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Pubs, crawling. Castles, sprawling. You, oohing and aahing.

The flag of Ireland, featuring three vertical stripes of green, white, and orange from left to right.

Ireland Travel Guide

Whether you’re a nature junkie, all about that #PubLife, or a diehard music fan—you won’t need the luck of the Irish to find a reason to love Ireland.

Experience Ireland

Where hiking shoes turn into dancing-at-the-pub shoes turn into hiking shoes.

Adventure

Crush your daily steps goal and say things like “these views are bang on.”

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Cliffs of Moher with rugged rock formations and a lighthouse in the distance, surrounded by the blue Atlantic Ocean under a clear sky.

Experience the struggle of ocean against rock at the Cliffs of Moher

A scenic waterfall cascades over moss-covered rocks surrounded by lush, green foliage in a forest setting.

Feel the power of Torc Mountain’s 66-foot waterfall

Narrow country road with grassy edges, leading to distant hills, houses, and a lake under a cloudy sky.

Go marching one by one along the famous One Man’s Pass trail

Scenic view from a rocky hilltop overlooking a lush landscape with a winding path, lakes, and a cloudy blue sky.

Count the Twelve Bens while trekking through Connemara National Park

Stone bridge with two arches over a calm river, set in a lush green landscape with rolling hills and a cloudy sky.

Bike your way along Ireland’s west coast on the Great Western Greenway

Rocky mountain landscape with green slopes under a clear blue sky, featuring rugged terrain and scattered boulders.

Journey to the peak of Ireland’s tallest mountain, Carrauntoohil

Lush green landscape with hills, a lake, and bright blue sky with fluffy clouds on a sunny day.

Hike past world-famous lakes at Killarney National Park

Hexagonal rock columns rise from the ocean at Giant's Causeway, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Witness the unique geological formation of Giant’s Causeway

A wooden boardwalk leads down through green hills, overlooking a small lake and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Ascend the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail AKA the Stairway to Heaven

Close-up of a four-leaf clover surrounded by green grass and small white-pink flowers in the background.

Make like St. Patrick & see if you can find a four-leaf clover

Scenic view of a coastal landscape with green fields, winding roads, and a vast ocean under a clear blue sky. Mountains are visible in the background.

Catch epic panoramic views along the Ring of Kerry

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History

Castle. Lots of Castles.

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A person walks near a historic stone castle with conical towers and ornate details, set against a cloudy sky and surrounded by greenery.

Tour the 600-year-old Blarney Castle & Gardens

View of Blarney Castle through a circular stone frame, surrounded by lush greenery and a cloudy sky.

Kiss the Blarney Stone & be anointed with the gift of gab

Interior of a grand cathedral with tall arches, stained glass windows, wooden chairs, and a patterned carpet under a high vaulted ceiling.

Visit St. Patrick’s 800-year-old namesake cathedral in Dublin

Dimly lit, grand library with tall, arched shelves packed with books, under an ornate wooden ceiling.

See the library that inspired Hogwarts’ own at Trinity College

Bust of Socrates in a library with a tall bookshelf and ladder in the background.

Read 1,200-year-old biblical stories in the Book of Kells

Stone castle with a cylindrical tower featuring decorative battlements, small windows, and a manicured garden with blooming roses in front.

Uncover the fascinating story of Kilkenny Castle

Aerial view of people visiting Inis Mór's cliffside fort, featuring lush green fields and rocky cliffs above the ocean.

Go back in time & discover the Aran Islands’ prehistoric forts

Statue of an angel with outstretched arm holding flowers, surrounded by trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Get spooky on a historic Irish ghost tour

A street view of a small town with colorful buildings, including The Kilford Arms, and road markings in the foreground.

Walk the “Medieval Mile” in Kilkenny, featuring 14th-century castles

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Craic (good times)

Fact: Irish bliss starts with Guinness.

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Two pints of Guinness stout sit on a glossy bar next to a Guinness harp tap handle, with a blurred background.

Pour the perfect pint at the Guinness Storehouse

A narrow street bustling with people, flanked by colorful buildings and signs, leads to a distant church under a bright blue sky.

People-watch & pub-crawl along Dublin’s famous Grafton Street

Bearded man in a cap plays guitar while leaning against a brick wall in a dimly lit alley, with people walking by and neon signs in the background.

Stepdance the night away anywhere (everywhere?) to live Irish music

Aerial view of a busy park with people relaxing on the grass and walking on paths, surrounded by buildings and a large sculpture.

Explore Galway’s Eyre Square, bustling with shops, cafes & art

Close-up of a wooden display showcasing a bourbon barrel lid with labeled sections "New Make," "1 Year," and "Maturation" on wooden panels.

