Inspiration

The 19 Most Beautiful Places in Ireland, From Inconceivable Rock Formations to Medieval Architecture

More than just the countryside glows on the Emerald Isle.

November 17, 2023

most beautiful places in Ireland Kylemore Abbey

It’s impossible to visit Ireland and not fall in love with it. The small but mighty country is home to friendly locals, historical landmarks, and charming cities—plus staggering natural beauty—that will have you planning your next trip before you’ve even finished your first.

To help you plan your next trip to the Emerald Isle, we’ve compiled a list of the most beautiful places in Ireland (including Northern Ireland). We included colorful small towns, under-the-radar islands, and obvious showstoppers like the Cliffs of Moher, as well as many other attractions to add to your itinerary.

Whether you decide to embark on a multi-week road trip or just visit the country’s greatest hits over a long weekend, be sure to visit at least a few of these stunning attractions—you (and your camera roll) will thank us later.

This gallery was originally published in 2016. It has been updated with new information.

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Cliffs of Moher
Location: County Clare
You might know them better as the Cliffs of Insanity from The Princess Bride, but this seaside wonder is actually located just south of Galway. Stretching for five miles along the Atlantic coast, the 400-foot-high cliffs offer one of Ireland’s, shall we say, most inconceivable views.
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Trinity College
Location: County Dublin
Dublin’s Trinity College—the oldest university in Ireland—has no shortage of beautiful buildings and green lawns, but the main attraction is the Old Library’s Long Room. The vast hall holds 200,000 books and 14 marble busts under its barrel-vaulted ceiling—with the intricately illustrated Book of Kells being the centerpiece of a bibliophilic dream.

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The Ring of Kerry
Location: County Kerry
The Ring of Kerry, a 111-mile-long drive that loops around the Iveragh Peninsula, is really like several dozen beautiful places packed into one: The route passes by Killarney National Park, Skellig Michael, and several more entries on this list. Driving (or hiking) the Ring of Kerry is a great activity for first-time visitors to Ireland, as it perfectly showcases the country’s green spaces and Atlantic coast.
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Benbulben Mountain
Location: County Sligo
Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, this limestone formation hovers over Sligo like something from a fantasy novel. Benbulben’s paved trails make it a popular destination for hikers and climbers, but the peak is perhaps best known for its literary associations. Irish poet W. B. Yeats drew inspiration from the mountain and its surrounding landscapes, most notably in his 1938 poem “Under Ben Bulben.”

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Galway
Location: County Galway
Galway is in a prime location on Ireland’s west coast, close to the Aran Islands and Connemara region. But the town itself is so charming, you might find yourself sticking close to the cobblestoned streets and ancient architecture for at least a day or two. During the day, make time to snap some photos of the Spanish Arch and the Claddagh, an area by Galway Bay where you’ll find rows of colorful buildings and swans floating by.
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Giant’s Causeway
Location: County Antrim
Giant’s Causeway is a natural wonder worthy of its whimsical moniker. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, which were formed by volcanic activity 40–50 million years ago. Local lore tells the story a bit differently: Allegedly, a giant named Finn McCool tossed parts of the Antrim coast into the sea to beat a hasty path to fight a giant Scottish interloper. No matter how they got there, the rocks fit together as perfectly as puzzle pieces.

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Killarney National Park
Location: County Kerry
You could spend an entire day exploring the 41-square-mile Killarney National Park, from the towering Torc Waterfall to the 15th-century Ross Castle. One of the park’s greatest treasures is its population of wild red deer, which have lived in Ireland since the last Ice Age but now only survive in Killarney. Above all else, the park is most famous for its reflective lakes, which cover nearly a quarter of the entire reserve.
Courtesy Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle
Location: County Mayo
Overlooking a lake in County Mayo, Ashford Castle has been around since 1228—but don’t go expecting an old-fashioned experience. The hotel underwent a $75 million renovation in 2015, which added a cinema, cigar room, billiard room, and wine cellars to the already luxurious 82-room property. The crown jewel of the property is probably the spa, which is located in a bronze former conservatory and features an indoor pool adorned with white and gold tiles.

