Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Ireland

A photograph of Ireland
Photograph · Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ireland here means the state covering 26 of the island's 32 counties; the other six are Northern Ireland, and the two share the republic's only land border. About 5.4 million people live in the 26, more than 1.5 million of them in Dublin on the east coast, where most arrivals begin. Everything else is a direction away from the capital - the Atlantic west and its cliffs and harbour towns, the Celtic Sea to the south beyond Cork, the Irish Sea coast running north. The island is small enough to cross by car in a day, which regularly tempts people into trying it.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Irish and English
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+353
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112 or 999
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type G · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Public supplies are monitored; follow any local boil-water notice

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Christ Church Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral
    02 30 min

    Christ Church Cathedral

    Christ Church Cathedral is a historic cathedral in Dublin, serving as both a place of worship and a landmark of architectural significance. Founded in the medieval period, it stands as one of the city's two medieval cathedrals.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Dublin
  2. Book of Kells Book of Kells
    03 45 min

    Book of Kells

    The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament. It is housed at Trinity College Dublin.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  3. Phoenix Park Phoenix Park
    04 1 hour

    Phoenix Park

    Phoenix Park is a large public park located west of Dublin city centre. It is one of the largest enclosed recreational spaces within any European capital city.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  4. National Gallery of Ireland National Gallery of Ireland
    05 1 hour

    National Gallery of Ireland

    The National Gallery of Ireland is a major public art museum located in Dublin. It occupies a prominent position in the city centre, near Merrion Square.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  5. General Post Office General Post Office
    06 45 min

    General Post Office

    The General Post Office stands on O'Connell Street in Dublin as one of Ireland's most recognisable civic buildings. Designed by Francis Johnston and completed in 1818, it serves as the headquarters of An Post, the Irish postal service.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  6. Ha'penny Bridge Ha'penny Bridge
    07 45 min

    Ha'penny Bridge

    Ha'penny Bridge is a historic pedestrian bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin city centre. Its local name and common name are identical: Ha'penny Bridge.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  7. National Botanic Gardens National Botanic Gardens
    08 1 hour

    National Botanic Gardens

    The National Botanic Gardens in Dublin is a botanical garden and scientific institution located in Glasnevin. Established in 1795, it serves as a centre for botanical research and conservation in Ireland.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  8. Glasnevin Cemetery Glasnevin Cemetery
    09 30 min

    Glasnevin Cemetery

    Glasnevin Cemetery is a historic burial ground located in Dublin, Ireland. Established in 1832, it serves as the final resting place for many prominent Irish historical figures.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Dublin
  9. Molly Malone Molly Malone
    10 1 hour

    Molly Malone

    Molly Malone is a bronze statue located on Suffolk Street in Dublin city centre.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  10. Merrion Square Merrion Square
    11 1 hour

    Merrion Square

    Merrion Square is a Georgian garden square in Dublin, Ireland, with a public park at its centre known as Merrion Square Park.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  11. Iveagh Gardens Iveagh Gardens
    12 1 hour

    Iveagh Gardens

    Iveagh Gardens is a public park located in Dublin, Ireland. The gardens were originally designed in the 19th century and are known for their Victorian landscape design.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  12. Hugh Lane Gallery Hugh Lane Gallery
    13 1 hour

    Hugh Lane Gallery

    The Hugh Lane Gallery is a municipal art gallery in Dublin, Ireland. Established through a bequest from Sir Hugh Lane, who perished aboard the RMS Lusitania in 1915, the institution occupies a purpose-built structure on Parnell Square North.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  13. Farmleigh Farmleigh
    14 45 min

    Farmleigh

    Farmleigh is a historic estate and official Irish State guest house located in the Phoenix Park area of Dublin. The property serves as a venue for state functions and is also open to public visitors.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  14. Casino at Marino Casino at Marino
    15 45 min

    Casino at Marino

    The Casino at Marino is a small pleasure house located in the northern suburbs of Dublin, Ireland.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  15. National Library of Ireland National Library of Ireland
    16 45 min

