Ireland has a lot of attractions, from historical landmarks to natural landscapes and cultural places, despite its small size. Ireland features majestic houses, breathtaking cliffs, lovely gardens, amusement parks, and more.
Thousands of local and foreign visitors visit the country’s many attractions annually. The top ten paid attractions in Ireland are shown below:
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Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall
The gardens at the Estate of Powerscourt and the accompanying waterfalls rank as Ireland’s tenth most popular paid tourist destination and are among the best in Europe. The attraction is situated in County Wicklow’s Wicklow Mountains.
The gardens include a lot of old ironwork, sculpture, and fountains. Ancient natural trees and decorative species may also be found in the gardens. Daniel Robertson rebuilt the gardens between 1743 and 1767.
The tallest waterfall in the British Isles area is the 398-foot-tall Powerscourt waterfall. Many poets, painters, and authors have devoted their works of art to the magnificent waterfalls due to the waterfalls’ inspiration.
The Traditional Farm And Gardens At Muckross House
This paid Irish attraction is a lovely Victorian home situated in the Killarney National Park. A home tour transports guests back in time and gives them a glimpse of the early 20th-century way of life for the landed nobility.
All visitors to this site are charmed by the elegant accommodations and breathtaking surroundings. Many exotic plants and bushes may be seen around the house. The old-style farms serve as a reminder of rural life in Ireland.
Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
On the grounds of Kylemore Castle in Connemara, a historical landmark called the Kylemore Abbey is surrounded by lush vegetation.
It symbolizes a monastery run by Benedictines built-in 1920 to house Benedictine nuns who fled to Ireland during World War One. Beautiful Victorian gardens on the estate allow for enjoyable nature strolls.
The Cathedral of St. Patrick
Dublin is home to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s seventh-most frequented paid attraction. In 2017, 603,000 individuals went there.
The Cathedral was built in 1191 and is now the primary Cathedral for the Church of Ireland. It is the most significant and tallest church in the nation. It has a 141-foot-tall spire.
Tayto Park
Seven hundred thirty-five thousand people visited this paid attraction in Ireland in 2017. The amusement park is situated in Kilbrew, County Meath, not far from Dublin.
Since it first opened in 2010, the park has offered a variety of rides and other activities for visitors of all ages.
The Kells Book
The nation’s fifth most popular paid attraction is The Book of Kells Exhibition. It is situated at Dublin’s Trinity College.
The display gives visitors a glimpse of Ireland in the 18th century when the Old Library was constructed. The most priceless item on show in the exhibition is the Book of Kells. It is the most significant cultural gem in Ireland.
It is a lavishly adorned copy of the four gospels from the ninth century. Tickets for the exhibition may be bought online or at the location, and it is open every day of the week.
Fourth, National Aquatic Center
The NAC is a facility for indoor swimming that is situated in Dublin. It is Ireland’s fourth-most popular paid attraction.
The building has a sizable pool, a recreational pool, an aquapark, and a fitness center. This location has held several significant sporting events of both national and international importance.
Dublin Zoo
The Dublin Zoo, Ireland’s third-most-popular paid attraction, had 1,264,300 visitors in 2017. It is in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. The zoo, founded in 1831, is crucial to preserving unique and endangered animals.
The zoo territory is separated into several zones, including the African Plains, Sea Lion Cove, and Orangutan Forest.
Cliffs of Moher Tourist Attraction
The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most famous natural landmark, are situated in Country Care along the Atlantic coast. The area’s highest point is 702 feet above sea level.
Another site nearby is The Hags Head. When seen from the north, the rock structure resembles a sitting lady.
There could have been a fort here, according to legend. The second-most frequented paid attraction in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, is situated roughly halfway between the cliffs.
There is a tourist center, an old observation tower, and a safe walkway along the cliffs. This website had 1,527,000 visits in 2017.
Guinness Storehouse, to start
In 2017, 1,711,281 people went to the Guinness Storehouse, Ireland’s most popular paid attraction. It is situated in Dublin’s St. James’s Gate Brewery.
The structure has seven levels, which are arranged around a glass atrium. In the form of a pint of Guinness, the atrium. With the aid of several exhibits, The Storehouse traces the development of the beer.
The Most Visited Paid Visitor Attractions In Ireland
| Rank | Attraction | Number of visitors in 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guinness Storehouse | 1,711,281 |
| 2 | Cliffs Of Moher Visitor Experience | 1,527,000 |
| 3 | Dublin Zoo | 1,264,300 |
| 4 | National Aquatic Center | 1,099,756 |
| 5 | Book Of Kells | 983,410 |
| 6 | Tayto Park | 735,000 |
| 7 | St Patrick’s Cathedral | 603,000 |
| 8 | Kylemore Abbey And Gardens | 558,000 |
| 9 | Muckross House Gardens And Traditional Farm | 552,923 |
| 10 | Powerscourt Gardens And Waterfall | 501,601 |