We have had the privilege of visiting Ireland a number of instances, and when visiting the ‘Emerald Isle,’ its cities are among the finest locations to embrace Irish tradition. Irish cities are magical, stuffed with native historical past, myths and legends, artwork galleries, pubs, and pleasant locals. Whether you go to Dublin for main points of interest just like the Guinness Storehouse and the Book of Kells, otherwise you head to Galway for conventional music and road artwork, you’ll fall in love with the energetic cities in Ireland.
Best Cities in Ireland
In this information, we’ll introduce you to the most effective cities in Ireland and Northern Ireland. These are the locations the place you’ll make lasting recollections throughout your keep.
The finest means to get round Ireland is by renting a automobile. You can examine automobile rental costs right here. We have taken street journeys alongside the Wild Atlantic Way, on Ireland’s west coast, with island day journeys, cobbled streets, and dwell music and alongside the Causeway Coast to see a few of Northern Ireland’s most awe-inspiring points of interest. We have explored lesser-visited cities in Ireland and each is simply as memorable because the final.
1. Dublin
Dublin is Ireland’s largest metropolis and the capital of the Republic of Ireland. We advocate spending no less than three days in Dublin earlier than touring to the completely different cities in Ireland. Located on the River Liffey, Dublin has a whole lot of points of interest at your fingertips.
Top points of interest in this standard Irish City are limitless together with a go to to the well-known Kilmainham Gaol, the GPO Museum, Dublin Castle, and the Guinness Storehouse (learn extra about our expertise right here).
Dublin Castle is without doubt one of the most well-known medieval castles in the world, relationship again to the thirteenth century. It is now a authorities constructing, however that doesn’t cease vacationers from coming to see it.
Trinity College, the Book of Kells, and the well-known Temple Bar. Dublin is definitely among the finest cities in Ireland for historical past lovers, with tales of the Easter Rising in 1916 to historic tales throughout the pages of the Book of Kells. It’s additionally a metropolis of academia; Dublin is formally Yeats nation and homes Trinity College, which educated the likes of Oscar Wilde.
There are so many issues to do in Dublin, and in order for you to go to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day, you want to be in Dublin. If you need to escape town, Dublin is only a hop skip, and a soar from the Wicklow Mountains the place you’ll be able to go climbing or horseback using.
When visiting Dublin, choose up a Dublin Pass. The Dublin Pass is a superb means to get monetary savings on Dublin points of interest supplying you with entrance to 35 points of interest together with the Dublin Hop-on Hop-Off Big Bus Tour, Guinness Storehouse, James Joyce Centre, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (the place Saint Patrick himself St Patrick baptised Christians) and lots of extra. Details right here.
Plan Your Dublin Vacation
2. Cork City
As the second largest metropolis in Ireland, it as soon as had a fame because the capital of ‘Rebel Country.’ Cork natives typically declare they’re the actual ‘capital of Ireland.’ We love this metropolis positioned in the South of the Emerald Isle, and others agree, Cork is a much-loved vacationer vacation spot.
If you haven’t visited Cork, you’re actually lacking out. The finest issues to do in Cork embody day-tripping to Blarney Castle to Kiss the Blarney Stone. The Blarney Stone could also be what has attracted vacationers to the realm for the reward of the Gab, however Blarney Castle is a superb vacation spot in its personal proper.
In Cork City correct, you’ll be able to ring the Bells of Shannon, go to the English Market is a implausible place for natural and regionally produced meals, and take a look at the historical past at Elizabeth Fort, a Seventeenth-century outdated metropolis fortress. You must also head down to the small cities round Cork Harbour, the second-largest pure harbor in the world. It’s close to Cork Harbour, the place you’ll discover stunning Cobh, a colourful seaside city and the Titanic’s final port of name in 1912.
3. Galway City
Galway City is unimaginable not to love. If you’re searching for the most effective cities in Ireland, look no additional than the fifth-largest metropolis.
Despite its rising measurement, Galway retains an genuine attraction that has impressed the likes of Ed Sheeran to write a tune about it. Make positive to add Galway to your Emerald Isle Itinerary to actually get pleasure from conventional Irish music and pleasant locals.
The actual hive in Galway is its colourful outdated city, lined with cobbled streets and boldly painted unbiased retailers. The metropolis is undoubtedly the most effective place to go to in Ireland for creatives or anybody wanting to get a ‘small town experience.’
Galway City is cut up in half by the River Corrib and sits on Ireland’s west coast, overlooking Galway Bay. It is a superb spot for an Irish street journey.
