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<\/p>\nMany things may come to mind when you think of Ireland as its charm has reached every corner of the globe. Perhaps you’ve hunted for four leaf clovers and heard tales of leprechauns and world-famous beer. The real Ireland is even more enchanting. Its landscapes are breath-taking, ranging from wild and rugged mountains to green hills and valleys. It has beautiful, historic cities, a great musical culture, fantastic pubs and most importantly, a warm, welcoming hospitable people. And yes, lots of beer. All this, and more, is what makes backpacking Ireland so amazing.<\/p>\n
In this guide, a native of Northern Ireland takes you through everything you need to plan your trip: the best places to visit in both the Republic and Northern Ireland, three ready-made itineraries (7-day, 14-day, and Northern Ireland only), honest daily cost breakdowns, transport options, accommodation picks, and cultural insight you won’t find in a generic listicle.<\/p>\n
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Lough Tay, Dublin<\/em> \ud83d\udcf8<\/strong>: gregda<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Quick answer: The best time to visit Ireland overall is May\u2013June \u2014 the weather is at its driest, the days are long, and it’s before peak summer crowds and prices. July\u2013August is busiest and most expensive. Winter (Nov\u2013Feb) is quieter and cheaper but wetter and darker.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Ireland is known for its emerald green landscape, but there\u2019s a reason for this: the weather. Ireland tends to be quite rainy all year round, however, it\u2019s no worse than parts of England. The climate is best summed up with one word: changeable. You can really see all four seasons in one day here. The wettest months tend to be in Autumn and Winter, and the driest in the spring, but this changes year by year. So remember, there\u2019s no such thing as bad weather \u2013 just bad preparation! Remember to bring your waterproof jacket and a jumper whenever you go, and don\u2019t let the weather dictate your plans!<\/p>\n There\u2019s not that much seasonal variation in temperature either, with the summer months averaging highs of around 13-18 degrees. On the flip side, winters don\u2019t get too cold. One thing that does vary widely, however, is the length of the days. In winter, the sun goes down around 4 pm, but in the middle of summer, it doesn\u2019t get dark until after 10 pm, allowing you to sit out long into the evening. Ireland is pretty small, so the differences between places aren\u2019t too drastic. \u00a0It\u2019s generally a bit rainier on the west coast, with clouds coming in from the Atlantic, as well as getting a little cooler the further north you go.<\/p>\n The best time to visit Northern Ireland for a backpacking trip is in late spring and early summer, when you\u2019re likely to get the most sunshine. However, if you\u2019re doing a short city break, you can go at any time of year, as you\u2019re unlikely to get extreme weather. The coldest months are between late February and early March, with very little chance of snow. The driest areas are around Belfast and the eastern coast, which get significantly less rainfall than Galway, Cork and the rest of the south\/west.<\/p>\n Dublin\u2019s where you\u2019ll find the driest climate relative to the rest of Ireland. It\u2019s also pretty mild, with winter temperatures similar to those in Southeast England. The driest months in Dublin are between February and April, but the best time to visit Dublin is in late spring, when the temperatures are a little warmer. Given that the city has plenty to see – the weather usually isn\u2019t too much trouble anyway, as there are plenty of pubs and free museums to duck into.<\/p>\n The west coast, around Galway, is the wettest part of Ireland. However, it\u2019s slightly warmer than Dublin. So, if you\u2019re lucky, you might get some hot, sunny weather – with the isolated white-sand beaches making it worth the risk! The best time to visit Galway is probably when it\u2019s driest, in the late spring and early summer.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8:@iaraanddavid_travel<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Ireland\u2019s landscapes are beautiful, ranging from the dramatic to the gentle. Each of its national parks have their own unique character and can be just as breath-taking as more well-known destinations (if a bit rainier!) Apart from Dublin, its cities are relatively small, but are full of life, easily walkable, and have a rich history. To help you choose where to spend your time we\u2019ve listed some of the best places to visit in Ireland<\/a> including the most scenic places the country has to offer, as well as the best cities in Ireland to visit:<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t As you approach the Derryveagh mountains, all you see are dark shadows on the horizon. Before you know it, you are amongst them, with the long, unfenced road winding through the valleys. Drive far enough and you\u2019ll come to Dunlewy Lough, which sits down in a quiet valley, cut off from the outside world. Rising above its shores is Errigal, the highest mountain in Donegal, and one of the best hikes in Ireland. However, the steep, rocky slopes means the route can be challenging.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d prefer something a little more gentle, you can also take a walk down around the lake. This will take you a forest in which you\u2019ll find a hidden world covered bright purple flowers and almost luminous green mosses. You\u2019ll also pass an abandoned church, where you can sit and look out over the water!<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Glencolumbkille sits on a stretch of coast Donegal\u2019s southwestern corner. As you travel round the cliffs, you\u2019ll be greeted with the spectacular sight of grey, stony headlands and jagged rocks being pounded by the mighty waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Eventually, you\u2019ll reach the beautiful white sand beach of Silver Strand: a serene, isolated cove, hidden beneath the steep cliffs.<\/p>\n Just behind Glencolumbkille are the Slieve League (Sliabh Liag<\/em>) cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Ireland. Here, a jagged mountainside plunges straight down into the ocean. The colossal scale of this is difficult to capture in any photograph: really huge waves end up looking like tiny ripples. If you want to explore, there are great hikes in the area, including the so-called \u201cOne Man\u2019s Path\u201d a narrow, rocky trail with sheer drops on either side. Just be careful, this should not be attempted if you\u2019re not an experienced hiker \u2013 even if it is a great place for getting that perfect Instagram shot!<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t The northern edge of this national park can be reached by taking a \u20ac3.30 local bus service from Dublin to Enniskerry, meaning it\u2019s ideal if you want to escape the city for a while. If you\u2019re really keen, you can hike along the so-called \u201cWicklow Way,\u201d a 130 km interlinked network of roads and paths stretching all the way down through the county. If you don\u2019t feel up to that, you can simply wander along the trail for as long as you like, through fields and glades filled with ferns, wildflowers and shamrocks. One great walk, which takes about an hour each way, is from Knockree hostel to Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest in Ireland. Seeing it this way also allows you to avoid paying the entry fee!