Top 10 Things to do in Ireland

Top Irish universities nearby: National University of Ireland, Galway (Joint 260^th in the world), University of Limerick (511-520).

Surfing’s not the only reason to enter the chilly waters of Ireland’s west coast, as this is also how you get from the mainland to the Aran Islands, a group of three islands in the mouth of the Galway Bay. A place of deep cultural and linguistic heritage – with many native islanders bilingual in English and Gaelic – the islands are a must-visit for anyone keen to get deeper insights into Irish culture and the Gaelic language.

While you might get away with a “top o’ the morning to ya” greeting in Dublin, the Aran Islands offer a chance to get your head around the challenging language of Gaelic. By the end of your stay you should at least be able to wish the locals “maidin mhaith”, or “dia dhuit ar maidin” (both meaning “good morning”).

And what to do with the rest of your time here? Consider hiring a bike to explore the array of outdoor museums, cliff-climbing sites, historic castles, lighthouses, surfing spots, beaches and craft-producing villages – you’ll soon forget about those looming assignment deadlines.

Did you know...? The three Aran Islands are called Inis Mor Island (“the big island”), Inis Meain Island (“the middle island”), and Inis Oirr Island (“the east island”).

Although it’s celebrated almost everywhere in the world, it’s easy to forget the real reason for this Irish celebration. For many, it’s just a fun excuse to dress up in green, talk in a bad Irish accent and consume too much Guinness. Celebrated annually on March 17, St Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in Ireland, commemorating and celebrating the life of Saint Patrick, the principal champion of Irish Christianity.

St Patrick’s Day has become a week-long festival in honor of St Patrick. As well as bringing the community together, the celebration allows the country to showcase its culture, sense of fun and tourist attractions to the world. Whether or not you can handle a week of Irish festivities (they certainly know how to party), make sure to join in with some of the celebrations, attempt an Irish jig, and experience St Patrick’s Day as it should be spent.

Did you know...?  The color originally associated with St Patrick was blue but over the years this has changed to green.

Top universities in Cork: University College Cork (Joint 338^th in the world)

Tripe, a dish made from various animal stomachs, is one of Cork’s traditional foods, but we’re pretty sure that if you choose to visit Ireland’s second largest city, you’ll be able to get a feel for the place without having to try any… unless you want to of course.

Those without the stomach (sorry, couldn’t help ourselves) for tripe will be glad to hear there are plenty of other things to do here. Admire the city’s Georgian architecture, visit the medieval Red Abbey or walk down the wide and historic St Patrick’s Street for a nice bit of window shopping.

If that’s not enough, take a trip to Cork Opera House or sample some more appetizing local foods at the famous English Market. Aspiring artists and performers may also be keen to know that Cork is home to a number of highly reputed art and design colleges, and has an arts calendar filled with events, including the Cork Film Festival, the Cork Jazz Festival and Live at the Marquee.

You’re correct – Belfast is not part of Ireland, it’s the capital city of neighboring nation Northern Ireland. However, it’s just a short drive away and surely worth a visit while you study in Ireland. Widely known for its history of political instability, Belfast was a key location in the sectarian conflict between Catholics and Protestants throughout much of the 20^th century, and this history is strikingly depicted in various murals around west Belfast.

Known as “The Writing on the Walls”, these murals depict issues relating to politics, freedom and loyalty, while some also pay homage to sports stars, Northern Irish achievements (the RMS Titanic, for instance) and, of course, football.

While you’re in Northern Ireland, why not visit the Giant’s Causeway? A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Nature Reserve, this natural wonder is comprised of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, evidence of an ancient volcanic eruption. Visitors can walk on, over and around the many hexagonal columns, watch the waves crash against the rocks and marvel at the sheer size of the cliffs. The freedom to explore every part of the cliff face has kept the Giant’s Causeway among Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions.

Other ancient natural wonders to explore as part of the Giant’s Causeway include The Honeycomb, The Wishing Chair, The Giant's Granny, Lord Antrim’s Parlour, The King and his Nobles, The Keystone, The Chimney Pots, The Fan and The Punchbowl.

Top universities in Galway: National University of Ireland, Galway (Joint 260^th in the world).

Galway calls itself the festival capital of Ireland, and, with a calendar of events that celebrates everything from oysters and jazz music to horse racing and literature, this is pretty well justified.

One of Ireland’s fastest-growing cities, situated on the west coast of the country, its summer calendar is packed full of events including the Galway Oyster Festival, the Tulca Festival of Visual Arts, the Galway Arts Festival, the Galway Film Fleadh, the Cuirt Literature Festival, the Baboro International Arts Festival for Children, the Connemara Marathon and the famous Galway Races.

It’s not a surprise, then, to find out that Galway was selected to be the European Capital of Culture in 2020, alongside the Croatian city of Rijeka.

Regardless of where you choose to study in Ireland, you should certainly plan a summer visit to Galway to make the most of these fantastic festivals.

Older than both the Great Pyramid of Giza and Stonehenge, the Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb is one of the world’s most famous pre-historic sites.

Made up of a series of passage tombs, Newgrange is perhaps best known for the shaft of sunlight that reaches the chamber floor on the shortest day of the year. The chance to experience this winter solstice sight is chosen by lottery, but if you visit the tombs your guided tour will include a re-enactment of the sun appearing in the chamber at sunrise – a sight first admired some 5,000 years ago.

The tomb is located just a 45-minute drive north of Dublin city, making it an easy day trip for anyone studying in the city.

Other top things to do in Ireland…

• Kiss the Blarney Stone.
• Listen to some traditional Irish music in Johnnie Fox's, Dublin’s highest pub.
• Sip the world’s finest pint of the black stuff at the original Guinness Brewery in Dublin.
• Give coasteering a go, although be aware, it’s not for the faint-hearted.

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This article was originally published in May 2010. It was most recently updated in March 2019 to reflect the results of the latest QS World University Rankings®.