Ireland is a country rich in history and culture and offers a host of things to do for tourists and students visiting for a short or long stay. Three Irish cities were recently named in the world’s top ten friendliest city list by leading travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller and the country continues to grow in popularity with international students.
Ireland has a well connected public transport system which makes it easy to explore all that this beautiful country has to offer. Irish universities are situated in vibrant cities like Dublin, Cork and small picturesque towns like Galway and Limerick. If you are keen on studying in Ireland, read below about the seven most fun things to do in Ireland.
Seven must-do things when studying in Ireland
For those who are planning to study in Ireland, here is a list of some of the most interesting things to do in Ireland:
1. Explore Dublin
Dublin is Ireland’s iconic capital city full of historical sights and brimming with an eclectic and exciting nightlife. Home to the most renowned Irish universities, including Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, the city has a vibrant mix of international students and offers equally diverse cultural venues and activities to enjoy. From the City Castle, the Guinness storehouse and the leprechaun museum to the earthy nightclubs, pubs and live music scene, there are plenty of things to explore in Dublin.
2. Try famous Irish beverages - Guiness and Irish Whisky
The Guinness storehouse in Dublin is one of the most visited places in Ireland, buzzing with fun loving locals and tourists. Kehoe’s, Gravity Bar, Grogan's, Mulligan's and Toner's are amongst the best pubs in Dublin.
3. Discover the Book of Kells
The library of Trinity College Dublin stores Ireland’s finest national treasure, the Book of Kells. It is an immaculately preserved ancient Celtic relic which is also considered as the oldest book in the world. It is believed to be created by the Columban monks around 800 AD and contains the four Gospels of the New Testament.
4. Visit a top surfing spot in Donegal Bay
Besides Guinness, Irish folk music and friendly Irish people, Ireland is also famous for sports and other adventurous activities such as surfing. Donegal Bay, off the west coast, is known as one of the best surfing spots in the world. For those who don’t surf, Donegal has a lot more activities to offer including rolling sand dunes, picturesque beaches, natural reserves and the lush countryside to make up a memorable experience. Nearby international universities are National University of Ireland, Galway and the University of Limerick.
5. Witness true Irish culture in the Aran Islands
Aran islands, a group of three islands in the Galway Bay area, is famous for the Celtic Music Festival where you can experience Irish musical tradition. This three day cultural event includes musical performances, Celtic folk dances, literary readings and storytelling.
6. Explore Cork
Cork is Ireland’s second largest city and the location of renowned higher education institutes in Ireland such as University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology and a number of design and art colleges. The city has rich cultural and historical offerings for visitors, the most popular being the historic St Patrick’s Street, the Red Abbey, the cities medieval architecture, the Cork Opera house, Cork Film Festival and the Cork Jazz Festival.
7. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is Ireland’s most celebrated cultural and religious festival. If you are studying in Ireland, experiencing the revelry of St. Patrick’s Day is a must do. The day is celebrated the Irish way by wearing green, consuming Guinness, enjoying the Irish music parades and performances.
Study in Ireland
If you are interested in studying in Ireland, book a free consultation with SI-Ireland to learn more about universities, courses, application and visa process.