<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t If you want a day by the sea, some ice cream or fish and chips, head on down to the scenic little harbour town of Dunmore East. It\u2019s an hour away from Waterford city by bike, or 20 or so minutes by car or bus. The little sheltered cove is gorgeous, with golden sand and deep blue water, overlooked by cliffs on both sides. If you don\u2019t feel like getting your feet wet, sit outside at the Strand Inn, which overlooks the beach, looking out towards Hook Head and its famous lighthouse.<\/p>\n From Dunmore, you can head around the coastline along the so-called \u201cCopper Coast\u201d, which has been designated an UNESCO Geopark. Even if you\u2019re not a geologist, it\u2019s easy to appreciate the beautiful cliffs and seaside villages, such as Stradbally and Tramore, which literally means \u201cbig strand\u201d. Here you\u2019ll find a 5 km stretch of golden sand where you can hire surfboards, fish, or go sea kayaking.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t With sea on three sides and towering green mountains behind, the Dingle peninsula is a spectacular setting for a drive by the sea. We\u2019d recommend you stop off at Inch Beach, a spit of sand that juts out into the bay for miles, with towering dunes full of wildflowers. On the right side, you can see the Dingle Peninsula, to the left the golden shores of the Iveragh Peninsula.<\/p>\n From Inch Beach, you can head along the coastal roads to the colourful little harbour town of Dingle. But, if you\u2019ve got a little time, it\u2019s worth taking a minor detour down to Minard Castle. The roads are a bit narrow and windy, but it\u2019s definitely worth it. You\u2019ll not only be rewarded with the sight of a medieval stone tower, but also a quiet little beach with a clear mountain stream flowing into the bay.<\/p>\n From the colourful town of Dingle, you can head up towards Conor Pass along Spa Road, which snakes away out of sight, tightly hugging the undulating landscape. If you look hard on a clear day, you can even see the rocky pyramid-shaped Skellig Islands jutting out of the sea. If they look familiar, that’s because they were used as filming locations in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.<\/p>\n Killarney National Park <\/em>\ud83d\udcf8:@cochou33<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Killarney, is home to one of Ireland\u2019s most beautiful national parks, and its tallest peak, Carrauntoohil. It\u2019s hardly surprising then, that you\u2019ll find some of the best hikes in Ireland here. In fact, the \u201cKerry Way\u201d signposted route runs through the county, for over 200 km, taking experienced hikers eight days or more to conquer.<\/p>\n However, you don\u2019t have to be a seasoned hiker to enjoy the trail \u2013 you can always walk along one of its 20 sections. There\u2019s a walking loop starting in Killarney, which takes in the Victorian stately home, a ruined monastery and old traditional farms. Nearby you\u2019ll find Torc waterfall, which crashes down into a little pool, creating a surrounding mist. If you continue up the steps past the waterfall, you\u2019ll be rewarded with amazing views of Killarney\u2019s three lakes.<\/p>\n For a break while you\u2019re driving or hiking round the national park, there\u2019s no better place than The Strawberry Field Pancake Cottage. Renowned for its delicious pancakes, the caf\u00e9 rests within Killarney\u2019s isolated countryside. Afterwards, you can head on up to the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow valley, with steep, high sides. It feels incredibly isolated and cut-off, almost like going through a tunnel. Look one way and you\u2019ll see the valley and lakes of Killarney open up in front of you, look back and you see the mountains closing in on each other.<\/p>\n Strawberry Field Pancake Cottage<\/em> \ud83d\udcf8:@iaraanddavid_travel<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t The Aran Islands are three, isolated rocky pieces of land lying between the edge of Galway Bay and the North Atlantic. They\u2019re pretty inhospitable and rugged, battered by the waves and winds, making the place feel like it\u2019s at the edge of the world. The historic isolation of the islanders means that many of them speak Irish as a native language. In fact, we heard it being spoken on the Ferry, and by locals in the local pub. To get there, you can book a ferry and bus transfer from Galway, or from Doolin, in County Clare.<\/p>\n The two smaller islands, Inisheer (Inis O\u00edr<\/em>), and Inishmaan (Inis Me\u00e1in<\/em>), are a little less touristed and easier to get around. However, if you\u2019re visiting Inishmore (Inis M\u00f3r<\/em>), the largest island, it\u2019s a good idea to go for a whole day, as there\u2019s a lot to see. It\u2019s still only 14 km (8.7 miles) long: meaning that the best way to get around is renting a bike. Head around the coast and there\u2019s a spot where, if you look hard enough, you can spot the silvery heads of seals bobbing up and down on the water. Continue a little further around the coast and you\u2019ll stumble upon Kilmurvey beach, where the sands are a pristine, dazzling shade of white.<\/p>\n The island is also home to a handful of prehistoric stone forts, with the most well-known being D\u00fan Aonghasa. However, if you don\u2019t want to pay, it\u2019s perhaps better to head to D\u00fan Eochla, which perhaps even more impressive in scale. These historical sights blend in with its natural wonders, such as Poll na Bpeist or \u201cthe wormhole\u201d. This natural, perfectly rectangular pool sits atop a bare, rocky clifftop. As calm as it seems, diving into the pool is strongly advised against. Sometimes, the drop down to the water can be about 15 metres, with waves crashing over the clifftops and draining down into the pool.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Connemara is another national park, in the west of the country, but it differs a lot to the others. The Wicklow mountains are characterised by rolling valleys and forests, whereas Killarney has huge lakes and dramatic rocky mountains. Connemara national park, on the other hand, feature huge, rounded hills that are curved like a camel\u2019s hump. The roads wind through the misty valleys as you approach the park\u2019s visitor centre, about an hour and a half away from Galway. From here, there are several well-marked walking and hiking routes, each for different abilities. The toughest one leads to the summit of Diamond Hill, going over boardwalk, and rocky slopes, with views of the sea on three sides and golden beaches in the distance. When you reach the summit, you can see all the way down to the Victorian grandeur of Kylemore Abbey.