Cliffs of Moher, County Clare – Photo by Vincent Guth
Whether for a summer holiday or to start a new chapter, Ireland has made its way onto many people’s bucket lists. And rightfully so! Known for its gorgeous greenery and unique history, the Emerald Isle is packed with fun things to do and great places to visit nearly every day of the year, however, most locals will agree that the summertime in Ireland brings a unique charm.
From taking a dip in the great Irish sea to discovering fresh Irish delicacies, there are so many things to get up to during summer in Ireland, and we have compiled some of the most popular! These are the top things to do in Ireland this summer.
Sea swimming
Going for a swim in the Irish sea is something that has increased in popularity over recent years. And it’s not just an activity that’s saved for the summer months either. In fact, you can expect to see plenty of locals embracing all that the Irish waters have to offer on nearly every day of the year – including Christmas! With so many stunning spots across the country, it would be difficult to recommend just a few, however, some of the most popular places to enjoy a sea swim in Ireland include:
- The Forty Foot, Dublin
- Vico Baths, Dublin
- Salthill, Galway
- Dunmore East, Waterford
- Belmullet Tidal Pool, Mayo
- Annagh Bay, Achill Island
Road trip
A road trip along the winding Irish roads is easily one of the top things to do in Ireland this summer! With thousands of years worth of history, culture and legends (not to mention breathtaking coastlines and natural beauty!), hiring a car for a few days during the warmer months and taking to the road is a memorable experience. There are plenty of road trips to consider, the most well-known include:
- Wexford and Waterford road trip
- The Ring of Kerry
- Dingle Peninsula
- Wild Atlantic Way
- West Cork
- Causeway Coast
Music festivals
Music is a huge part of Irish culture so it should come as no surprise that during the summer in Ireland there are always plenty of music festivals and events scheduled! No matter your preferred genre of music, with the wide variety of musical events across the country, there is bound to be something for you. We have listed some of the most popular music festivals in Ireland this summer below.
- Body and Soul
- All Together Now
- Electric Picnic
- Forbidden Fruit
- Cork Jazz Festival
- Sea Sessions
Take a hike
If you like to spend your free time getting active while also immersing yourself in natural beauty, why not consider enjoying one of the great Irish hikes? Whether you are looking for a beginner’s trek or a more strenuous mountain hike, Ireland is full of beautiful scenic hikes to suit nearly every level! Some of the best hikes in Ireland to do this summer include:
- Howth Cliff Walk, Dublin
- Dublin Mountains Trail, Dublin
- Diamond Hill, Galway
- Carrauntoohil, Kerry
- Glendalough, Wicklow
- ‘Stairway to Heaven’, Fermanagh
Food markets
Are you a self-confessed foodie? Then you are going to really enjoy your time in Ireland! Nearly every main town across the island is home to an impressive food scene and brilliant food markets that are full to the brim of fresh produce and organic ingredients. There are so many small independent markets to check out but some of the must-visits include:
- Howth Market, Dublin
- Airfield Farmers Market, Dublin
- Midleton Farmers Market, Cork
- English Market, Cork
- The Milk Market, Limerick
- St George’s Market, Belfast
Take in the history
It’s no secret that the island of Ireland is full of fascinating history and if you’re interested in finding out a little more about the myths, legends and enchanting stories associated with the country, there are so many ways to do so! If the sun is shining why not try out a walking tour? Or if the summer rain has decided to visit (which it does quite often), visit one of the popular museums dotted across the country such as:
- The Little Museum of Dublin, Dublin
- National Museum of Ireland, Dublin
- EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Dublin
- Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin
- The Hunt Museum, Limerick
- Titanic Belfast, Belfast
Pub crawl
Last but certainly not least, one of the most fun things to do in Ireland during the summer (and any time of the year) is a pub crawl! Great for making friends and getting to know the famous Irish pub scene, you will easily find a pub crawl in most of the main cities in the country or if you would prefer, you can opt for a self-guided pub crawl and see where the streets of Ireland take you!
At MoneyJar, we have built a simple new approach to a digital account. This means that something that can be pretty complicated like setting up a bank account is made a lot easier which gives you more time to enjoy everything that summer in Ireland has to offer.
Simply follow three steps to get started
- Download the Money Jar app
- Register your personal details
- Verify your identity using a standard form of identification
All you will need to set up an account with us is government-approved identification and a postal address to receive your prepaid Mastercard.
We provide lots of ways to help you stay on top of your spending and make the process of setting up an account easy. Find out more about how we can help you have the freedom to be better with money and everything else you need to know about signing up for a digital account with Money Jar here.
