15 Reasons Why You Should Visit Ireland

Why visit Ireland, you ask?

Ireland is frequently portrayed as a land of rolling green fields, ancient castle ruins, and welcoming locals. If you’re reading this, chances are you are planning a trip to the Emerald Isle. Or maybe you’re still thinking about it.

You’re not sure if a trip to Ireland is truly worthwhile? Allow us to help you decide.

We’ll go over some of the best reasons to visit Ireland. From its fascinating capital to its thousands of castles and breathtaking scenery, we hope that by the end of this list, you’ll be ready to book that plane ticket!

15 Reasons Why You Should Visit Ireland

 

1. The Insta-worthy Dublin

Dublin Castle and St. Patrick’s Cathedral (founded in 1191) are just two of the historic buildings that can be found in this city at the mouth of the Liffey River. However, The Temple Bar and The Long Room are favored by those who want to fill their Instagram feed with aesthetics.

With a history stretching back to the 1600s, today’s Temple Bar can be best described as a tourist trap. The street in front of Temple Bar is always packed with tourists taking pictures of the famous building. Visit in the morning to make sure you get a photo sans the crowd.

Another photogenic gem is Trinity College’s Long Room. Over 200,000 of the library’s oldest books are kept in the 213-foot main chamber of the Old Library. Visit early and take long shots of this magnificent library.

To get a true feel for Dublin, however, you should stop into a pub on a side street. Live music of the highest caliber can be found here, and the people who play it are always friendly and eager to chat with visitors from all over the world.

2. The Enchanting Ruins and Castles

A trip to Ireland is like stepping into a fairytale because of the Emerald Isle’s long and storied past. There is a new historic site, castle, or ruin to explore every couple of miles. Almost every one of these landmarks has some sort of legend or myth associated with it, and every ruin has its history.

The Temple Bar is a great option for those who want to get off the beaten path. There, you’ll find Lismore, a tiny town that looks like it was plucked straight from a fairy tale. There’s a big bridge, a fancy castle, and a quaint little town there.

As for the popular ruins, the famous Blarney Stone can be found at the very pinnacle of the crumbling Blarney Castle in County Cork. Irish folklore states that whoever kisses the stone will gain the ability to talk to anyone.

The Rock of Cashel is another well-known ruin found in the remote interior of Ireland. This is a great vantage point from which to take in the architecture of the building and the surrounding green hills.

3. The Scenic National Parks

There are six beautiful national parks in Ireland, and they are a big part of the country’s appeal as a tourist destination. Protected by the government, these national parks are pristine areas where people can learn about ecology and enjoy limited recreational opportunities. Ireland’s designated national parks are:

• The Burren National Park
• Connemara National Park
• Glenveagh National Park
• Killarney National Park
• Wild Nephin National Park
• Wicklow National Park

Hiking paths, lakes, and breathtaking scenery abound in the areas immediately adjacent to the parks. While I’m sure you’ll be busy exploring all that Ireland has to offer, We hope you’ll also find time to stop by one of these parks during your visit.

4. The Friendly People

If you go to Ireland, you will meet a lot of locals, and the Irish people are one of the reasons why Ireland is such a wonderful place to visit. In general, the Irish people are a warm, welcoming, and friendly community who are happy to assist, give advice, or just share the craic.

It doesn’t matter if you ask a tour guide, a bartender, or a bus driver. Keep in mind that Ireland is the home of the hearty welcome, or céad mle fáilte (a thousand welcomes).

5. The Distinct Culture and Music

Instruments such as the tin whistle, fiddle, harp, banjo, and bodhrán are frequently used in traditional Irish music, also known as “trad music,” which is a significant aspect of Irish culture (like a hand-held drum).

The art of Irish dancing is another significant facet of Irish culture. Consider the dance Riverdance; the elaborate costumes, some of which cost thousands of euros, just add to the exuberance of this aspect of Irish culture.

What’s even more fascinating is that aspects of Irish culture such as folklore, festivals, sports, cuisine, and pubs can be found throughout Ireland and are so intricately woven together. Seeing this wherever you go on the Island is another of the many reasons why you should go to Ireland.

6. Guinness, Whisky, and other drinks

Most people will think of Guinness when asked to name something that is typically associated with Ireland. The Guinness Storehouse, which has a bar that offers stunning 360-degree views of Dublin City, is the perfect place to get to know more about this famous brand.  Plus, you get to sample a pint of the black stuff after the tour. 

Jameson, Bushmills, and Bailey’s are a few other internationally recognized Irish brands. Visitors can watch the process from start to finish, try limited editions, and pick up some cocktail-making tips along the way. In addition to the traditional drinks, visitors can enjoy the local craft distilleries and microbreweries, where they can try everything from mead to Irish fruit wine.

7. The Uniquely Irish Pub Culture

Irish pubs are plentiful because the average Irish person drinks 98 liters of beer per year, the fourth highest in the world behind the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. There may not be as many pubs as there were in 1904 when there were over 13,000 in Ireland, but that hasn’t stopped people from stopping in for a cold one after work.

