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Ireland

GALLERY

It's a Celtic mystery: how can a country as small as Ireland be packed with so much majestic history, natural beauty, vibrant culture, and, of course, fun? Norman castles overlook wild, empty beaches, Georgian country houses host impromptu traditional music sessions, excited theatergoers spill out into bustling Dublin pubs. Drama and spectacle lie at every turn, with a pint of Guinness to toast it all. But the real Irish secret is the people: their unique blend of warmth, humor, and irreverence will ensure your trip to the Emerald Isle is a true adventure.

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Fodor's Essential Ireland 2026: with Belfast and Northern Ireland

Fodor's Essential Ireland 2026: with Belfast and Northern Ireland

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Killarney

One of Southwest Ireland's most attractive locales, Killarney is also the most heavily visited town in the region (its proximity to the Ring of Kerry...

The Midlands

During the boom years of economic growth in Ireland, from the mid-1990s to 2008, newly built motorways bypassed many small Midlands towns. But for a...

Waterford City

The largest town in the Southeast and Ireland's oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and was taken over by...

The Southwest

Ever since Killarney was first "discovered" by William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott, visitors have been searching for superlatives to describe the deep blue lakes...

County Cork

With its deep-rooted history, more than a thousand kilometers of pristine coastline dotted with pretty harbor villages, and a gently lilting up-and-down accent that flows...

Dublin

Dublin today is very much a modern European city, with a thriving economy built on an influx of tech giants and large fincancial institutions. It...

County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands

The West of Ireland is the most westerly seaboard in Europe, and the part of Ireland least influenced by its neighbor to the east, England...

Galway City

Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today...

The Southeast

Going to Ireland for the sunshine might sound like a joke, but not if you head to the golden beaches and blue surf of the...

Mullaghmore

In July and August, the sleepy fishing village of Mullaghmore becomes congested with tourists. Its main attractions: a 3-km-long (2-mile-long) sandy beach, and the turreted...

Glenveagh National Park

...

Bundoran

...

Portlaoise

Near the heart of County Laois, the rich farmland south and west of Portlaoise is one of Ireland's undiscovered gems. Golf, fishing, hiking, and horseback...

Cavan

Like all the larger towns of the region, Cavan is growing and prosperous. It is perhaps best known for its crystal factory. But as one...

Belmullet

Belmullet's unconventional streetscape skirts its waterfront and the town harbors a friendly, unpretentious attitude that harks back to an earlier time. Nestled in a quiet...

Roundstone

The vibrantly colored vernacular facades that follow the hilly terrain of this ocean-harbor village, nestled in the shadows of the Twelve Bens Mountains, make for...

Ennis

Clare’s main town, Ennis, has a medieval layout that follows the River Fergus with a network of narrow lanes and a one-way road system. Offload...

Doolin

Once an enchanting backwater of colorful fishermen’s cottages, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and disappear into the...

Bunratty Castle

Bunratty was a thriving village until its population was decimated by the great famine in the middle of the 19th century. A hundred years later...

Ballyvaughan

A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of Galway Bay...

Westport

By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands...

Ballyhack

On the upper reaches of Waterford Harbour, this pretty village with a square castle keep, thatch cottages, and a green, hilly background is admired by...

Kilkenny City

Dubbed "Ireland's Medieval Capital" by its tourist board, and also called "the Oasis of Ireland" for its many pubs and watering holes, Kilkenny is one...

Inis Meain (Inishmaan)

The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and its empty beaches and breathtaking scenery can be...

Kenmare

Located slightly inland without a clear view of Kenmare Bay, Kenmare is a natural stopover for Ring of Kerry buses and travelers as it is...

Inis Mor (Inishmore)

Dún Aengus Hillfort is the main draw to Inis Mór, the largest and most populated of Aran's three islands. Stretching more than 16 km (10...

Banagher

"Well, that beats Banagher!" This small Shannon-side town is best known in Ireland because of this common phrase, which dates from the 19th century when...

Inis Oirr (Inisheer)

Inis Oírr, the smallest island, can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted to linger...

Mullingar

The Irish are great ones for wrapping an insult up in a lyrical turn of phrase. Rather than describe a woman as overweight they'll say...

Kilkee

Kilkee is the access point to Loop Head and the only major town on the peninsula. Its faded Victorian allure is still recognizable behind the...

The Northwest

With its towering cliffs, secluded expanses of golden beaches, and sun-tinted waters, the Northwest is an untamed and wild part of Ireland—shaped, influenced, and tormented...

Killaloe

Killaloe is separated from its sister town Ballina by an impressive 13-arch bridge across the River Shannon and a county border; a trek across the...

Donegal Town

With a population of about 3,000, Donegal is Northwest Ireland's largest small village—marking the entry into the back-of-the-beyond of the wilds of County Donegal. The...

Kinvara

Kinvara, with its pretty harbor and iconic ocean-edge tower house, makes for a leisurely break along the busy tourist trek between the Cliffs of Moher...

Letterkenny

Letterkenny, like Donegal to the south, is at the gateway to the far Northwest; you're likely to come through here if you're driving west out...

Lahinch

Lahinch's promenade is milling with a mix of locals and visitors out to inhale the fresh Atlantic air at all times of year. Its golf...

Quin

Quin Village has retained the essence of old Ireland despite the fact that it is only a 20-minute drive from Shannon Airport and less than...

Thomastown

Originally the seat of the kings of Ossory (an ancient Irish kingdom), Thomastown is a pretty, stone-built village on the River Nore. It takes its...

Dungarvan

With their covering of soft grasses, the lowlands of Wexford and eastern Waterford gradually give way to heath and moorland. The mountains responsible for the...

Great Blasket Island

The Great Blasket, which measures roughly 3 km by 1 km (2 miles by ½ mile), has no traffic, no pub, no hotel, and no...

Lismore

Lismore is one of Ireland's grandest places to get lost in. Popular with both anglers and romantics, the enchanting little town is built on the...

Oughterard

Bustling Oughterard (pronounced "ook-ter-ard") is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling resorts. Boats can be...

Letterfrack

This is the gateway village to the famous Connemara National Park. It also makes a handy base for those visiting spectacular Kylemore Abbey, one of...

Bantry

The town of Bantry is at the head of Bantry Bay, between the Sheep's Head Peninsula to the southwest and the Beara Peninsula to the...

Cong

Set on a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border near Maam Cross, the pretty, old-fashioned village of Cong...

Clonakilty and Nearby

Clonakilty is a small market town and famous for being the hometown of statesman and revolutionary Michael Collins. His significance still resonates throughout the town...

