Things to Do in Ireland

Ireland is small, green and disproportionately dramatic at the edges: a 2,500-kilometre Atlantic coastline of cliffs, peninsulas and islands, with cities that punch far above their size for music and conversation.

Distances are short — you can cross the country in a few hours — which makes weekends unusually productive.

The best things to do in Ireland

1. The Cliffs of Moher

Two hundred metres of sheer rock face dropping into the Atlantic in County Clare, and Ireland’s most visited natural attraction. Go early or late to avoid the coach parties, and walk the coastal path towards Hag’s Head for the same views with far fewer people.

2. The Wild Atlantic Way

The signed route running the entire west coast. Highlights include the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula with Slea Head’s beaches, and the Sky Road above Clifden. Not something to complete — pick a section and drive it slowly.

3. Dublin

Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse with its rooftop bar over the city, Kilmainham Gaol for the story of Irish independence, and the National Museum. Then a traditional music session in a pub in the evening — the Cobblestone in Smithfield is the real thing.

4. Connemara and Galway

Galway is the most enjoyable small city in Ireland: buskers on Shop Street, seafood and a big student population. West of it, Connemara is bog, mountain and lake, with Kylemore Abbey on its lakeshore and the Twelve Bens for walking.

5. Giant’s Causeway and the north

Forty thousand interlocking basalt columns on the Antrim coast, alongside the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the Dark Hedges. Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and its political murals are worth a day.

6. The islands

The Aran Islands off Galway, where Irish is still the daily language and the Iron Age fort of Dún Aonghasa sits on a cliff edge. Skellig Michael off Kerry — a monastery on a jagged rock in the Atlantic — is spectacular but weather-dependent.

When to visit Ireland

May to September has the longest days and the best chance of dry weather — in June it stays light until nearly eleven. Rain is possible in any month, so pack for it and do not let it change plans. Winter is dark and wet but the west coast is wild and empty, and the pubs are at their best.

Getting around

Public transport connects the cities well, but the west coast rewards a car — many of the best places are not on a bus route. Trains run from Dublin to Galway, Cork and Belfast; Bus Éireann covers the rest. Remember driving is on the left, and rural roads are narrow.

Seeing Ireland as a volunteer

Ireland is compact enough that most of this list is a weekend away from anywhere. Our Ireland placements are based in various locations, include accommodation, meals, airport pickup and 24/7 in-country support, and leave evenings and weekends free — which is exactly when most of this list gets ticked off. See volunteer programs in Ireland for live prices and dates, or read our complete guide to volunteering in Ireland for costs, visas and safety.

Ireland travel FAQs

What is the weather really like in Ireland?

Mild and changeable — rarely very hot or very cold, but rain can arrive at any time of year. Layers and a waterproof matter more than a season. Locals genuinely do not let it stop anything.

Do I need a car in Ireland?

For the cities, no. For the Wild Atlantic Way and Connemara, a car makes an enormous difference — public transport is thin outside the main routes. Organised day tours are a good alternative.

Is Ireland expensive?

Dublin is expensive by European standards, particularly accommodation. Outside the capital, costs fall noticeably, and your placement covers accommodation and meals.

Can I visit Northern Ireland too?

Yes — the border is open and unmarked, and Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway are an easy trip from Dublin. Note it uses pounds sterling rather than euro.

Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)