20 Top Things To See And Do In Southern Ireland

Filled with history, culture, nature, and yes lots of beer and whiskey, southern Ireland is the perfect place to plan a vacation.

A road trip through Ireland is the best way to take in all the things that make Ireland so great and will make it easy to fall in love with a country that cherishes its history and holds on tightly to its traditions.

Visiting Ireland feels like going back in time a few hundred years. There are castles around every corner, each town is filled with historical marvels and the locals are very laid-back and friendly to visitors. Ireland has so much to offer from fun city life to gorgeous nature and cute fishing towns.

This road trip guide will help you plan out your travel itinerary covering the top 20 things to see and do on your Ireland vacation.

Map of the top destinations in Southern Ireland:

Map Tip: Click on the different locations to see more details!

Typically a trip will start in either Cork or Dublin, depending on your arriving flight. I started my 7-day road trip from Cork so that’s the route I will follow in this Ireland vacation guide below.

20 best things to see and do in Southern Ireland:

1. Visit The Rock Of Cashel

Kick off your road trip by visiting the grand Rock of Cashel historical site.

The Rock Of Cashel is located on top of rolling hills in the small town of Cashel. Visitors can take a tour of the castle or go on a walk around its green hills that are full of roaming sheep.

Location: Rock of Cashel

2. Grab a Guinness at the famous Temple Bar

Temple Bar is a historic district in downtown Dublin filled with pubs, cobblestone streets, and narrow alleys.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in this neighborhood is a bright red pub called The Temple Bar. It’s a fun place to stop by for a drink, take in the traditional Irish pub scene, and hang out with tourists and locals alike.

Location: The Temple Bar Pub

3. Walk around downtown Dublin

Downtown Dublin is an exciting area filled with many amazing historical landmarks, great food, and amazing nightlife.

Most of the attractions in Dublin are located within a few minutes walk from each other and it’s easy to get around on foot.

Some of the most popular things to see in Dublin are Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, Molly Malone Statue, and the National Museum of Ireland.

For adults, a tour of the Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse is a must!

Compared to many other European destinations, Dublin is relatively cheap when it comes to food and lodging.

On top of that, many historical attractions in downtown Dublin are free.

If you are in no rush, you could spend a few days walking through the streets of downtown Dublin, visiting its landmarks, and grabbing a Guinness at one of the friendly local pubs.

Location: Dublin

Explore Dublin and eat like a local by going on this small-group Dublin food tour! Your expert guide will take you to authentic pubs, cafés, shops, and markets where you’ll sample local specialties.

4. Stay at the Ashford Castle

After spending some time in downtown Dublin, start heading west. The drive from Dublin to western Ireland is a few hours long but there isn’t much to see along the way.

The first significant stop on the west coast is Ashford Castle. Ashford Castle is a gorgeous castle that has been turned into a luxurious upscale hotel.

Visitors not staying at the hotel are allowed to roam around its pristine, lush gardens for free.

Location: Ashford Castle

Check Ashford Castle room rates & availability here!

5. Explore the Friary of Ross ruins

As you drive away from Ashford Castle, you will be able to spot the Friary of Ross ruins in the distance. One of the advantages of road-tripping in a car is that you can always change your course and visit places that you spot from the road!

The Friary of Ross has no entrance fees, no attendants, and usually no people visiting it. While most castles and ruins are operated as a business, the Friary of Ross can be explored without any restrictions and for free.

Location: Ross Errilly Friary

6. Stop at the Saint John The Baptist Church

Ireland is filled with many churches, some of which are still actively used for worship.

One of these churches is the Saint John Baptist Church in Ballyvaughan. This church is a reminder that the lines between the past and present are not so well defined and that the history in Ireland is still in the making.

St. John the Baptist Church has a small cemetery with lots of old grave stones and monuments.

Location: St. John the Baptist Church

7. Hike the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher is one of the top things to see on the west coast of Ireland. Make sure to set aside at least a few hours to explore and hike around these gorgeous seaside cliffs.

While most tourists tend to hang around the entrance and its main walkways, the best views are located further down the path.

Visitors can hike north or south along the cliffs and the views are amazing in either direction. The further you go, the better the views and the thinner the crowds will get!

Location: Cliffs of Moher

If you want to visit Cliffs of Moher, but don’t want to drive there yourself, book this Cliffs of Moher guided tour from Dublin! This tour includes transportation, a professional guide, and all entrance fees.

8. Visit the charming city of Ennis

Some of the best local experiences are the ones that are the least expected!

An unplanned stop in one of the small towns could lead you to an arts festival, dancing on the street, and exploring new things that you might not find at the main tourist spots.

Location: Ennis

9. Stop by the Bunratty Castle for a beer

If you like food, beer, and history, the Bunratty Castle is the perfect place for you to visit.

One of the main attractions at the Bunratty Castle is the daily medieval dining banquet along with the outdoor pub. The banquet serves food and live entertainment and takes place every day but reservations are required.