The Skelligs and Valentia

In the far northwestern corner of the Ring of Kerry, across Portmagee Channel, lies scenic Valentia Island, reached by leaving the Ring of Kerry on...

Cork City

Cork's city center is in a valley that's spread over 13 islands where the River Lee splinters and meets again, while its suburbs are located...

Athlone

The mighty Shannon flows majestically through the heart of Athlone, yet for years it seemed as if the town was happy to turn its back...

Fermoy

An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin–Cork road (N8). The bridge that spans the Blackwater...

Birr

Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots that date to the...

Glengarriff

One of the jewels of Bantry Bay is Glengarriff, the "rugged glen" much loved by the writers William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott. The drive...

Longford Town

Longford, the seat of County Longford and a typical, small, market-town community, is rich in literary associations, though after Oliver Goldsmith, the names in the...

Kinsale

Foodies flock to Kinsale, a picturesque port that pioneered the Irish small-town tradition of fine dining in unbelievably small restaurants. In the early 1980s, Kinsale...

Portarlington

Built on the River Barrow in the late 17th century, Portarlington was originally an English settlement. Later, a Huguenot colony developed here, and French surnames...

Midleton

Midleton is famous for its school, Midleton College, founded in 1696, and its distillery, founded in 1825 and modernized in 1975, which manufactures spirits—including Irish...

Tullamore

The county seat of Offaly, Tullamore is a bustling market town that thrived during Ireland's economic boom that lasted from the mid-1990s until 2008; like...

Shanagarry

There are three reasons to come to Shanagarry, a farming village known chiefly for its Quaker connections: Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland's first and still...

Ard an Ratha (Ardara)

At the head of a lovely ocean inlet, the unpretentious, old-fashioned hamlet of Ard an Rátha (Ardara) is built around the L-shape intersection of its...

Dublin Environs

Walt Disney himself couldn't have planned it better. The small counties immediately north, south, and west of Dublin—historically known as the Pale—seem expressly designed to...

Carrick-on-Shannon

Carrick-on-Shannon grew up around the river that still plays an important role in the town's confidence. Its original Irish name, Cora Droma Rúisc, means "the...

Blessington

With its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, Blessington is one of the most charming villages in the...

Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille)

“The back of beyond" at the far end of a stretch of barren moorland, the tiny hamlet of Gleann Cholm Cille clings dramatically to the...

Drogheda

Drogheda (pronounced "dra-he-da") is one of the most enjoyable and historic towns on the east coast of Ireland—and a setting for one of the most...

Killybegs

Trawlers from Spain, Portugal, and Norway are moored in the harbor at Killybegs, one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports. Though it's one of the most...

Dundalk

Perfectly positioned as a hub to explore the region north and south of the border, Dundalk—only 9½ km (6 miles) from Northern Ireland—is the main...

Lough Gill

Lough Gill means "lake of brightness." In fine weather, the beautiful river-fed lough and its surroundings are serenity itself: sunlight on the meadows, lough-side cottages...

Glendalough

One of Ireland's best monastic sites, Glendalough also has a stunningly photogenic lakeside setting. It's a popular destination for day trips...

Sligo Town

Sligo is the best place to begin a tour of Yeats Country. Squeezed on to a patch of land between Sligo Bay and Lough Gill...

Hill of Tara

In legends and in the popular imagination, the "seat of the High Kings of Ireland" has taken on mythic proportions. As with much of the...

Ardmore

Historic spiritual sites, white beaches, dramatic cliff walks, local fishermen—little Ardmore is a picture-postcard Irish town that packs a whole lot of wonder into a...

Kildare Town

Horse breeding is the cornerstone of County Kildare's thriving economy, and Kildare Town is the place to come if you're crazy about horses. But, in...

Cahir

Cahir (pronounced "care") is a busy but easygoing market town with a pleasant Georgian square at its heart. It is built on the River Suir...

Maynooth

Maynooth itself is a serene university town named for a pre-Christian king of Ireland. The mighty Fitzgerald family inherited the local manor in the 12th...

Enniscorthy

On the sloping banks of the River Slaney and on the main road between Dublin and Wexford to the south of the popular resort of...

Mount Usher Gardens

Close to both Ashford and Rathnew villages, these extensive gardens are a popular day trip from Dublin. The excellent café is run by Avoca, and...

Kilmore Quay

Noted for its fishing industry, this quiet, old-fashioned seaside village of thatched and whitewashed cottages is also popular with recreational anglers and bird-watchers. From the...

Wexford Town

This coastal town is most famed for the Wexford Opera Festival, usually held in October, which has been seducing the world with wonderful productions of...

Rosslare

Sometimes called Ireland's sunniest spot, the village of Rosslare is a seaside getaway with an attractive beach. Many vacationers head here to hike, golf, sun...

Adare

On the banks of the River Maigue, this once-upon-a-time-ified village dotted with thatched cottages is famed as one of Ireland's prettiest spots. It was given...

Powerscourt House, Gardens, and Waterfall

One of the grandest estates and gardens in Ireland, Powerscourt is one of the main reasons that people head to Enniskerry. Within the shadow of...

Leenane

Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village noted for its...

Slane

Slane Castle is the draw at this small Georgian village, built in the 18th century around a crossroads on the north side of the River...

Limerick City

Before you ask, there's no direct connection between Limerick City and the facetious five-line verse form known as a "limerick," which was first popularized by...

An Daingean (Dingle Town)

Backed by mountains and facing a sheltered harbor, An Daingean, the chief town of its eponymous peninsula, has a year-round population of 1,400 that more...

Tralee

County Kerry's capital and its largest town, Tralee (population 24,000) is the main shopping and business destination for North and West Kerry; it's a transport...

Straffan

Its attractive location on the banks of the River Liffey, its unique butterfly farm, and the Kildare Hotel and Country Club—where Arnold Palmer designed the...

Clifden

With roughly 2,600 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. Clifden's...

The Ring of Kerry

Running along the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula, the dramatic coastal road from Kenmare to Killorglin known as the Ring of Kerry has long been...

Trim

The historic town of Trim, on the River Boyne, contains some of the finest medieval ruins in Ireland. In 1359, on the instructions of King...

Glenbeigh

The road from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh is one of the Ring's highlights. To the north is Dingle Bay and the jagged peaks of the Dingle...

Wicklow Town

At the entrance to the attractive, tree-lined Main Street of Wicklow Town sprawl the extensive ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Wicklow, from the Danish...

Sneem

The pretty little village of Sneem (from the Irish for "knot") is settled around an English-style green on the Ardsheelaun River estuary, and its streets...

Abbeyleix

One of the most elegant small towns in Ireland, Abbeyleix has retained its Georgian feel and its broad main street, which is lined with well-appointed...