    National Library of Ireland

    The National Library of Ireland is a cultural institution on Kildare Street in Dublin. It serves as the country's principal repository for Irish documentary heritage, holding extensive collections of books, manuscripts, newspapers, and visual materials.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  16. Marsh's Library Marsh's Library
    17 45 min

    Marsh's Library

    Marsh's Library is a historic library in Dublin, Ireland, founded by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh in 1707. It was the first public library in Ireland and remains an independent institution.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  17. City Hall City Hall
    18 45 min

    City Hall

    Dublin City Hall is a civic building on Dame Street in Dublin, Ireland. Built in the late 18th century, it originally served as the Royal Exchange before becoming the seat of Dublin Corporation.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  18. Garden of Remembrance Garden of Remembrance
    19 1 hour

    Garden of Remembrance

    The Garden of Remembrance is a memorial garden in Dublin dedicated to those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  19. Irish National War Memorial Gardens Irish National War Memorial Gardens
    20 1 hour

    Irish National War Memorial Gardens

    The Irish National War Memorial Gardens are a commemorative landscape in Dublin, Ireland. Dedicated to the memory of Irish soldiers who died in the First World War, the gardens serve as a national monument.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  20. Gaiety Theatre Gaiety Theatre
    21 1 hour

    Gaiety Theatre

    The Gaiety Theatre is a historic theatre located on South King Street in Dublin, Ireland. Established in the 19th century, it stands as one of the city's prominent Victorian-era theatrical venues.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  21. National Concert Hall National Concert Hall
    22 1 hour

    National Concert Hall

    The National Concert Hall is Ireland's principal national venue for classical music and other live performances. Located in Dublin, it occupies a building that was formerly part of University College Dublin.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  22. Kilmainham Gaol Kilmainham Gaol
    23 45 min

    Kilmainham Gaol

    Kilmainham Gaol is a former prison in Dublin, Ireland, now operating as a museum. The building opened in 1796 and served as a functioning prison until 1924.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  23. St. Patrick's Cathedral Park St. Patrick's Cathedral Park
    24 1 hour

    St. Patrick's Cathedral Park

    Saint Patrick's Park is a public park situated adjacent to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. The green space provides a setting for the historic cathedral and serves as a recreational area for visitors and residents.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  24. National Leprechaun Museum National Leprechaun Museum
    25 45 min

    National Leprechaun Museum

    The National Leprechaun Museum is a visitor attraction in Dublin dedicated to Irish folklore and mythology, with particular emphasis on leprechaun legends.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  25. Ashtown Castle Ashtown Castle
    26 45 min

    Ashtown Castle

    Ashtown Castle is a tower house located within the grounds of the Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland. The structure represents a surviving example of medieval defensive architecture, characteristic of Irish tower houses built during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  26. Castleknock Castle Castleknock Castle
    27 45 min

    Castleknock Castle

    Castleknock Castle is a historic structure located in the Castleknock area of Dublin, Ireland. The castle stands as a remnant of medieval fortification within the broader Dublin region.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  27. Drimnagh Castle Drimnagh Castle
    28 45 min

    Drimnagh Castle

    Drimnagh Castle is a Norman castle located in the Drimnagh suburb of Dublin, Ireland. It is the only remaining castle in Ireland still surrounded by a flooded moat.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  28. Abbey Theatre Abbey Theatre
    29 1 hour

    Abbey Theatre

    The Abbey Theatre is a theatre located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the national theatre of Ireland and one of the country's most prominent cultural institutions.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  29. Grange Abbey Grange Abbey
    31 45 min

    Grange Abbey

    Grange Abbey is a historic religious site located in Dublin, Ireland. The structure represents part of the country's extensive ecclesiastical heritage, with origins tied to medieval monastic settlement patterns in the region.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  30. Magazine Fort Magazine Fort
    32 45 min

    Magazine Fort

    Magazine Fort is a historic fortification located in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Constructed in the eighteenth century, it served as a military storage facility for gunpowder and ammunition, giving the structure its distinctive name.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  31. Dunsink Observatory Dunsink Observatory
    33 45 min

