Why Visit Ireland? 20 Reasons to Visit Ireland (Right Now!)

Fondly known as “The Emerald Isle”, Ireland continues to enchant visitors with its leprechauns, Guinness, and greenery. But many don’t know much about this island beyond the stereotypes, so let me give you a little introduction that will answer “why visit Ireland?”

On a personal level, it’s where I studied abroad, and the country where I was born (surprise!). But visitors flock here because it’s the land of enchantment in every sense of the word. Friendly people, historic buildings, beautiful scenery and bewitching folktales are just some of the reasons that the world is in love with Ireland. You don’t have to take my word for it, though, because I know I’m just a tad biased. The reasons to visit Ireland are endless but below you’ll find 20 things that will make you wonder why you ever questioned “why visit Ireland?”

20 Magical Reasons You NEED to Visit Ireland 

I spent six months living in Ireland, so in my book, you don’t need an excuse as to why you should visit Ireland. However, it’s worth noting that these points aren’t ranked in any particular order. They’re all excellent reasons to visit Ireland.

Ancient castles

It’s only a slight exaggeration when I say Ireland has castles everywhere. Okay, maybe not everywhere but it sure has a lot of them – in fact, nearly every town in Ireland has one that’s easily accessible for tourists. How’s that for a reason to visit Ireland?!

Castles are virtually non-existent in the United States, so I spent a lot of time during my six months in Ireland seeking out castles of all shapes and sizes. And let’s be real: there’s no cooler building than a castle, am I right? Even my university was shaped like a castle – proof that turrets and stone never go out of style. And that’s not all – in Ireland, you can actually stay in castles as your accommodation. These are the best castle hotels in Ireland.

 

Heated politics

I know, I know. This is a laughable reason to visit Ireland coming from an American because it’s virtually impossible to top the reality show that is American politics. But for those of you rubbing your hands together in glee at the drama of it all, you should know that Ireland is a great destination to hear heated political opinions, particularly in Northern Ireland.

Basically, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, so it follows England’s laws, currency etc. Everyone (including those who live in the Republic of Ireland) seems to have an opinion about this, and the recent passing of Brexit has only made things more controversial. So, if you bring up politics, just remember that it’s an incredibly touchy subject (fairly obvious from the photos, but still). In fact, I strongly suggest you play the role of a curious observer rather than actually discussing anything. Still, though, Irish politics is definitely interesting.

 

“Exotic” animals

To clarify, I live in Los Angeles, where the most exotic animals are Chihuahuas in purses squirrels. So I guess Ireland doesn’t have the same level of “exotic” animals as you’d see in, let’s say, Costa Rica, but they still have a lot of cool animals. In Ireland, you’ll find horses, sheep, cows, swans…and, if you know where to look, penguins as well! But in all honesty, just the cute baby sheep alone are enough to make you want to visit Ireland!

 

Lush countryside

As a city girl, I had an embarrassingly limited appreciation for the countryside, until I visited Ireland. In my head, the countryside was fun for a quick visit but overall, I’d preferred city life. But guys, I was wrong. The countryside is freaking amazing, especially the Irish countryside. This is every nature lover’s paradise, and, the rain, although I hate it myself, is the reason for the lush landscapes. Why visit Ireland? Because, unless you live in a particularly rainy country, this greenery just can’t compare. Check out one blogger’s account of how to explore the Irish countryside here.

 

Peaceful beaches

Wait, what?! Beaches in the land of year-round rain? I know, I know. Believe it or not, Ireland actually has some seriously gorgeous beaches and coastlines! Admittedly, I wouldn’t actually swim at one, because I’m a baby about the cold and even summers in Ireland are on the chilly side (at least compared to sunny Los Angeles). However, the Irish coastline is a spectacular place to stroll on a summer’s day. Salthill in Galway is pictured above, but other parts of Ireland (such as The Wild Atlantic Way) have some truly breathtaking views. The beaches may not be a main reason why people visit Ireland, they’re certainly an added bonus!

 

Cycling on gorgeous pathways 

Bikers, rejoice! Although the vast countryside and small roads make bus tours here somewhat frightening, they’re the perfect place for you to hit the open road on two wheels. I’m personally a bit of a ‘fraidy cat about biking thanks to a couple of biking accidents during university but nonetheless, I felt pretty confident biking in Ireland. And in case you’re wondering where the best place to bike is, the answer is The Aran Islands, where there are virtually no cars.

 

Charming folktales

Countries steeped in history often have crazy historical legends and superstitions, and Ireland is no exception. For example, did you know that kissing the Blarney Stone gives you the gift of gab? Or if you make a wish at the Castle’s wishing steps while climbing the steps with your eyes closed then your wish will come true within a year? If you’re as charmed by folktales as I am, well, the country is filled with them. Just another reason to visit Ireland.