Unleash your inner whiskey aficionado at the Jameson Distillery

Narrow cobblestone alley leading to a vibrant red gate with "Smithwick & Sons Limited" above, flanked by stone and painted buildings.

Learn how to properly pronounce, and enjoy, Smithwick’s Ale

A dimly lit, ornate bar interior with wood paneling, decorative railings, colorful murals, and rows of liquor bottles on shelves.

Supernaturalize your trip by visiting one of Ireland’s haunted pubs

A glass mug of Irish coffee with a layer of frothy cream on top, set on a saucer with caramel drizzle, against a blurred background.

Keep energized with a traditional Irish coffee from a local café

A bowl of hearty beef stew with chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, onions, and herbs, set on a wooden table next to two spoons.

Enjoy some Irish comfort food, like beef stew or shepherd's pie

A bustling street scene in a lively town, with people walking past colorful storefronts and flags hanging above in the sunny weather.

Listen to the buskers along Galway’s lively Quay Street

A gold Claddagh ring with hands holding a crowned heart, symbolizing love, loyalty, and friendship, set against a dark background.

Buy yourself a locally crafted souvenir at the Kilkenny Design Centre

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Cliffs of Moher with lush green tops, rugged stone faces, ocean waves, and a small stone tower on the edge.

Accommodations. Activities. Rockstar Tour Director that knows which pub pours the best Guinness.

This is group travel with EF Ultimate Break. Expertly crafted itineraries, everything included. We keep your stress levels low and holy-s#!t-that-was-awesome levels high.

See our top Ireland trips

Learn more about what we do

Lowdown

Language: English
Currency: Euro
Color: Green. So much green.
Capital: Dublin
Must See: Cliffs of Moher
Highest Mountain: Carrauntoohil
Cutest Encounter: Sheep
Dance to: Live Irish music
Drink to: Live Irish music
Hangover Cure: Live Irish music—kidding. Obviously it’s a full Irish breakfast.

Slang

Bang on: Meaning you’re right or accurate
Black stuff: Guinness
Brutal: Meaning awful or dreadful
Craic: Pronounced like crack; good times
Deadly or savage: Fantastic or great
Knackered or shattered: Exhausted
Langers: Drunk
Wired to the moon: A little hungover and three cups of coffee before 9:00am? You’re wired to the moon.
Take the piss: To mock, tease, or poke fun

Eat like a local

Don’t get it twisted, bangers and mash are a must. But there’s a whole lot of Irish food you’ve got to try.

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Irish stew

Ireland’s most famous dish of meat, potatoes, onions, parsley, carrots & more.

The full Irish breakfast

Soda bread, bacon, eggs, fried sausages, vegetables; served with beans.

Salmon

Smoked or Irish-style, Salmon in Ireland is always fresh especially from April–June.

Oysters

A seafood staple, Irish oysters are some of the world’s best & often sustainably grown.

Soda bread

Every Irish family has their own recipe! Always good with butter alongside Irish stew.

Coddle

A slow cooked combination of sausage, bacon, onions & potatoes.

Guinness cake

Why not pair a fresh pint o’ Guinness with a cake made from the dark stout?

Boxty

Essentially a mashed & grated potato in pancake form. Yummy!

Black and white pudding

Pudding made from blood and fat mixed with barley, pork, oatmeal & suet.

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Best ways to visit Ireland

Every way’s a good way to see Ireland, but we’ve kind of perfected it.

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We know a spot or two

Everybody knows Ireland is ridiculously good looking. But we know just the spots to experience the best of the Emerald Isle.

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Dublin

Beyond its world-class pub scene, Ireland’s capital city has majestic castles, fascinating museums, and stunning public hangouts like St. Stephens Green.

A dimly lit cathedral interior with arched stone architecture and vibrant stained glass windows above an ornate altar.
Street scene in front of The Temple Bar, Dublin, with people walking on cobblestone pavement, bicycles, and festive lights adorning the brick building.

12 of Dublin’s Oldest, Coolest Pubs

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A picturesque view of Dublin's Ha'penny Bridge with colorful buildings in the background and reflections in the river below at sunset.
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Galway

Come for the live music on Quay Street, stay for the charming villages and cobblestone alleyways.

Colorful houses line a waterfront under a dramatic cloudy sky, with seagulls on the grass and moored boats in the water.
A dimly lit, ornate bar interior with wood paneling, decorative railings, colorful murals, and rows of liquor bottles on shelves.