Waterville

Waterville, a seaside village facing Ballinskelligs Bay, is famous for its sportfishing, its 18-hole championship golf course (adopted as a warm-up spot for the British...

Connemara and County Mayo

A landscape where the thundering Atlantic forms the pounding backbeat to the most westerly seaboard in Europe, this most distinct area of Ireland has been...

Killarney

One of Southwest Ireland's most attractive locales, Killarney is also the most heavily visited town in the region (its proximity to the Ring of Kerry...

The Midlands

During the boom years of economic growth in Ireland, from the mid-1990s to 2008, newly built motorways bypassed many small Midlands towns. But for a...

Waterford City

The largest town in the Southeast and Ireland's oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and was taken over by...

The Southwest

Ever since Killarney was first "discovered" by William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott, visitors have been searching for superlatives to describe the deep blue lakes...

County Cork

With its deep-rooted history, more than a thousand kilometers of pristine coastline dotted with pretty harbor villages, and a gently lilting up-and-down accent that flows...

Dublin

Dublin today is very much a modern European city, with a thriving economy built on an influx of tech giants and large fincancial institutions. It...

County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands

The West of Ireland is the most westerly seaboard in Europe, and the part of Ireland least influenced by its neighbor to the east, England...

Galway City

Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today...

The Southeast

Going to Ireland for the sunshine might sound like a joke, but not if you head to the golden beaches and blue surf of the...

Mullaghmore

In July and August, the sleepy fishing village of Mullaghmore becomes congested with tourists. Its main attractions: a 3-km-long (2-mile-long) sandy beach, and the turreted...

Glenveagh National Park

...

Bundoran

...

Portlaoise

Near the heart of County Laois, the rich farmland south and west of Portlaoise is one of Ireland's undiscovered gems. Golf, fishing, hiking, and horseback...

Cavan

Like all the larger towns of the region, Cavan is growing and prosperous. It is perhaps best known for its crystal factory. But as one...

Belmullet

Belmullet's unconventional streetscape skirts its waterfront and the town harbors a friendly, unpretentious attitude that harks back to an earlier time. Nestled in a quiet...

Roundstone

The vibrantly colored vernacular facades that follow the hilly terrain of this ocean-harbor village, nestled in the shadows of the Twelve Bens Mountains, make for...

Ennis

Clare’s main town, Ennis, has a medieval layout that follows the River Fergus with a network of narrow lanes and a one-way road system. Offload...

Doolin

Once an enchanting backwater of colorful fishermen’s cottages, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and disappear into the...

Bunratty Castle

Bunratty was a thriving village until its population was decimated by the great famine in the middle of the 19th century. A hundred years later...

Ballyvaughan

A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of Galway Bay...

Westport

By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands...

Ballyhack

On the upper reaches of Waterford Harbour, this pretty village with a square castle keep, thatch cottages, and a green, hilly background is admired by...

Kilkenny City

Dubbed "Ireland's Medieval Capital" by its tourist board, and also called "the Oasis of Ireland" for its many pubs and watering holes, Kilkenny is one...

Inis Meain (Inishmaan)

The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and its empty beaches and breathtaking scenery can be...

Kenmare

Located slightly inland without a clear view of Kenmare Bay, Kenmare is a natural stopover for Ring of Kerry buses and travelers as it is...

Inis Mor (Inishmore)

Dún Aengus Hillfort is the main draw to Inis Mór, the largest and most populated of Aran's three islands. Stretching more than 16 km (10...

Banagher

"Well, that beats Banagher!" This small Shannon-side town is best known in Ireland because of this common phrase, which dates from the 19th century when...

Inis Oirr (Inisheer)

Inis Oírr, the smallest island, can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted to linger...

Mullingar

The Irish are great ones for wrapping an insult up in a lyrical turn of phrase. Rather than describe a woman as overweight they'll say...

Kilkee

Kilkee is the access point to Loop Head and the only major town on the peninsula. Its faded Victorian allure is still recognizable behind the...

The Northwest

With its towering cliffs, secluded expanses of golden beaches, and sun-tinted waters, the Northwest is an untamed and wild part of Ireland—shaped, influenced, and tormented...

Killaloe

Killaloe is separated from its sister town Ballina by an impressive 13-arch bridge across the River Shannon and a county border; a trek across the...

Donegal Town

With a population of about 3,000, Donegal is Northwest Ireland's largest small village—marking the entry into the back-of-the-beyond of the wilds of County Donegal. The...

Kinvara

Kinvara, with its pretty harbor and iconic ocean-edge tower house, makes for a leisurely break along the busy tourist trek between the Cliffs of Moher...

Letterkenny

Letterkenny, like Donegal to the south, is at the gateway to the far Northwest; you're likely to come through here if you're driving west out...

Lahinch

Lahinch's promenade is milling with a mix of locals and visitors out to inhale the fresh Atlantic air at all times of year. Its golf...

Quin

Quin Village has retained the essence of old Ireland despite the fact that it is only a 20-minute drive from Shannon Airport and less than...

Thomastown

Originally the seat of the kings of Ossory (an ancient Irish kingdom), Thomastown is a pretty, stone-built village on the River Nore. It takes its...

Dungarvan

With their covering of soft grasses, the lowlands of Wexford and eastern Waterford gradually give way to heath and moorland. The mountains responsible for the...

Great Blasket Island

The Great Blasket, which measures roughly 3 km by 1 km (2 miles by ½ mile), has no traffic, no pub, no hotel, and no...

Lismore

Lismore is one of Ireland's grandest places to get lost in. Popular with both anglers and romantics, the enchanting little town is built on the...

Oughterard

Bustling Oughterard (pronounced "ook-ter-ard") is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling resorts. Boats can be...

Letterfrack

This is the gateway village to the famous Connemara National Park. It also makes a handy base for those visiting spectacular Kylemore Abbey, one of...

Bantry

The town of Bantry is at the head of Bantry Bay, between the Sheep's Head Peninsula to the southwest and the Beara Peninsula to the...

Cong

Set on a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border near Maam Cross, the pretty, old-fashioned village of Cong...

Clonakilty and Nearby

Clonakilty is a small market town and famous for being the hometown of statesman and revolutionary Michael Collins. His significance still resonates throughout the town...

The Skelligs and Valentia

In the far northwestern corner of the Ring of Kerry, across Portmagee Channel, lies scenic Valentia Island, reached by leaving the Ring of Kerry on...

Cork City

Cork's city center is in a valley that's spread over 13 islands where the River Lee splinters and meets again, while its suburbs are located...

