The island that keeps getting better
Visit all kinds of museums and experiences
New museums, experiences and outdoor adventures have been popping up all over the island of Ireland recently! Combine these with the exciting events lined up, and Ireland may be onto its best year yet.
First, here are the recent museum and exhibition openings you’ll want to check out in 2024. The Irish Wake Museum in County Waterford is new on the scene and the first of its kind on the island. Set within one of Ireland’s oldest domestic buildings, the museum’s fully-guided tour brings you through the traditions, superstitions and customs associated with Irish wakes from early Christian times to the 20th century.
Happy days! You can visit the Derry Girls Exhibition in 2024! The Walled City’s Tower Museum is hosting this exhibition all about the award-winning comedy series Derry Girls. Visit to learn more about the story behind Derry Girls through the show’s 90s-style costumes, sets and props.
Ever wondered what it’s like to play for one of the best rugby teams in the world? Head to Limerick city and the immersive International Rugby Experience. Feel the excitement building in the dressing room pre-match, learn the history of the sport, and find out what it takes to be part of Ireland’s rugby team.
You may think you know all about Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library, but it’s made it onto our 2024 list because it’s looking a little different… The 18th century Old Library is undergoing a conservation project resulting in the removal of more than 200,000 of the Library’s books. The experience still includes a viewing of the 9th century gospel manuscript, the Book of Kells, and has been updated to include the Gaia, an illuminated sculpture highlighting the beauty and fragility of the earth by artist Luke Jerram.
Head outdoors for even more new adventures in 2024
Walk, cycle or run the brand-new South East Greenway. This traffic-free trail is 24km long and follows what was once a railway line before it closed in 1963. The route passes through the counties of Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford, linking the riverside town of New Ross in County Wexford to Waterford city.
Another route to follow in 2024 is the new Giants of the Sperrins Sculpture Trail. Artist Thomas Dambo created these three sculptures to teach some of the stories associated with the Sperrin Mountains: Nowanois the storyteller can be found at the site of the former Sperrin Heritage Centre, Darach the guardian can be found at the peak of the Mullaghcarn Mountain and Ceoldán the stargazer can be found at the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory.
2024 is the Wild Atlantic Way’s 10th birthday! It’s been ten years since this iconic 2,500km coastal stretch from Kinsale in County Cork to Malin Head in County Donegal (recently accredited fourth place on Lonely Planet’s list of best regions to visit in the world in 2024) was named. We’re sharing our favorite Wild Atlantic Way hidden gems with you as a birthday present.