 

Quaint small towns

I studied abroad in the third largest city in Ireland, where the population is 75,000 people and you can actually ask someone “are you headed to town?” In fact, the whole country of Ireland is only made up of 4.5 million people and I currently live in Los Angeles, a city where the population is nearly quadruple that. So, you can imagine how lovely and peaceful it is when you visit Ireland and its tiny towns – some of them are just one street long! It’s a spectacular change from living in a big city and one of many reasons why you should visit Ireland. Psst: You can see a lot of these towns and more if you follow my Ireland road trip itinerary.

 

The craic

“Craic” (/kræk/ KRAK) or “crack” is a term for news, gossip, fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation, particularly prominent in Ireland. I learned this during orientation when I was study abroad because the Irish use the word often and take craic very seriously. The Irish know how to have fun, and they make sure you’re having fun too. While most of the craic happens at the pub, it’s the most accurate word to describe a visit to Ireland.

 

Live music

What goes best with craic? Live music – specifically, live music in pubs. If you’ve ever been to an Irish pub, you know how great the music is. It’s lively and makes you want to dance and sing/scream along and the awesome thing is that most pubs have live music several nights per week. Between that and the multitude of street performers in the “big” towns, Ireland is definitely a country for the musically inclined. If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying Irish music, let’s rectify that. This is one of my favorite songs. I’m biased. Deal with it.

 

World-famous (and lesser-known) festivals

The entire world knows about the most famous Irish festival of them all: St Patricks’ Day. In the U.S., it’s the day where most Americans get in touch with their Irish roots to collectively wear green and drink the day and night away. If you visit Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll see that they do more or less the same thing, except on a much larger scale. It’s a pretty outrageous celebration and so much fun!

But here’s a fun fact for you: there are a bunch of other festivals that are celebrated in Ireland, and one of the more famous ones (within Ireland, anyway) is the Matchmaking Festival at The Matchmaker Bar in Lisdoonvarna. In fact, it’s actually Europe’s biggest singles festival so maybe Europeans know about it as well? I’m not sure. Anyway, it’s every September, if you’re single, reading this, and looking for a special (likely Irish) someone. No judgments here ;). You can check their website for more details. Now that’s an answer to “why visit Ireland” if I’ve ever heard one. Alexa, play Single Ladies.

 

Breathtaking natural wonders

There’s a reason everyone seems to know about the Cliffs of Moher: it’s Ireland’s most visited natural attraction! Plus, the cliffs are breathtakingly beautiful, especially around sunset. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day, you can see miles of the coastline!

But there’s actually a surprising number of natural formations in Ireland that many people don’t know about including The Ring of Kerry, The Burren, Croagh Patrick, and more. However, my personal favorite natural wonder is actually Giant’s Causeway. These mysterious-looking formations were caused by an ancient volcano eruption, but are shaped so symmetrically that you would swear they’re man-made.

I could go on, but I’ll keep it short and sweet: Ireland’s natural wonders are as enthralling as they are plentiful. If this alone isn’t one of the best reasons to visit Ireland, I’m not sure you can be convinced!

 

Quirky traditions

Just like folktales, the list of Irish traditions is quite lengthy and it would take years to discover them all. That’s part of the fun! There’s the one where women can propose to men on leap day. There’s the traditional Christmas day swim. And there’s my personal favorite: the year-round tradition of jumping off the pier in Salthill, Galway. A few of my brave friends did it at the end of the semester when we studied abroad. It was May, which is warm by Irish standards and late fall by my standards. Let’s just say I opted to play photographer instead.

 

Delicious food

I know what you’re probably thinking. Irish cuisine, seriously? And yes, I have to admit that I ate my weight in potatoes when I first visited Ireland back in 2011 (never had a bad potato dish, though!). Still, though, there are some good dishes if you dig past the pub food. Curry fries, fish and chips, brown bread and soup, and, of course, shepherd’s pie are just a few of the dishes worth a sample. The great thing about Irish food is that it’s locally sourced, which always makes for delicious and fresh dishes.

But that was Irish food back then. In fact, when I returned to Ireland recently for a conference and food-focused trip, I was surprised to find that Irish cuisine has improved a ton (not that I don’t enjoy the delicious, albeit somewhat-heavy traditional dishes). Now, it’s all about fresh, farm-to-table cuisine. Don’t believe me? Check out all the yummy things I ate on this Ireland for foodies road trip!

So, in a nutshell, Irish cuisine is another reason why you should visit Ireland!

 

Gorgeous sunsets

I’m a sucker fo sunsets (and sunrises if I wake up in time) and the ones in Ireland are pretty little show-offs. Is it the clean countryside air that makes them so gorgeous? Or maybe it’s how far north the island is. I have no idea what makes Irish sunsets so spectacular (I mean hello, just look at that sunset at The Cliffs of Moher) but they’re just amazing. I’m guessing the whole “I can’t believe I’m in Ireland right now” thought process makes a difference, too.