Athlone

The mighty Shannon flows majestically through the heart of Athlone, yet for years it seemed as if the town was happy to turn its back...

Fermoy

An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin–Cork road (N8). The bridge that spans the Blackwater...

Birr

Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots that date to the...

Glengarriff

One of the jewels of Bantry Bay is Glengarriff, the "rugged glen" much loved by the writers William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott. The drive...

Longford Town

Longford, the seat of County Longford and a typical, small, market-town community, is rich in literary associations, though after Oliver Goldsmith, the names in the...

Kinsale

Foodies flock to Kinsale, a picturesque port that pioneered the Irish small-town tradition of fine dining in unbelievably small restaurants. In the early 1980s, Kinsale...

Portarlington

Built on the River Barrow in the late 17th century, Portarlington was originally an English settlement. Later, a Huguenot colony developed here, and French surnames...

Midleton

Midleton is famous for its school, Midleton College, founded in 1696, and its distillery, founded in 1825 and modernized in 1975, which manufactures spirits—including Irish...

Tullamore

The county seat of Offaly, Tullamore is a bustling market town that thrived during Ireland's economic boom that lasted from the mid-1990s until 2008; like...

Shanagarry

There are three reasons to come to Shanagarry, a farming village known chiefly for its Quaker connections: Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland's first and still...

Ard an Ratha (Ardara)

At the head of a lovely ocean inlet, the unpretentious, old-fashioned hamlet of Ard an Rátha (Ardara) is built around the L-shape intersection of its...

Dublin Environs

Walt Disney himself couldn't have planned it better. The small counties immediately north, south, and west of Dublin—historically known as the Pale—seem expressly designed to...

Carrick-on-Shannon

Carrick-on-Shannon grew up around the river that still plays an important role in the town's confidence. Its original Irish name, Cora Droma Rúisc, means "the...

Blessington

With its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, Blessington is one of the most charming villages in the...

Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille)

“The back of beyond" at the far end of a stretch of barren moorland, the tiny hamlet of Gleann Cholm Cille clings dramatically to the...

Drogheda

Drogheda (pronounced "dra-he-da") is one of the most enjoyable and historic towns on the east coast of Ireland—and a setting for one of the most...

Killybegs

Trawlers from Spain, Portugal, and Norway are moored in the harbor at Killybegs, one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports. Though it's one of the most...

Dundalk

Perfectly positioned as a hub to explore the region north and south of the border, Dundalk—only 9½ km (6 miles) from Northern Ireland—is the main...

Lough Gill

Lough Gill means "lake of brightness." In fine weather, the beautiful river-fed lough and its surroundings are serenity itself: sunlight on the meadows, lough-side cottages...

Glendalough

One of Ireland's best monastic sites, Glendalough also has a stunningly photogenic lakeside setting. It's a popular destination for day trips...

Sligo Town

Sligo is the best place to begin a tour of Yeats Country. Squeezed on to a patch of land between Sligo Bay and Lough Gill...

Hill of Tara

In legends and in the popular imagination, the "seat of the High Kings of Ireland" has taken on mythic proportions. As with much of the...

Ardmore

Historic spiritual sites, white beaches, dramatic cliff walks, local fishermen—little Ardmore is a picture-postcard Irish town that packs a whole lot of wonder into a...

Kildare Town

Horse breeding is the cornerstone of County Kildare's thriving economy, and Kildare Town is the place to come if you're crazy about horses. But, in...

Cahir

Cahir (pronounced "care") is a busy but easygoing market town with a pleasant Georgian square at its heart. It is built on the River Suir...

Maynooth

Maynooth itself is a serene university town named for a pre-Christian king of Ireland. The mighty Fitzgerald family inherited the local manor in the 12th...

Enniscorthy

On the sloping banks of the River Slaney and on the main road between Dublin and Wexford to the south of the popular resort of...

Mount Usher Gardens

Close to both Ashford and Rathnew villages, these extensive gardens are a popular day trip from Dublin. The excellent café is run by Avoca, and...

Kilmore Quay

Noted for its fishing industry, this quiet, old-fashioned seaside village of thatched and whitewashed cottages is also popular with recreational anglers and bird-watchers. From the...

Wexford Town

This coastal town is most famed for the Wexford Opera Festival, usually held in October, which has been seducing the world with wonderful productions of...

Rosslare

Sometimes called Ireland's sunniest spot, the village of Rosslare is a seaside getaway with an attractive beach. Many vacationers head here to hike, golf, sun...

Adare

On the banks of the River Maigue, this once-upon-a-time-ified village dotted with thatched cottages is famed as one of Ireland's prettiest spots. It was given...

Powerscourt House, Gardens, and Waterfall

One of the grandest estates and gardens in Ireland, Powerscourt is one of the main reasons that people head to Enniskerry. Within the shadow of...

Leenane

Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village noted for its...

Slane

Slane Castle is the draw at this small Georgian village, built in the 18th century around a crossroads on the north side of the River...

Limerick City

Before you ask, there's no direct connection between Limerick City and the facetious five-line verse form known as a "limerick," which was first popularized by...

An Daingean (Dingle Town)

Backed by mountains and facing a sheltered harbor, An Daingean, the chief town of its eponymous peninsula, has a year-round population of 1,400 that more...

Tralee

County Kerry's capital and its largest town, Tralee (population 24,000) is the main shopping and business destination for North and West Kerry; it's a transport...

Straffan

Its attractive location on the banks of the River Liffey, its unique butterfly farm, and the Kildare Hotel and Country Club—where Arnold Palmer designed the...

Clifden

With roughly 2,600 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. Clifden's...

The Ring of Kerry

Running along the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula, the dramatic coastal road from Kenmare to Killorglin known as the Ring of Kerry has long been...

Trim

The historic town of Trim, on the River Boyne, contains some of the finest medieval ruins in Ireland. In 1359, on the instructions of King...

Glenbeigh

The road from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh is one of the Ring's highlights. To the north is Dingle Bay and the jagged peaks of the Dingle...

Wicklow Town

At the entrance to the attractive, tree-lined Main Street of Wicklow Town sprawl the extensive ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Wicklow, from the Danish...

Sneem

The pretty little village of Sneem (from the Irish for "knot") is settled around an English-style green on the Ardsheelaun River estuary, and its streets...

Abbeyleix

One of the most elegant small towns in Ireland, Abbeyleix has retained its Georgian feel and its broad main street, which is lined with well-appointed...

Waterville

Waterville, a seaside village facing Ballinskelligs Bay, is famous for its sportfishing, its 18-hole championship golf course (adopted as a warm-up spot for the British...