<\/p>\n Kylemore Abbey is a huge 19th<\/sup> century \u201ccastle\u201d \u2013 but it\u2019s the setting that really sets it apart. Unlike other, similar places, it is set against the backdrop of a steep mountain slope, with a serene lake stretching out in front. However, the main highlight is provided by the gardens. The manicured flowerbeds contrast beautifully with the surrounding wilderness and the kitchen gardens are full of juicy redcurrants, blackcurrants and raspberries.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t The north coast is probably the one of the most well-known and best places to visit in Northern Ireland. It\u2019s known for its white sandy beaches, green fields and of course, the Giant\u2019s Causeway. The area gained global fame as a filming location for Game of Thrones, and while the series ended in 2019, the filming locations remain major draws for visitors \u2014 with the Game of Thrones Studio Tour at Banbridge now also offering an immersive indoor experience. These Game of Thrones locations are worth seeing for the sake of their wild beauty, even if you\u2019re not a fantasy fan. One such place is Ballintoy harbour, a tiny cove at the bottom of a single-track winding road, full of little fishing boats. Another recommended stop is at the Dark Hedges, otherwise known as the \u201cKing\u2019s Road\u201d, where ancient trees curve and twist to form an eerie tunnel.<\/p>\n If you want a little adventure, and are a fan of wildlife, catch the boat from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island. During the late spring and summer months, it\u2019s home to a huge colony of birds who nest on its high cliffs, including cute little puffins! If you\u2019re lucky, you\u2019ll also get to see seals relaxing around the harbour. For something a little more daring, head to the notorious Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, where you can test your mettle by walking across a vertical drop above the rough, churning waves. If you\u2019d rather just relax, there\u2019s always the White Rocks beach, near Portrush, with its golden sands and dazzling white limestone cliffs.<\/p>\n The most famous sight around here, the Giant\u2019s Causeway, is also worth seeing. Layers upon layers of hexagonal columns rise up out of the ocean, looking as if they were fashioned by a giant\u2019s hand. the best part is probably the walk, which takes you over the cliffs, giving you a spectacular bird\u2019s eye view. And for those in need of a little refreshment after a tiring day outdoors, the Old Bushmills Distillery is just a few miles away. Founded in 1608, it\u2019s also the oldest continually-operating distillery in the world.<\/p>\n This is where you\u2019ll find Northern Ireland\u2019s biggest mountain, Slieve Donard. You can reach it without a car, by taking a bus from Belfast to the seaside town of Newcastle. The route is quite easy to follow, but requires hiking shoes, as it can be a bit muddy in places. The views from the summit, however, are gorgeous, looking out for miles out over the coast. If you\u2019d prefer to do something more gentle, you can also hike to a viewpoint part of the way up the mountain, or just walk along the beautiful seafront promenade with an ice cream.<\/p>\n Those people renting a car should also consider visiting the Silent Valley Reservoir. This huge artificial lake supplies the entire population of Belfast and is hidden away in the narrow space between the mountain slopes. It\u2019s a beautiful and secluded location to sit, relax, or take a walk around.<\/p>\n Temple Bar, Dublin <\/em>\ud83d\udcf8:@diogopalhais<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t If you ask anyone who\u2019s visited Ireland about the best places to see, the Republic of Ireland\u2019s capital is always high on the list. There\u2019s s a lot to see, a lot to do, as well as a lot of visitors! The historical centre is packed to the brim with beautiful buildings and parks, many of which are free.<\/p>\n Free attractions in Dublin:<\/b><\/p>\n Parks:<\/b><\/p>\n Museums and Galleries:<\/b><\/p>\n As Ireland\u2019s capital, Dublin is home to many of Ireland\u2019s best public museums and galleries, many of which are free to explore, so take advantage of this!<\/p>\n Given its history full of literature, scholarship, conflict and revolution: Dublin is fascinating just to wander around. So, take advantage of a free walking tour, or explore these historical sites for yourself:<\/p>\n One paid attraction that is worth seeing is Kilmainham Gaol. This cold, grey stone building, located in a quiet suburb, has witnessed many key events in Irish history, including five rebellions. It is where the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were held and then executed. It has held prisoners from the subsequent Irish War of Independence and Irish Civil War. Perhaps the most shocking fact, however, is how some victims of the famine committed crimes simply to be held here and have a roof over their heads.<\/p>\n Going out in Dublin can feel overwhelming, with hordes of tourists flocking into the iconic pubs of the Temple Bar area, which gets extremely crowded and quite rowdy. In terms of iconic bars, O\u2019Donoghue\u2019s near Merrion Square is a good bet. This spot has live music every night and is where the trad band \u201cThe Dubliners\u201d started out. Although it\u2019s packed with tourists, the crowd is generally less rowdy. Also worth a visit is the Brazen Head, which claims to be Ireland\u2019s oldest pub, dating back to 1198.<\/p>\n For somewhere a bit more off the beaten track, head north of the river to the area of Stoneybatter, where you\u2019ll find great pubs<\/a> and cocktail bars, full of locals. We arrived in the middle of the \u201cStoneybatter Festival\u201d which takes place in June each year. The events even included Wuffstock, a fancy-dress parade for dogs and their owners!<\/p>\n Find out more about all the free things to do in Dublin<\/a> in our guide.<\/p>\n Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny<\/em> \ud83d\udcf8:@kmitchhodge<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Kilkenny, although compact, is worth visiting. Hundreds of years of history is packed into two adjoining streets, known as the Medieval Mile, which stretches from the cathedral at one end and the castle at the other. The space in between is teeming with history: from the Tudor Roche House to the Black Abbey. It\u2019s not all grey, medieval stone though, the town is like a picture postcard snapshot of Ireland \u2013 with colourful pubs, restaurants and cafes on cobbled streets.<\/p>\n As well as being a medieval town, Kilkenny is known as being the birthplace of Smithwicks (pronounced Smith-icks), probably the second most well-known Irish beer (after Guinness). You can still visit the old brewery today, where you\u2019ll get the chance taste the beer at different stages of the brewing process and smell the different types of hops used. This will give you all you need to bluff with even the most seasoned of craft beer snobs! Even if you\u2019re not all that interested in this boozy barley beverage, the tour is fascinating simply from a historical point of view: it\u2019s built on the ruins of an abbey that brewed beer until it was closed down by King Henry VIII. In the end, you\u2019ll get the chance to sample a pint, with three different varieties on offer!