Galway is positioned instantly on the Wild Atlantic Way, with lots of the route’s stunning viewpoints – just like the Cliffs of Moher- only a quick drive away. You can even use Galway as a base to take day journeys to the beautiful west coast islands. This can also be the jumping-off level for the Aran Islands.
Book a cruise to see the Aran Islands right here. However, in case you can, we extremely advocate spending two nights on one of many Aran Islands. We spent 3 days on the Inis Mór – Fun Fact, the Colin Farrell Movie, the Banshees of Inishmore was filmed on the Aran Islands.
Make positive to go to the Latin Quarter, which is Galway’s ‘old town’ and stuffed with cobbles and road artwork. For those that know their Irish historical past, it’s additionally price stopping by Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church, a 14th-century church visited by Oliver Cromwell. Meanwhile, for much less morbid historical past, you’ll be able to admire the Sixteenth-century metropolis partitions by visiting the Spanish Arch.
Finish your days in Galway with visits to its many artwork galleries, and naturally, try its dwell music scene after darkish.
4. Limerick City
Limerick is one other of Ireland’s largest cities, however this time, it has a fame for Viking and Medieval historical past. It was a walled metropolis established by Vikings, making it one in all Ireland’s oldest and present largest. It is positioned on the southwest coast, close to the mouth of the River Shannon.
This location as soon as made it a major goal for Viking settlers. But, for modern-day vacationers, its location now makes it a fantastic metropolis break simply off the Wild Atlantic Way’s path. Limerick is ideally positioned for a day journey to pure magnificence just like the Cliffs of Moher. However, it’s additionally a solace of city sightseeing amongst tiny nation lanes and 5 constructing villages.
Top points of interest in Limerick embody the Treaty Stone, the Hunt Museum for Art and Archaeology, the medieval fortress of King John’s Castle, and the spectacular International Rugby Experience. To embrace the attribute Viking historical past in town, you’ll be able to stroll the Limerick Medieval Trail, taking you thru the medieval buildings of English Town with fifteen completely different factors of historic curiosity. This self-guided strolling tour is a good way to see Limerick by means of early Viking eyes.
It’s the Viking historical past that actually solidifies Limerick as among the finest cities in Ireland. Limerick can also be a implausible metropolis in the southwest, offering an glorious place to keep on the Wild Atlantic Way for an city break.
5. Waterford
Waterford is one other Viking-created metropolis on the island. Founded in 914 AD by Ragnall, Waterford is Ireland’s oldest metropolis and has some uncommon claims to fame. It has had its fingers in a couple of completely different pots, significantly as soon as referred to as Ireland’s wine and glass-making capital.
Its coastal location has meant Waterford has remained a buying and selling hub, typical of a port metropolis. It has picked up quite a few completely different industries and has an underlying production-minded subculture. You can nonetheless discover Waterford Crystal in retailers across the metropolis middle and on the House of Waterford Museum. As for Waterford wine, you’ll be able to go to the Fifteenth-century Mayor’s Wine Vault on the Medieval Museum.
Attraction highlights of Waterford embody Reginald’s Tower, the Irish Museum of Time, Bishop’s Palace, and Waterford Nature Park. We had to add Waterford to this information, partly due to its busy manufacturing mindset, which makes for some nice historic sightseeing, and partly due to its title as Ireland’s oldest metropolis. If you need to be taught extra about Ireland’s distinctive manufacturing industries and earliest days, Waterford is a compact metropolis you’ll be able to fortunately sightsee on foot.
6. Sligo
Small Sligo could also be a city, however in our eyes, it’s particular sufficient to justify a place amongst the most effective cities to go to in Ireland. City standing means nothing whenever you try Sligo’s literature historical past, and it has tons to supply vacationers in the way in which of sightseeing.
Sligo sits on the Northwest Coast of Ireland, close to the magical web site of Queen Maeve’s Cairn, a megalithic tomb atop a Knocknarea mountain, and Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery – the biggest of its variety in Ireland.
Sligo is a perfect place to cease for a couple of nights on a street journey, and it’s straightforward to see why it impressed a lot literature. The city is surrounded by historic structure, and its fairly city middle is scenically sliced by the mild Garavogue River. You ought to undoubtedly go to the Yeats Society, Sligo Country Museum, and Sligo Abbey in the city itself.
Sligo is shrouded in historic thriller, dramatized by its intensive literature historical past. We love its proximity to a few of Ireland’s most beloved megalithic tombs, and it’s a lovely place to go to in Ireland for an perception into this darker historical past.