6 Ways to Soak Up Galway’s Quay Street

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A weathered boat docked near a rocky shore with pink crates in the foreground, houses lining the background under a clear blue sky.
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Kilkenny

Soak up 14th-century history on the “Medieval Mile” then wash it down with a cold pint at the famous Smithwick's brewery, churning out the good stuff (red ale) since 1710.

Historic castle with tall stone tower, surrounded by lush gardens and red flowers, under a clear blue sky at sunset.
A quaint street with stone buildings, a large red door with "Smithwick's Irish Ale," and colorful facades under a cloudy sky.
Aerial view of a town with rows of houses and a large cathedral in the background under a cloudy sky.
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Count Kerry

This Is where Ireland’s natural scenery and epic adventure combine with attractions like Killarney National Park, the Ring of Kerry, and Macgillycuddy’s Reeks.

Historic stone building covered in green ivy, featuring tall chimneys and large windows, under a partly cloudy sky.
Scenic landscape of rolling green hills, rocky terrain, and a small stream under a cloudy blue sky, with distant mountains in the background.

9 Awe-Inspiring Outdoor Adventures

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People climbing a steep stone staircase on a grassy, rocky hill with a view of the ocean in the background.
Scenic view of green hills and valleys with small lakes under a blue sky with white clouds.
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County Clare

Drive through Ireland’s vast green countryside on your way to the Cliffs of Moher, where the only thing more impressive than the cliffs will be your selfie skills.

Dramatic cliffs overlooking the ocean under a cloudy sky, with green grass in the foreground and a sea stack visible in the water.
Two sheep graze on lush grass beside a wooden fence, with a sunlit path and dense, leafy trees in the background.
Stone castle with crenelations against a blue sky. Colorful flowers and string lights are in the foreground, adding a festive touch.
A small stone tower stands atop a grassy, cliffside hill, with rugged, vertical rock layers beneath and a cloudy sky above.
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The Aran Islands

Visiting these three rugged yet beautiful islands is like traveling back in time—the locals speak traditional Irish Gaelic and fisherman haul their catch in traditional wooden boats.

A stone cottage with a thatched roof sits in a lush green field, overlooking a blue ocean under a clear sky with white clouds.
A black and white horse grazes on a grassy field with a stone wall and the sea visible in the background under an overcast sky.

9 Must-See Ireland Spots & Attractions

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A small stone building stands on a grassy hill under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds and a contrail, bordered by a stone wall.
Wildflowers with green leaves bloom on rocky cliffs above the ocean, with a distant view of rough, textured cliff edges against the sea and sky.
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Pro tips

  • Spuds get all the love, but make sure to enjoy Ireland’s incredibly fresh seafood, too.
  • We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the weather changes in an instant. Expect the unexpected—bring a waterproof jacket and shoes!
  • The locals in Ireland are known for being friendly. Spark up conversation in the pubs and you may even find a new BFF.
  • Support Ireland’s long history of craftsmanship and delicacies by buying local—from sweaters and jewelry to cheese and chocolate and more.
  • When at the pubs with a group, it’s common for each person to take turns “buying a round” for the rest of the group. Try it out with your new friends!
  • It’s tempting to take pictures at every corner or of every pint you purchase, but remember that life in Ireland is all about living in the moment. Enjoy it!

Ireland inspo

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Traveler photos from Ireland

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5/5: the perfect pour!

Our travelers love visiting Ireland, and they aren’t afraid to tell us.

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Our kick-a** Tour Directors

We ❤️ them—and you will too.

Gavin

“Being from Ireland is something that I’m very proud of. No matter how far I travel or for how long, Ireland will always be my home. Ireland is the land of a thousand welcomes. Whoever you are, Ireland will welcome you with open arms and a hot mug of tea! Being a Tour Director allows me to dispense this welcome over and over again, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than meeting new people and showing off this little Emerald Island!”

Laura

“I was born in Ireland and live in a friendly little seaside village on the West Coast. Ireland is a magical place of music, dancing, and stories on a backdrop of rolling green hills, woodland, and cliffs standing over the Atlantic Ocean. Being a Tour Director is the perfect life for me, as it allows me to share with travelers what my amazing homeland has to offer!”

Marco

“I grew up between Sligo (West Coast of Ireland) and Florence (Italy). After graduating in Archeology, I traveled quite intensely around the world for 10 years, but no place feels like home more than sitting in a pub anywhere in Ireland—surrounded by strangers of every age and gender, chatting, downing a pint, listening to live music and having a great craic! My fiery passion for history and culture is something I love sharing with my groups, and for that I can thank EF Ultimate Break! Sláinte.”

Two simple smiling faces overlap on a light green background, conveying happiness and friendliness.

Still undecided? We’ll help you find the perfect trip.

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