Shamrocks, Shenanigans, and Scenery: The Best Things to Do in Ireland Without Making a Complete Eejit of Yourself

The Absolutely Essential Best Things To Do In Ireland (According To People Who Actually Live There)

The absolute best things to do in Ireland rarely appear on those mass-produced travel itineraries pushing shamrock keychains and “Kiss Me I’m Irish” t-shirts. The locals—those who’ve watched generations of tourists come and go with their misguided notions about Ireland—have a different perspective entirely. They know where to find the genuine article in a country increasingly good at selling itself to visitors.

The Inevitable Tourist Attractions That Are Actually Worth Your Time

The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s equivalent of the Grand Canyon—you’ve seen a thousand pictures, but nothing prepares you for standing at the edge where land surrenders to the Atlantic. The 700-foot drop is comparable to looking down from the 70th floor of a skyscraper, except there’s no glass and the floor occasionally crumbles. The $10 admission fee grants access to what might be Europe’s most dramatic coastline, but timing is everything. Arrive before 10am or after 4pm to avoid tour buses disgorging hundreds of selfie-stick wielders all vying for the same Instagram shot.

Dublin’s Trinity College houses the Book of Kells, a 1,200-year-old illuminated manuscript that makes America’s oldest documents look like they were drafted yesterday. The $18 ticket price might seem steep for looking at an ancient book, but the real treasure is the Long Room upstairs—a barrel-vaulted library straight from a bibliophile’s fever dream that many visitors completely miss. Pro tip: Book tickets online for early morning entry to avoid standing in line with half of Boston’s retired population.

The Guinness Storehouse charges a staggering $30 to tour what is essentially a beer museum, raising the question: is it worth it? The answer is a qualified yes, if only for the Gravity Bar’s 360° views of Dublin—like seeing Manhattan from the Empire State Building while holding a perfectly poured pint instead of just memories of the $40 you spent on the elevator ride. The tastings throughout the tour provide an education in Ireland’s most famous export, though the professional “pourers” demonstrating the perfect 119.5-second pour take their craft with a seriousness usually reserved for neurosurgery.

Beyond The Postcard: Hidden Gems That Locals Love

Dingle Peninsula offers everything Americans imagine Ireland to be, minus the crushing crowds of the Ring of Kerry. This finger of land jutting into the Atlantic features colorful buildings reminiscent of a less touristy Key West, except the seafood is fresher and nobody’s trying to sell you Jimmy Buffett merchandise. Accommodation ranges from cozy $80 BandBs to $300 luxury rooms with Atlantic views. The peninsula’s winding roads lead to prehistoric stone forts, pristine beaches, and mountain passes where sheep have definitive right-of-way.

When debating castle visits, locals unanimously choose the Rock of Cashel over Blarney Castle. Cashel delivers authentic medieval architecture and historical significance while Blarney primarily offers the opportunity to kiss a stone that millions of other mouths have touched—a germaphobe’s nightmare disguised as tradition. The Rock of Cashel stands majestically on a limestone outcrop, its medieval towers visible for miles across Tipperary’s green landscape. It’s the difference between visiting an actual royal residence versus an amusement park with stone walls.

Ireland’s lesser-known national parks offer solitude rarely found at popular attractions. Connemara National Park presents a landscape so otherworldly it resembles what would happen if Iceland and the Scottish Highlands had a geological love child—all peat bogs, crystalline lakes, and quartzite mountains. Wicklow Mountains National Park provides similar drama just an hour from Dublin, with difficulty ratings that translate roughly from “pleasant afternoon stroll” to “why didn’t I bring proper hiking boots?” Pack waterproof everything regardless of the forecast, as mountain weather changes faster than Irish political allegiances.