 

Irish people are some of the friendliest in the world

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit a lot of countries in my lifetime, but the friendliest people I’ve ever met are the Irish, hands down. All you have to do is pause and look confused and someone will ask if you need help. If you go to a pub, people ask, with genuine curiosity, what you’re doing in Ireland. And they seem appreciative that you’re taking the time to visit Ireland and learn about their country. I recently met an Irish girl who told me that lots of Americans come knocking on her family’s door, claiming to be distant relatives, and she always invites them in for a cup of tea and a chat. You can imagine my surprise when she said that – I was definitely raised with the “stranger danger” mentality. My point is that Ireland is one of the friendliest and safest places I’ve ever visited, which makes for an ideal travel environment for anyone – including solo travelers.

 

High-quality local goods

Murphy’s Ice Cream from Dingle. Galway Cream Tea from Cupan Tae. Aran Island Wool Sweaters. Waterford Crystal. Ireland may not have a whole lot of exports or well-known goods, but products made in Ireland are of superb quality – and the locals are proud of them. If you’re a fan of buying locally sourced goods when you travel, then you’ve totally hit the jackpot in Ireland…it’s all stuff you actually want to buy, and it’s not manufactured in giant sweatshops, either.

 

Expressive street art

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with street art, even though I don’t write about it a ton on this blog (I did do a street art tour in Valencia, though!). In Ireland, street art is big: carvings, graffiti, and political statements can be found all around the country. The most famous street art can be found in Northern Ireland, where numerous political murals line the city walls. It’s particularly prominent in Belfast. Street art is deeply rooted in (Northern) Irish culture, and the best part is that the art is constantly changing to reflect global politics, not just Irish politics. If you’re ever curious about political and artistic sub-culture, just take a look at the street art messages throughout the country!

 

Adorable tea shops

The English may hold the reputation of being the tea lovers of the world, but if there’s any place you can get an amazing cup of tea, it’s Ireland. In fact, back in the day, it used to be really difficult to find a good cup of coffee unless you went to a French cafe or something – that’s how much the Irish love their tea. Thankfully, that has since changed. But I digress.

Unlike London, Ireland has a bunch of cute teashops where you can feel fancy and get a cuppa without breaking the bank. (In London there are plenty of tea shops with afternoon tea but they’re on the pricier side). My absolute favorite tea shop in all of Ireland is Cupan Tae in Galway. I drank more Galway Cream Tea that semester than I care to admit.

 

Cute accents

No explanation necessary, right? We all know how charming cute accents can be.

 

What’s the best time to visit Ireland?

Ireland is known for its year-round rain, but with proper clothing, you can easily visit the country anytime, especially since winters aren’t frigid (although days are short). Summer technically has the best weather, but it’s peak tourist season and better avoided when possible. Instead, visit during spring or autumn for decent temperatures and fewer tourists.

• March – May: Springtime in Ireland is still on the rainier and cooler side, but it’s a great time to visit for beautiful blooming flowers without the frigid cold of winter. Plus, days start to get longer.
• June – August: This is peak travel season in Ireland and when the weather is best. However, this is also the most expensive and crowded time to visit. But if you have the funds, think of it this way: extra daylight for extra craic!
• September – October: Crunchy leaves, cooler temperatures, and fewer tourists: this is another great time to visit. Just be sure to go before the time change so you can still take advantage of longer days.

What’s the best way to visit Ireland?

Ireland is a beautiful country with charming small towns and a gorgeous countryside. The best way to visit Ireland is by road trip. That way, you can stop where you want, skip over the places you aren’t interested in, and fully soak in the impressive greenery and local charm. However, if driving in a foreign country isn’t up your alley, then consider booking a tour with my favorite tour company instead.

Do you need a visa to visit Ireland?

U.S. citizens can travel in Ireland visa-free for up to 90 days as long as they have a valid passport. Be sure to double check embassy websites for the latest information.

 

So, now that you’ve read this entire post, are you still asking yourself “is Ireland worth visiting?” Because let’s be real: I think I’ve convinced you that instead of asking “why visit Ireland?” you should be asking “how soon can I visit Ireland?” There’s a reason I added “right now” to the title of this post. But whether no matter when you plan your trip, just remember: The Emerald Isle definitely deserves a visit. Slainte!

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More Ireland Resources

Planning a trip to Ireland soon? Check out ALL my posts on Ireland below:

• Ireland Travel Guide
• The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Days in Ireland
• 20 Reasons You Need to Visit Ireland (Right Now)
• Ireland’s Ancient East Road Trip: An Itinerary for Foodies

 

Tell me: did I miss any reasons to visit Ireland? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

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