In short: the best reasons to visit Ireland are the people, the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher, history older than the Pyramids, castles, pubs and live music, great food, Dublin, the Giant’s Causeway and the islands. It’s English-speaking, easy to get around, and the best time to visit is May to September.
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I’m biased, being Irish, but I’ve travelled a fair bit of the world and there’s still nowhere quite like home. If you’re on the fence about a trip to Ireland, here are 15 reasons to book it.
15 reasons to visit Ireland
1. The people
Ireland’s reputation for friendliness is well earned. Ask for directions and you may get a story, a recommendation for lunch and an invitation to the pub. Getting the hang of the accents and the slang is half the fun.
2. The Wild Atlantic Way
One of the longest defined coastal touring routes in the world, running about 2,500km down the west coast from Donegal to Cork. Cliffs, beaches, islands and tiny villages the whole way. Start with our Wild Atlantic Way guide.
3. The Cliffs of Moher
Rising more than 200 metres out of the Atlantic in Co. Clare, the cliffs are Ireland’s most famous natural sight. No car? This Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Galway day tour runs from Dublin.
4. History older than the Pyramids
Newgrange in the Boyne Valley was built around 5,000 years ago, before Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Visit on this Boyne Valley tour with Newgrange entry.
5. Castles everywhere
From the Rock of Cashel to Kilkenny Castle and the ruined tower houses dotted across every county, Ireland has thousands of castles. Some, like Ashford Castle, are hotels you can stay in.
6. Pubs and live music
The Irish pub is about more than drink: it’s where the community gathers, and where you’ll hear a traditional music session on many nights of the week.
7. The food
Irish food has been transformed. Think fresh seafood on the west coast, farmhouse cheeses, brown bread and the English Market in Cork. Read our guide to County Cork, Ireland’s food capital.
8. Writers and storytellers
A small island with four Nobel Prize winners in literature: W. B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney, plus James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Bram Stoker.
9. Dublin
A compact, friendly capital with the Book of Kells, the Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol and some of the best pubs in the world. See our things to do in Dublin.
10. The north
Belfast and the Causeway Coast, with the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle and Game of Thrones filming locations. See our Belfast guide, or take this Giant’s Causeway day trip from Dublin.
11. The islands
From the Aran Islands and their stone walls to Skellig Michael, the monastic island that starred in Star Wars, and the abandoned Great Blasket.
12. It’s easy to get around
Everyone speaks English, distances are short and you can see a lot in a week. Compare car hire on Discover Cars and plan a route with our best Irish road trips.
13. Your roots
Around 70 million people worldwide are said to have Irish ancestry. Visiting the place your family came from is a powerful experience. Start with our guide to tracing your Irish roots.
14. The festivals
St Patrick’s Day in March, summer arts and music festivals, and Halloween, which the Irish invented. There’s something on in every season.
15. The green
It’s green for a reason: the rain. But a soft day in Ireland, with sunshine breaking through over the fields, is something you’ll never forget.
When is the best time to visit Ireland?
May to September brings the longest days and the mildest weather, though July and August are the busiest and most expensive. April, May, September and October are a great balance of decent weather and fewer crowds. Winter is quiet and atmospheric, especially around Christmas. Whenever you go, pack a rain jacket. See Ireland’s weather month by month.
Plan your trip
- Where to stay: see our where to stay in Ireland guide, or search hotels in Ireland on Booking.com.
- Getting around: a car gives you the most freedom outside Dublin. Compare deals on Discover Cars.
- Tours: day trips from Dublin reach most of the big sights, including the Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Ireland?
A week covers Dublin and one region, such as the west or the south-west. Ten days to two weeks lets you drive a good stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Is Ireland expensive to visit?
Dublin is expensive, particularly for hotels. Prices are lower in smaller towns and outside July and August.
Do I need a visa to visit Ireland?
Visitors from the EU, the UK, the US, Canada and Australia don’t need a visa for a short holiday. Remember that Northern Ireland is in the UK, which has its own entry rules.
Keep planning
Featured photo: Cliffs of Moher by Cmccullough, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Joanne Chisholm
Friday 3rd of May 2019
Hi I'm Joanne from Welland,Ontario Canada my Granda was born in Tipperary I'm sure I still have relatives over there cheers