Top 20 Free Things to do in Ireland

So, you’re traveling to Ireland. Chances are, you’ll have a free day or two to spend at your leisure. Here are our top 20 free things to do in Ireland!

Dublin

1. The National Museum of Ireland: 3 out of its 4 branches are located in Dublin and are focused on art, culture, and the history of Ireland and admission to all are free:
   • Natural History Museum
   • Decorative Arts and History
   • Archaeology
2. St. Stephens Green Park: this park is full of fountains and beautiful flowers and is a great place to walk around after you’ve done some shopping (it is surrounded by many stores of all kinds)
3. National Botanic Gardens: the gardens have 20,000 living plants and was founded in 1795
4. General Post Office: where the 1916 Easter Rising occurred, and you can still see visible bullet holes!
5. Irish Pubs : although drinks are not free, it’s pretty easy to find pubs that have free entertainment at night, so stop by and listen to some traditional Irish music

County Mayo and Donegal

6. The National Museum of Ireland: the 4^th branch of the museum is located in County Mayo
   1. Country Life
7. Slieve League Cliffs:  these are the highest sea cliffs in Europe that will give you breathtaking views of the coast
8. Keem Bay: a secluded, beautiful beach – take a swim in the ocean or just enjoy the sights
9. Croagh Patrick: this is one of the oldest religious sites in Ireland
10. Ballintubber Abbey: this is the only church that was founded by an Irish king that is still in use in the country

Belfast

11. St. Anne’s Cathedral: here you’ll see Ireland’s largest Celtic Cross
12. Belfast Hills: soak in the beautiful views over Belfast and beyond
13. Belfast Botanic Gardens: this was established in 1828 and has an extensive rose garden
14. Belfast City Hall: right in the heart of Belfast Center; it opened in 1906 and gives free tours Monday-Friday at 11am, 2pm, and 3pm and Saturdays at 2pm and 3pm
15. Barnett Demesne: This beautiful park is close to the city center and is home to flowers, trees and animals – there is an annual Spring Fair here each year that has music, entertainment, and wildlife displays

Cork

16. Old English Market: this market started in 1788 and is a great place to go to explore the abundant selection of Irish foods
17. Mizen Vision: the southernmost point in Ireland where you’ll experience great views
18. St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral: this beautiful cathedral dates back to the 19^th century and is dedicated to the patron saint of Cork
19. Daly’s Bridge: this bridge is also known as “shakey bridge” to some; it goes over River Lee and connects Fiitzgerald’s Park and Mardkye Way with Sunday’s Well (If you are feeling really ambitious, you can cross all 42 bridges of the river Lee – 29 of which are in Cork City)
20. Street Performers: There are many street performers along Oliver Plunkett, Paul Street, St. Patricks Street and Winthrop Street

If you find yourself on a vacation in Ireland, now you have some great (and free) things to do while you’re there. Do you know of other fun, free attractions?

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