Ireland captures hearts like few destinations can. With its dramatic coastlines, ancient castles, vibrant cities, and legendary hospitality, this enchanting island offers experiences that stay with you long after you’ve returned home. But knowing where to go, where to stay, and where to find the most authentic experiences can transform a good trip into an unforgettable journey.
As a travel advisor who has spent considerable time exploring Ireland’s hidden corners and beloved landmarks, I’m sharing my insider knowledge to help you experience Ireland like a local—not just a tourist.
Where to Stay: From Castle Splendor to Coastal Charm
Dublin: Your Gateway to Irish Culture
Dublin consistently ranks as the number one destination in Ireland, combining pubs, distilleries, restaurants, legends, castles, and offering travelers a city break that blends outings, gastronomy, nature, culture, and shopping. The city delights with its colorful doors, Georgian architecture, and literary heritage.
Luxury Pick: The Shelbourne Hotel on St. Stephen’s Green has been welcoming guests since 1824. This iconic property offers a prime location, elegant rooms, and afternoon tea that’s a Dublin institution.
Boutique Choice: The Westbury Hotel in the heart of the shopping district combines contemporary Irish style with impeccable service and an excellent location for exploring on foot.
Budget-Friendly: The Fleet Hotel in Temple Bar puts you in the center of Dublin’s cultural quarter without breaking the bank.
Galway: Where Culture Meets Coastal Beauty
Galway charms visitors immediately with its cobblestone streets and colorful buildings, offering an incredible selection of seafood, craft beers, and a burgeoning coffee scene. The Latin Quarter buzzes with traditional music sessions nightly.
Luxury Pick: The g Hotel offers bold contemporary design and excellent service, making it perfect for travelers who appreciate modern aesthetics.
Charming Stay: Ballynahinch Castle, just outside Galway in Connemara, sits on 700 acres of woodland and offers a luxurious castle experience with exceptional fishing and dining.
Central Option: Salthill Hotel provides easy access to both Galway city and the stunning coastal promenade.
Cork: Ireland’s Foodie Capital
Cork provides much of the charm of a large Irish city without the crowds, offering visitors the English Market for snacks, idyllic Fitzgerald Park for relaxation, and impressive St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral for exploration.
Luxury Pick: The Montenotte Hotel offers fantastic city views and has become a favorite among discerning travelers seeking modern comfort.
Historic Charm: Hayfield Manor combines country house elegance with city convenience, featuring beautiful gardens and an award-winning restaurant.
Killarney: Gateway to Natural Wonders
Killarney serves as the perfect base for exploring the Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, and the Dingle Peninsula.
Luxury Stay: The Park Hotel Kenmare, run by the famous Brennan brothers, combines luxury accommodations with the acclaimed Sámas Spa—perfect for pampering after days of exploration.
Family-Friendly: Dromhall Hotel offers comfortable accommodations at reasonable prices with easy access to all Killarney’s attractions.
Unique Accommodations Worth the Splurge
Castle Experiences: Get the ferry to Waterford Castle and stay overnight on a private island, or journey to Monaghan and soak up the old-world charm of Castle Leslie Estate, a luxury 5-star hotel on 1,000 acres of spectacular woodland and lakes.
Lighthouse Living: Book an overnight trip to one of Ireland’s lofty lighthouses like Wicklow Head Tower or Fanad Head in Donegal, where the lighthouse juts into the roaring Atlantic Ocean.
Where to Eat: From Michelin-Starred to Memorable Pub Grub
Dublin Dining
Fayrouz in the heart of the Liberties offers some of the best Lebanese food in the city, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere that’s always buzzing with locals and tourists alike. The restaurant has become a multicultural hub where diverse backgrounds come together over exceptional Middle Eastern cuisine.
Fine Dining: Chapter One on Parnell Square holds a Michelin star and serves exceptional Irish cuisine using seasonal ingredients.
Traditional Irish: The Winding Stair on Ormond Quay offers Irish cuisine with views of the Ha’penny Bridge—book a window table.
Pub Experience: The Brazen Head, Ireland’s oldest pub dating to 1198, serves hearty Irish fare in historic surroundings with nightly traditional music.
Cork’s Culinary Scene
Cork is regularly lauded as a foodie’s paradise, with Paradiso standing out as a gem that opened in 1993 and quickly developed a reputation for innovative and exciting vegetarian menus. Chef Denis Cotter’s creation continues to impress with sensational tasting menus.
Contemporary Irish: Goldie offers exceptional dining with creative menus that showcase Cork’s incredible produce.
Seafood Excellence: Fishy Fishy in nearby Kinsale is legendary for its fresh seafood—arrive early or book ahead.
Market Experience: The English Market in Cork city center is a food lover’s paradise. Sample artisan cheeses, locally made charcuterie, and fresh oysters while chatting with the vendors.
Galway Gastronomy
Seafood Stars: Restaurants like McDonagh’s and The King’s Head offer local seafood that showcases Galway’s coastal bounty.
Traditional Setting: Tig Cóilí in the Latin Quarter serves excellent pub food alongside the best traditional music sessions in the city.
Fine Dining: Aniar Restaurant holds a Michelin star and celebrates West of Ireland ingredients with creativity and precision.
Regional Recommendations
Kinsale, County Cork: This picturesque harbor town punches above its weight with exceptional restaurants. Try Fishy Fishy for lunch and Bastion for dinner.
Dingle, County Kerry: Out of the Blue specializes in incredibly fresh seafood—no bookings, just arrive early and hope for a table. It’s worth the wait.