    Dunsink Observatory

    Dunsink Observatory is an astronomical observatory situated in the northern suburbs of Dublin, Ireland. Established in the eighteenth century, it holds historical significance as one of the oldest scientific institutions in the country.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  32. Teeling Distillery Teeling Distillery
    35 45 min

    Teeling Distillery

    Teeling Distillery, operating under the local name Teeling Whiskey Company, is a whiskey production facility and visitor attraction in Dublin. It represents a notable point of interest within the city's industrial and cultural heritage landscape.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  33. Belcamp Park
    36 1 hour

    Belcamp Park

    Belcamp Park is a public park located in the northern suburbs of Dublin, Ireland. The park forms part of the green infrastructure serving the local residential communities in the area.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  34. Bram Stoker Park Bram Stoker Park
    38 1 hour

    Bram Stoker Park

    Bram Stoker Park is a public park in Dublin, Ireland, named after the celebrated Irish author Abraham Bram Stoker, best known for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  35. Bushy Park Bushy Park
    39 1 hour

    Bushy Park

    Bushy Park is a public park located in the Terenure area of Dublin, Ireland. The park occupies a notable green space within the suburban landscape of Ireland's capital city.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  36. Dubh Linn Garden Dubh Linn Garden
    40 1 hour

    Dubh Linn Garden

    Dubh Linn Garden is a public garden located in Dublin, Ireland. The name derives from the Irish Dubh Linn, meaning black pool, which is the historical origin of the city's name.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  37. Ellenfield Park
    42 1 hour

    Ellenfield Park

    Ellenfield Park is a public park situated in Dublin, Ireland. The open space serves as a recreational amenity for local residents and visitors seeking outdoor leisure in the city.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  38. Hungry Tree
    44 45 min

    Hungry Tree

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  39. Fairview Park Fairview Park
    45 1 hour

    Fairview Park

    Fairview Park is a public park located in the Fairview area of Dublin, Ireland. The park serves as a green space for the local community and visitors to the city.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  40. Father Collins Park Father Collins Park
    46 1 hour

    Father Collins Park

    Father Collins Park is a public park located in Dublin, Ireland. The park serves as a recreational green space for the local community and visitors to the area.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  41. Griffith Park Griffith Park
    47 1 hour

    Griffith Park

    Griffith Park is a public park located in Dublin, Ireland. The park serves as a green space within the urban environment of the city. It is identified in OpenStreetMap data with the production identity way/132370759.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  42. King's Inns
    48 45 min

    King's Inns

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  43. Herbert Park Herbert Park
    49 1 hour

    Herbert Park

    Herbert Park is a public park located in Dublin, Ireland. The park occupies land in the Ballsbridge area of the city. It was named after Sidney Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Lea.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  44. Irishtown Nature Park Irishtown Nature Park
    50 1 hour

    Irishtown Nature Park

    Irishtown Nature Park is a public green space located in the Ringsend and Irishtown area of Dublin, Ireland. The park occupies land on the south side of Dublin's inner city, near the River Liffey estuary.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  45. Famine
    51 45 min

    Famine

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  46. Lansdowne Valley Park
    55 1 hour

    Lansdowne Valley Park

    Lansdowne Valley Park is a public park located in Dublin, Ireland. The green space sits within the urban fabric of the city and serves as a recreational area for local residents and visitors.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  47. Saint Anne's Park Saint Anne's Park
    57 1 hour

    Saint Anne's Park

    Saint Anne's Park is a public park located in the Raheny area of Dublin, Ireland. The park was formerly part of an estate associated with Saint Anne's House, which has since been demolished.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  48. Stardust Memorial Park Stardust Memorial Park
    59 1 hour

    Stardust Memorial Park

    Stardust Memorial Park is a memorial park in Dublin, Ireland. It commemorates the Stardust nightclub fire of 1981, one of the worst fire disasters in Irish history.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  49. Anna Livia
    60 1 hour

    Anna Livia

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  50. The Cabbage Garden The Cabbage Garden
    62 1 hour