7. Athlone
Athlone is a chronically missed metropolis to go to in Ireland however belief us, in case you cease right here, you’ll like it. Ahlone dates again to the Bronze Age and was even concerned in the Jacobite Rising; you’ll discover tons of lesser-known historic websites and quiet archaeological websites. It can also be a well-liked cease on bus excursions to go to the oldest pub in the world! During our River Shannon Cruise, we parked proper in entrance of Sean’s Bar to get pleasure from a pint in the world’s oldest pub.
Athlone is a lovely metropolis cut up in half by the River Shannon and positioned proper subsequent to Lough Ree. We cherished spending two nights in this historic metropolis and visiting the Sixth-century web site of Clonmacnoise. Read about it right here.
8. Kilkenny City
Kilkenny is one in all our favourite cities in Ireland. It is a treasure trove of historic and cultural riches. Nestled in the guts of Ireland’s Ancient East, Kilkenny City boasts a surprising medieval panorama, full with cobbled streets, historic stone buildings, and the long-lasting Kilkenny Castle.
This metropolis just isn’t solely steeped in historical past but additionally thrives as a middle of latest arts, internet hosting quite a few festivals all year long that showcase the most effective in Irish craft, design, and music.
The bustling streets of Kilkenny are lined with artisan boutiques, inviting cafes, and conventional pubs the place one can savor the native delicacies and benefit from the famend Irish hospitality. Whether you’re exploring the well-preserved Kilkenny Castle, wandering by means of the enchanting Rothe House and Garden, or just absorbing the colourful ambiance, Kilkenny presents a uniquely enriching expertise that captures the essence of Ireland’s cultural and historic splendor.
There’s additionally St Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum, Rothe House and Garden, St Mary’s Cathedral, and St Canice’s Cathedral. Smithwick’s Experience is a should, too, guiding you thru a multi-sensory tour of how Ireland’s oldest ale got here to be fashioned.
9. Wexford
Wexford is definitely among the finest cities to go to in Ireland. The main metropolis sits on Ireland’s east coast, which, as you already know, was predominantly based by Viking settlers. It has a superb maritime heritage and beautiful sandy seashores, lots of that are designated Blue Flag Beaches for his or her cleanliness and security. It is much less industrial than Waterford, with extra of a lingering historic ambiance. You can get pleasure from condensed tradition in its extraordinarily walkable middle or use it as a day journey launchpad – extra on that in a second.
The finest inner-city points of interest in Wexford are the National Opera House, Wexford Harbour, and the ruins of Selskar Abbey, the place the primary Anglo-Irish treaty was signed. Wexford has many medieval lanes and slender streets in its modern-day purchasing quarter. It’s a enjoyable place for some retail remedy with a historic backdrop, one of many important causes we added it to this information.
The second cause is Wexford’s day journey potential. It is lower than a 10-minute drive from the unbelievable Irish National Heritage Park, which tells the story of Irish settlement over 9,000 years with recreated homes and costumed guides over 35 acres.
10. Tullamore
Beautiful Tullamore is one in all Ireland’s finest cities to go to, with fewer vacationers than different cities. Located in County Offaly, one of many central counties in Ireland, it has glorious entry to the virtually tourist-free Slieve Bloom Mountains.
As if this peaceable, off-the-beaten-track setting wasn’t adequate, Tullamore can also be recognized for its whiskey, and you’ll take guided whiskey excursions on the Tullamore DEW Distillery.
The Grand Canal splits the middle and has stunning waterfront views. You ought to prioritize visits to Shra Castle, Charleville Castle, and the Clara Boardwalk, which treats you to beautiful views over one in all Offaly’s well-known bogs. Bogs are essential to rural tradition, traditionally offering peat to warmth properties and that peaty taste in sure Irish whiskies, like Tullamore Whiskey.
Tullamore is a good place to go to in Ireland to get an perception into rural tradition. It offers the proper springboard for bathroom tourism and historic castles, plus, in fact, the prospect to pattern among the tastiest Irish whiskey.
11. Dingle
The small port metropolis sits on the western Dingle Peninsula, you guessed it, proper on the gorgeous Wild Atlantic Way’s path; so it’s a must-stop-off in case you determine to street journey the Wild Atlantic Way. Dingle has an inspiring relationship with nature and is a a lot quieter model of Galway Bay. We simply had to add it to our listing of the most effective cities in Ireland.
Dingle is kids’s ebook worthy, having piggybacked its fame from the story of Fungie the Dolphin, a well-known lone dolphin that used to name Dingle Harbour residence. Now, you’ll be able to nonetheless take boat excursions to go dolphin recognizing or go to the Fungie statue in the harbor – which immortalizes everybody’s favourite Dingle resident.
