Top 5 Reasons to Visit Ireland; From Medieval Castles to Beautiful Landscapes

Updated On: April 15, 2024 by   Ciaran Connolly

As summer approaches, and you start to plan your travel adventures, ConnollyCove wants to make sure you don’t miss out on an unforgettable trip to Ireland. There are so many sensational reasons to visit Ireland this summer, or pretty much any time of the year.

Ireland has been alluring people all around the world since the beginning of time with its mythical landscape filled with natural beauty, culture and enchanting history.

It’s known as one of the friendliest counties in the world, where locals will make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. Ireland has also become one of the best tourist destinations, offering so much for people to see and experience, making you want to come back again and again. The Irish charm is hard to not love and it’s even harder to leave the emerald island behind after a visit.

If you need more inspiration to start planning your Irish adventure, keep reading to find out why you need to visit Ireland at least once in your lifetime.

Favourite Reasons to Visit Ireland

• The Castles; Medieval Marvels and Historic Ruins

Reasons to visit Ireland…. let’s start with the castles; Irish castles are some of the most incredible and marvellous places you’ll ever come across. The castles in Ireland make you feel like you’re in a Hollywood movie, many of which have been untouched for centuries, filled with awe-inspiring stories and history, as they are beautiful. Best of all, Ireland is home to many castles, with over 1000 placed around the country; meaning you won’t have to look far to find one.

One of the most popular Irish castles is Blarney Castle in County Cork, famous for being the home of the Blarney stone. Irish legend states that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will receive the gift of love; which has attracted many visitors from all around the world who hope for this to come true.

A second great Irish castle lies on the Antrim coast, the medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle is one of the most famous monuments in the North of Ireland. The castle comes with many tales and Irish legends that you’ll wish to unravel, and you can do so here. It’s also famous for appearing in the hit HBO show ‘Game of Thrones’ and is believed to have inspired author C.S Lewis.

These are just two Irish castles out of 1000’s that you need to visit Ireland to experience their spectacular wonder and history in person.

• The Landscape; Every Corner of Ireland is a Photographers Dream

Nowhere in the world is like Ireland when it comes to its breath-taking landscape and scenery. It has often been the inspiration for many writers and creative minds such as CS Lewis and James Joyce, who have been captivated by the Irish landscape and in turn, have based some of their fictional worlds on its beauty.

Not only is the Irish landscape alluring but it’s filled with so much personality and life. From the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare to the Aran Islands as well as the Giants Causeway in County Antrim; all offering something uniquely astonishing. If there’s ever a reason to visit Ireland, it’s for the landscape on offer that will stay with you long after you‘ve gone.

The Irish landscape is anything but predictable, it’s home to seven natural wonders including The Ring of Kerry and the Wicklow Mountains. Although the cliché of Ireland being green may ring true there’s so much more to Ireland and its landscapes that its colour.

You will be charmed by the peaceful and open surroundings in Ireland, the unique islands such as Skellig Michael, blue flag award golden beaches and mountains tops that dominate the skyline. You’ll be inspired by it all, making this a great reason to visit Ireland.

• Irish Festivals: A Great Mix of Culture, Music, and Fun

Ireland is home to many incredible festivals all year round, Irish people love to have a good time and celebrate a variety of things such as arts, music, literature, culture and more. That’s why Irish festivals are another great reason to visit Ireland.

You’ll not have a good time with Irish, all you have to do is visit on St. Patricks Day to enjoy the amazing celebrations taking place with parades, people dressing up, live music and Irish craic. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most hotly anticipated festivals in Ireland, after all, it is their patron saint.

More exciting Irish festival include the Galway International Art Festival where you’ll be inspired by all the talent and artists that surround you; both homegrown and international.

Also, can’t forget to mention Culture Night in Ireland which has become one of the best festivals to visit. Offering a variety of free entertainment and events to help celebrate the arts, culture and heritage in Ireland.

There’s always some fun and different festival taking place in Ireland that will make you aware of things that are important to the Irish. Whenever you next visit Ireland you must check out the festivals taking place and join in with the celebrations – also a great way to get to know the locals and make unforgettable memories.

• Experience the Unique Pub Culture

If there’s anything the Irish love it’s a drink in their local, having a laugh and enjoying live music. That’s why you must experience the pub culture in Ireland. Irish pubs have a famous reputation for their great hospitality, it’s delicious beers, traditional Irish pub food and of course the friendly locals who bring the place to live with their many stories and witty charm.

If you want to truly experience Irish life, go to a local pub, get to know the locals and enjoy live music often featuring both modern and traditional Irish music.

Irish pub culture is more than just going to a bar for a drink, it has a long history with its core being about friendship and bringing people together. For many centuries Irish pubs have provided a place for people to socialise both with friends and strangers. Many celebrations from weddings, birthdays, christening take place there. Pubs are an important part of Irish culture and this makes it a great reason to visit Ireland; to get to know why it’s so special to the Irish.

• Uncover The Famous Irish Folklore

A visit to Ireland wouldn’t be finished without unravelling the stories and tales surrounding traditional Irish folklore. Ireland is a place famous for its mythical land, filled with fairies, leprechauns and even mysterious Giants.

Landmarks such as the Giant Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with traditional Irish Folklore. One popular Irish tale believes that the unique stones that created the causeway were shaped by an Irish Giant known as Finn McCool after a heroic battled with a Scottish Giant. You can find out more about Irish folklore surrounding the Giants Causeway here.

This is just one of many epic Irish tales surrounding the memorising Irish landscape that you’ll want to discover more on. Landmarks such as the Loop Head in County Clare and the Hill of Tara in County Meath are also home to famous Irish legends, that only on a visit to Ireland will you find out more – it is truly captivating – the Irish have always been famous for telling great stories and this is another reason to visit Ireland.

• The Exciting and Evolving Irish Food Scene

When you think of reasons to visit Ireland you might not necessarily think of food first, but the Irish food scene is something not to quickly pass by. For many years Ireland was known for its traditional cuisines such as stew and potatoes dishes but now the place is filled with awarding winning restaurants, offering a unique combination of Irish local produce and world-class dishes that will delight even the fussiest of eaters.

Ireland is home to renown chefs who are bringing something new and delicious to the table for visitors to experience. There are also many food tour guides around Ireland that take visitors to the best places to eat in Ireland.

If you’re a foodie lover, then you will definitely be impressed by the food scene in Ireland.  This is one of the best reasons to visit Ireland, especially if you enjoy seafood as Ireland is becoming known as one of the greatest places to enjoy fresh and tasty fish. There is even an international Oyster and Seafood festival that takes place in Galway each year – A must visit for anyone on a trip to Ireland.

We could keep going on and on about the many amazing reasons to visit Ireland, but we want you to uncover some yourself; when you get here, tell us why you would recommend a trip to Ireland. We would love to know what makes Ireland special to you.

Check out other blogs that you may enjoy:

Malahide Village: A Great Seaside Town Outside Dublin| Amazing Parks in Ireland: Must Visit Parks for Tourists and Locals| Discover the Wild Atlantic Way| Live Music in Belfast: A local Guide to Entertainment|