An estimated 1.2 million or more Americans visit the Emerald Isle each year, according to statistics from Tourism Ireland. That’s more tourists than those who currently live in Wyoming, the Dakotas, and Montana, for comparison.
I was one of the million-plus people who had the opportunity to see the country and learn more about my Irish heritage earlier this year. We spent 10 days circling the bottom portion of the country clockwise, visiting castles, hiking to stunning views, soaking up moments in National Parks, and, of course, seeing the famous Cliffs of Moher.
For many, Ireland can be a tough place to plan for. There are numerous things to do, which can seem overwhelming. I want to help steer you in the right direction with my five favorite moments from our trip.
1. Live Music in Pubs
When people say live pub music is a highlight of Ireland, it’s 100% true!
The Temple Bar area gets a lot of hype in Dublin. Before the trip, everyone I talked to said that it was overrated. And while it is chaotic, to say the least, it is in no way overrated. We thoroughly enjoyed the live music on the first and last days of our trip to Ireland, and we came back thoroughly impressed.
But what we didn’t realize was that 130 miles to the west, Galway’s Latin Quarter would take it up a notch. While we only spent 18 hours in Galway, my fiancée and I loved its walkability, and the 10/10 vibes were immaculate. The pub music kept us out until 1 am and we would’ve stayed longer, but a busy next day forced us to bed.
I’m honestly not much of a city person, but these two places won me over, and I highly recommend you settle into a pub while in Ireland and soak it all in!
2. Cliffs of Moher Private Tour
An estimated 1.5 million people visit the Cliffs of Moher each year. The combination of stunning scenery and proximity to Galway makes it an ideal location to attract tourists. The main visitor center area is incredibly well-designed, featuring a museum and shops to cater to everyone’s interests. But – and there’s always a but – it is miserably crowded mid-day.
That’s why we booked a 15-person private walking tour north of the visitor center, giving us access to private lands along the cliff’s edge and unbelievably beautiful views. It’s not for the faint of heart, though. There is no railing. No fence. If you fall, it won’t end well.
However, for those seeking the true meaning of the ‘Wild Atlantic Way,’ this tour will reveal what Ireland was like centuries ago.
3. Sea Safari on the Dingle Peninsula
Easily the best activity and area of our trip. I loved the Dingle Peninsula’s rugged, yet mesmerizing features. It didn’t feel like “Ireland,” with Caribbean-looking beaches, rocky cliffs, and sea life so readily available.
As for the Sea Safari, our 3.5-hour tour was phenomenal. Our group saw sea caves, rock formations that resembled the helmets of a Nazgûl, a colony of sea lions, a whale shark, minke whales, and the crown jewel: Atlantic Puffins.
We lucked out with calm waters, but the dinghy-style raft can be rocky. But that’s what makes it unique. You’re only feet off the water, on a seat that looks more like a saddle than a chair, with the cool ocean breeze in your hair.
For a top-notch experience, this is it!
4. Killarney National Park
Our time in Killarney was the longest tenure of our 10-day trip. With two nights at the Ross Hotel, it gave us enough time to explore the city, hike out to the Torc Waterfall and Gap of Dunloe, take a jaunting car ride and boat tour on Ross Lake, and not feel too rushed in the process.
The city is charming, and the landscapes surrounding it are picture-perfect. The Rocky Mountains, covered in green with lakes below, make for an idyllic place to call home for a couple of nights.
5. Surviving Driving on the Left Side of the Road
We’re ending this one with a little bit of humor, but after making it through every single day of driving on the narrow country roads of Ireland, we’d let out a sigh of relief. The highways (M’s) were easy. But the roads to Wicklow National Park, for example, are tighter than a lion’s jaw around its prey. To say it had me white knuckling it while driving would be an understatement.
As someone who had never driven on the opposite side of the road, I can safely say doing so in Ireland was like starting at level 10. Thankfully, the practice paid off, and on the final day, as we were zipping off to the Cliffs of Moher, I finally felt like I wasn’t going to die.
For those beginning to plan their next trip to Ireland, I recommend at least 7 days, but 9 days is more suitable. We came from Seattle, and the time zone change threw us off for two days.
Having a more extended trip helps you avoid feeling stressed about being “off” on day one and gives you more opportunities to see the iconic landscapes and cities on your adventure around the island.