In addition to dolphin recognizing, you must also try the Dingle Distillery and Kingdom Falconry. And when you have time for day journeys, take a ship tour to the Blasket Islands.
12. Adare
What Adare lacks in metropolis standing, it makes up tenfold in character. Its buildings are so aesthetic and it holds a lot tradition that we simply had to embody it. It is so stunning that it’s a designated heritage city, with a mix of colourful conventional terraces and white-washed cottages with thatched roofs. Adare isn’t any hidden gem, however in case you can go to low season, you received’t discover it overcrowded. It is sort of a time capsule, whisking you again to Twelfth-century Ireland.
When visiting, you need to see the thatched cottages, now changed into reward retailers like Lucy Eridge, and eating places just like the beautiful Blue Door Restaurant. You must also go to Adare Castle and the Augustinian Friary. Adare is all about ambiance and beautiful conventional aesthetic.
Adare is the best addition to a metropolis break in Limerick. If you could have a protracted weekend, we propose spending an evening there earlier than driving again to Limerick for its airport and main metropolis facilities.
13. Donegal
Introducing Donegal: some of the standard cities in Ireland. Donegal is ready in its same-named county, County Donegal, nicknamed Ireland’s Forgotten County. Dramatic sea cliffs and barren moorland encompass town, and it’s the place to go to in order for you loads of day journeys into close by wilderness. Donegal is a superb stop-off for a couple of nights in case you observe the Wild Atlantic Way’s route down the west coast.
Donegal Castle and the Railway Heritage Museum are different must-visits in town. However, Donegal is way from surrounded by pure magnificence and happy-go-lucky historical past. It’s additionally a harrowing metropolis to be taught concerning the impression of the famine. The Great Famine hit in the mid-Nineteenth century and led to the dying of roughly 25% of the Irish inhabitants. A go to to Donegal’s Famine Graveyard is a should to assist comprehend the tragedy of the conflict-driven famine.
Donegal is a good place to go to and expertise an enormous spectrum of Irish historical past, tradition, and nature in a tiny space. With a lovely location and plenty to educate vacationers, it’s a straightforward addition to our listing of the most effective cities to go to in Ireland.
14. Killarney
Killarney is fantastically positioned on the outskirts of Killarney National Park in County Kerry. County Kerry is positioned smack dab in the center of two of Ireland’s most iconic scenic drives: the Wild Atlantic and the Ring of Kerry. It’s the proper base to go on horseback rides or discover waterfall trails and forests on foot in the Killarney National Park, heading again for a comfy pub dinner in Killarney in the evenings. And in order for you to expertise Ireland’s ‘deep south’, that is your selection.
Killarney itself has a neo-Gothic architectural model and a small middle. You can take a tour by horse and carriage, go to Killarney House and Gardens, and check your tastebuds on the Irish Whiskey Experience. Killarney can also be ideally positioned on a day journey to some distinctive issues to do alongside the Wild Atlantic Way, like Skellig Michael.
We love its sturdy sense of character and profoundly conventional ambiance, and its proximity to the nationwide park is simply the last word addition.
Best Cities in Northern Ireland
Of course, the island of Ireland is cut up into two international locations: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. While Northern Ireland is way smaller, it has some fabulous cities to go to, so we had to give it a particular point out in this information.
Visiting each Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in one journey is tremendous easy – you’ll be able to simply drive throughout the border or catch a shuttle service, particularly in case you’re touring between Belfast and Dublin. If you’ll be able to, mix the 2 in a single journey. These are among the finest Northern Irish cities that ought to undoubtedly discover a means onto your itinerary.
15. Derry / Londonderry
Derry / Londonderry is a metropolis that goes by two names. You can discover out why right here, however in quick, it’s due to sectarian tensions. Protestants referred to town as Londonderry, whereas Catholics referred to as it Derry. Nowadays, you’ll be able to often use both with out controversy; to be well mannered, when speaking to Northern Irish individuals, you’ll be able to simply take their lead in how they reference town.
It goes with out saying {that a} metropolis with such a backstory behind its title makes for a captivating vacationer vacation spot. There’s tons of political and social historical past to unpack behind Derry City, and you’ll cease by points of interest like murals and the Museum of Free Derry and stroll the Derry Walls. Derry is compact and walkable, making it a fantastic metropolis break. And for any Derry Girls followers, you’ll be able to spot loads of filming areas, which is a enjoyable additional.
We had to add Derry City to this listing, because it is without doubt one of the most complicated and attention-grabbing cities in Northern Ireland. If you want your historical past, Derry is a must-visit.
