17 Things To Do In Ireland With No Money
Ireland has so much to offer for tourists and luckily there are plenty of free attractions across the country. No matter where you are staying in Ireland, you can have an amazing time on a small budget. 
Some of the most enjoyable things to do in Ireland can be done for free, so here’s 17 ideas to get you started.
- The National Botanic Gardens
Located just 3 km from Dublin city centre, the National Botanic Gardens are an oasis of calm and beauty, and entry is free. A premier scientific institution, the gardens also contain the National Herbarium and several historic wrought iron glasshouses. An essential visit for any tourist or visitor to Ireland.
- Howth Coastal Walk
The Howth Cliff Path Loop Walk is a moderate 6 to 10km (2 to 3 hrs) loop walk taking in some easy road walking, rugged but superb cliff walking and great scenery. Howth itself has grown to become a busy and affluent suburb of Dublin, with a mix of suburban residential development, wild hillside and heathland, golf courses, cliff and coastal paths, a small quarry and a busy commercial fishing port.
- Climb Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s most famous mountain, is a 764 m mountain and an important site of pilgrimage in Mayo, Ireland. Its religious significance dates back to the time of the pagans, when people are thought to have gathered here to celebrate the beginning of harvest season.
If you’re visiting Ireland, exploring the outdoors is a must. Remember to get travel insurance to protect yourself medically and financially while climbing or doing other adventures activities. You can also get the cover from the Irish travel insurance company in case you didn’t have any. Travel insurance is the perfect opportunity to give yourself that extra cushion and peace of mind when you are travelling away from home.
- The National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland is located in the heart of Georgian Dublin. There are two entrances, one at Merrion Square and the other at Clare Street. Admission to the gallery is free and many talks, tours and events, as well as the audioguide, are also free of charge.
- The Museum of Style Icons
The Museum of Style is situated in Kildare and houses fashion collections and artefacts which once belonged to some of the greatest style icons of modern times such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Grace, Princess Diana, the Beatles and many more. Admission is free but you can opt for a paid tour with some added benefits.
- Glendalough Valley
A must see. The Glendalough Valley is located in the Wicklow Mountains National Park and has many attractions to entice, entertain and enthral visitors, from its world famous Monastic Site with Round Tower to its scenic lakes and valleys, as well as a selection of walks and trails in the area including The Wicklow Way.
- Visit the Aran Islands
The Aran Islands are 3 rocky isles guarding the mouth of Galway Bay, in western Ireland. They’re known for their ancient sites. The largest island, Inishmore, is home to the prehistoric fort of Dún Aonghasa, perched on top of a high cliff. Nearby is the Worm Hole, a rectangular natural pool. Once you’ve taken is some of the scenes from the Aran Islands, you’ll know you made the right decision to visit.
- Go Surfing on the Coast
Surfing in Ireland has become increasingly popular, due to its exposed location on the turbulent Atlantic seaboard. The island has 3,172 kilometres of coastline, and the southern and western shores are exposed for waves originating in the North Atlantic. The waves at Mullaghmore Head in County Sligo entice some of the most famous surfers in the world. These waves have been known to reach heights of 15 metres, making them the biggest to ever hit the Irish coastline.
- Go Whale Watching in West Cork
Fin Whales traditionally arrive to Ireland in the late summer/early autumn. Both species continue through to the early winter months, providing some spectacular opportunities to view these large marine mammals only a few kilometres from the coast if the sea conditions are suitable.
- Visit Kilkenny Castle
Kilkenny Castle was the home and headquarters of the powerful Butler family since 1391. It boasts both formal and informal gardens including a long-established rose garden to the front of the castle and the grounds are free to roam.
- Explore the Holycross Abbey
The Holycross Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in Holycross near Thurles, County Tipperary, situated on the River Suir. It takes its name from a relic of the True Cross or Holy Rood. It’s free to visit and is home to Ireland’s oldest church bell.
- Crawford Art Gallery
The Crawford Art Gallery is a National Cultural Institution situated in Cork and a regional art museum for Munster, dedicated to the visual arts, both historic and contemporary.
- Walk the Kerry Way
The Kerry Way, at 230km is the longest of the Irish Waymarked Trails. It is a circular route that circumnavigates the peninsula, and starts and finishes in the busy tourist town of Killarney.
- Experience the City of Galway
Galway is a tourist hotspot. Galway bay provides beautiful scenes and the nightlife is always vibrant. If live music, art and culture is your scene, Galway will be for you.
- Climb the Devil’s Bit
The Devil’s Bit is a mountain in County Tipperary, 478m above sea level at its highest elevation. According to local legend, the mountain got its name because the devil took a bite out of it.
- Hike the Stairway to Heaven
Climbing to the highest point in County Fermanagh been dubbed the Stairway to Heaven because of the spectacular views that are available to climbers when they follow the Legnabrocky trail to the summit of Cuilcagh Mountain.
- Sliabh Liag Cliffs
Sliabh Liag, sometimes Slieve League or Slieve Liag, is a mountain on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal, Ireland. At 596 metres, it has some of the highest sea cliffs on the island of Ireland. Although less famous than the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Slieve League’s cliffs reach almost three times higher. But importantly, it’s free to visit!
