Ireland · best-of list
14 Top Things to Do in Ireland
All 14 things to do our route editors picked in Ireland, across 4 destinations, gathered in one list. Each one is a stop on a route you can open and copy into a trip.
Our curated picks
14 things to do in Ireland, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher 4 picks
Doolin Cave
Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Cave tour to the Great Stalactite, one of the longest free-hanging stalactites.
Photo: P.hammer · CC BY-SA 3.0
Doolin Cliff Walk
Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Guided or self-led walk from Doolin along the clifftop to the Cliffs of Moher.
Tip: Guided walks with local farmers cover private land.
Photo: HOPA 1963 · Google
Inisheer
Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Smallest Aran Island, 30–40 minutes by ferry from Doolin Pier.
Tip: Rent a bike or pony cart at the pier.
Photo: Patrick Murtagh · Google
Poulnabrone Dolmen
Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Neolithic portal tomb on the bare limestone of the Burren.
Photo: marabout ski · Google
Dublin 4 picks
Book of Kells at Trinity College
Dublin · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
9th-century illuminated gospels, followed by the oak-vaulted Long Room library.
Tip: First slot of the day is the calmest.
Photo: The Book of Kells Experience · Google
Guinness Storehouse
Dublin · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Seven floors on brewing history at St James's Gate, ending at the Gravity Bar view.
Tip: Book a timed slot online for a lower price.
Photo: Steven Lek · CC BY-SA 4.0
Kilmainham Gaol
Dublin · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Former prison where leaders of the 1916 Rising were executed; guided tours only.
Tip: Tickets release 28 days ahead and sell out.
Photo: Colin · CC BY-SA 4.0
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology
Dublin · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Celtic gold, Viking finds and preserved bog bodies. Free entry.
Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). · CC BY-SA 4.0
Galway 4 picks
Galway Cathedral
Galway · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Stone cathedral finished in 1965, with mosaics and a large copper dome.
Photo: Gail Suratt Davis · Google
Inis Mór
Galway · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Largest Aran Island; cycle to the cliff-edge fort of Dún Aonghasa.
Tip: Ferry leaves Rossaveal; shuttle buses run from Galway.
Photo: Arun Nethrasigamani · Google
Latin Quarter and Quay Street
Galway · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Pedestrian streets of buskers, pubs and shops running down to the river.
Photo: Mattia Bianchini · Google
Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum
Galway · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
16th-century arch on the Corrib with a free museum beside it.
Tip: Watch the river from the Long Walk opposite.
Photo: ajith k thomas · Google
Connemara 2 picks
Kylemore Abbey
Connemara · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Lakeside castle-style abbey with a Victorian walled garden.
Tip: Allow time for the 6-acre garden, a shuttle ride away.
Photo: Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sky Road
Connemara · On our Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way route
Loop drive west of Clifden on high ground over Atlantic inlets and islands.
Tip: Stop at the upper viewpoint car park.
Photo: Saulius · Google
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the things to do in Ireland?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 14 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Ireland has the most things to do on this list?
Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin and Galway lead with 4 each; the other picks are spread across 1 more destination.
Are any of these free?
6 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Spanish Arch and Galway City Museum, Sky Road, National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Galway Cathedral, Poulnabrone Dolmen, and more. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Ireland
Top things to do nearby
Destinations on this list
- Doolin & the Cliffs of Moher 4 on this list
- Dublin 4 on this list
- Galway 4 on this list
- Connemara 2 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.