Where Should You Go In Ireland?
This page will help you get to know the different regions of Ireland quickly.
I break down the country into regions and highly recommend that you focus on one region for your trip.
Don't try to rush around the whole country in a week. It's too exhausting. Instead, pick one region and explore it at a more relaxed pace. Here's what is in each region, its vibe, its famous sites and the places locals prefer.
This is Step 2 on my 10 Steps To Plan Your Perfect Ireland Trip.
Dublin & The East
Dublin is on the east coast and you will likely fly in here.
If you're flying into Dublin to start a trip around Ireland, spend your first day here. Driving jet lagged is dangerous enough, never mind on Irish roads. And come back to Dublin the night before your flight home.
Visitors Come For
- Dublin is not 'just another city'. It can be if you stick the touristy city spots, but within a 30 minute train ride, you can explore a dozen of its gorgeous coastal villages.
- Wicklow is called the Garden of Ireland and its mountains overlook Dublin. Wicklow is a place you could spend a week if you are into quieter travel.
- Wexford and its beaches are where Dubliners have their second homes.
- If you like ancient history, you'll love the east coast. It's called the Ancient East because of the 'older than the pyramids' tombs in Newgrange, the medieval city of Kilkenny and the 6th century monastic Glendalough.
- There are other counties in the east region that are beautiful in their own way. But you'll probably just drive through them as you head west.
But Locals Prefer
The coastal villages of Dalkey and Killiney, a walk through the old Guinness Estate in St Anne's Park, the wilderness of the Wicklow Mountains. We like a night out on Camden Street, shopping on Wicklow Street and the refined atmosphere of the Georgian Quarter.
Not So Good For
- Dublin is expensive
- Hotels can be booked out if there's a big event on.
Explore Dublin & The East
Ireland by Locals
What To Do In Dublin | Two Days in Dublin | Where to Stay in Dublin | The Most Scenic Walk in Dublin | Newgrange | Fun Things To Do in Dublin
The Southwest
The "Postcard Ireland." This is the most popular region for a reason. The scenery is world class, featuring Ireland's highest mountains and the most dramatic sections of the Wild Atlantic Way. If you want to see the Ireland you see in movies, this is it.
It's an utterly stunning part of the world. It's rightly the most visited area of the country. I go there on my own holidays. Read about my most recent trip there.
Visitors Come For
- Cork. The biggest county in Ireland and enough scenery to keep you busy for a month.
- Kerry. The tourist centre of Ireland.
- Clare and the Cliffs of Moher
- The beginning of the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2500km route along Ireland's west coast.
- West Cork. Most skip it for some reason. You shouldn’t.
- Small islands like Dursey, the Skelligs, Sherkin and gorgeous beaches like Inch, Banna, Inchydoney.
- The best golf courses in Ireland. Old Head, Ballybunion, Waterville.
Main Tourists Towns: Cobh, Kinsale, Killarney, Dingle, Doolin
But Locals Prefer
Ring of Beara is wilder than the Ring of Kerry. Sheep's Head Drive is completely empty. West Cork is Kerry without the crowds. Gougane Barra is serenity on a lake. Mizen Head instead of Cliffs of Moher.
Local Towns : Skibbereen, Rosscarbery, Kenmare, Cahersiveen, Annascaul, Ennistymon.
Not So Good For
- Killarney, Dingle, and Doolin are popular but very touristy. You will hear more American accents than Irish ones.
- Crowds in the Summer. Go to the Northwest in July & August instead.
Explore the Southwest
What To Do In Kerry | 5 Days in West Cork | What To Do In Kinsale, Cork City, Cobh
The West & Northwest
This is my kind of place. Outdoorsy heaven with big waves & mountains. The northwest is much less visited than the Southwest. Come here in the Summer when Kerry is full.
Galway is on the tourist route that everyone does, but once you leave that behind, the region of Ireland is rugged and remote. With scenic drives you haven't heard of but neither has anyone else so they're quiet.
There's more tiny islands than gas stations here. Take a boat over, it'll probably be just you and the islanders.
Visitors Come For
- Galway city is compact, colorful and always fun.
- The Aran Islands. Famous, but there's better islands to visit in the region.
- Connemara. A rocky, barren but bleakly beautiful area. The kind of place you'd go to write a book while looking out at grey & brooding clouds.
- Mayo has more sheep than people but people come and don't leave. Benwee Head is my absolute favorite scenic spot in Ireland and it is always empty.
- Sligo. No one comes here! But it has the majestic Benbulben Mountains, the massive waves in Mullaghmore, the Gleniff Horseshoe drive. I might retire here.
- Donegal. The highest cliffs in Europe. The accents in Donegal will have you wondering if they are speaking English or Irish. It could be either. So northern you might see the lights.
- Take the most scenic flight in the world back to Dublin from Donegal Airport.
Tourist Towns: Galway, Clifden, Westport,
But Locals Prefer
Benwee Head for the scenery and solitude. Croagh Patrick for a hike. Clare Island instead of the Aran Islands. The surfing beaches of Sligo. The Inishowen 100 for the most northerly scenic drive. Mullaghmore's private castle.
Local Towns: Just about every small village along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Not So Good For
- A lot of places close in the winter because there's so few visitors.
More Reading
Mayo: Where the Wild Atlantic Way Actually Feels Wild
The North
One minute history lesson first. The island of Ireland was partitioned in 1921 into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland is its own independent country, is part of the EU and uses the Euro. Northern Ireland is part of the UK and uses the English pound. There's a lot more to it than that but that'll do for now.
There's Belfast for city life, but I prefer the scenery of the Causeway Coast with castles, beaches, rope bridge, sets for dragons and distilleries.
Visitors Come For
- Belfast and its very troubled history. The Black Cab Tour are unmissable. Chilling but essential to understand Ireland.
- The Giants Causeway. A UNESCO Heritage site but overcrowded for me tbh.
- Carrick-A-Red Rope Bridge. A very fun experience. Go on a calm day!
- Dunluce Castle. You'll find yourself humming the GoT theme song as you walk through
- The Dark Hedges. Amazing with GCI can do! Don't go out of your way
- Bushmills Distillery. Distillery to the Royal Family and many others.
But Locals Prefer
Walk to the Giants Causeway from Portballintrae for no crowds and a different view. Whitepark Bay is a fabulous beach. Rathlin Island & its puffins. The Copeland Distillery in Donaghadee is a small town alternative to Bushmills. Torr Head drive is too narrow for coaches, so less crowds.
Next
Pick Your Favorite Region and continue onto Step 3 to plan your trip to Ireland