When you think of Ireland, your mind probably jumps to a whirlwind of icons: the Blarney Stone, a perfect pint in a Dublin pub, the the mist-covered Cliffs of Moher. While those legendary icons are what get you there, it’s the atmosphere that makes you never want to leave. Ireland is a destination that rewards the traveler who wants to do rather than just see. It’s an immersive, soulful, and often hilariously spontaneous place where the best memories aren't found on a map, but in the experiences you collect along the way. From sleeping in royal strongholds to climbing 6th-century ruins, here are five of our favorite ways to truly feel the spirit of Ireland.

1. Ascend Skellig Michael

Rising jaggedly out of the Atlantic Ocean, Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage site of raw, stunning, natural beauty. To get there, you’ll board a ferry from Portmagee in County Kerry, where the boat ride itself is half the adventure. Keep your eyes peeled for puffins, dolphins, and seals; there are also huge colonies of gannets. Once you dock, the real journey begins: a steep, slightly hair-raising climb up 600 ancient stone steps. At the summit, you’ll wander through remarkably preserved beehive huts from a 6th-century Gaelic Christian monastery, all while surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views of the sea. If the landscape looks familiar, it’s because this remote peak served as Luke Skywalker’s island sanctuary in several of the Star Wars films. And yes, David totally geeked out at this!

2. Visit the Guinness Storehouse

You can’t visit Dublin without paying homage to "the black stuff." The Guinness Storehouse is an immersive, multi-sensory journey through the history of Ireland’s most famous export. The architecture of the building itself—designed around a central atrium that looks like a giant pint glass—is worth the visit alone. The tour is incredibly well-executed, but the highlight is undoubtedly the finale: heading up to the Gravity Bar for a freshly poured, complimentary pint of Guinness with 360-degree views of the Dublin skyline. Trust us when we say that we’ve had our fair share of Guinness in our lives, but it simply tastes different here; it is amazingly smooth, perfectly chilled, and couldn't be any fresher.

3. Drive the Wild Atlantic Way

Stretching 1,600 miles along Ireland’s west coast, the Wild Atlantic Way is one of the longest and most scenic coastal drives in the world. This epic route begins at Malin Head in County Donegal and winds all the way south to the harbor town of Kinsale in County Cork. Its entirety is a thing of natural beauty, defined by crashing Atlantic waves and soaring limestone cliffs.

While the whole drive is spectacular, some of our favorite parts include the lonely, iconic Fanad Head Lighthouse in Donegal, the world-famous Cliffs of Moher, the high (and famously narrow) Conor Pass on the Dingle Peninsula, and the colorful, charming villages of West Cork. Don’t be intimidated by the 1,600-mile length - most travelers only tackle portions of it at a time. It just gives you a great reason to come back for more!

4. Sleep in a Castle

If you’ve ever wanted to live out a fairytale, Ireland is the place to do it. Sleeping in a castle is a quintessential Irish experience that spans every budget. On one end of the spectrum is the 5-star Ashford Castle in County Mayo. It’s a proper medieval castle on the shores of Lough Corrib where each room is uniquely decorated and uniformly lavish. There’s a formal dining room, high tea service, and many on-site activities including a spa, tennis, shooting, horseback riding, boating, and falconry.

If that sounds a bit rich for your blood, no worries—there are more moderately-priced options like Kinnitty Castle Hotel in County Offaly. It’s a Gothic Revival castle set on 650 acres in the stunning Slieve Bloom Mountains, offering 4-star luxury at a reasonable price. Relax by one of the many open fireplaces, try your hand at tennis, or enjoy a whiskey (they distill their own!) at the Library Bar.

5. Enjoy Traditional Live Music in an Irish Pub

In Ireland, the pub isn't just a place to grab a drink; it’s the community living room. The best way to end any day is by finding a "trad session"—live, traditional Irish music played by locals on fiddles, flutes, and bodhráns. There is no stage and no setlist; it’s just pure, soulful energy. Look for iconic spots like The Crane Bar in Galway, Foxy John’s in Dingle (which famously doubles as a hardware store!), or the legendary O’Donoghue’s in Dublin for an evening you’ll never forget. Live music is a fixture of many cultures, but in Ireland, we found it to be incredibly accessible and unpretentious—it is easily our favorite way to spend an evening.

Ready to Find Your Ireland?

Ireland is a place that rewards the curious traveler, and no two trips are ever the same. Whether you want to climb ancient ruins, drive the rugged coast, or simply find the perfect pub for a night of music, we are here to help you craft the perfect itinerary.

Reach out to us at Jetsettery to start planning your Irish escape—we’ll make sure you experience the very best of the Emerald Isle! It’s as easy as clicking this link >> Let’s Start Planning!

Our Top 5 Experiences in Ireland