Connemara and County Mayo

A landscape where the thundering Atlantic forms the pounding backbeat to the most westerly seaboard in Europe, this most distinct area of Ireland has been...

Galway City

Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today...

Dublin

Dublin today is very much a modern European city, with a thriving economy built on an influx of tech giants and large fincancial institutions. It...

Waterford City

The largest town in the Southeast and Ireland's oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and was taken over by...

Killarney

One of Southwest Ireland's most attractive locales, Killarney is also the most heavily visited town in the region (its proximity to the Ring of Kerry...

Cahir

Cahir (pronounced "care") is a busy but easygoing market town with a pleasant Georgian square at its heart. It is built on the River Suir...

Mullaghmore

In July and August, the sleepy fishing village of Mullaghmore becomes congested with tourists. Its main attractions: a 3-km-long (2-mile-long) sandy beach, and the turreted...

Killala

...

Mullingar

The Irish are great ones for wrapping an insult up in a lyrical turn of phrase. Rather than describe a woman as overweight they'll say...

Birr

Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots that date to the...

Clifden

With roughly 2,600 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. Clifden's...

Ballyvaughan

A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of Galway Bay...

Westport

By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands...

Roundstone

The vibrantly colored vernacular facades that follow the hilly terrain of this ocean-harbor village, nestled in the shadows of the Twelve Bens Mountains, make for...

Oughterard

Bustling Oughterard (pronounced "ook-ter-ard") is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling resorts. Boats can be...

Letterfrack

This is the gateway village to the famous Connemara National Park. It also makes a handy base for those visiting spectacular Kylemore Abbey, one of...

Leenane

Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village noted for its...

Kilmore Quay

Noted for its fishing industry, this quiet, old-fashioned seaside village of thatched and whitewashed cottages is also popular with recreational anglers and bird-watchers. From the...

Bunratty Castle

Bunratty was a thriving village until its population was decimated by the great famine in the middle of the 19th century. A hundred years later...

Doolin

Once an enchanting backwater of colorful fishermen’s cottages, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and disappear into the...

Kenmare

Located slightly inland without a clear view of Kenmare Bay, Kenmare is a natural stopover for Ring of Kerry buses and travelers as it is...

Ennis

Clare’s main town, Ennis, has a medieval layout that follows the River Fergus with a network of narrow lanes and a one-way road system. Offload...

Athlone

The mighty Shannon flows majestically through the heart of Athlone, yet for years it seemed as if the town was happy to turn its back...

Ard an Ratha (Ardara)

At the head of a lovely ocean inlet, the unpretentious, old-fashioned hamlet of Ard an Rátha (Ardara) is built around the L-shape intersection of its...

Cavan

Like all the larger towns of the region, Cavan is growing and prosperous. It is perhaps best known for its crystal factory. But as one...

Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille)

“The back of beyond" at the far end of a stretch of barren moorland, the tiny hamlet of Gleann Cholm Cille clings dramatically to the...

Portlaoise

Near the heart of County Laois, the rich farmland south and west of Portlaoise is one of Ireland's undiscovered gems. Golf, fishing, hiking, and horseback...

Cong

Set on a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border near Maam Cross, the pretty, old-fashioned village of Cong...

Carrick-on-Shannon

Carrick-on-Shannon grew up around the river that still plays an important role in the town's confidence. Its original Irish name, Cora Droma Rúisc, means "the...

Inis Meain (Inishmaan)

The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and its empty beaches and breathtaking scenery can be...

Letterkenny

Letterkenny, like Donegal to the south, is at the gateway to the far Northwest; you're likely to come through here if you're driving west out...

Inis Mor (Inishmore)

Dún Aengus Hillfort is the main draw to Inis Mór, the largest and most populated of Aran's three islands. Stretching more than 16 km (10...

Ardmore

Historic spiritual sites, white beaches, dramatic cliff walks, local fishermen—little Ardmore is a picture-postcard Irish town that packs a whole lot of wonder into a...

Inis Oirr (Inisheer)

Inis Oírr, the smallest island, can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted to linger...

Enniscorthy

On the sloping banks of the River Slaney and on the main road between Dublin and Wexford to the south of the popular resort of...

Kilkee

Kilkee is the access point to Loop Head and the only major town on the peninsula. Its faded Victorian allure is still recognizable behind the...

Rosslare

Sometimes called Ireland's sunniest spot, the village of Rosslare is a seaside getaway with an attractive beach. Many vacationers head here to hike, golf, sun...

Killaloe

Killaloe is separated from its sister town Ballina by an impressive 13-arch bridge across the River Shannon and a county border; a trek across the...

Adare

On the banks of the River Maigue, this once-upon-a-time-ified village dotted with thatched cottages is famed as one of Ireland's prettiest spots. It was given...

Kinvara

Kinvara, with its pretty harbor and iconic ocean-edge tower house, makes for a leisurely break along the busy tourist trek between the Cliffs of Moher...

Tralee

County Kerry's capital and its largest town, Tralee (population 24,000) is the main shopping and business destination for North and West Kerry; it's a transport...

Lahinch

Lahinch's promenade is milling with a mix of locals and visitors out to inhale the fresh Atlantic air at all times of year. Its golf...

The Skelligs and Valentia

In the far northwestern corner of the Ring of Kerry, across Portmagee Channel, lies scenic Valentia Island, reached by leaving the Ring of Kerry on...

Quin

Quin Village has retained the essence of old Ireland despite the fact that it is only a 20-minute drive from Shannon Airport and less than...

Abbeyleix

One of the most elegant small towns in Ireland, Abbeyleix has retained its Georgian feel and its broad main street, which is lined with well-appointed...

Bantry

The town of Bantry is at the head of Bantry Bay, between the Sheep's Head Peninsula to the southwest and the Beara Peninsula to the...

Banagher

"Well, that beats Banagher!" This small Shannon-side town is best known in Ireland because of this common phrase, which dates from the 19th century when...

Castletownbere

Castletownbere is one of Ireland's busiest white fish ports and a good place to set down the anchor for touring the magnificent Beara Peninsula. The...

Boyle

...

Clonakilty and Nearby

Clonakilty is a small market town and famous for being the hometown of statesman and revolutionary Michael Collins. His significance still resonates throughout the town...

Longford Town

Longford, the seat of County Longford and a typical, small, market-town community, is rich in literary associations, though after Oliver Goldsmith, the names in the...

Cork City

Cork's city center is in a valley that's spread over 13 islands where the River Lee splinters and meets again, while its suburbs are located...

Portarlington

Built on the River Barrow in the late 17th century, Portarlington was originally an English settlement. Later, a Huguenot colony developed here, and French surnames...