<\/p>\n In the same way as with its historical sights, Kilkenny\u2019s nightlife packs a big punch for its size, with over 15 bars and pubs within 10-15 minutes\u2019 walk of one-another.\u00a0 It\u2019s a historic town, so there are tourists, but it\u2019s nowhere near as crowded as central Dublin. Plus, if you\u2019re more of a fan of tea and coffee than beer, don\u2019t fret! Kilkenny has some cute little cafes, including Cakeface patisserie, which serves up delicious baked treats.<\/p>\n Find hostels in Kilkenny<\/a><\/p>\n Waterford<\/em> \ud83d\udcf8:@yaboicarl<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Waterford is one of Ireland\u2019s oldest cities, dating back to Viking times. The traces of this history are most evident in the old part of the city, the so-called \u201cViking Triangle\u201d. In fact, there are six medieval towers scattered around. If it\u2019s a rainy day, why not visit the \u201cMuseum of Treasures\u201d? This is actually made up of three separate buildings, each within 3 minutes\u2019 walk of each other: the Viking-built Reginald\u2019s tower, the Medieval Museum and the Bishop\u2019s Palace.<\/p>\n The city itself is incredibly pretty, its main street extending along a stretch of river for about a kilometre and a half. This creates a dazzling effect as the lights from bars, restaurants, and shops are reflected in the water. Step back from here, and you\u2019ll end up on bustling pedestrian streets full of little squares, coffee shops and boutiques.<\/p>\n Given that it\u2019s a relatively small city and not as much of a tourist hotspot as Dublin, it\u2019s easy to wander from one place to the other without getting lost.\u00a0 We\u2019d recommend a little bar called \u2018An Uisce Beatha\u2019, the Irish name for whisky literally translating as \u201cwater of life\u201d. This pub hosts a lively, youthful crowd, with free music on most nights.<\/p>\n Find hostels in Waterford<\/a><\/p>\n Cork<\/em> \ud83d\udcf8:@yvesalarie<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Cork is the Republic of Ireland\u2019s second city, but sees less backpackers than Dublin and Galway. However, it really shouldn\u2019t, as it\u2019s absolutely full of life, music and history!<\/p>\n Also just outside Cork is Blarney castle, one of the most famous attractions in all of Ireland. It\u2019s a very touristy spot, and entrance costs between \u20ac18\u2013\u20ac22 (Online booking is now essentially mandatory in summer due to timed entry slots). Although this may seem like a lot, the castle\u2019s gardens are huge and there\u2019s a lot to see \u2013 in fact, you could spend the whole day exploring. The beautiful grounds contain a garden of poisonous plants, a glade filled with huge ferns and a waterfall, as well as a dungeon, where you can crawl through medieval stone passages on your hands and knees.<\/p>\n In the high season, queues for the castle can be huge, but you can avoid this by going on a weekday. Once you get to the top, you can admire the views, and kiss the legendary Blarney stone, which is said to bless you with the gift of the gab. The whole thing might seem like a bit of a silly tourist ritual, but it\u2019s impossible not to get caught up in the atmosphere of the whole thing!<\/p>\n Cork itself is great for going out, with music around every corner and streets full of people. In the Victorian Quarter there\u2019s Sin \u00c9, which serves a huge selection of whiskies, gins and beers, as well as having a traditional music session every night. If you want to listen to something a bit different, head down to the Crane Lane Theatre. This consists of three different bars, each with different things going on, as well as the theatre itself. There you can see free gigs (everything from jazz to reggae), DJ nights, and even take a dance lesson. Oh, and if you\u2019re looking for a caffeine rather than alcohol-based pick-me-up, head to Three Fools\u2019 Coffee or Cork Coffee Roasters.<\/p>\n Budget travellers looking for something to do can take a wander around the Campus of University College Cork. Here, you can enjoy the parkland, visit the exhibitions at the Glucksman Institute, and admire the beautiful stained-glass windows of the Great Hall, all without spending a cent. The English Market is also free to enter, but you\u2019ll probably end up spending something! It\u2019s situated in a building that dates back to 1786 and is full of stalls selling fresh meat, fish, vegetables and fresh local baked goods, as well as arts and crafts. There\u2019s even a brightly coloured fountain filled with models of birds!<\/p>\n For something quirky to do, head to the Butter Museum: Cork used to be a centre of the huge Irish butter business, and even had its own Butter Exchange (like a Wall Street for butter). Just around the corner, you will see (or hear) Shandon Church. Here you can pay to climb the tower and have a go at ringing the bells yourself. A little less imposing is Shandon Sweets, a cute family run factory and shop, where you can enjoy some locally-made sugary goodness.<\/p>\n Find hostels in Cork<\/a><\/p>\n Galway, Ireland <\/em>\ud83d\udcf8:@mymytudoan<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Galway is smaller than Dublin, Belfast and Cork \u2013 but is very lively (perhaps, in part, due to its high student population). You can see this in the Latin Quarter \u2013 home to many medieval buildings and filled with narrow, cobbled streets onto which partygoers pour onto to at night to enjoy a drink in the open air. We went to the Quays bar, which blasted out cheesy indie and pop hits all night long. We also ended up in a great rock bar called Sally Long\u2019s, after which we headed to the west end to hear some traditional music at the Crane Bar. There was a trad music session in the upstairs room, with everyone crowded around, sitting on stools, listening attentively to around 8 musicians on fiddle, tin whistle, flute and mandolin.<\/p>\n The historic Latin Quarter is also great for exploring during the day, and as you head further down the river, you\u2019ll find another historical landmark, the Spanish Arch. This stone gateway, built in 1584, is connected to the remains of the city walls, and used to house the soldiers who manned the battlements. On the other side of this is the Galway City Museum, which is free to enter, and will give you an insight into what Galway looked like in medieval times. It also houses a full-size \u201cGalway Hooker\u201d: a sailboat designed to withstand the harsh North Atlantic weather.<\/p>\n Although Galway\u2019s medieval buildings date back hundreds of years, the cathedral was only built in the 50s and 60s. It looks much older, but it\u2019s actually the last great stone cathedral to be built in Europe. It\u2019s worth visiting to admire the artwork underneath the dome, consisting of angels and stars set against an emerald green background.<\/p>\n Another thing that\u2019s great about Galway is that if it\u2019s a sunny day, and you don\u2019t feel tramping around the streets or standing indoors, you can easily just head out to the area of Salthill. This is just 20 minutes\u2019 walk from Eyre Square, past the west end and has some beautiful beaches, as well as a diving platform where you take the plunge into the not-so-tropical water of Galway Bay.