    The Cabbage Garden

    The Cabbage Garden is a historic cemetery located in Dublin, Ireland. Established in the 17th century, it served as a burial ground for Catholic ecclesiastics and others during periods of religious restriction in Ireland.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  51. Wood Quay
    67 1 hour

    Wood Quay

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  52. Tymon Park Tymon Park
    68 1 hour

    Tymon Park

    Tymon Park is a large public park located in Dublin, Ireland. The park serves as a significant green space within the city, offering recreational facilities for residents and visitors.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin
  53. Vicar Street
    70 1 hour

    Vicar Street

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Dublin
  54. Father Mathew monument Father Mathew monument
    71 45 min

    Father Mathew monument

    The Father Mathew monument commemorates Theobald Mathew, an Irish Catholic temperance reformer who led the Total Abstinence Society in nineteenth-century Ireland. The statue stands as public sculpture in Dublin, representing Mathew's historical significance in Irish social history.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  55. O'Connell Monument O'Connell Monument
    74 45 min

    O'Connell Monument

    The O'Connell Monument is a public memorial statue honouring Daniel O'Connell, the nineteenth-century Irish political leader known as The Liberator. Located on O'Connell Street in central Dublin, the monument stands as a prominent feature of the city's main thoroughfare.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  56. Parnell Monument Parnell Monument
    79 45 min

    Parnell Monument

    The Charles Stewart Parnell Monument is a public memorial located on O'Connell Street in Dublin, Ireland. It commemorates Charles Stewart Parnell, a prominent nineteenth-century Irish nationalist politician who served as Member of Parliament and led the Irish Parliamentary Party.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  57. Sir John Gray monument Sir John Gray monument
    86 45 min

    Sir John Gray monument

    The Sir John Gray monument commemorates Sir John Gray Knt MD JP, a notable nineteenth-century Irish physician, journalist, and politician. Gray served as a Member of Parliament and was instrumental in Dublin's public health infrastructure, particularly regarding water supply improvements.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  58. Wellington Monument Wellington Monument
    91 45 min

    Wellington Monument

    The Wellington Monument is an obelisk located in Dublin's Phoenix Park. It commemorates Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, an Anglo-Irish military and political figure.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  59. William Smith O'Brien monument William Smith O'Brien monument
    93 45 min

    William Smith O'Brien monument

    The William Smith O'Brien Monument is a public memorial in Dublin commemorating the 19th-century Irish nationalist and Member of Parliament. O'Brien was a leading figure in the Young Irelander movement and participated in the 1848 rebellion.

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Dublin
  60. Burrow Beach Burrow Beach
    97 1 hour

    Burrow Beach

    Burrow Beach is a sandy coastal beach located in the Sutton area of Dublin, Ireland. It sits on the northern side of Dublin Bay, facing Howth Head across the water.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Dublin

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Ireland be?

Seven to ten days supports Dublin plus one coherent coastal or western circuit. A shorter trip should choose either the southwest, Galway and Connemara, or Northern Ireland connections rather than tracing the entire island.

What entry documents are needed for Ireland?

Irish Immigration explains the documents examined at the border. Visa need, passport validity and supporting evidence depend on nationality; Ireland is not part of Schengen, so a Schengen permission alone does not settle Irish entry.

What is the best way to travel around Ireland?

Dublin is the largest air gateway, with Shannon and Cork useful for western and southern routes. Intercity rail and coach links serve the main cities, while rural peninsulas and small settlements often require a car or planned bus connection.

When is a practical time to visit Ireland?

May to September offers longer daylight for road and coastal itineraries. Rain and wind remain possible throughout the year, so ferry crossings and exposed walks need a current forecast rather than a seasonal assumption.

What money and payment basics apply in Ireland?

Ireland uses the euro (EUR). The cited national tourism source does not record a universal payment rule; confirm card acceptance for rural transport, small accommodation and deposits, and retain an alternative.

What practical safety details should I save for Ireland?

Emergency services in Ireland answer 112 or 999. Type G sockets use 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.