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Ireland is a great place to visit when you’re young, free and (who knows, maybe) single. Sure, it has its drawbacks: the clubbing scene is hardly Berlin, and Dublin is on the pricier end of the scale when it comes to European capitals, but if there’s one thing the Irish know how to do, it’s how to have fun. Whether it’s partying up a storm at the country’s biggest music festival or taking advantage of the island’s natural offerings to make your trip that little bit more adventurous, there’s no shortage of great lively options to explore both in the cities, and as far from them as you can hope to go. Here are our favourites.

Go Sea Swimming

Mad, but not as mad as it might first appear: the locals absolutely love a dip in the Irish Sea. The most famous spot to chuck yourself in amongst the seals is the Forty Foot, a traditionally naked swimming spot that’s regathered a clothed dignity in recent years. The most popular option is the early morning dip, while Christmas, amazingly has become a chilly must-attend. It’s not all about the one spot, either: there are ample swimming sites across the country to check out.

© Owen J Fitzpatrick/Shutterstock

Tour the political murals in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry

How sensitive is the political situation these days in Northern Ireland? Sensitive enough to require the double-naming above, and Brexit’s not helping, but things remain comfortable for tourists. From great tragedy, the cliche goes, comes great art, and both these cities have plenty of it on their streets. Aside from seeing the sites, it’s also interesting to align global political interests (Republicans, for example, are broadly pro-Palestine, while Unionists are pro-Israel). Fascinating.

© LunaseeStudios/Shutterstock

Canoe the River Liffey

A great alternative way of seeing the city that requires just a little bit of muscle power (and often involves getting absolutely soaked to the bone, as they go ahead even in the torrential rain), this is by far the most fun daytime tour of Dublin on offer. There are sea kayaking and canal trip options close to the city, too.

Surf in Bundoran

Donegal has a growing reputation as a serious surf spot, in particular after its off-shore waves served up some genuinely stunning footage of a world record wave in 2016. That brings in some truly world class surfers, but for the more modest among us, Bundoran is a great spot to learn to board, and has much of the accompanying party culture, too.

© Rihardzz/Shutterstock

Gorge Walk in Killary

The Killary Adventure Centre in Galway is a spot for those who feel like giving a few days over to something really wild, and the gorge walking is the best of it. Crash your way between rocks and down waterfalls in a wetsuit, leaping into the pools as you splash about in glorious, muddy mayhem. Or just go kayaking. We won’t judge.

Climb Carrauntoohil

Ireland’s highest peak is mildly challenging in summer and seriously challenging in winter. Carrauntoohil’s 1,038 metres are part of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range, with the summit marked by a huge metal cross. The biggest challenge is the steep, slippery ‘Devil’s Ladder’ ascent, and you can crash at the base in lively Cronin’s Yard.

© Semmick Photo/Shutterstock

Visit Skellig Michael

You’ll recognise this isolated island in Ireland’s south west if you’re a fan of Star Wars: it features heavily in ‘The Last Jedi’. The Kerry island, formerly a hermitage, can be difficult to access and requires weather in your favour, but it’s worth it. When you arrive, you climb to beehive hermitages on steep, rugged trails, and feel like you’ve popped back in time.

Meditate in an unlikely Tibetan Buddhist Retreat

Dzogchen Beara, located atop a cliff in Ireland’s south west, is perhaps not quite where you’d expect to find a Buddhist meditation centre. With regular events, temple stays, drop-ins and full courses on offer, this is very much a serious temple, however, designed as a spiritual getaway and fast gaining international credibility. If you’re in need of a little nourishment for the mind, a great alternative stop off.

Go indie in Whelan’s (Dublin), or Roisin Dubh (Galway)

Ireland’s most famous small venues can have as many as 10 acts performing in a single night, and best of all, they’re great places to be when there isn’t a single guitar on stage. Whelan’s is widely seen as Ireland’s indie scene hub, while Roisin Dubh is its Galway equivalent. The latter is so good it’s worth recommending for Galway’s nightlife in its own right.

Whale watch in West Cork

In season (the peak is mid-summer, though the bigger – but rarer – animals come over winter), Ireland is a great place to go whale watching, with basking sharks, minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales and countless dolphins to be found bathing off the coastline. There’s no guarantee, of course, but if you’re one of the lucky ones, they’re an unforgettable sight.

Go to the Open Gate

We’re not saying don’t go to the Guinness Storehouse. All we’re saying is there’s something far more fascinating on offer in St James’ Gate, in the form of its new experimental brewery. The Open Gate serves beers the brewers are playing with – those yet to reach a commercial footing – and it only opened in 2016. It’s only open three days a week, and you’ll need to book ahead. Learn more here.

The Open Gate | © St James’ Gate Brewery

Explore the Blueway Trails

How about a nature trail that takes place entirely underwater? The west of Ireland also has a Greenway, which you can cycle, but it’s the five Blueway sites that really grab our attention. Kayak rivers, snorkel the coastline, visit gorgeous beaches and dip into Ireland’s only fjord as you get way off the beaten track in Galway and Mayo.

Check out the Hellfire Club

A bit of hill-walking drama for those unable to stray too far from Dublin, the Hellfire Club is an abandoned site overlooking the city, said to be home to 18th-century occult activity and heavily haunted. We don’t suggest going up here at night (not for the haunting, more than its reputation for late night drug use remains a bit iffy) – but a daytime trek almost 400 metres above the city is a worthy detour.

© Joe King/Wikicommons

Check out the IFI

Dublin is big on imaginative, alternative cinemas, and the Irish Film Institute is the best. Many locals, in fact, joke that it’s the only thing worth visiting in infamous tourist trap Temple Bar. Expect Romanian dramas, Arabic war movies, or tales of South American love (there’s plenty of local movie interest, too). The Lighthouse is another worth checking out.

Explore the Titanic Museum in Belfast

Go all Jack and Rose at the home of the Titanic. As well as picking up Belfast’s most iconic t-shirt (Titanic: Built by the Irish, sunk by the English), you can see much of what’s been brought back ashore from the epic cruise ship that sunk crossing the Atlantic over a century ago, and the impressive building is based on the ship’s design. This museum is so popular you’ll often need to book ahead.

Much of the content recorded in this piece was gathered by Austin Logan, Getaways, Market Research Intern
Source: theculturetrip.com

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