Choose from 123 Fun Things to Do in Ireland
Guinness Storehouse
The Basics
The 7-story, pint glass-shaped interior of the Guinness brewery and storehouse features a multimedia experience that includes interactive exhibits and demonstrations of the brewing process. On the self-guided tour, learn the history behind the legendary stout and check out vintage ads. Touch the barley, smell the hops, and learn the art of pouring a perfect pint, plus get a peek into the history of Guinness advertising. After getting familiar with the main ingredients in Guinness, learn about the brewing process and the variations that are on the market. Floors two through six take you back in time to discover the history behind Arthur Guinness, the company, and the Guinness Storehouse itself. On the ground floor, visit the retail store for Guinness-themed souvenirs.
At the top-floor, glass-enclosed Gravity Bar, the culmination of the seven-story visitor experience, line up to claim your free pint of Guinness to enjoy with 360-degree views over the brewery and the city of Dublin. Some tours and tickets offer skip-the-line privileges, allowing you to bypass the (sometimes long) queue.
- Storehouse admission includes one complimentary pint.
- Opt for a skip-the-line ticket for fast-track entry.
- Dublin city tours, beer and spirits-themed tours of Temple Bar, and hop-on, hop-off bus tours typically stop here; the self-guided tour inside is easy to follow on your own.
- The storehouse is handicap accessible.
- Book the Connoisseur Experience for an exclusive, 75-minute tasting experience.
How to Get There
The storehouse is located in central Dublin at St. James’s Gate, easily accessible on foot, by taxi, or via public transportation.
When to Get There
If you don’t mind sipping a pint in the morning, it’s advisable to arrive early to beat the crowds. Hours vary seasonally.
History of the Guinness Storehouse
The site of the current storehouse was originally a fermentation plant for the St. James’s Gate Brewery until it closed in 1988. The building was the first multi-story, steel-framed building constructed in the entire country of Ireland, designed in the Chicago School of Architecture style.
Famine Sculpture
- The Famine Memorial is a moving site for those who claim Irish ancestry, as well as a must for history buffs and art lovers.
- The statues are easily accessible for wheelchair users, with a smooth, level walkway running beside the River Liffey.
- Lots of bars, restaurants, and cafés can be found in the surrounding Docklands area.
Molly Malone Statue
The bronze statue of Molly Malone commemorates the young woman featured in the local ballad, 'Cockles and Mussels'. As the song goes, this beautiful woman plied her trade as a fishmonger through the streets where her statue now rests, until she suddenly died of a fever. As a nod to the folk song, a statue was erected on the corner of Grafton and Suffolk streets and unveiled at the 1988 Dublin Millennium celebrations.
This tune has been adopted as Dublin's unofficial anthem, boosting this heroine to eternal fame. Though there is debate as to whether or not a Molly Malone like the one in the song ever existed, she is real to the people of Dublin and is remembered both in song as well as on June 13, National Molly Malone Day. The statue also acts as a popular rendezvous spot for groups as the beautiful bosomy woman with her cart cannot be missed.
Kildare Village
- Kildare Village is a must for bargain-loving shoppers.
- Available services include free Wi-Fi, phone chargers, electric car chargers, a children’s play area, baby-changing rooms, a tourist information kiosk, and complimentary dog kennels.
- Kildare Village is wheelchair accessible.
English Market
- The English Market is a must for foodies.
- Bring along cash as not all traders accept credit cards.
- The market is wheelchair accessible via level entrances on Princes Street and Grand Parade.
- There is a sit-down café at the market, as well as several takeaway spots selling sandwiches and prepared foods.
Christ Church Cathedral
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Charles Fort
- Charles Fort is a must for families, with lots of open space for kids to run around.
- Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear, as some surfaces are uneven and weather is always changeable.
- Restrooms and a tearoom are situated at the fort.
- The exhibition center is wheelchair-accessible, though the fort itself is only partially accessible.
Ladies' View
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Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
- Most guided day tours do not include the price of admission to the grounds and gardens.
- Visitors without tickets can access the gift shop and café.
- The property is partially accessible to wheelchair users, though steps and steep gradients prevent access to some sections.
Avoca
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Old Midleton Distillery
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EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
- EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is especially fascinating for anyone with Irish ancestry.
- Book tickets in advance during busier times of the year.
- The exhibition is wheelchair accessible.
Gap of Dunloe
- A one-way walk along the length of the pass, from Kate Kearney’s Cottage to Lord Brandon’s Cottage, typically takes about 2.5 hours.
- Wear comfortable footwear and bring rain gear in case of showers.
- Choose to end your tour on a high note by adding an optional boat ride across the Lakes of Killarney.
Ring of Kerry
Explore southern Ireland on a road trip along the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile (180-km) scenic route of narrow roads winding around the Iveragh Peninsula. As you cruise along the Atlantic Coast on this mountain road through Kells, Derrynane, and Glenbeigh, you’ll find a number of impressive sights.
The Basics
Most travelers start and end the loop in Killarney and make stops all around County Kerry to see historic seaside villages, Killarney National Park, the rugged Atlantic coast, and a few Irish castles. Many tours depart from other Ring of Kerry towns such as Sneem, Parknasilla, Cahersiveen, and Killorglin, the home of the famous Puck Fair festivities, but if you need transportation to southern Ireland from elsewhere in the country, Ring of Kerry day tours are offered with starting points in Dublin, Kenmare, Cork, Limerick, and Kinsale.
Things to Know Before You Go
- As with many ring roads, there is little room to pass at some points. It’s good to note that all tour buses travel counterclockwise from Killarney and that self-driving travelers can head clockwise for less traffic.
What to See Along the Ring of Kerry
From Ross Castle and Muckross House to Torc Waterfall, Bog Village, and the glacial valley of the Gap of Dunloe, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled and your camera out. The ring also passes the golden beaches of Inch Beach, the Lakes of Killarney, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountains, Ladies View, and Dingle Bay looking out to the Dingle Peninsula. The coastal side of the loop offers a taste of the Wild Atlantic Way, and in County Kerry’s Waterville, visitors tend to stop for photos with the waterfront Charlie Chaplin statue.
How to Tour the Ring of Kerry from Dublin
The Ring of Kerry loop is one of the most popular day trips available from Dublin, as WiFi-equipped coach tours make it easy to see dozens of sights in one day. Bus tours depart from a main street in Dublin city center and head out on a four-hour drive 185 miles (300 km) southwest to then embark on the 110-mile (180-km) loop. Day trips tend to be quite long (upwards of 14 hours) due to all the driving. If a single day isn’t enough, multi-day tours include accommodation and allow you to see more at a slower pace. The ring can also be reached from Dublin on a rail tour, during which travelers take a train to Killarney and then hop on a coach bus to ride the ring.
Old Slate Quarry
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Monasterboice
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Ring of Beara
The Uragh Stone Circle, a neolithic stone circle with some stones reaching almost 10 feet tall, is also located along this journey. A few islands are located just off the coast of the peninsula. One in particular is Dursey Island which is reachable by cable car. Healy Pass offers the best viewing point on the Beara Peninsula. A rock tunnel called Caha Pass connects Kenmare to Glengarriff in Cork County. There is also a 122 mile walking trail for those who would rather take it slowly and see the area on foot.
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Galway Bay
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Aviva Stadium
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Chester Beatty Library
- The Chester Beatty Library is a must for culture vultures.
- An on-site shop sells books, gifts, and souvenirs.
- Refreshments, snacks, and Mediterranean and Middle Eastern–influenced plates are available at the museum’s Silk Road Café.
- The library is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair access is via Dublin Castle’s Ship Street Gate.