After the show, visitors can grab a drink next door while enjoying the amazing unobstructed views of the castle from Bunratty Bar.

Location: Bunratty Castle

10. Drive down Conor Pass to Dingle Peninsula

Conor Pass is a narrow, windy mountain road that leads into the Dingle Peninsula. Along this pass drivers going both directions must share the one-lane road.

This road is known to intimidate tourists driving into the Dingle Peninsula for its narrow passing areas and steep drop-offs. But it does offer some amazing views along the way! (If you dare to look away from your steering wheel).

Location: Conor Pass

11. Continue on to Slea Head Drive

The Slea Head Drive is one of the most scenic coastal drives in Ireland.

You don’t really need a detailed plan to road trip around the peninsula but the recommended route is from south to north. The views are breathtaking all around and the crowded parking lots will indicate which places are the most popular stops.

Location: Slea Head Dr

12. Hike to Devil Horns and see the Coumeenoole Beach

A popular destination in the Dingle Peninsula is the Devil Horns hike. This hike follows a narrow path along a cliff and ends overlooking a row of rocks lined up in the ocean.

From the parking lot, visitors can also walk down to Coumeenoole Beach and watch the waves crash against the shore.

Location: Coumeenoole Beach

13. Stop by the picturesque Dunquin Harbor

With its windy narrow road and tall, pointy rocks, Dunquin Harbor is one of the most photographed spots in the Dingle Peninsula.

Visitors can park and walk down closer to the water. The most popular location to capture photos of this harbor is located from the top of a green hill right behind it.

Location: Cé Dhún Chaoin / Dunquin Pier

14. Visit Ross Castle for a lesson in history

Ross Castle has one of the most complicated histories in Ireland. It’s so complex that a whole room is devoted to it at the castle with timelines, drawings, and family trees.

Take a tour of the castle, learn its history, then immediately get confused by the complexity of it all and forget anything you learned.

Location: Ross Castle

15. Relax at the Muckross House Gardens

The Muckross House is a mix between a castle and a mansion. It’s very well kept, has beautiful gardens surrounding it, and even has a small zoo on the premises.

It’s the perfect place to have a relaxing day, explore the garden, and enjoy some fresh air.

Location: Muckross House

16. Go for a scenic drive through Killarney National Park

Ireland is green, there is no secret in that. Although Ireland is filled with luscious green trees just about everywhere, it also has a designated National Park in the southern part of the country.

Make sure to set aside some time to explore Killarney National Park, visit the waterfalls, and enjoy the beauty of Ireland’s nature.

Location: Killarney National Park

17. Gain eloquence by kissing the 500-year-old Blarney stone

Have you ever dangled high above the ground, upside down, and kissed a 500-year-old stone?

I didn’t think so. But you sure can do that at the historical Blarney Castle in Cork. In fact, thousands of tourists line up every day and wait for hours to get a chance to plant a wet one on this stone.

The legend says it will bring eloquence to those who do. To tourists, it’s just a fun and weird thing to add to their Ireland bucket list.

Location: Blarney Castle & Gardens

Learn more about Blarney Castle by booking this Blarney Stone and Castle Gardens Tour! This experience includes admission fees and a detailed guided tour.

18. Have lunch at the Blackrock Castle Restaurant

If you are looking for a place to dine like a king, at the Blackrock Castle guests can enjoy lunch or dinner right in the castle’s courtyard.

The menu includes a variety of items from Fish and Chips to Lamb Tagine and Steaks.

Location: The Castle Cafe

19. See the grandness of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Just a few minute’s walk outside of the busy downtown Cork lies one of the grandest churches in Ireland.

Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral is a beautiful Gothic church with soaring towers and intricate details. This cathedral should be on top of your list of the best things to see in Cork.

Location: Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral

20. Have your last Guinness in Cork before leaving

Similar to Dublin, downtown Cork is filled with energy, liveliness and caters to tourists. The cute historical streets are filled with pubs, amazing restaurants, and shopping opportunities.

After road-tripping through southern Ireland, it’s the perfect place to grab some food, a beer and relax for the night before heading back home.

Location: Cork

Before heading out, don’t miss this guided culinary tour in Cork! On this foodie tour, you’ll visit The English Market and try variety of different local foods and drinks.

While most Ireland visitors hang around Dublin and take a few tours out to the main attractions, the best way to submerge yourself into Ireland’s culture is by experiencing it firsthand through a good old-fashioned road trip.

By being on your own schedule and leaving room for unplanned detours, you will come across some unexpected surprises along the way.

If you’ve got a week, a rental car, and a love for history, follow our guide to experience the best that Ireland has to offer!

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This post is written by Laura Sausina. Hi, I’m the founder of the Fun Life Crisis travel blog and I’ve been traveling the world for the past 7 years. Here I share my experiences and tips to help 100,000 people a month turn their travel dreams into reality! Read more about me here.