Best Places to Visit in Ireland for First Time Visitors

Ireland is one of the world’s most beautiful countries, characterised by its stunning natural beauty that consists of rugged hills and cliffs, beautiful coastlines, historic castles, vibrant cities and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While thinking of Ireland, you may naturally think of the capital Dublin, however there is so much more to the country than what this popular city has to offer. Did you know, Ireland is split into two – there’s the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but both are considered separate ‘countries’, and both feature a number of places that are perfect for first-time visitors.

Don’t get us wrong, Dublin is an amazing place to visit, but you could probably experience everything the city has to offer in around a day or two. If you want to make your trip to Ireland a lot more memorable and intriguing, you should definitely visit some less-frequented places to truly get the authentic Irish experience. From pre-historic monuments to small coastal cities and scenic clifftop drives and hikes, let’s discover the best places to visit in Ireland for first-timers:

From dramatic cliffs to historic castles, here are Ireland's top destinations that are perfect for first-time visitors

7. Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland)

Giant’s Causeway is an ancient wonder in Northern Ireland,  featuring columns of basalt that resemble stairs. It's a unique ancient wonder, especially as basalt columns are formed by volcanic activity, and volcanoes in Ireland have been extinct for 60 million years. Giant’s Causeway can be accessed by bus or car. We recommend experiencing it up close and walking across the stones. 

6. Skellig Michael

The perfect example of Irish natural beauty, Skellig Michael is a set of jagged twin cliffs that are located off the coast of County Kerry in Ireland. Its peaks jut out from the Atlantic, creating a dramatic appearance that appeals to avid hikers, nature lovers or the curious passerby. You can hike up the larger of the two twin cliffs, Great Skellig or Skellig Michael, via an organised tour. The island can be accessed by boat, making it notoriously difficult to access and to hike up, so if you do plan to visit, make sure you have your wits about you. There are beehives and a monastery at the top of Skellig Michael, or you can simply stand at the top and admire 360° beautiful views. 

5. Blarney Castle

One of Ireland’s most culturally significant castles, (and trust us, there are many), Blarney Castle is a must-visit destination for those interested in Irish history. Thought to have originally been built in the 13th century, it was rebuilt in the 15th century, and the partial ruins of the castle remain today. You can access both the interior and the surrounding gardens, and immerse yourself in local Irish culture.

The castle is steeped in legends and traditions, the most notable of which includes ‘kissing the Blarney Stone’, which involves kissing an area of limestone rock in the battlements, and in doing so, you will (apparently) be gifted with eloquence. This tradition and legend have attracted many famous faces throughout history, but the question is, will you join them? If you do, be careful, as to access the stone you have to partially dangle upside down, plus it’s not exactly very hygienic – it’s a curious tradition, but the castle is ingrained in local culture, so is perfect for culture and history enthusiasts. 

4. Slieve League

You may have heard of this famous mountain in County Donegal, which is located in the northern part of Ireland (not Northern Ireland). Slieve League is famous for its stunning scenic clifftop roads and driving routes that make for the perfect road trip destination, as well as its hiking trails of varying difficulty.

Slieve League is guaranteed to take your breath away, and is perfect for those who want a trip with a little more substance and interest than just spending all your time in Dublin or Belfast – after all, Ireland is known for its stunning and dramatic natural beauty that deserves to be celebrated, so drop that city hotel reservation and get exploring.

3. Newgrange

Thought to be older than both the Pyramids and Stonehenge, this prehistoric monument is steeped in intrigue. Newgrange is located in County Meath and is an ancient tomb that has attracted a number of tourists and locals over the years, all of whom are eager to explore and find out more about the curious structure. Easy to recognise thanks to its distinct shape, Newgrange should feature high on your list of places to visit in Ireland, especially if you’re a history enthusiast. Perhaps most remarkable is how it was engineered: every year, on the morning of the winter solstice, sunlight floods the tomb’s inner chamber through a carefully aligned roof box, showing the builders’ extraordinary understanding of astronomy over 5,000 years ago.

2. Galway

Galway is a city in western Ireland, known for its traditional Irish culture, music and art scene and its festivals. While Ireland’s main cities of Cork, Dublin and Limerick all provide their own individual cultural scenes, Galway’s is certainly unbeatable. Galway may be somewhat underrated, as many visitors to Ireland may choose to visit Dublin or one of the larger cities first, but Galway deserves the same amount of attention as its neighbours. To get to Galway, you can either fly into Dublin or Shannon Airport and take a bus to the city, which takes around 1 hour. Galway itself doesn’t have an airport, but while the city may be hard to get to, it’ll be more than worth the hassle once you reach it.

1. Aran Islands

Aran Islands are a series of islands off the coast of Galway, named Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer. Each island offers its own unique fair share of historic sites, dining options, attractions and natural beauty. Inishmore, the largest island, is arguably the most popular one, but each island is worth visiting. Accessible by ferry from Galway or surrounding towns, the Aran Islands are definitely worth a visit. Scattered with ancient and historic sites, they’re the perfect destination for history enthusiasts who want to learn more about Ireland’s extensive past, and who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the large cities. As part of a Gaeltacht region, Irish is still widely spoken here, adding to the charm and cultural richness of your visit.