<\/p>\n Find hostels in Galway<\/a><\/p>\n Belfast <\/em>\ud83d\udcf8:@kaelihearn<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n The island\u2019s other capital city, Belfast, is very different to Dublin. It\u2019s a much younger city and is perhaps less \u201cclassically beautiful\u201d. However, it\u2019s emerged from its turbulent past to become a great destination and has somewhat of an alternative feel in places. It\u2019s also cheaper for going out than in a lot of cities in the Republic, with a great bar and restaurant scene.<\/p>\n In terms of sights, you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice. A lot of hostels are located around the university, which is made up of beautiful redbrick buildings. Just around the corner, you\u2019ll be able to see the Botanical Gardens, with its ornate Victorian greenhouse, as well as the Ulster Museum. Alternatively, you can visit the exhibitions at the City Hall, and take a tour of this spectacular building, which is full of marble floors and columns, stained glass windows and chandeliers. Best of all, every one of these attractions are completely free!<\/p>\n One of Belfast\u2019s biggest draws in recent years has been the Titanic Museum, a huge shining metal structure, as high as the ship itself, where you can find interactive exhibitions and even a ride guiding you through the history of the shipyards. It may seem quite pricey, but the ticket also includes entrance to the Nomadic, a boat that brought passengers to the Titanic at Cherbourg, France.<\/p>\n If you want to go out somewhere that\u2019s cheap and student friendly, the area around the University and the Dublin Road is a good bet. However, for something slightly more upmarket, the Cathedral Quarter is the place to go. Here you can find \u201cthe Harp Bar\u201d, which is all red velvet seats and fancy decorations, or the Dirty Onion, which has an outdoor terrace in a ruined building. There are also cultural venues, such as the MAC and Black Box, which host art exhibitions, theatrical performances and films. Still, if you\u2019d prefer something a little more alternative, it\u2019s just a short walk to the Sunflower Bar, which hosts musical events ranging from ukulele sessions to bluegrass music, and attracts a young, progressive, activist crowd.<\/p>\n Find hostels in Belfast<\/a><\/p>\n Derry<\/em>\u00a0\ud83d\udcf8: @kmitchhodge<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Northern Ireland<\/a>\u2019s second city is definitely worth a stop, not least because it\u2019s the only fully-intact walled city in all of Ireland. You can still walk round the top of the walls, free of charge, look down over the rest of the city. Within the walls themselves, you\u2019ll find the \u201cTower Museum\u201d, which takes you through the city\u2019s eventful history, from prehistoric times to the sectarian violence that plagued the city from the 1960s to the 1990s. It\u2019s not all dark and depressing though: you\u2019ll also hear about the city\u2019s cultural heritage, including the band \u201cThe Undertones\u201d, who penned the song \u201cTeenage Kicks\u201d.<\/p>\n The history of the Derry (called ‘Londonderry’ in the UK), is very contested, all the way down to the city\u2019s name. It should come as no surprise then, that it has witnessed key events for people on both sides of the Unionist\/Nationalist divide. The city saw historic civil rights marches in the 1960s and early 1970s. The predominantly nationalist \u201cBogside\u201d also witnessed clashes between police and the local residents, as well as the incident known as \u201cBloody Sunday\u201d.<\/p>\n It\u2019s in the Bogside that you\u2019ll find the Free Derry Museum (which shares its name with a famous mural), a place that recounts the story of this conflict. On the other side there is the Siege Museum, which focuses on 17th<\/sup> century siege during which the Protestants of Derry held out against an army led by the Catholic King James.<\/p>\n However, there\u2019s more to the city than the dark days of its past, with plenty of cheery, and good value bars and restaurants. One such place is Sandino\u2019s, which is full of posters and memorabilia supporting various progressive causes, and often hosts great live music events.<\/p>\n The Derry Girls filming locations have become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions since the show’s success \u2014 the mural on Orchard Street is a pilgrimage stop, and a self-guided Derry Girls tour map is available free at the city’s tourism office and at derryvisitor.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Find hostels in Derry<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8:@iaraanddavid_travel<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\ude8c Quick guide to getting around Ireland: \u2192 Trains: Fast and reliable on Dublin\u2013Cork, Dublin\u2013Galway, Dublin\u2013Belfast routes. Buy in advance on irishrail.ie for best prices. \u2192 Buses: Bus \u00c9ireann covers most towns. FlixBus has added routes since 2019. More flexible than trains for rural areas. \u2192 Car rental: Essential for Donegal, Connemara, Ring of Kerry, and most scenic routes on the Wild Atlantic Way. \u2192 Day tours: Best option for Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, and Aran Islands without a car. Book through your hostel or a Galway\/Dublin-based operator. \u2192 Cycling: Waterford Greenway and Great Western Greenway are the best off-road options.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Unfortunately, in Ireland, the public transport network isn\u2019t as extensive or developed as in other western European countries. However, both buses and trains are relatively affordable, making backpacking on a budget in Ireland easy. There are easy links between a lot of the major towns and cities. But when it comes to more rural spots, provision can be a bit lacking.<\/p>\n Trains in Ireland are modern, comfortable and usually punctual, with good links on the east coast and to Galway. The prices here are reasonable too: an advance ticket between Dublin and Kilkenny can cost as little as \u20ac14, with extra discounts available for students. But there\u2019s no direct line from Waterford to Cork, which makes a round trip by train difficult. Travelling by train also needs planning, as they often don\u2019t run as regularly as buses or coaches.<\/p>\n In the west of Ireland, train links are much less developed, and although it\u2019s easy to reach Galway, heading north through the scenic counties of Sligo and Mayo requires a lot of changeovers. It\u2019s even harder to navigate the scenic and isolated county of Donegal, where there are no train connections at all. Indeed, in the past, many rural train stations were shut down in favour of a (short-sighted) transport policy favouring cars. On the other hand, some of these former lines, such as the \u201cWaterford Greenway\u201d, have been repurposed as cycle and walking paths \u2013 allowing you to explore the countryside away from the roads. Trains in Northern Ireland are pretty lacking too, and many places in the southwest, such as the beautiful Lakeland county of Fermanagh, have no railway lines at all. Luckily for tourists, in addition to the line from Belfast to Dublin, there\u2019s one that stretches north, linking Belfast to towns on the scenic Causeway coast, such as Portrush and Castlerock. This same line then heads west alongside the sea and finishes in the city of Derry, with the last stretch of the journey overlooking the sea.