Fermoy

An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin–Cork road (N8). The bridge that spans the Blackwater...

Tullamore

The county seat of Offaly, Tullamore is a bustling market town that thrived during Ireland's economic boom that lasted from the mid-1990s until 2008; like...

Glengarriff

One of the jewels of Bantry Bay is Glengarriff, the "rugged glen" much loved by the writers William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott. The drive...

Bundoran

...

Kinsale

Foodies flock to Kinsale, a picturesque port that pioneered the Irish small-town tradition of fine dining in unbelievably small restaurants. In the early 1980s, Kinsale...

Donegal Town

With a population of about 3,000, Donegal is Northwest Ireland's largest small village—marking the entry into the back-of-the-beyond of the wilds of County Donegal. The...

Midleton

Midleton is famous for its school, Midleton College, founded in 1696, and its distillery, founded in 1825 and modernized in 1975, which manufactures spirits—including Irish...

Killybegs

Trawlers from Spain, Portugal, and Norway are moored in the harbor at Killybegs, one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports. Though it's one of the most...

Schull

Teeming with the brightly painted facades of craft and book stores, galleries and pubs, this pretty village is alive with schooners in season and attracts...

Lough Gill

Lough Gill means "lake of brightness." In fine weather, the beautiful river-fed lough and its surroundings are serenity itself: sunlight on the meadows, lough-side cottages...

Shanagarry

There are three reasons to come to Shanagarry, a farming village known chiefly for its Quaker connections: Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland's first and still...

Sligo Town

Sligo is the best place to begin a tour of Yeats Country. Squeezed on to a patch of land between Sligo Bay and Lough Gill...

Blessington

With its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, Blessington is one of the most charming villages in the...

Ballyhack

On the upper reaches of Waterford Harbour, this pretty village with a square castle keep, thatch cottages, and a green, hilly background is admired by...

Drogheda

Drogheda (pronounced "dra-he-da") is one of the most enjoyable and historic towns on the east coast of Ireland—and a setting for one of the most...

Dungarvan

With their covering of soft grasses, the lowlands of Wexford and eastern Waterford gradually give way to heath and moorland. The mountains responsible for the...

Dundalk

Perfectly positioned as a hub to explore the region north and south of the border, Dundalk—only 9½ km (6 miles) from Northern Ireland—is the main...

Kilkenny City

Dubbed "Ireland's Medieval Capital" by its tourist board, and also called "the Oasis of Ireland" for its many pubs and watering holes, Kilkenny is one...

Glendalough

One of Ireland's best monastic sites, Glendalough also has a stunningly photogenic lakeside setting. It's a popular destination for day trips...

Lismore

Lismore is one of Ireland's grandest places to get lost in. Popular with both anglers and romantics, the enchanting little town is built on the...

Hill of Tara

In legends and in the popular imagination, the "seat of the High Kings of Ireland" has taken on mythic proportions. As with much of the...

Thomastown

Originally the seat of the kings of Ossory (an ancient Irish kingdom), Thomastown is a pretty, stone-built village on the River Nore. It takes its...

Kildare Town

Horse breeding is the cornerstone of County Kildare's thriving economy, and Kildare Town is the place to come if you're crazy about horses. But, in...

Wexford Town

This coastal town is most famed for the Wexford Opera Festival, usually held in October, which has been seducing the world with wonderful productions of...

Maynooth

Maynooth itself is a serene university town named for a pre-Christian king of Ireland. The mighty Fitzgerald family inherited the local manor in the 12th...

An Daingean (Dingle Town)

Backed by mountains and facing a sheltered harbor, An Daingean, the chief town of its eponymous peninsula, has a year-round population of 1,400 that more...

Slane

Slane Castle is the draw at this small Georgian village, built in the 18th century around a crossroads on the north side of the River...

Limerick City

Before you ask, there's no direct connection between Limerick City and the facetious five-line verse form known as a "limerick," which was first popularized by...

Straffan

Its attractive location on the banks of the River Liffey, its unique butterfly farm, and the Kildare Hotel and Country Club—where Arnold Palmer designed the...

Glenbeigh

The road from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh is one of the Ring's highlights. To the north is Dingle Bay and the jagged peaks of the Dingle...

Trim

The historic town of Trim, on the River Boyne, contains some of the finest medieval ruins in Ireland. In 1359, on the instructions of King...

Sneem

The pretty little village of Sneem (from the Irish for "knot") is settled around an English-style green on the Ardsheelaun River estuary, and its streets...

Wicklow Town

At the entrance to the attractive, tree-lined Main Street of Wicklow Town sprawl the extensive ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Wicklow, from the Danish...

Waterville

Waterville, a seaside village facing Ballinskelligs Bay, is famous for its sportfishing, its 18-hole championship golf course (adopted as a warm-up spot for the British...

Belmullet

Belmullet's unconventional streetscape skirts its waterfront and the town harbors a friendly, unpretentious attitude that harks back to an earlier time. Nestled in a quiet...

Galway City

Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today...

Dublin

Dublin today is very much a modern European city, with a thriving economy built on an influx of tech giants and large fincancial institutions. It...

Waterford City

The largest town in the Southeast and Ireland's oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and was taken over by...

Killarney

One of Southwest Ireland's most attractive locales, Killarney is also the most heavily visited town in the region (its proximity to the Ring of Kerry...

Cahir

Cahir (pronounced "care") is a busy but easygoing market town with a pleasant Georgian square at its heart. It is built on the River Suir...

Mullaghmore

In July and August, the sleepy fishing village of Mullaghmore becomes congested with tourists. Its main attractions: a 3-km-long (2-mile-long) sandy beach, and the turreted...

Killala

...

Mullingar

The Irish are great ones for wrapping an insult up in a lyrical turn of phrase. Rather than describe a woman as overweight they'll say...

Birr

Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots that date to the...

Clifden

With roughly 2,600 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. Clifden's...

Ballyvaughan

A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of Galway Bay...

Westport

By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands...

Roundstone

The vibrantly colored vernacular facades that follow the hilly terrain of this ocean-harbor village, nestled in the shadows of the Twelve Bens Mountains, make for...

Oughterard

Bustling Oughterard (pronounced "ook-ter-ard") is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling resorts. Boats can be...

Letterfrack

This is the gateway village to the famous Connemara National Park. It also makes a handy base for those visiting spectacular Kylemore Abbey, one of...

Leenane

Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village noted for its...

Kilmore Quay

Noted for its fishing industry, this quiet, old-fashioned seaside village of thatched and whitewashed cottages is also popular with recreational anglers and bird-watchers. From the...

Bunratty Castle

Bunratty was a thriving village until its population was decimated by the great famine in the middle of the 19th century. A hundred years later...