Craft beers, each with its distinct flavor profile, are very popular among locals and rival the more well-known Guinness stout for “the national drink” title. If you’re ever in Dublin, stop by the world-famous Temple Bar, grab a seat, order a pint, and soak in the good vibes, live music, and friendly locals.

8. The Spectacularly Diverse Ring of Kerry Landscape

Most people’s mental picture of Ireland is captured by the 179-kilometer Ring of Kerry drive in County Kerry.

It travels through breathtaking landscapes and past magnificent castles and ruins. Killarney, located on the Ring of Kerry, is notable for being the location of Ireland’s first national park. For visitors to Ireland, it is a must-see.

The beaches in the Ring of  Kerry are also among the best in all of Ireland. The beaches of Derrynane, Rossbeigh, and St. Finian’s Bay are among the most beautiful. They form a breathtaking boundary between the shimmering ocean and the towering mountains of the Iveragh Peninsula.

9. The Breathtaking Cliffs of Moher in County Clare

The Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most recognizable landmarks, is easily accessible by car from Dublin. Located on the southwestern edge of Ireland’s Burren region, the Cliffs of Moher stretch for about nine miles (14 kilometers).

At their southernmost point at Hag’s Head, the cliffs rise to an elevation of 390 feet (120 meters) above the Atlantic Ocean. Also, to the north of O’Brien’s Tower, they soar to a height of 702 feet (214 meters).

From the tower, sightseers can take in a breathtaking panorama of the Aran Islands, the Maumturks, and the Twelve Pins.

10. The Stunning Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is the world’s longest stretch of continuous coastline. That alone should convince you to book a flight to Ireland. Get away to the island’s western region for a few days to soak up its splendor. High cliffs, crashing waves, and breathtaking scenery characterize the Wild Atlantic.

Along Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way, you can enjoy a wide variety of must-see attractions. The stunning Ring of Kerry should be visited. You can explore the depths and visit the Aran Islands and County Mayo. Any time spent in the Wild Atlantic will leave you in awe of its beauty.

11. The Many Scenic Routes 

We’ve talked about Ireland’s famous Wild Atlantic Way, but that’s not the only beautiful highway in Ireland. The Emerald Isle is dotted with scenic byways ideal for road trips.

Take Kerry’s Conor Pass as an example; it’s Ireland’s highest mountain pass. Driving through it isn’t for the faint of heart due to its narrowness. But if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most breathtaking scenery in the entire country.

Doolough Valley in County Mayo is another scenic route worth exploring while driving in Ireland. The history of this stunning highway dates back to the Irish famine.

12. Otherworldly Filming Locations

Gorgeous scenery in Ireland has long been a source of inspiration for filmmakers. The magnificent Cliffs of Moher can be found on the Atlantic coast; they are so enchanted that they were used as a filming location for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The mysterious Skellig Islands can be found further south, off the coast of Kerry. These pointed teeth jutting out of the water once housed a community of monks and, more recently, Luke Skywalker.

In Game of Thrones, Tollymore Forest Park in County Antrim is where Melisandre gave birth to a shadow assassin. Ballymoney’s twisted Dark Hedges retrace Ned Stark’s journey to King’s Landing, and Cushendun Caves in County Antrim are also must-sees for fans of the series.

13. The Magnificent Giant’s Causeway

 

One of Northern Ireland’s top tourist destinations, the Giant’s Causeway is composed of over 40,000 basalt columns formed during a volcanic eruption and then rapidly cooled.

Legend has it that a giant named Finn McCool once lived in Northern Ireland. Finn retaliated against Benandonner, a giant from Scotland across the Irish Sea, by ripping off large portions of the Antrim coast and throwing them into the water.

It takes about an hour to drive to the Giant’s Causeway from Belfast. Day trips departing from either Belfast or Dublin are a third possibility.

14. The Captivating Irish Folklore

 

 

 

 

One of the best things about visiting Ireland is being immersed in the country’s rich folklore. Stories of banshees, leprechauns, and fairies have been passed down from generation to generation in Ireland, contributing to the country’s rich tradition of folklore.

Legends of the Children of Lir, C Chulainn, and Finn MacCool play a significant role in Irish folk culture, as do characters like those described above. The combination of Irish folklore’s folktales, ballads, music, and dance into a distinct folk culture makes Ireland a one-of-a-kind destination.

15. The Intriguing Dark Tourism

Tourists are certainly intrigued by the darker side of Irish history and culture. Popular and highly regarded tourist destinations in Ireland include the Titanic Belfast, Kilmainham Gaol, and the Glasnevin Cemetery.

The ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain, from which Halloween draws inspiration, has its roots in Ireland. Many of the customs associated with Halloween are thought to have originated in Ireland, including donning masks to ward off evil spirits, carving scary faces into turnips for the first jack-o’-lanterns, and making barmbrack to foretell the future.

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