Your invitation to explore the island
In 2026, Ireland invites travelers to celebrate its culture, scenery, and welcoming spirit. From world-famous festivals to peaceful natural wonders, experiences abound that connect heritage, creativity and community.
In Dublin, creativity and tradition set the year’s rhythm. TradFest (January) fills historic venues with traditional music and emerging talent, while theatres, museums and cafés showcase the city’s cultural energy. Trace Dublin’s literary heritage, tour the Guinness Storehouse, or explore migration stories at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. Beyond the bustle, the Howth Cliff Path and Sandymount Strand offer sweeping views of Dublin Bay.
Across Ireland, St Patrick’s Day (March) unites towns and cities in color and celebration. Dublin’s five-day festival fills the streets with parades, while Armagh’s Home of St Patrick Festival and Downpatrick’s Saint Patrick Centre explore the legacy of Ireland’s patron saint. Between events, Ireland’s spring comes to life — from Boyne Valley to Glenveagh National Park — offering peaceful moments amid the celebrations.
In Ireland’s Ancient East, heritage and imagination go hand in hand. See the Rock of Cashel at Tipperary fields, explore Hook Head Lighthouse, one of the world’s oldest, or wander through the Glendalough monastic site. The Wexford Festival Opera (October–November) brings a host of international talent; the Kilkenny Arts Festival (August) fills medieval streets with music and craft.
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands offer quiet beauty and authentic encounters. Cruise the River Shannon, walk the limestone trails of Cavan Burren Park, or cycle the Old Rail Trail linking Athlone and Mullingar. The Arigna Mining Experience and Dún na Sí Heritage Park tell stories of community and craft, while Lough Boora Discovery Park blends sculpture and nature.
Along the Wild Atlantic Way, the culture and scenery are dramatic. The Galway International Arts Festival (July) fills the city with art and theatre, while A Taste of West Cork Food Festival (September) celebrates Ireland’s coastal produce through markets and storytelling. For epic views, visit the Cliffs of Moher, Achill Island, or Mizen Head, where cliffs and ocean merge.
In Northern Ireland, history and creativity come alive across striking landscapes. In Belfast, the Belfast Maritime Festival (September) showcases the city’s culture and seafaring heritage, while the Belfast International Arts Festival and the Belfast Film Festival (October-November) fill the city with theatre, dance, music, literature and film.
Derry Halloween (October) fills the walled city with legend, while the Causeway Coast leads to Dunluce Castle and the Giant’s Causeway. In Fermanagh, explore the Marble Arch Caves and Enniskillen Castle, and in Down, the Mourne Mountains, Castle Ward, and Strangford Lough. In autumn, Armagh’s Food and Cider Festival (September) celebrates harvest flavors and the county’s apple-growing heritage.
Are you ready for your Ireland adventure in 2026?
