Travel Articles & Inspiration
Expert guides, curated lists, and travel ideas for exploring Ireland.
Free Entry to Ireland's Attractions: Free Wednesdays, Heritage Days and Every Site That Never Charges
The OPW's Free Wednesday site list, the free days worth planning around, and the national museums and galleries in Ireland that never charge admission at all.
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Ferries to Ireland's Islands: Every Route, Crossing Time and Departure Pier
Every scheduled ferry to an inhabited Irish island, plus the estuary car ferries, the cable car, the tidal strand crossings and the routes that are not running.
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St Declan's Way Accommodation: Where to Stay on Every Stage
A stage-by-stage guide to beds on St Declan's Way, from Cashel to Ardmore. Real options at each overnight stop, the two stages where beds are thin, and how walkers handle transfers.
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Can You Swim in Ireland's Lakes? Access, Water Quality and Where People Actually Swim
No Irish law bans lake swimming, but only nine of Ireland's 153 identified bathing waters are lakes. Which lakes have marked bathing areas, which are used unsupervised, and which you should stay out of.
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Where to Stay in Connemara: Picking a Village, Not Just a Hotel
Leenane, Renvyle, Cleggan, Ballynahinch, Roundstone and the Maam valley compared as Connemara bases, with the driving times, the car-free reality and the honest trade-offs of each.
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Where to Stay on the Dingle Peninsula: Dingle Town, Slea Head or the North Side
Dingle town, Ventry, Ballyferriter, Dunquin, Ballydavid, Castlegregory and Cloghane compared as bases, with the bus reality from Tralee and the honest trade-offs of each.
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Where to Stay in Galway: Choosing a Base for the City, Connemara and the Islands
Which town to base yourself in for County Galway, from the city centre and Salthill to Clifden, Letterfrack, Oughterard and Kinvara, with the honest trade-offs on car, cost and quiet.
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Where to Stay in Killarney: Town Centre, Muckross Road, the Lakeshore or Kenmare
How Killarney's town centre, the Muckross Road hotel strip, the Fossa lakeshore and Aghadoe compare, plus Kenmare and Beaufort as alternative bases for the Ring of Kerry and the Gap of Dunloe.
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Where to Stay in Wicklow: Which Town to Base Yourself In
Bray, Greystones, Enniskerry, Laragh, Wicklow town or Blessington. Which Wicklow base suits walkers, families and visitors without a car, and the honest trade-offs of each.
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Sligo away from the tour buses
Seven quiet corners of County Sligo the coach tours skip, from a year-round surf reef at Easkey to the pink fiddle museum at Gurteen and Yeats's Slish Wood.
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The best mountain walks in Ireland for a big view and a short day
Nine Irish summits ranked by reward for effort, from a 20-minute Dublin climb to Kerry's 952m Brandon, with the honest ones where you need to navigate.
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Where to see the Milky Way in Ireland – eight dark-sky spots
Ireland has three official dark-sky designations, and its darkest, most remote stargazing spots sit inside them. Where to stand, and when the sky is blackest.
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Ireland's best hidden beaches, from Dingle to Donegal
Eight Irish strands worth the drive, from a five-kilometre Blue Flag spit on Dingle Bay to a Cork cove with no facilities, ranked and with the tide caveats.
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Holy wells and older sacred ground – nine sites still visited in Ireland
Rag trees, pattern days and rounds walked at Lughnasadh – nine holy wells, stone circles and mass rocks across Ireland that people still visit and pray at.
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Beyond Torc – nine of Ireland's most beautiful waterfalls
Nine Irish waterfalls worth the drive, ranked by what they ask of you – from car-door cascades to an 80m plunge – with parking, walks and honest caveats.
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Where the land runs out – six coastal viewpoints in Ireland
Six Atlantic clifftops worth the drive, from the 601m face of Slieve League to the closest mainland view of the Skelligs, ranked and with the safety caveats.
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Ireland's lesser-known islands
Six islands off the Irish coast you can actually plan a day around, from a drive-to Gaeltacht to seabird rocks you only ever see from a boat.
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Lesser-known Irish castles worth the detour
Eight quieter castles and tower houses, from a Mountbatten silhouette to a pirate queen's roofless shell, that pay back the back-road drive.
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The most beautiful lakes in Ireland
Six Irish loughs worth the drive, ranked – from Wicklow's Guinness Lake to a Kerry horseshoe under a dark-sky reserve, with parking, walks and honest caveats.
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Ireland's best scenic drives – nine mountain passes and coast roads
Nine Irish drives ranked by what you actually see from the road: high passes, hand-cut tunnels and coast loops where the Atlantic fills the windscreen.