<\/p>\n One of the easiest ways to get to places is travelling around Ireland by bus. A lot of the services, especially those between more major towns and cities, are comfortable and modern, and have lots of luggage space, as well as occasional internet access. These usually run more regularly than trains and are often just as quick. They also have routes between cities where trains do not, and if you\u2019re travelling up the west coast without a car, buses are a lifesaver. They can reach beautiful rural areas and isolated counties such as Donegal where trains do not. In addition, local bus services will allow you travel to tourist attractions just outside cities. From Dublin, you can catch a bus to Enniskerry and explore the Wicklow Mountains, from Cork, you can head out to the colourful little fishing village of Kinsale.<\/p>\n FlixBus has expanded into Ireland since 2019, now connecting Dublin with Cork, Galway, Limerick, and other cities at lower prices than traditional operators. Worth checking alongside Bus \u00c9ireann for intercity routes.<\/p>\n There are a lot of isolated sights in Ireland that can\u2019t easily be reached by bus or train, and require you to take an organised tour. Some of these go directly from the hostels, and are pretty good value. Another alternative is travelling around Ireland by car for the ultimate Ireland road trip! This will allow you to see ruined churches, abbeys and abandoned stone cottages, as well as letting you stop to get out and appreciate the landscape: something you\u2019ll want to do every five minutes or so! Just be aware that the roads in some rural areas are full of cracks, are narrow, and sometimes even have sheep wandering across them.<\/p>\n Gardiner House Hostel, Dublin<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Ireland is a popular place for backpackers, meaning that there\u2019s a wide range of hostels<\/a> and budget accommodation. Hostels in cities such as Dublin<\/a> and Galway<\/a> tend to be bigger, with more going on, but can be quite busy. In the countryside, or smaller towns, such as Kilkenny<\/a>, you can find cute little places with just a handful of rooms, where it\u2019s easy to get to know other guests!<\/p>\n Hostels in Dublin and Galway are significantly more expensive than other places, with prices soaring on the weekends. However, nightly rates in Dublin can more than double to over \u20ac50, the price of a weekend room in Galway is more reasonable at around \u20ac30. Strangely, the same is not true of Cork, where prices remain pretty steady.<\/p>\n Where you stay in Dublin depends a lot on what you want to do. Gardiner House Hostel<\/a> is about 20 minutes\u2019 walk from the city centre, allowing you to avoid the noisiness of the city centre. Another great spot, Abigail\u2019s Hostel<\/a>, is right in the middle of Temple Bar, hosting nightly pub crawls and surrounded by lively pubs, bars and clubs. There are also a couple of places that are a little closer to the city, but in the quieter areas, such as the Four Courts Hostel<\/a>. All these places have facilities including storage lockers and fully-equipped kitchens, as well as providing a free breakfast and wifi.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also plenty of choice when it comes to hostels in Galway, with almost all of them being rated above an 8 on the Hostelworld website. Sleepzone<\/a> is good if you want somewhere central at a reasonable price: it\u2019s five minutes from Kinlay Square Centre, most of the dorms are ensuites and there\u2019s a fantastic kitchen, TV room and outdoor terrace. Kinlay Eyre Square Hostel<\/a>, which is just around the corner, is another good choice. But if you want something a little quieter and still within walking distance of the city, you can stay at Nest Boutique Hostel<\/a>, located right beside the beaches of Salthill.<\/p>\n Hostels in Cork are pretty few and far between, with the choice essentially coming down to Kinlay House Cork<\/a> and Bru Bar & Hostel. Both are located at the northern end of the city centre, close to sights such as the Shandon Bells and the Butter Museum. Both also offer free Wifi and free breakfast. Bru Bar & Hostel<\/a>, as you might guess from the name, it has its own bar with discounts available for guests! But if you want to relax, go for Kinlay House<\/a>, you can get access to the pool and gym next door (which includes a jacuzzi and steam room) for \u20ac5.<\/p>\n Some of the best hostels we stayed in on our trip were in rural areas, where you can find small, cosy places that feel more like guesthouses. One of those places is Tom\u2019s Cottage<\/a>, an eco-friendly hostel that\u2019s a 15-minute drive from Waterford. Apart from a couple of houses across the road, there\u2019s nothing but green fields all around, making it the perfect place to relax and recharge. Tom, who runs the hostel, is an incredibly friendly guy, often even inviting guests to hear him play in an Irish trad music band at the local pub.<\/p>\n Global Village, Belfast<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n When it comes to city hostels, Belfast is really good value. Global Village<\/a>, Vagabonds<\/a> and Botanical Backpackers<\/a> are all rated at 9 or above on Hostelworld. They\u2019re also located in the youthful Queen\u2019s Quarter, nearby Queen\u2019s University Belfast. You can get a bed from about \u00a318-28 and all of them offer free breakfast, WiFi and a common room to relax and hang out in.<\/p>\n There are also plenty of hostels in the towns and villages in the north coast. Bushmills Youth Hostel<\/a> is perfectly situated, just 5 minutes\u2019 walk from the Old Bushmills Distillery and a short bus ride from the Giant\u2019s Causeway. The village itself also has plenty of pubs, restaurants and caf\u00e9s. If you don\u2019t mind being a little more isolated, the Sheep Island View<\/a> hostel in the village of Ballintoy is a good shout. Its picturesque location overlooks the sea and cliffs, and is only a short walk from a cute little harbour and beach. Outside Belfast and the north coast, there aren\u2019t so many options when it comes to hostels in Northern Ireland<\/a>. While there\u2019s not many dorms in Derry, Hostel Connect<\/a> is great value and fantastically located, with beds for as little as \u00a317.30 (\u20ac19.26).<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t Connemara National Park <\/em>\ud83d\udcf8:@benorloff<\/em>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n There are endless things to see and explore in Ireland, and you could spend years without having discovered all that it has to offer. However, this being the real world, most people don\u2019t have that much time or money. So, to help you, we\u2019ve put together a few rough travel itineraries. Given how different every backpacker is, we\u2019ve tried to make this relatively flexible. Just bear in mind that it\u2019s not exhaustive and you may want to skip certain places or choose to discover somewhere else entirely.