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Rock of Cashel
This group of medieval buildings (some dating back to the 12th century) situated on an outcrop of limestone is easily one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. Don’t miss the Romanesque Cormac’s Chapel or the Hall of the Vicars, which houses several Celtic relics like the original Cross of St. Patrick. Oh, and the views over the Golden Vale aren’t too shabby either.
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Skellig Michael
Location: County Kerry
Although the boat ride out to Skellig Michael from the coast of County Kerry can be a rocky one, it’s well worth the effort. The craggy, emerald-green island houses the remains of a 6th-century monastery, which you can explore after ascending a chillingly steep 600-step climb. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a brooding Luke Skywalker once you reach the top.

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The Dark Hedges
Location: County Antrim
This avenue of beech trees in Northern Ireland dates back to the 18th century—over time, the trees have grown and intertwined to create a natural tunnel-like canopy. The site is both eerie and beautiful, which is probably why it was famously chosen as a filming location for the first season of Game of Thrones.
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Cobh
Location: County Cork
Cobh redefines charming with its rows of candy-colored homes along the water and towering cathedral standing sentry over the harbor. This small town is particularly popular with cruise-lovers—about 60 ships stop there every year. In fact, Cobh was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic, and a commemorative museum stands in the city today.

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Kylemore Abbey
Location: County Galway
Mountains and valleys, lakes and streams, all combine to make Connemara one of the loveliest regions in Ireland. See Kylemore Abbey in the heart of the Connemara mountains for proof. This impressive structure was built in 1868 as one of the great neo-Gothic castles of the period. It is now a Benedictine abbey run by nuns, and the church and gardens have been completely restored.
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Inishowen
Location: County Donegal
Inishowen is Ireland’s largest peninsula, occupying over 218,500 acres off the northern coast of the country. Due to its location, the peninsula is the best place in the country to view the Northern Lights; head to places like Dunree or Malin Head (the most northerly tip of Ireland) between November and February for increased visibility. Even if you don’t have luck spotting the aurora borealis, Inishowen’s unspoiled landscapes are fantastic road trip material—it is the last (or first) stop on the Wild Atlantic Way, after all.

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Glendalough
Location: County Wicklow
Glendalough is a 6th-century monastery and popular Catholic pilgrimage destination, as the settlement was founded by Saint Kevin (aka Kevin of Glendalough). Religious significance aside, travelers will enjoy the valley for its well-preserved ruins, green countryside, and beautiful lakes.
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Aran Islands
Location: County Galway
The Aran Islands consist of three windswept isles—Inishmore, Inishmaan, and Inisheer—off the west coast of Ireland. All three locations have a rugged, bleak beauty, but we might have to pick Inishmore as our favorite—it’s here you’ll find the 2,000-year-old ruins of Dún Aenghus, a Celtic fortress clinging to a cliff top as if declaring this to be the actual edge of the world.

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Dingle Peninsula
Location: County Kerry
Pointing into the Atlantic Ocean like a finger, the Dingle Peninsula is an incredible stretch of natural beauty: seaside cliffs, sheep-strewn fields, and Crayola-green hills. A short ferry ride away are the Blasket Islands, which once hosted a thriving community of Irish writers, but were abandoned in the 1950s after young residents emigrated en masse. Today, the on-site heritage museum—and remote, empty landscapes—are lovely yet somber reminders of a community lost.
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The Burren
Location: County Clare
The Burren (Irish for “great rock”) is not only unearthly and ethereal—it’s a geological rarity. The 150-square-mile area consists of thick layers of limestone dotted with a unique variety of flowers, ranging from arctic wildflowers to 25 different species of orchids. Visit in May to see most of the flora in full bloom.

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Carrick-a-Rede
Location: County Antrim
Suspended almost 100 feet above sea level, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was first built by salmon fishermen over 200 years ago. Although the last fish was caught here in 2002, somewhere around a quarter of a million visitors cross the bridge for both thrills and scenery. Tourists walking the 66-foot path are rewarded with views of Rathlin Island, Scotland, and the Irish Sea. A lucky few might even spot some sharks and porpoises below in the water...if they dare to look down.