Doolin

Once an enchanting backwater of colorful fishermen’s cottages, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and disappear into the...

Kenmare

Located slightly inland without a clear view of Kenmare Bay, Kenmare is a natural stopover for Ring of Kerry buses and travelers as it is...

Ennis

Clare’s main town, Ennis, has a medieval layout that follows the River Fergus with a network of narrow lanes and a one-way road system. Offload...

Athlone

The mighty Shannon flows majestically through the heart of Athlone, yet for years it seemed as if the town was happy to turn its back...

Ard an Ratha (Ardara)

At the head of a lovely ocean inlet, the unpretentious, old-fashioned hamlet of Ard an Rátha (Ardara) is built around the L-shape intersection of its...

Cavan

Like all the larger towns of the region, Cavan is growing and prosperous. It is perhaps best known for its crystal factory. But as one...

Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille)

“The back of beyond" at the far end of a stretch of barren moorland, the tiny hamlet of Gleann Cholm Cille clings dramatically to the...

Portlaoise

Near the heart of County Laois, the rich farmland south and west of Portlaoise is one of Ireland's undiscovered gems. Golf, fishing, hiking, and horseback...

Cong

Set on a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border near Maam Cross, the pretty, old-fashioned village of Cong...

Carrick-on-Shannon

Carrick-on-Shannon grew up around the river that still plays an important role in the town's confidence. Its original Irish name, Cora Droma Rúisc, means "the...

Inis Meain (Inishmaan)

The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and its empty beaches and breathtaking scenery can be...

Letterkenny

Letterkenny, like Donegal to the south, is at the gateway to the far Northwest; you're likely to come through here if you're driving west out...

Inis Mor (Inishmore)

Dún Aengus Hillfort is the main draw to Inis Mór, the largest and most populated of Aran's three islands. Stretching more than 16 km (10...

Ardmore

Historic spiritual sites, white beaches, dramatic cliff walks, local fishermen—little Ardmore is a picture-postcard Irish town that packs a whole lot of wonder into a...

Inis Oirr (Inisheer)

Inis Oírr, the smallest island, can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted to linger...

Enniscorthy

On the sloping banks of the River Slaney and on the main road between Dublin and Wexford to the south of the popular resort of...

Kilkee

Kilkee is the access point to Loop Head and the only major town on the peninsula. Its faded Victorian allure is still recognizable behind the...

Rosslare

Sometimes called Ireland's sunniest spot, the village of Rosslare is a seaside getaway with an attractive beach. Many vacationers head here to hike, golf, sun...

Killaloe

Killaloe is separated from its sister town Ballina by an impressive 13-arch bridge across the River Shannon and a county border; a trek across the...

Adare

On the banks of the River Maigue, this once-upon-a-time-ified village dotted with thatched cottages is famed as one of Ireland's prettiest spots. It was given...

Kinvara

Kinvara, with its pretty harbor and iconic ocean-edge tower house, makes for a leisurely break along the busy tourist trek between the Cliffs of Moher...

Tralee

County Kerry's capital and its largest town, Tralee (population 24,000) is the main shopping and business destination for North and West Kerry; it's a transport...

Lahinch

Lahinch's promenade is milling with a mix of locals and visitors out to inhale the fresh Atlantic air at all times of year. Its golf...

The Skelligs and Valentia

In the far northwestern corner of the Ring of Kerry, across Portmagee Channel, lies scenic Valentia Island, reached by leaving the Ring of Kerry on...

Quin

Quin Village has retained the essence of old Ireland despite the fact that it is only a 20-minute drive from Shannon Airport and less than...

Abbeyleix

One of the most elegant small towns in Ireland, Abbeyleix has retained its Georgian feel and its broad main street, which is lined with well-appointed...

Bantry

The town of Bantry is at the head of Bantry Bay, between the Sheep's Head Peninsula to the southwest and the Beara Peninsula to the...

Banagher

"Well, that beats Banagher!" This small Shannon-side town is best known in Ireland because of this common phrase, which dates from the 19th century when...

Castletownbere

Castletownbere is one of Ireland's busiest white fish ports and a good place to set down the anchor for touring the magnificent Beara Peninsula. The...

Boyle

...

Clonakilty and Nearby

Clonakilty is a small market town and famous for being the hometown of statesman and revolutionary Michael Collins. His significance still resonates throughout the town...

Longford Town

Longford, the seat of County Longford and a typical, small, market-town community, is rich in literary associations, though after Oliver Goldsmith, the names in the...

Cork City

Cork's city center is in a valley that's spread over 13 islands where the River Lee splinters and meets again, while its suburbs are located...

Portarlington

Built on the River Barrow in the late 17th century, Portarlington was originally an English settlement. Later, a Huguenot colony developed here, and French surnames...

Fermoy

An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin–Cork road (N8). The bridge that spans the Blackwater...

Tullamore

The county seat of Offaly, Tullamore is a bustling market town that thrived during Ireland's economic boom that lasted from the mid-1990s until 2008; like...

Glengarriff

One of the jewels of Bantry Bay is Glengarriff, the "rugged glen" much loved by the writers William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott. The drive...

Bundoran

...

Kinsale

Foodies flock to Kinsale, a picturesque port that pioneered the Irish small-town tradition of fine dining in unbelievably small restaurants. In the early 1980s, Kinsale...

Donegal Town

With a population of about 3,000, Donegal is Northwest Ireland's largest small village—marking the entry into the back-of-the-beyond of the wilds of County Donegal. The...

Midleton

Midleton is famous for its school, Midleton College, founded in 1696, and its distillery, founded in 1825 and modernized in 1975, which manufactures spirits—including Irish...

Killybegs

Trawlers from Spain, Portugal, and Norway are moored in the harbor at Killybegs, one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports. Though it's one of the most...

Schull

Teeming with the brightly painted facades of craft and book stores, galleries and pubs, this pretty village is alive with schooners in season and attracts...

Lough Gill

Lough Gill means "lake of brightness." In fine weather, the beautiful river-fed lough and its surroundings are serenity itself: sunlight on the meadows, lough-side cottages...

Shanagarry

There are three reasons to come to Shanagarry, a farming village known chiefly for its Quaker connections: Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland's first and still...

Sligo Town

Sligo is the best place to begin a tour of Yeats Country. Squeezed on to a patch of land between Sligo Bay and Lough Gill...

Blessington

With its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, Blessington is one of the most charming villages in the...

Ballyhack

On the upper reaches of Waterford Harbour, this pretty village with a square castle keep, thatch cottages, and a green, hilly background is admired by...