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll start with a simple Ireland itinerary, for 7 days long, as many backpackers won\u2019t have much more time than that. Lack of time shouldn\u2019t put you off though, as there\u2019s plenty you can see if you manage it right.<\/p>\n Day 1:<\/b> Dublin<\/p>\n Arrive and get your bearings. Visit Phoenix Park (free, open all hours), St Stephen’s Green, and one free museum. Evening: Temple Bar for atmosphere or Stoneybatter for locals-only pubs.<\/p>\n Day 2:<\/b> Kilkenny<\/p>\n Under 2 hours from Dublin by bus or train. Walk the Medieval Mile (cathedral to castle), visit the Black Abbey, and tour the Smithwick’s Brewery for a historical pint.<\/p>\n Day 3:<\/b> Waterford<\/p>\n Short hop from Kilkenny. Explore the Viking Triangle (Reginald’s Tower, Medieval Museum, Bishop’s Palace). If energy allows, rent a bike and cycle part of the Waterford Greenway.<\/p>\n Day 4:<\/b> Cork<\/p>\n Bus from Waterford (easier than the train). Head out to Blarney Castle and gardens in the afternoon (pre-book online), or ring the Shandon Bells at St Anne’s Church and wander the English Market. Evening: live music at Sin \u00c9.<\/p>\n Day 5:<\/b> Galway<\/p>\n About 2.5 hours from Cork by bus. Walk the Latin Quarter, see the Spanish Arch and Cathedral. Evening: the city’s trad music pub scene is second to none \u2014 try Tigh Coil\u00ed or Garavan’s.<\/p>\n Day 6:<\/b> Galway day trip<\/p>\n Take a day tour to Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey, or book a ferry to the Aran Islands (Inishmore). Both can be booked through your hostel or Galway-based tour operators.<\/p>\n Day 7:<\/b> Dublin<\/p>\n Direct bus or train from Galway (2\u20132.5 hours). Use the afternoon for anything you missed on Day 1: Kilmainham Gaol (pre-book), the Famine Memorial along the quays, or the Book of Kells at Trinity College (book online in advance).<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a car, and enjoy the outdoors, you can easily do a day trip out to the Wicklow Mountains instead of spending a second day in Dublin (or skip a destination and go to Killarney national park instead). If you\u2019d rather explore the big city more, you can even catch the bus or train from Cork straight back to Dublin. It\u2019s all up to you!<\/p>\n Even though it\u2019s a small island, for an Ireland itinerary, 14 days isn\u2019t that long. Given that lack of public transport in some places makes things complicated, the guide below sets out separate routes for travelling with and without a car, giving you some alternatives if you want to alter your journey a bit.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8:@iaraanddavid_travel<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n By public transport<\/b><\/p>\n Day 1:<\/b> Dublin to Day 4:<\/strong> Cork<\/p>\n (See section above)<\/p>\n Day 5:<\/b> Killarney<\/p>\n Take a day trip out through the National Park by bus, a boat trip around the lakes, or visit Ross Castle, which is just a short walk away!<\/p>\n Day 6:<\/b> Killarney<\/p>\n Take a trip out to see the gorgeous Dingle peninsula, and maybe even go whale watching.<\/p>\n Day 7:<\/b> Cork<\/p>\n Use your second day in Cork to explore some of the sights of the city, or head out to Blarney, whichever you missed the first-time round!<\/p>\n Day 8:<\/b> Galway to Day 10:<\/b> Dublin<\/p>\n (see section above)<\/p>\n Days 11-14<\/b><\/p>\n Option 1: you can take the bus to Letterkenny, in County Donegal, basing yourself there for two or three nights. You can then take day trips out to places such as Errigal, Slieve League or the Inishowen Peninsula, before heading back to Dublin for another night before you get your flight.<\/p>\n Option 2: you can get the train or bus up to Belfast, stay there a night or two, then head up to the north coast for a night. After this you can head back to Belfast and then to Dublin (if you\u2019re flying home from there).<\/p>\n Option 3: if you don\u2019t want to go that far, you can simply go hiking in the Wicklow mountains, and take some extra time to explore Dublin\u2019s many sights.<\/p>\n By car<\/b><\/p>\n Day 1:<\/b> Kilkenny<\/p>\n Head straight from the airport to this beautiful medieval town.<\/p>\n Day 2:<\/b> Waterford<\/p>\n (See above)<\/p>\n Day 3:<\/b> Cork<\/p>\n Use the drive from Cork to see some of the breathtaking Copper Coast, and maybe visit some scenic villages along the way.<\/p>\n Day 4:<\/b> Cork<\/p>\n (See section above)<\/p>\n Day 5:<\/b> Killarney<\/p>\n Check in and then head off to explore the beautiful Dingle peninsula, stopping off at the beach if it\u2019s a sunny day.<\/p>\n Day 6:<\/b> Killarney<\/p>\n Take a trip around the Ring of Kerry road to see some stunning landscapes, or park up somewhere in the national park to do a hike. It\u2019s also worth making a slight diversion to see the Gap of Dunloe.<\/p>\n Day 7:<\/b> Galway<\/p>\n Head to Galway, perhaps stopping off at the famous \u201cCliffs of Moher\u201d along the way. Use the rest of the day to explore the town and its sights!<\/p>\n Day 8:<\/b> Galway<\/p>\n You can use this day to see the Aran Islands, either driving or taking the bus to the ferry terminal.<\/p>\n Day 9:<\/b> Connemara<\/p>\n Head out to Connemara and explore the unique mountains. You can take the Connemara Loop route (see below), go hiking, or even do some water sports on Killary Fjord.<\/p>\n Days 10-12:<\/b><\/p>\n Option 1: take the car up the West Coast, along the Wild Atlantic Way (see below) to Donegal. There you can visit the cliffs of Slieve League and nearby beaches, then head on up to the Derryveagh Mountains and Glenveagh National Park. You can spend the third day exploring more of Donegal or visit Derry, just over the border.<\/p>\n Option 2: take the car up to Belfast and then spend a couple of days exploring the north coast or go to Derry.<\/p>\n Option 3: head to the Wicklow mountains, and spend a couple of days hiking and exploring, before heading back to Dublin. You can even go back to the city a day earlier, if you want more of a chance to see all its sights properly.<\/p>\n Once you get back to Dublin, you can return your rental car and spend the next couple of days exploring the city.<\/p>\n Day 13:<\/b> Dublin<\/p>\n (See above)<\/p>\n Day 14:<\/b> Dublin<\/p>\n (See above)<\/p>\n Given its small size, it\u2019s pretty easy to put together a Northern Ireland itinerary. However, if you\u2019d like to visit the west of Northern Ireland as well, transport can be a bit of an issue. To help with this, I\u2019ve put together one itinerary for those with a car, and one for those without a car.<\/p>\n Without a car<\/b><\/p>\n Day 1:<\/b> Belfast<\/p>\n Here you can spend the day exploring the free attractions around the University, including the museum and botanical gardens. Afterwards, why not go out to explore some of the pubs and coffee shops around the Cathedral Quarter? Here, you can find out what exhibitions and events are going on at the MAC or Black Box.<\/p>\n Day 2:<\/b> north coast<\/p>\n In the morning, take the train to Coleraine. Then, take the train to Portrush, where you can go to the beach, go surfing, or just enjoy an ice cream by the sea. Alternatively, you can head to Bushmills, from where you can take the bus or walk to the Giant\u2019s Causeway, and take a tour of the whiskey distillery.