Ireland holidays
The Republic of Ireland is a beguiling combination of rugged landscapes and buzzing cities, compelling histories and colourful legends. You can enjoy salty air, sandy beaches, surfing and dolphin watching as well as ancient islands and prehistoric sites, making your holiday – not unlike the whiskey here – perfectly blended.
Discover the Emerald Isle’s evergreen charm
Where the craic is warm, even when the weather is not. Find a cosy pub among lush hills and enjoy a pint of the black stuff (don’t be surprised if a local bursts into spontaneous song).
Ireland offers an array of experiences. From Dublin's vibrant city life to the dramatic coasts of Kerry and Galway, and Kilkenny's medieval charm to Cork’s culinary delights, each region provides a unique appeal, making your visit to the Emerald Isle unforgettable. Be surprised by an expanding food scene that offers everything from traditional stews to kimchi. Book your flights to Ireland now.
Carefully selected Ireland hotels
Best hotels in Ireland for all types of traveller
Just moments from the lush central gardens of St Stephen’s Green and overlooking the majestic National Concert Hall is Conrad Dublin. Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin is in the heart of Dublin’s historic Liberties area. The four-star Ashling Hotel is conveniently located in the centre of the city close to Heuston Station and is a leisurely walk to the Guinness brewery, Phoenix Park and the Old Jameson Distillery. Hilton Garden Inn Dublin overlooks the River Liffey and is in walking distance to concert venues, the Bord Gais Energy Theatre and 3Arena, as well as open-air markets and shopping.
Ireland holiday FAQs
- In Dublin, visit the Guinness Storehouse, a seven-storey interactive experience marked by an enormous pint glass. You can discover the brewing history of the iconic black stuff and get to taste a drop. Whiskey lovers may prefer a tour of the Old Jameson Distillery. Don’t miss Kilmainham Gaol, a poignant site offering insights into modern Irish history. Closed in 1924, it housed key figures from the War of Independence and Civil War. Prebook tours online via Heritage Ireland and dress warmly in winter.
- Explore the EPIC Museum, chronicling Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, artists and outlaws. Learn about Ireland’s cultural exchanges with India, post-famine tales and the Irish origins of Halloween. Discover the Irish roots of figures like Bram Stoker, David Bowie and John Lydon.
- Drive the Wild Atlantic Way, the world’s longest defined coastal touring route, from Donegal to Cork, and see the stunning rugged shores and fairytale landscapes of the west coast. Visit Bunratty Castle in County Clare, Ireland’s most ‘complete castle’, for a genuine medieval experience. Attend a banquet and explore the adjacent Bunratty Folk Park, which recreates 19th Century village life.
- In Cork, a food lover’s paradise, discover meats, cheeses, and seafood at the English Market. Don’t miss the local artisan milk gin distilled at Ballyvolane House. Galway, a 2020 European Capital of Culture, is known for its festivals and vibrant medieval streets. Outside the city, Connemara National Park’s 3,000 hectares feature mountains, castles, ancient sites and wildlife. Drive through this stunning landscape or hike Diamond Hill for panoramic views. Visit Kylemore Abbey, home to a striking neo-Gothic church, and take a tea break in the garden cafe.
- County Kerry captivates with lush green hills, thatched cottages, pristine lakes and Killarney National Park. Extend your stay in the south western corner of Ireland by traversing the Ring of Kerry, a 179-kilometre driving route around the Iveragh Peninsula that takes in stunning coastal views, cute towns and villages, and tumbling waterfalls.
- Dublin, famous for its lively atmosphere, offers much more than just Guinness. Discover second-hand bookshops, stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife and exceptional dining. The Little Museum of Dublin, set in an 18th Century townhouse, delves into the city’s literary heritage. Take a literary pub crawl, exploring the works of Joyce, Beckett and Wilde, or wander the cobbled paths of Trinity College, home to the impressive Long Room library. Visit the National Gallery and the charming Marsh’s Library. Explore Grafton Street’s shops, the historic Liberties with its whiskey distilleries or the trendy Ranelagh with its Georgian squares, cafes and bars. While Temple Bar is well-known, The Liberties and Stoneybatter offer other great drinking spots. Stay close to St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street, at the stylish Iveagh Garden Hotel, where you can enjoy its bistro and sip craft cocktails in the botanical terrace.
