IRELAND: Best Things to Do There

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Ireland is without a doubt one of Europe's most fascinating travel destinations. It's a country with a rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty.

And no matter what you do on your Ireland vacation, every destination you visit will enchant, surprise, and inspire the curious traveller. Because there is so much to see and do on this wonderful Celtic island, a visit will be well worth it.

On the one hand, there are bustling cities to visit, each of which represents all that is urban and loud. cosmopolitan destinations such as Dublin, Cork, and Galway will delight shoppers, foodies, and arts and culture enthusiasts.

Steering off the beaten path, on the other hand, will lead to stretches of desolate grasslands dotted with glacial lakes, breathtaking sea cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, and ancient castles overlooking great scenery for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

With so much to see and do in Ireland, it can be difficult to decide where to go on vacation. So, if you're not sure where to begin, here are some of the best things to do in Ireland.

County Clare's Cliffs of Moher

A trip to the Moher Cliffs is a must-do on any trip to Ireland for sightseeing.

The 8-kilometer hike to the top will take you to an elevation of 200 feet, and at some points along the way, you'll get to experience the thrill of standing just inches from edges that will plunge you into the ocean if you're not careful!

O'Brien's Tower, just a short distance from Doolin village, is the highest point on the Moher Cliffs.

On a clear day, visitors can see the Loop Heads to the south, as well as the Aran Islands, Maumturks, and County Galway's Twelve Pins mountain ranges.

National Park Killarney

Killarney National Park is one of the best places to commune with nature while touring Ireland.

This is the only place where you can see red deer in the wild, gazing peacefully. The 100,000-hectare park is also home to 141 bird species, and anglers will be pleased to learn that trout, salmon, and perch thrive in the glacial Lower Lake (or Lough Leane).

You'll be rewarded with views of distant mountain ranges, lush moorlands, parks, gardens, and rumbling waterways as you walk through the park.

Visit the Ring of Kerry for some of Ireland's most beautiful scenery. Torc Waterfall, Roos Castle, Ogham Stones, Gap of Dunloe, and the Stone Pillars are some of the highlights along this route. The area around Iveragn Peninsula, in particular, has some breathtaking scenery that stretches for 170 kilometres.

Catch a Game of Gaelic Football or Hurling

While the Irish enjoy a variety of sports, Hurling and Gaelic Football are perhaps the most distinctive.

Hurling is the world's fastest grass-based field sport. It's similar to field hockey, but with a few differences.

Gaelic Football, on the other hand, can be loosely described as a cross between soccer and rugby.

During the summer, you can watch live matches of these unique Irish outdoor team sports.

The All-Hurling Final takes place on the first Sunday of September, while the All-Ireland Football Final takes place on the third Sunday of the same month.

Take a cruise down the Shannon River

The first item on this list is a boat ride along the River Shannon, which no explorer should miss. The River Shannon is the island's longest river, snaking its way from the Cuilcagh Mountain slopes all the way down to Limerick City, where it meets the sea.

The most navigable sections are from Limerick to Northern Ireland's Lower Lough Erne.

A boating cruise on the Shannon is one of the most relaxing things you can do.

The beautiful scenery along the 500 kilometres of waterway will be the highlight of your trip.

The most popular routes are from Portumna to Carrick, where boats of various sizes can be rented. Many more hidden gems can be found further north for those who want to extend their river adventure.

In Ireland, you can go shopping

If you enjoy collecting travel souvenirs or browsing through local markets, modern malls, and gift shops, you'll be pleased to learn that Ireland has much more to offer than natural beauty.

Francis Street in Dublin is ideal for antique collectors. Dublin hosts the annual Antiques and Collectables Fair in April, where you can buy one-of-a-kind Irish-made items to take home.

There are also plenty of boutique stores in Cork City, Galway, Kilkenny, and Limerick if you have a taste for exotic clothing.

The Peninsula of Dingle

The Dingle Peninsular is one of Ireland's most beautiful natural gems, situated at the foot of Slievanea Mountain and strategically situated on a natural harbour.

It also happens to be the island's and Europe's most western point.

The nearby town is full of shops, pubs, and restaurants, all of which have a distinct Irish flavour.

Dolphin tours are popular on the Dingle Peninsula, and you can also set sail from here to visit the nearby Blasket Islands.

There are many more attractions to visit in Dingle, including Rahinnane Castle, Oceanworld, the Eask Tower, and Conors Pass, to name a few.