16. Bangor
Beautiful Bangor is a small Northern Irish metropolis only a 30-minute drive exterior Belfast. It is a seaside metropolis with sandy seashores and a fantastic place to expertise the coastal tempo of life in Northern Ireland. In summer time, Bangor comes alive with a barely tacky seaside resort ambiance. But in case you catch it out of season, it has a extremely romantic, wistful enchantment and a a lot slower tempo.
You can stroll the 10-mile Holywood to Bangor part of the North Down Coastal Path or simply get pleasure from having seashores like Ballyholme Beach at your beck and name. Bangor’s waterfront is scenic, an attraction in itself, lined by colourful terraces painted blues, greens, and pinks. Stroll alongside the water and cease by unbiased espresso retailers just like the quirky cafe The Bearded Goat. If you need to get historic in your sightseeing, head to the North Down Museum.
17. Belfast
The Northern Irish capital of Belfast is a captivating mixture of pleasant locals and an online of complicated historical past. Belfast is a contemporary metropolis with a gritty undertone, with metropolis maps nonetheless segmented into sectarian neighborhoods regardless of its now – largely – blended communities. It’s most famed for its Troubles, a interval of political unrest that lasted from 1968 to 1998 earlier than the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. For historical past buffs, the chance to study this unrest is a big draw, often by means of black taxi excursions of the murals and Peace Wall.
This singular stereotype of Belfast and the tourism it presents is reductionist, although. There’s all the things from cozy pubs and bars in the buzzy, cobbled Cathedral Quarter to the Titanic Belfast museum and a path commemorating the east Belfast-born singer Van Morrison. It’s additionally a implausible place to use as a launchpad to go to the Mourne Mountains, Dark Hedges, or the Causeway Coast.
If you need to perceive Northern Ireland, head to Belfast. Northern Ireland has a whole tradition of its personal. Belfast will introduce you to the politics, subcultures, and traditions behind that – all whereas located in a perfect place for a day journey to areas of pure magnificence.
Best Cities in Ireland: FAQs
Now you understand which cities to go to in Ireland, we want to assist slender down your new assortment of decisions. After all, it’s a powerful selection. How do you choose between Galway City and Dingle? Or Limerick and Cork? Or Belfast versus Derry? In this part, we’ll have a look at essentially the most generally requested questions to see if we will help you choose your high two or three cities in Ireland.
Where is essentially the most stunning metropolis in Ireland?
The most stunning metropolis in Ireland is undoubtedly Galway City. The outdated city is essentially the most genuine place to expertise native tradition, and out of all of the Irish cities, Galway retains a country, windswept settlement high quality.
What are the 5 largest cities in Ireland?
In the Republic of Ireland, the 5 largest cities are Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway, and Waterford. The largest cities on the island of Ireland, together with the Republic and Northern Ireland, are Dublin, Belfast, Limerick, Galway, and Derry/Londonderry.
What is the primary city in Ireland?
Dublin is the capital metropolis of Ireland and
I don’t assume I might agree with this. I might say it’s Dublin. Can you re-write this.
What is the most effective metropolis to go to in Ireland?
It is a troublesome name, however Galway is the most effective metropolis to go to in Ireland. We’d recommend Galway as a result of it’s closest to the Wild Atlantic Way and has straightforward day journey entry to the putting west coast islands just like the Aran Islands, Skellig Michael, and the Inishmore Islands. It additionally has essentially the most genuine character, and whereas Dublin is unbelievable in order for you a luxurious resort, formal museums, and buzzy drinks at Temple Bar, Galway presents extra of an immersion into conventional Irish music and tradition.
Cities in Ireland We Love
Wherever you select to go to in Ireland, you’ll discover an incredible string of cities providing a unique expertise and outlook. You can head to Northern Ireland for the sensible metropolis of Belfast or the sleepy seaside city of Bangor with all its sandy seashores. You can head to Ireland’s west coast for the long-lasting cities alongside the Wild Atlantic Way, like Killarney and Galway City. The central cities alongside the River Shannon, like Athlone, are surrounded by the gorgeous bathroom nation. The south presents intense tradition in cities like Cork and Limerick metropolis, whereas the east coast homes Dublin and Ireland’s oldest metropolis, Waterford.
There are some awe-inspiring cities in Ireland. These 17 finest cities in Ireland ought to maintain you properly entertained throughout your keep.
Remember to try among the smaller cities and villages in Ireland as properly. It isn’t referred to as the ‘Emerald Isle’ for no cause – heading out into the countryside will provide you with some superb experiences and views of Ireland. Start in the most effective cities in Ireland after which department out to its smaller treasures. Have an unbelievable keep.