Drogheda

Drogheda (pronounced "dra-he-da") is one of the most enjoyable and historic towns on the east coast of Ireland—and a setting for one of the most...

Dungarvan

With their covering of soft grasses, the lowlands of Wexford and eastern Waterford gradually give way to heath and moorland. The mountains responsible for the...

Dundalk

Perfectly positioned as a hub to explore the region north and south of the border, Dundalk—only 9½ km (6 miles) from Northern Ireland—is the main...

Kilkenny City

Dubbed "Ireland's Medieval Capital" by its tourist board, and also called "the Oasis of Ireland" for its many pubs and watering holes, Kilkenny is one...

Glendalough

One of Ireland's best monastic sites, Glendalough also has a stunningly photogenic lakeside setting. It's a popular destination for day trips...

Lismore

Lismore is one of Ireland's grandest places to get lost in. Popular with both anglers and romantics, the enchanting little town is built on the...

Hill of Tara

In legends and in the popular imagination, the "seat of the High Kings of Ireland" has taken on mythic proportions. As with much of the...

Thomastown

Originally the seat of the kings of Ossory (an ancient Irish kingdom), Thomastown is a pretty, stone-built village on the River Nore. It takes its...

Kildare Town

Horse breeding is the cornerstone of County Kildare's thriving economy, and Kildare Town is the place to come if you're crazy about horses. But, in...

Wexford Town

This coastal town is most famed for the Wexford Opera Festival, usually held in October, which has been seducing the world with wonderful productions of...

Maynooth

Maynooth itself is a serene university town named for a pre-Christian king of Ireland. The mighty Fitzgerald family inherited the local manor in the 12th...

An Daingean (Dingle Town)

Backed by mountains and facing a sheltered harbor, An Daingean, the chief town of its eponymous peninsula, has a year-round population of 1,400 that more...

Slane

Slane Castle is the draw at this small Georgian village, built in the 18th century around a crossroads on the north side of the River...

Limerick City

Before you ask, there's no direct connection between Limerick City and the facetious five-line verse form known as a "limerick," which was first popularized by...

Straffan

Its attractive location on the banks of the River Liffey, its unique butterfly farm, and the Kildare Hotel and Country Club—where Arnold Palmer designed the...

Glenbeigh

The road from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh is one of the Ring's highlights. To the north is Dingle Bay and the jagged peaks of the Dingle...

Trim

The historic town of Trim, on the River Boyne, contains some of the finest medieval ruins in Ireland. In 1359, on the instructions of King...

Sneem

The pretty little village of Sneem (from the Irish for "knot") is settled around an English-style green on the Ardsheelaun River estuary, and its streets...

Wicklow Town

At the entrance to the attractive, tree-lined Main Street of Wicklow Town sprawl the extensive ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Wicklow, from the Danish...

Waterville

Waterville, a seaside village facing Ballinskelligs Bay, is famous for its sportfishing, its 18-hole championship golf course (adopted as a warm-up spot for the British...

Belmullet

Belmullet's unconventional streetscape skirts its waterfront and the town harbors a friendly, unpretentious attitude that harks back to an earlier time. Nestled in a quiet...

The Southwest

Ever since Killarney was first "discovered" by William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott, visitors have been searching for superlatives to describe the deep blue lakes...

The Midlands

During the boom years of economic growth in Ireland, from the mid-1990s to 2008, newly built motorways bypassed many small Midlands towns. But for a...

The Southeast

Going to Ireland for the sunshine might sound like a joke, but not if you head to the golden beaches and blue surf of the...

County Cork

With its deep-rooted history, more than a thousand kilometers of pristine coastline dotted with pretty harbor villages, and a gently lilting up-and-down accent that flows...

County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands

The West of Ireland is the most westerly seaboard in Europe, and the part of Ireland least influenced by its neighbor to the east, England...

The Ring of Kerry

Running along the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula, the dramatic coastal road from Kenmare to Killorglin known as the Ring of Kerry has long been...

The Northwest

With its towering cliffs, secluded expanses of golden beaches, and sun-tinted waters, the Northwest is an untamed and wild part of Ireland—shaped, influenced, and tormented...

Dublin Environs

Walt Disney himself couldn't have planned it better. The small counties immediately north, south, and west of Dublin—historically known as the Pale—seem expressly designed to...

Connemara and County Mayo

A landscape where the thundering Atlantic forms the pounding backbeat to the most westerly seaboard in Europe, this most distinct area of Ireland has been...

The Southwest

Ever since Killarney was first "discovered" by William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott, visitors have been searching for superlatives to describe the deep blue lakes...

The Midlands

During the boom years of economic growth in Ireland, from the mid-1990s to 2008, newly built motorways bypassed many small Midlands towns. But for a...

The Southeast

Going to Ireland for the sunshine might sound like a joke, but not if you head to the golden beaches and blue surf of the...

County Cork

With its deep-rooted history, more than a thousand kilometers of pristine coastline dotted with pretty harbor villages, and a gently lilting up-and-down accent that flows...

County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands

The West of Ireland is the most westerly seaboard in Europe, and the part of Ireland least influenced by its neighbor to the east, England...

The Ring of Kerry

Running along the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula, the dramatic coastal road from Kenmare to Killorglin known as the Ring of Kerry has long been...

The Northwest

With its towering cliffs, secluded expanses of golden beaches, and sun-tinted waters, the Northwest is an untamed and wild part of Ireland—shaped, influenced, and tormented...

Dublin Environs

Walt Disney himself couldn't have planned it better. The small counties immediately north, south, and west of Dublin—historically known as the Pale—seem expressly designed to...

Connemara and County Mayo

A landscape where the thundering Atlantic forms the pounding backbeat to the most westerly seaboard in Europe, this most distinct area of Ireland has been...

Glenveagh National Park

...

Glenveagh National Park

...

Great Blasket Island

The Great Blasket, which measures roughly 3 km by 1 km (2 miles by ½ mile), has no traffic, no pub, no hotel, and no...

Great Blasket Island

The Great Blasket, which measures roughly 3 km by 1 km (2 miles by ½ mile), has no traffic, no pub, no hotel, and no...

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Connemara and County Mayo

County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands

County Cork

Dublin

Dublin Environs

The Midlands

The Northwest

The Southeast

The Southwest

Connemara and County Mayo

Dublin

The Northwest

County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands

Dublin Environs

The Southeast

County Cork

The Midlands

The Southwest

Connemara and County Mayo

County Cork

Dublin Environs

The Northwest

The Southwest

County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands

Dublin

The Midlands

The Southeast

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Fodor's Essential Ireland 2026: with Belfast and Northern Ireland
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