Kenmare, County Kerry: Mulcahy’s Restaurant offers contemporary Irish cuisine in an intimate setting.
What to Play: Experiences That Define Ireland
Must-See Natural Wonders
The Cliffs of Moher: Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction with over 1 million visitors, offering 15 kilometers of walks along magnificent cliffs. Visit before 10 AM or after 4 PM to avoid the tour bus crowds and experience the cliffs in relative peace.
Ring of Kerry: Travelers recommend spending at least two nights in Killarney to fully enjoy the Ring of Kerry, as attempting to drive it in one day from Dingle would take 10-12 hours including stops. Drive counterclockwise to avoid heavy tourist traffic and large tour buses.
Killarney National Park: Ireland’s oldest national park offers visitors incredible hikes through stunning landscapes, including Ross Castle, Muckross House, and Torc Waterfall.
Connemara: This wild and beautiful region offers dramatic landscapes, traditional villages, and Sky Road—one of Ireland’s most scenic coastal drives.
Burren National Park: Located in the north of Ireland, it contains spectacular rocky cliffs and rugged landscapes that some say resemble the surface of the moon.
Cultural Experiences
Guinness Storehouse, Dublin: Ireland’s #1 visitor attraction and rated #1 visitor attraction in the world at the 2023 World Travel Awards. Book tickets in advance to avoid long waits, and consider the final tour of the evening for a special experience with smaller crowds.
Trinity College Library: See the Book of Kells, a 1,200-year-old illuminated manuscript, and walk through the stunning Long Room library with its vaulted ceilings and ancient books.
Traditional Music Sessions: Forget the tourist traps—ask locals where they go for sessions. In Galway, head to Tig Cóilí or Taaffes. In Doolin, try Gus O’Connor’s Pub or McGann’s.
Titanic Belfast: The museum commemorates the doomed ocean liner in the city where it all began, allowing visitors to explore the shipyard, walk the decks, and uncover the true legend of Titanic.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures
The Aran Islands: Take the ferry from Doolin or Galway to these isolated islands where you can step back in time. Rent bikes to explore ancient stone forts and dramatic cliffs.
Skellig Michael: This UNESCO World Heritage site features a 6th-century monastery perched on a rocky island. The boat journey and steep climb aren’t for everyone, but the experience is otherworldly. Book months in advance.
The Dark Hedges: Made world famous by Game of Thrones, this alley of twisting beech trees is best photographed at dawn for calm conditions and beautiful light, or visited at dusk with fog for a thrilling atmosphere.
Mitchelstown Cave, Tipperary: Three massive caverns filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and huge calcite columns, featuring the 9-meter high “Tower of Babel,” one of the most incredible stone formations in Europe.
Bioluminescent Kayaking in Lough Hyne: Kayaking under the stars through bioluminescent plankton that explode into light as you glide through the water—one of West Cork’s best kept secrets.
Active Adventures
Coastal Walks: The Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland offers stunning scenery, connecting the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant’s Causeway, and Dunluce Castle.
Cycling: The Great Western Greenway in Mayo offers 42 kilometers of car-free cycling along a disused railway line with spectacular coastal views.
Hiking: Croagh Patrick in County Mayo, known as Ireland’s holy mountain, offers challenging hiking with panoramic views. Thousands make the pilgrimage on Reek Sunday in July.
Surfing: Ireland’s west coast offers excellent surfing. Lahinch in County Clare and Bundoran in Donegal are popular spots with schools for beginners.
Insider Tips for an Authentic Irish Experience
Timing Your Visit: September offers shoulder season advantages—fewer crowds, pleasant weather, and events like the Galway International Oyster Festival. Late spring (May-June) provides long daylight hours and beautiful countryside.
Driving: Ireland drives on the left. Roads are narrow and winding, especially in rural areas. Rent the smallest car that meets your needs, and consider adding a driver to your group if you want to enjoy the scenery and pub visits without worry.
Pub Culture: Don’t just visit pubs for drinks—they’re community hubs where conversations happen. Chat with locals, ask for recommendations, and stay for traditional music sessions when available.
Weather Wisdom: “Four seasons in one day” is real in Ireland. Pack layers, waterproof jackets, and comfortable waterproof shoes. The Irish don’t let rain stop them—neither should you.
Booking Ahead: Popular restaurants, especially in smaller towns, book up quickly. Reserve dinner spots days in advance, particularly on weekends.
Beyond the Highlights: While Dublin, Galway, and the Cliffs of Moher are deservedly popular, some of Ireland’s most magical moments happen in smaller towns, rural areas, and unplanned conversations with locals.
Let Me Plan Your Perfect Irish Journey
Planning an Ireland trip involves countless decisions—which regions to prioritize, how many days in each location, which hotels offer the best value and experience, where to eat for authentic cuisine, and how to pace your itinerary for maximum enjoyment.
As your travel advisor, I handle all these details while crafting an itinerary perfectly suited to your interests, pace, and travel style. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic castle stay, a family adventure through stunning landscapes, or a culinary journey through Ireland’s best restaurants, I’ll ensure your Irish experience exceeds every expectation.
Discover My Complete Insider’s Guide to Ireland →
From boutique B&Bs to luxury castle hotels, from Michelin-starred restaurants to authentic pub sessions, from famous landmarks to hidden gems only locals know—let me show you the Ireland that lives in your imagination and beyond.
Connect with Heidi at Chasing Camels today—your personalized Irish adventure awaits, complete with insider recommendations, seamless logistics, and memories that will last a lifetime.