Things to Do in Ireland

Despite being one of Ireland’s most important historical sites, it’s Tara’s otherworldly views and fascinating archaeological finds that make it such a popular day trip from Dublin. The Hill of Tara, known as Temair in Gaelic, is located in County Meath and was once the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland – a series of grassy landscaped mounds presiding over the surrounding land.

Ancient Irish mythology tells that 142 kings reigned from this mount in prehistoric times and Temair was renowned as the ‘sacred place of dwelling for the gods’. Legend dictates that Saint Patrick, patron Saint of Ireland, also visited the Hill, and a statue of him still reigns proud at the top.

To make the most of a visit to Temair, head first to the Hill’s visitor center, set inside a disused church, where an audio-visual presentation will fill you in on the area’s majestic heritage. Exploring the landscape, you’ll uncover a host of interesting ancient relics including a number of passage tombs and ceremonial enclosures, Neolithic burial mounds and a sizable temple constructed from over 300 wooden posts. Make sure you don’t miss the ‘Stone of Destiny’, an ancient coronation stone that remains one of Tara’s most famous monuments.

Entry to the site is free but the rough terrain means you’ll need to scramble over ditches and up slippery grass mounds, so don’t forget your hiking boots! Best of all are the views and Tara’s summit offers an expansive panorama of the landscaped surroundings – clamber up the hill at sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic view.

Standing on the left bank of the River Corrib, Galway’s famous Spanish Arch is the sole remainder of the city’s 16th century bastion, designed to protect the town’s quays and merchant ships from looting. The arch itself, built as an access point to the town, was known as the ‘Ceann an Bhalla’, or the ‘Head of the wall’, later taking its name from the Spanish ships that it docked beneath it. Despite being partially destroyed in the 1755 tsunami, the Spanish Arch still stands today - an important landmark, directly opposite the Claddagh shore.

A popular pastime for visitors to the city is strolling along the ‘Long Walk’, the 18th century promenade running along the quay, where you can soak up the atmosphere of the seafront and admire the Arch’s famous ‘Madonna of the Quays’ sculpture, carved from wood by artist Claire Sheridan who inhabited the adjacent building in the 1950’s. Overlooking the Arch and providing some of the best views, is the Galway City Museum, home to a fascinating exhibition of local art, history and craft.

The limestone cave complex at Dunmore stretches around 0.5 km (0.25 miles) underground and descends to a depth of 46 m (150 ft). It is open for guided tours of the caverns, which are rich in gleaming limestone stalactites and stalagmites that have been forming, drip by drip, for more than 300 million years. The most spectacular is a vast, colonnaded pillar dubbed the "˜Market Cross', which is found in a chamber known as the "˜Town Hall' and is over five m (16.5 ft) high. There is evidence in ancient Irish literature of man settling in the caves as far back as the ninth century, while bones and teeth found in the inner chambers of the complex are thought to be the remains of Vikings murdered in 928. In addition, a hoard of silver and bronze coins, wire buttons and ingots were discovered there in 1999; they are currently displayed in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin and are believed to date from around 970 AD. A small visitor center showcases the history and geology of the cave complex.

Wicklow Mountains National Park, also known as the Garden of Ireland, is one of the country’s six national parks and an easy day trip from Dublin, only 18.5 miles (30 km) away. Travelers frequent this County Wicklow mountain range to spend time away from the city and enjoy the stunningly wild landscape that is so markedly different from the typical green, grassy plains of the Emerald Isle. You’ll find 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of low mountains, serene lakes, and deep glacial valleys offering chances to fish, kayak, and hike.

Wicklow Mountain Scenery

From bog lands to heather fields, stunning mountain landscapes awaits at the Wicklow Mountains. The park features Glencree Valley and Sally Gap, in addition to one of Ireland’s highest waterfalls, Powerscourt. Other must-see spots include the P.S. I Love You Bridge; Powerscourt Gardens at the Powerscourt Estate; the Wicklow Gap, where much of Braveheart was filmed; and Lough Tay, also known as Guinness Lake. Many tours include nature walks with a tour guide, and some allow for exploring nearby medieval villages such as Kilkenny and the round tower at the Glendalough Monastic Settlement, founded by St. Kevin in the sixth century. Because there’s so much natural beauty to take in at the national park, it’s recommended that you spend a full day here.

Insider Tip

Stop by Fitzgerald's Pub in Avoca in County Wicklow for lunch at a traditional Irish pub. Plus, what’s lunch on the Emerald Isle without a Guinness to go with it?