Authentic Cultural Experiences And Where To Find Them

Irish traditional music sessions represent one of the best things to do in Ireland for cultural immersion, but there’s a significant difference between authentic gatherings and performances staged for tourists. Real sessions operate like jazz improvisation—musicians arrive unscheduled, join the circle, and play without setlists or rehearsal. In Doolin (County Clare), McGann’s Pub hosts nightly sessions where musicians spanning three generations might share instruments and centuries-old tunes. The telltale sign of a tourist trap? If “Danny Boy” makes the playlist or the musicians appear on promotional posters. Authentic sessions rarely charge admission, though purchasing a pint for participants is considered good form.

For sport that combines the brutality of hockey with the vertical dimension of basketball, attend a hurling match—arguably the world’s oldest and fastest field game. Players wield ash wood sticks (hurleys) to hit a small ball (sliotar) between goal posts or into nets, all while demonstrating a shocking disregard for personal safety. The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship finals at Dublin’s Croke Park showcase skill levels that make American professional athletes look like cautious kindergartners. Tickets run approximately $30 when available, but county-level matches offer similar excitement with more accessible seating.

Literary Dublin reveals itself through specialized walking tours that connect the city’s pubs, parks, and streetscapes to giants like Joyce, Yeats, Wilde, and Beckett. Sweny’s Pharmacy—where Leopold Bloom bought lemon soap in “Ulysses”—still stands as a volunteer-run bookshop hosting daily readings. The Museum of Literature Ireland ($10 admission) houses the first copy of Joyce’s masterpiece alongside interactive exhibits exploring Ireland’s outsized literary influence. For bibliophiles, browsing the creaking shelves of Hodges Figgis (established 1768) provides the literary equivalent of visiting Dublin’s Book of Kells—without the entrance fee.

Regional Road Trips Worth The Rental Car Anxiety

Among the best things to do in Ireland, driving the Wild Atlantic Way delivers scenery that makes California’s Pacific Coast Highway look positively understated. This 1,600-mile coastal route stretches from Donegal’s northern wilderness to West Cork’s foodie paradise. Attempting the entire route requires at least two weeks, but sections like the Dingle Peninsula or Connemara can be explored in 2-3 days. Rental cars run $40-90 daily depending on transmission type—and yes, automatic transmissions cost significantly more. Consider it the “I’m afraid of shifting with my left hand” tax.

Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast offers geological wonders, Game of Thrones filming locations, and the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery in a compact 130-mile route. The Giant’s Causeway features 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns supposedly built by the giant Finn McCool, though geologists insist on the less interesting explanation involving volcanic activity. Post-Brexit, crossing the border requires no formal checkpoints, though American visitors should carry passports. The route passes through fishing villages, castle ruins, and dramatic cliff paths before reaching Derry’s historic walled city.

Ireland’s Ancient East provides the country’s historical backbone without western Ireland’s tour buses. This less-visited region encompasses 5,000 years of megalithic tombs, medieval monasteries, and stately homes. Highlights include Newgrange passage tomb (older than the pyramids), the monastic city of Glendalough, and Kilkenny’s medieval mile. Accommodation ranges from $70 guesthouses to $250 country estates, with significantly better availability than western hotspots during summer months.

Accommodation Options: Where To Rest Your Guinness-Laden Head

Castle stays represent the ultimate Irish accommodation fantasy, though the reality ranges from drafty medieval towers with questionable plumbing to five-star luxury with falconry lessons. Budget-conscious travelers can experience castle living at Ballyhannon Castle in County Clare ($150 per night for tower rooms) while those channeling their inner aristocracy might prefer Ashford Castle’s $500+ nightly rates that come with celebrity treatment. Middle-ground options like Cabra Castle ($200-300) offer authentic atmosphere without requiring a second mortgage.

Irish BandBs deliver far more than just breakfast and beds—they provide cultural orientation impossible to find in chain hotels. Quality BandBs ($80-150) typically offer freshly cooked breakfasts, insider tips no guidebook includes, and the opportunity to chat with Irish families about everything from politics to proper tea preparation. The best congregate around tourist centers but just beyond walking distance, where parking is free and rates drop by 20-30%. Family connections often yield restaurant discounts, private parking at attractions, or introductions to locals who enhance visitors’ experiences.