<\/p>\n Day 3:<\/b> north coast<\/p>\n You can take the bus from either Portrush or Bushmills to Ballycastle, from where you can head off to see the wildlife of Rathlin Island. Another option is to go to Ballintoy harbour, which (as mentioned above) was a filming location for Game of Thrones.<\/p>\n Day 4:<\/b> Derry<\/p>\n Take the bus from Bushmills or train from Portrush to Coleraine. From there, you can take the train to Derry. You can explore the city walls, cathedral, Guildhall and museums, and have a night out if you\u2019re feeling like it.<\/p>\n Day 5:<\/b> Belfast<\/p>\n On returning to Belfast you can visit the Titanic Experience museum, as well as taking a tour of the City Hall.<\/p>\n Day 6:<\/b> head home or take a day trip to the Mournes.<\/p>\n From there, you can head home, or if you want to explore a bit more, take the bus down to Newcastle. You can even walk from the town to the peak of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland\u2019s highest mountain.<\/p>\n With a car<\/b><\/p>\n Day 1:<\/b> north coast<\/p>\n Drive from the airport in Belfast up to a hostel in Bushmills or Portrush. On the way you can visit various scenic spots, some of which have been in the TV series \u201cGame of Thrones\u201d, such as the Dark Hedges and Ballintoy harbour. Later on, you can visit the Giant\u2019s Causeway, and then, if you\u2019re staying in Bushmills, make a stop at the legendary distillery. You can also take the beautifully scenic Antrim coast road (see below) – a scenic, but indirect route.<\/p>\n Day 2:<\/b> north coast<\/p>\n On your second day, you can visit the seaside town of Portrush, and go for a surfing lesson, or just enjoy a day by the sea. You can also get the ferry from Ballycastle to go and enjoy the wildlife there.<\/p>\n Day 3:<\/b> Derry<\/p>\n (See above)<\/p>\n Day 4:<\/b><\/p>\n Option 1: head back to Belfast for a couple of days, and see some of the things you missed.<\/p>\n Option 2: go and explore Donegal, just over the border before heading back.<\/p>\n Option 3: continue your Northern Ireland journey, by going to see the beautiful Lakelands of County Fermanagh. From there, you can head back east to Newcastle and the Mournes (see section above), before returning to Belfast.<\/p>\n When you take a car around Ireland, it\u2019s not just a mode of transport. For many people, doing an Ireland road trip is a long-held dream. There are plenty of amazing roads through the breathtaking countryside, so we\u2019ve included a short selection of some great routes that you can include in your itinerary:<\/p>\n Causeway Coastal Route \u2013 County Antrim and Derry<\/b><\/p>\n This route stretches all the way from Belfast, heading past castles, green forested valleys, little beaches and harbours, as well as Game of Thrones sights. The most scenic part of it is probably \u201cthe Antrim Coast Road\u201d which was built in the 19th<\/sup> century. It runs along a small stretch of ground beneath the foot of the cliffs and the sea, making it a beautiful drive.<\/p>\n Wild Atlantic Way<\/b><\/p>\n This 2,500 km signposted route covers the entire length of Ireland\u2019s west coast, from just outside Derry all the way to Kinsale, outside Cork. The website Wild Atlantic Way<\/a> lets you customise your journey, so you don\u2019t have to tackle the whole thing in one trip:<\/p>\n Ring of Kerry<\/b><\/p>\n This road takes you right around Killarney National Park, taking in some of its most remarkable and beautiful sights, such as Moll\u2019s Gap and Torc waterfall. Conveniently, it starts and finishes in the town of Killarney, where there are plenty of hostels.<\/p>\n Connemara Loop<\/b><\/p>\n Like the Ring of Kerry, this signposted circuit takes you around the beautiful mountains, lakes and fjords of the Connemara National Park.<\/p>\n (Bonus non-car route) Waterford Greenway<\/b><\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to have a car to explore the Irish countryside at your leisure, and the Waterford Greenway is a great example of this. Built along a disused railway line, it cuts through beautiful landscapes on its way from Waterford city to the harbour town of Dungarvan.<\/p>\nJump straight to:<\/h2>\n
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Best time to visit Ireland<\/h2>\n
Best time to visit Northern Ireland<\/h3>\n
Best time to visit Dublin<\/h3>\n
Best time to visit Galway<\/h3>\n
Best places to visit in Ireland<\/h2>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@iaraanddavid_travel.jpg\")
<\/p>\nScenic spots:<\/h3>\n
Mount Errigal and Dunlewy Lough, County Donegal<\/h3>\n
Glencolumbkille and Malin Beg, County Donegal<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/majestic-lukas-jteA5IO7kzw-unsplash-scaled.jpg\")
Wicklow Mountains, County Wicklow<\/h3>\n
Copper Coast, County Waterford<\/h3>\n
Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry<\/h3>\n
Killarney National Park, County Kerry<\/h3>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-Killarney-National-Park-@cochou33.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@iaraanddavid_travel-strawberry.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAran Islands, County Galway<\/h3>\n
Connemara, County Galway<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/k-mitch-hodge-HE6TVFRAJaY-unsplash-scaled.jpg\")
North coast of Northern Ireland, County Antrim and County Derry<\/h3>\n
Mourne Mountains, County Down<\/h3>\n
Dublin<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n\n
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Kilkenny<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWaterford<\/h3>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@yaboicarl-Waterford.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCork<\/h3>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-Cork-@yvesalarie.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGalway<\/h3>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@mymytudoan-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBelfast<\/h3>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-Belfast-@kaelihearn.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDerry<\/h3>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@kmitchhodge-Londonderry.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTravelling around Ireland<\/h2>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@iaraanddavid_travel-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAccommodation in Ireland<\/h2>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-Gardiner-House.png\")
<\/p>\n![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-Global-Village.png\")
<\/p>\nIreland Backpacking Itinerary<\/h2>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@benorloff-Connemara-National-Park.png\")
<\/p>\nItinerary 1:<\/h2>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@iaraanddavid_travel-8.jpg\")
<\/h3>\nItinerary 2:<\/h2>\n
Itinerary 3:<\/h2>\n
Cost of backpacking Ireland<\/h2>\n
![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@iaraanddavid_travel-5.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"backpacking](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Ireland-backpacking-@iaraanddavid_travel-3-1.jpg\")
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