Whatever your pleasure may be, mountain peaks or busy streets, Ireland’s got the perfect combination for you. From hikers to shoppers, and golfers to diners, there are countless fun things to do in Ireland.
Hike Ireland
The Emerald Isle has incredible places to hike. One wonderful place to go hiking in Ireland is the Mountains of Mourne, which are considered by many to be the most spectacular mountains in Ireland. The mountain range is located in Northern Ireland in County Down, specifically in South Down. Another great place to go hiking in Ireland is on Rathlin Island, located 6 miles off Ballycastle in Northeast Ireland and 16 miles from the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland.
Shopping in Ireland
One of the city-centered fun things to do in Ireland is shopping, which is phenomenal. From local woolen goods to linens to breathtaking crystal, Ireland shopping opportunities are endless.
For antique lovers, Dublin’s Francis Street is a great destination. Cork City, Castlecomer, Kilkenny, GalwayCity, and Limerick also boast great antique boutiques and stores. If you’re in Ireland in April, definitely head to the Dublin Antiques and Collectables Fair for a great variety of Irish-made objects. Spirited tourists can also bring home bottles of Irish whiskey, Irish Mist, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Smoked salmon is also a popular purchase, as well as farmhouse cheeses and smoked trout.
Bike Ireland
As any cyclist will happily tell you, Ireland biking is superb. With the country’s flat roads, excellent bike stores, and relatively short routes between villages, cycling in Ireland is a wonderful experience. For biking, the Mourne Mountains, southern Ireland, and many coastal cities are the best places to visit in Ireland. Many ferry companies will transport bicycles for free, and most bus and train companies will welcome your bike aboard for a small free. Airlines will usually accommodate bikes as luggage, provided they are dismantled and boxed.
Golf Ireland
Another fun thing to do in Ireland is to pick up a golf club and head to the nearest golf course. In terms of golf vacations, Ireland is the top of the top. With more than 360 golf courses throughout the country, it is a golfer’s paradise. Some of the best parkland courses are located in southwest Ireland, and the Irish coastal makes for great links golf. Links can also be played in all types of weather, which is great for a notoriously rainy country like Ireland. One great place for golf in Ireland is the Ballybunion Golf Club in County Kerry. This course is one of Ireland’s classic course, and it is probably the best golf in Ireland.
Irish Castles
Besides a plethora of fun things to do in Ireland, there are also fabulous places to visit in Ireland. One of the best places to visit in Ireland is the Blarney Castle, with the famous Blarney Stone. You can also check out any number of the countless Irish Castles around the country, including the magnificent Dublin Castle in the capital city.
The Dublin Zoo offers more than the typical lions, tigers, and bears. You’ll see unique animals in Ireland like the Galway sheep without any horns. Visit the Dublin Zoo gift shop with a large range of stuffed toy animals in Ireland.
St. Patricks Cathedral is a great place to visit while in Dublin. Services are held every day of the year and a beautiful park north of the cathedral is home to statues of prominent Irish writers.
No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Brewery for a nice pint of dark Guinness Stout. Find out how you can go on a tour of the brewery and get a sample of the merchandise!
With all that Ireland has to offer, finding things to do in Dublin, Killarney, or even Belfast will be no problem! Be sure to plan your time accordingly if you’re on a short trip and make proper transportation arrangements.
