be Skellig Michael in County Kerry. While Star Wars fans will naturally rejoice (it being one of its filming locations and all), this rock mass in the Atlantic Ocean is bound to blow your socks off regardless.

Long before Luke Skywalker sought refuge on this dramatic rocky island, Skellig Michael was capturing imaginations and inspiring awe. Rising like a pyramid from the wild Atlantic waters, this UNESCO World Heritage site represents one of humanity’s most extraordinary achievements in remote construction and spiritual dedication.

Located 12 km off the coast of Kerry, the well-preserved ruins of an ancient Christian monastery still stand on Skellig Michael today. The monks who lived here between the 6th and 12th centuries created a self-sufficient community on what seems like an impossible perch above the Atlantic.

The boat journey to Skellig Michael is an adventure in itself, weather permitting. As you approach the island, you’ll begin to understand the incredible dedication it took for monks to not only reach this remote outcrop but to build a thriving monastery on its steep slopes.

The 1,400-year-old beehive huts, or clochans, dotted around the island are architectural marvels built without mortar from carefully fitted stones. The 600+ stone steps carved into the rock face lead you up to the monastery, passing stone crosses and ancient walls that have withstood centuries of Atlantic storms.

1. Killarney National Park, County Kerry

No list of the best Irish attractions would be complete without including the one and only Killarney National Park. Located along the Ring of Kerry, this national park is one of Ireland’s most majestic places to visit.

This is Ireland in all its glory: pristine lakes that mirror ancient mountains, native oakwoods that shelter red deer herds, waterfalls that tumble down moss-covered rocks, and landscapes that shift from gentle pastoral scenes to dramatic mountain wilderness within a few kilometers. Blooming with stunning natural sights and exciting things to do, Killarney National Park is more so a destination as opposed to an attraction.

The three Lakes of Killarney form the heart of this 26,000-acre wonderland. Each has its own character: Lough Lein with its ancient castle ruins and island monastery, Muckross Lake with its deep blue waters and surrounding mountains, and Upper Lake tucked away in the wilderness like a secret.

Kayak in placid lakes, hike to waterfalls, and enjoy views and vistas over the rolling landscape. For the more adventurous, the Kerry Way long-distance walking route passes through the park, offering challenging mountain hikes with rewards that include some of the most spectacular views in Ireland.

Take a traditional jaunting car ride through the Gap of Dunloe, where local horsemen share stories passed down through generations. Explore Muckross House and Gardens, a magnificent Victorian mansion that provides insights into 19th-century Irish life, both above and below stairs.

The park is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, as Ireland’s only native herd of red deer roams freely through the oak forests. We promise you, this will be an experience to remember!

Discover Ireland on a Small Group Tour

The beauty of these incredible Irish attractions is that they’re not just destinations to visit. They’re also stories waiting to be shared, experiences waiting to transform you, and memories waiting to be made.

Our small group tours are designed for curious travelers who want to go beyond the surface, who appreciate having someone else handle the logistics while you focus on soaking in the magic, and who love the camaraderie that comes from sharing incredible experiences with fellow adventurers. Find out more about our tours of Ireland from Dublin, or discover a different experience with our specialist private tours of Ireland.

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