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A Travel Guide to Irish Folklore and Mythology
Discover Ireland's legendary landscapes – the Hill of Tara, fairy forts, the Dingle Peninsula and more – with a guide to the myths that shaped them.
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Dublin Attraction Passes Compared: Go City, DoDublin, Heritage Card and When Not to Buy One
What Dublin's sightseeing passes actually cost, the attractions none of them cover, the break-even maths for each, and the discount codes worth trying at checkout.
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Hikes Near Dublin by DART, Bus and Luas
20+ hikes near Dublin reachable by DART, bus or Luas. Howth cliffs, Glendalough, Ticknock, Bray Head and more with transport details and trail maps.
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Molly Malone
Molly Malone – Dublin’s iconic statue, the famous folk song, and the annual Molly Malone Day celebration.
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Ireland Seniors Card - Cost, Benefits and How to Apply
Senior age thresholds in Ireland run from 60 to 70 depending on the benefit. The private Seniors Card starts at 60 but is not currently taking applications; Free Travel starts at 66, the Medical Card at 70, and the Northern Ireland SmartPass at 60.
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Things to do in Belfast with kids, ranked
Ten Belfast family days out ranked, with checked 2026 prices, the age and height limits that catch parents out, and what to do when it rains.
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Things to do in Cork with Kids
Family-friendly attractions in Cork, Ireland – wildlife parks, castles, beaches, gardens and indoor activities for kids of all ages.
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Cycling Holidays
Explore Ireland’s top cycling routes, from the Wild Atlantic Way to scenic greenways, with tips for rentals, accommodation and tour operators.
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Things to do in Dublin with Kids
Kid‑friendly activities in Dublin: free attractions, museums, parks, indoor play zones, coastal walks and family day trips.
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Famous Films set in Ireland
Explore iconic movies and TV series filmed across Ireland’s stunning landscapes, from classic films like The Quiet Man to modern hits such as Game of Thrones.
Read →Things to do in Galway with Kids
Family‑friendly guide to Galway, Ireland – attractions, parks, museums, beaches, farms and adventure activities for kids.
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10 Hidden Treasures in Ireland
Explore Ireland’s hidden treasures – from remote islands and dramatic cliffs to quiet mountain trails and coastal drives.
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Exploring Ireland's Ancient Sites
Explore Ireland's ancient monuments—from Newgrange and the Hill of Tara to Glendalough and the Rock of Cashel—history, legends and visitor tips.
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Ireland's Majestic Cliffs
Explore Ireland's spectacular coastal cliffs – Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League, Loop Head, Mizen Head, Dun Aonghasa and Benwee Head – across Clare, Donegal, Cork, Galway and Mayo.
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Irish Castles
Explore Ireland's most iconic castles – from the Rock of Cashel and Blarney to Kilkenny, Cahir and Lismore – with history, visitor tips and nearby attractions.
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Bank Holidays in Ireland 2026 and 2027
Every Irish bank holiday date for 2026 and 2027, plus what's open and closed, the St Brigid's Day rule, Good Friday, and Northern Ireland's list.
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Irish Soda Bread
Traditional Irish soda bread recipe, history, variations and tips for perfect baking – a quick, comforting loaf from Ireland.
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Irish Surnames
Explore the history, meaning and origins of Irish surnames, from medieval clan names to today’s most common family names.
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Irish Wedding Venues: The Ultimate List
A comprehensive list of Irish wedding venues with pricing, capacity, location and booking links.
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Basic Irish (Gaeilge)
Learn essential Irish (Gaeilge) phrases for travellers – greetings, directions, dining, emergencies and pronunciation tips to connect with locals.
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Things to do in Limerick with Kids
Family‑friendly activities in Limerick, Ireland – castles, wildlife parks, museums, playgrounds and outdoor adventures for kids.
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Ireland's National Parks
Explore Ireland's six national parks – Killarney, Connemara, Glenveagh, Wicklow, Burren and Ballycroy – with history, activities and practical visitor tips.
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A Road Trip Through Ireland
10‑day Ireland road‑trip itinerary covering Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Cork, Cliffs of Moher, Galway and hidden gems, with tips and seasonal advice
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The Best Time to Visit Ireland
Seasonal guide to the best time to visit Ireland – weather, daylight, festivals, wildlife and practical tips for each month.
Read →OPW Heritage Card 2026: Price, Site List and Is It Worth It?
What the OPW Heritage Card costs in 2026, the fee-paying sites it actually saves you money at, where to buy it, and how many visits it takes to pay for itself.
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Walking Festivals in Ireland
Comprehensive guide to Ireland's walking festivals in 2025 – dates, costs, routes, tips and nearby attractions for walkers of all abilities.
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