Ireland is a beautiful country to visit and should be at the top of any bucket list. If you’re currently planning a trip to Ireland, keep reading for all the must see spots. Ireland is a perfect vacation spot for both couples and families. There are so many areas to visit and so many things to do and it can be hard to try to fit it all in. Even two weeks may not be enough! You can travel through Ireland on your own and to make planning easier, I’ve estimated the time to allow at each stop and the current cost (at the time of this post). And if you want to know a way to save even more on admission costs, keep reading until the end.
Blarney Castle
Is it touristy? Yes. Is it cheesy? Yes. But it is definitely worth it. Legend has it that if you kiss the stone you will be given the gift of gab. If kissing the stone isn’t something you really want to do, they do have many gardens and trails for you to wander around. Check out this post where I talk about the do’s and don’ts of visiting Blarney Castle. Allow: 3 hours.
Cost: Adult €16 Senior/Student €13 Child €7 Family €40
Bonus:
Blarney Woollen Mills in Blarney, Ireland
You will find so many souvenir shops in Ireland. There are literally stores on every corner. However, Blarney Woollen mills sells souvenirs that are unique to Ireland. Aran Sweaters, Butler’s Irish Chocolate, Waterford Crystal, and Belleek pottery are sold here and are some of the highest quality souvenirs that you can bring home.
Bru Na Boinne
This is one of the most ancient spots in Ireland. It’s also a World Heritage site. These passage tombs were built around 5,000 years ago. The stones used to build them came from many different areas of Ireland. You’ll have to show up early as the passage tombs can only be explored through group tours.
Tour times are handed out on a first come first serve basis so when they fill up for the day, they are done. There are two main sites: Knowth and Dowth and tour times are separate for each. Allow 3-4 hours depending on if you visit both burial mounds.
Cost: Adult €4
Hill of Tara
Have you ever wondered if you’re the next ruler of Ireland? This was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Legend has it that the stone on the top of the hill will “scream” if the rightful ruler approaches. I wasn’t the next ruler but you could be! Allow: 45 minutes.
Cost: Adult €5 Senior €4 Child/Student €3 Family €13
The Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry can get pretty busy especially during summer months. Massive tour buses can clog the already narrow roads and hairpin turns. The lesser known Dingle Peninsula drive is often suggested as a replacement. While it definitely could be if you’re visiting during the popular months, the Ring of Kerry is a very beautiful drive. There are debates as to whether to do the drive clockwise or counter clockwise in order to avoid the tour buses. We did it counter clockwise and did not have any issues. We also traveled during the off-peak month of September.
If you drive the Ring of Kerry, make sure to stop at the Cliffs of Kerry. It’s a small roadside stop but the views were the best we had on the entire drive. We had a great view of the Skellig Islands. This can be an alternative to actually visiting the Skelligs which can take a half day just by itself. Allow: half day to a full day depending on how many stops you choose to make.
Cost: Free (although there is a small fee for the Cliffs of Kerry)
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Bunratty Folk Park allows you to explore what a real Irish village would have looked like in the 19th century complete with homes, farms, and a town. You’ll even find a fairy garden complete with toadstool chairs. In the evenings they host a medieval banquet.
The banquet is an additional cost but it is fantastic and definitely worth your time. The menu is available online so you can see what the dinner fare is before you purchase your tickets. Heads up though – You will be eating with your hands! Allow: half a day.
Cost: Adult €15.25 Child age 4-18 €11.50 Family €61.50 Senior €11.50
Muckross House and Traditional Farms
There are so many things to see at Muckross. Along with the house there are unique gardens, Muckross Abbey, Torc Waterfall, and Ross Castle. You can also visit the Traditional Farms.
Muckross house is a very beautiful estate however you cannot take photos inside. On the grounds are many different gardens that you can tour on your own. The house itself can only be visited by a guided tour. You can take a jarvey cart down to visit the waterfall.
Jarvey carts are similar to horse drawn carriages. The waterfall can be reached by foot but if you have young children with you, the jarvey cart is the way to go. They are rented by the ½ hour or hour. You just let them know where you want to go and they will give you a rate. This cost is not included in the cost of admission but I believe it was around 25 euro.
You can also visit Muckross Abbey which has a very unique tree growing right in the middle of the courtyard. Ross Castle is right by the lake. It was closed when we visited but I think you can go inside the castle as well.
If you’ve ever wondered what life was like in a traditional cottage, the traditional farms will give you that experience. From life as a very modest and poor farmer in a 1 room cottage to a more middle-class farmer with several rooms, the actors in each cottage show you what it was like to churn butter and tend to a peat fire. Allow: half a day if you want to tour everything at Muckross.
For Muckross House and Gardens Only
Cost: Adult €9.25€ Senior €7.75€ Child age 13-18 €6.25€
For Muckross House and Traditional Farms joint ticket
Cost: Adult €15.50 Student/Senior €13.50 Child ages 3-12 €6.25 Child ages 13-18 €10.50 Family €40
Bonus:
The Shire Bar in Killarney
The Shire is a Hobbit themed bar in Killarney and is everything a Tolkien fan could want. And while that could be enough to encourage some people to visit, they also have live local music on certain nights. We were not expecting that when we happened to visit and that night ended up being our favorite night in Ireland.
The Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey
The Rock of Cashel is one of the most recognized spots in Ireland. It is said that this is the site in which St Patrick converted the King of Munster in the 5th century. It was the seat of the kings of Munster. Be aware that restoration efforts have been underway for a few years but it appears that Cormac’s Chapel at the Rock has reopened to the public. You can also get a great photo of the Rock of Cashel from nearby Hore Abbey and vice versa. Allow: 2 hours.
Cost: Adult €8 Senior €6 Child €4 Family €20
Glendalough
Glendalough is a 6th century monastic settlement in Ireland and has one of the oldest cemeteries. Landmarks to visit at this spot include the Round Tower and St Kevin’s Church. The visitor center has exhibits to teach you more about the site. Allow: 2 hours.
Cost: Adult €5 Senior €4 Child/Student €3 Family €13
Powerscourt Waterfall
This waterfall is located in County Wicklow about 45 minutes south of Dublin. The waterfall is almost 400 feet in height. You can also visit the nearby Powerscourt Gardens if you have time. Allow: 30 minutes.
Cost: Adult €6 Senior/Student €5.50 Child under age 12 €3.50 Family €16
Dunbrody Famine Ship
During the tour of the famine ship you will listen to actors tell the stories of real people who left Ireland on these ships during the famine in Ireland. The ships were called coffin ships because many people did not make the journey due to disease. The ships were separated much like the Titanic was with different living quarters for upper and lower class citizens. The tour was extremely informative. Allow: 2 hours (your tour time will be scheduled when you arrive)
Cost: Adult €11 Senior €9 Student €6 Family ranges between €23-€32 (depending on number of children)
Titanic Experience in Cobh
This museum shows you what it was like on board the Titanic. There is a recreation of the first class rooms and one of the third class rooms. You can also see what a dinner menu was like for each class. Cobh was actually the last stop that the Titanic made before heading to New York.
Each person who visits is given a ticket with a name on it and at the end of the tour, you can find out the fate of that passenger to see if they were one of the ones that survived. There are a lot of interactive experiences in the museum section at the end of the tour. Allow: 2 hours.
Cost: Adult €10 Senior/Student €8.50 Child €7
Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle is a great example of a well-preserved castle in Ireland. The town of Kilkenny is a very beautiful and friendly place to visit as well. Upon your visit to the castle, you’ll be instructed to watch a short film that educates you on the history of the castle. You can tour the castle on your own and at your own pace. There are also several trails and gardens to explore. Allow: 2 hours.
Cost: Adult €8 Senior €6 Child €4 Family €20
Cliffs of Moher
This is probably Ireland’s most famous landmark. This site has also been named a UNESCO Global Geopark. The cliffs rise over 700 feet. From the visitor’s center you can turn left or right and walk down alongside the edge of the cliffs. There is a section of the cliffs that you can continue to walk but is past the barriers. It will warn you that walking them is at your own risk. You must be very sure of your footing and I would not recommend walking during high winds.
There are other areas that have barriers, and I have witnessed people jumping over so they can get closer to the edge to take that perfect selfie. One tourist died not too long ago from doing just that. The barriers are there for a reason and you can still get fantastic shots without climbing over the walls. Just be smart!
Allow: 2-3 hours (the visitor center has some really nice exhibits and you may want to allow extra time in case of fog. We got there early one morning and the fog was pretty thick. But by around 10 am it had started to disappear. Photos of the cliffs are even better with the afternoon light so if you can manage it, I would put it into your schedule for the afternoon.
Cost: Adult €4 Senior €4 Student €4 Child under 16 free
Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin
The church was founded in 1030 and incorporated into the Irish church in 1152. It contains a 12th century crypt in its basement. There are many ancient artifacts inside as well. The church itself if beautiful and well worth a stop if you are in Dublin. Allow: 1 hour.
Cost: Adult €6.75 Senior/Student €5.50 Child €2.50 Family €17
Bonus:
Trinity College and the Book of Kells
Housed in the Library of Trinity College in Dublin is a 9th century manuscript which is the most famous medieval manuscript available for viewing. Tickets for this viewing also include access into the Long Room which houses more books that you could ever imagine. This visit would not be good for small children. When booking tickets online, you must choose your date and time.
When you arrive, you’ll be escorted into a darkened room where the manuscript will be on display. Only one page is on display at any given time. No pictures are allowed in the room. The darkened lights and ban on photography are necessary in order to preserve the manuscript. Allow: 1 hour.
Cost: Adult €11-14 (depending on what time of day you arrive) Senior/Student€ 12 Family €28
Bonus:
Giant’s Causeway – Antrim, Northern Ireland
This is probably something you have seen many photos of while trying to gain inspiration for your trip. The area is made up of black basalt columns that were formed by volcanic activity over 50 million years ago. This is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Allow 2 hours.
Cost: Adult £12.50 Child £6.25 Family £31.25
One way you can minimize your costs is to purchase an OPW Heritage Card. You can purchase these cards from any location on the list of sites they support. For instance, our first stop was Glendalough and we purchased our cards there. The cards are €40 for adults and €30 for seniors Student /Child €10 and Family €90.
Out of the list of places in this post, Kilkenny castle, Glendalough, Muckross House, Bru Na Boinne, Hill of Tara, and Rock of Cashel are included on the list of supported sites. For a complete list, you can visit www.heritageireland.ie. I recommend making a list of the places you want to visit and the costs for each, and then decide if the card is a good investment for you. It could end up saving you a significant amount of money in the end. And if you want to know more about driving in Ireland, just click here.
Are there any spots in Ireland that you consider to be a must see?
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