For urban accommodations, Dublin’s neighborhoods determine the experience as much as hotel quality. Temple Bar offers maximum nightlife access at the cost of sleep quality, as its pubs operate with seeming disregard for closing times. The Liberties neighborhood provides central location without the noise, while Ballsbridge offers quieter surroundings at similar price points. Budget hotels start around $100 (more during peak season), mid-range options hover near $200, and luxury properties like The Shelbourne or The Merrion exceed $300 nightly but provide the kind of service that makes Americans temporarily forget tipping customs differ in Ireland.

Culinary Adventures Beyond Corned Beef And Cabbage

Ireland’s food renaissance ranks among the best things to do in Ireland for culinary travelers, as the country has evolved from culinary punchline to farm-to-table pioneer. Modern Irish cuisine emphasizes hyperlocal ingredients prepared with techniques borrowed from global kitchens. Michelin-starred establishments like Chapter One (Dublin) and Ichigo Ichie (Cork) offer tasting menus from $90-150 that showcase Ireland’s agricultural bounty without resorting to shamrock garnishes. Even humble pubs have elevated their offerings beyond the stereotypical stews, with gastropubs serving local artisan cheese boards, craft beer pairings, and seasonal specialties.

Seafood along the Wild Atlantic Way benefits from the Gulf Stream’s nutrient-rich waters and traditional fishing methods that prioritize sustainability. Vaughan’s Anchor Inn in Liscannor serves crab claws pulled from the sea that morning, while O’Grady’s on the Pier in Galway Bay specializes in butter-poached lobster that makes New England versions seem pedestrian by comparison. Main courses average $25-45, with seafood platters reaching $60 for two people. Oyster enthusiasts should visit between September and April (months containing the letter “r”) when native Gigas and Atlantic varieties reach peak flavor.

The traditional Irish breakfast deserves recognition as both culinary experience and endurance sport. This protein-laden feast includes rashers (back bacon thicker than American versions), black and white pudding (blood sausage and grain-based sausage, respectively), eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, brown bread, and often a fried potato farl—all served with tea strong enough to dissolve the spoon. Hotels offer standardized versions, but rural BandBs serving locally sourced ingredients provide the authentic experience. At approximately $12-15 when ordered separately, it remains one of Ireland’s great food values and typically eliminates the need for lunch.

Practical Matters For Americans Visiting Ireland

Ireland’s transportation network requires strategic planning, as public options diminish dramatically outside major cities. Rental cars provide maximum flexibility but introduce the challenges of left-side driving, narrow country roads, and roundabouts that seem designed by sadistic traffic engineers. Irish Rail connects major cities with comfortable trains priced from $30-60 for longer journeys, while Bus Éireann offers comprehensive but time-consuming coverage of smaller towns. Within Dublin, the Leap Card provides access to buses, trams, and suburban trains at significant savings over individual tickets.

Weather realities in Ireland demand wardrobe flexibility regardless of season. The Irish description of “soft day” translates to “continuous misting rain that somehow soaks you completely.” Summer temperatures rarely exceed 70F even during heat waves, while winter seldom drops below freezing except in mountainous regions. The essential packing list includes waterproof outer layers, quick-drying middle layers, and base layers that retain warmth when wet. The American mistake of packing “summer clothes” for June visits leads to emergency sweater purchases in tourist shops, where prices reflect desperation rather than value.

Payment practices continue evolving, with most establishments accepting major credit cards (though American Express finds less acceptance than Visa/Mastercard). Tipping customs reflect European norms—10-15% in restaurants with good service, rounded-up fares for taxis, and minimal tipping elsewhere. ATMs provide the best exchange rates, though machines in tourist areas may offer disadvantageous “dynamic currency conversion” that should be declined. Inform credit card companies about travel plans to prevent security freezes, particularly for rural purchases that trigger fraud algorithms.