- Kilkenny, a town by the River Nore, features the Medieval Mile and a historic castle. Visit St Canice’s Cathedral, climb its 9th Century Round Tower, and hear stories of rich merchant families and gruesome crimes on a ghost tour. Explore Smithwick’s Experience, artisan shops and Dunmore Cave, and don’t miss the Kilkenny Arts Festival in August.
- Galway, an artistic seaside city, offers colourful medieval streets filled with bars and restaurants. The Galway City Museum highlights the city's vibrant culture. Quay Street is known for its lively atmosphere, where traditional Irish folk songs are often heard at night, while you can also visit the Micil Distillery for to sample some potent Poitin. From Michelin-starred restaurants to local eateries, Galway has it all. Visit in July for the annual Galway International Arts Festival. The city is also a great base for exploring the Wild Atlantic Way and Connemara’s peaceful landscapes.
- Founded in the 10th Century, Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city and has loads to see and do. Attractions include the 3D King of Vikings experience and vibrant street art. Visit Dunmore East with its clifftop walks and thatched cottages, Ardmore’s ancient Christian settlement, and Dungarvan’s breweries and castle. Tramore, with its five-kilometre beach, is perfect for surfing.
- County Sligo, former home of poet WB Yeats, boasts dramatic landscapes from Benbulben mountain to Lough Gill. Explore ancient sites like Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery and Carrowkeel passage tombs. Sligo’s Atlantic waves attract surfers, while the traditional seaweed baths in Strandhill offer a unique form of Irish therapy.
- There’s more to the island of Ireland than the Republic. You can continue your journey by exploring Northern Ireland; hop across the border to history-steeped Derry/Londonderry, with its 17th-century city walls, Museum of Free Derry, neo-Gothic Guildhall and Peace Bridge over the River Foyle. Continue along the north coast towards the Giant’s Causeway, the Game of Thrones’ Dark Hedges and the attractions of the capital, including Titanic Belfast and the Ulster Museum.
- Imagine tucking into chestnuts and mulled wine as you soak in Ireland’s festive spirit. Galway Christmas Market transforms Eyre Square into a winter wonderland, while Waterford’s Winterval boasts a Land of Lego, a Christmas train and an ice rink. Christmas in Killarney is all about handmade crafts in its markets. Dublin Castle’s market is a fairy tale setting, and there are more across the country, including a plant-focused version at the Botanic Gardens. Book a stay to complement that festive vibe at Cassidys, which forms part of the Georgian Parnell Squares, and is perfect for couples looking for a friendly, homely welcome.
- Ireland is perfect for family holidays. In Dublin, enjoy a manageable hike around Howth Cliff Walk or visit Dublinia, an interactive museum focusing on Viking and medieval Dublin. Kids will love the National Museum of Ireland, colloquially known as the ‘dead zoo’ for its animal collection, and Dublin’s children’s museum, Imaginosity. One of best of Ireland’s hotels for location has to be the Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin. Based in an 1817 historic building, it is big enough for families and is close to Trinity College and Temple Bar.
- For coastal adventures, head along the Wild Atlantic Way for water sports galore. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park offer a walk into the past, while the Aran Islands at the mouth of Galway Bay give a true glimpse into life in a unique landscape, and are perfect for walks and cycle rides. Just south of the islands on the County Clare coast are the iconic Cliffs of Moher.
- There’s plenty of scope for a cheap break in Ireland. National museums and galleries are often free, as is Ireland’s beautiful outdoors. Heritage Cards offer multiple site entry at reduced prices, and the Dublin Pass covers many attractions and a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Outside the main cities, smaller towns and villages offer authentic experiences at more affordable prices. Ireland has plenty of budget hotels, and you can head to pubs for hearty grub and special offers, or grab some street food, for example at the English Market in Cork or Dublin’s Temple Bar Food Market. Within easy reach of the latter is the modern Temple Bar Hotel.
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