Ireland is a great place to go for adventure and a few drinks. It's a small country with a lot of great attractions.

With ancient ruins telling history of forgotten times, stunning mountain ranges, and attractive small villages, Ireland has something for everyone.

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1. Road trip around the Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way is an epic road trip that spans 15000 miles from Malin Head in Donegal to Westcork. It will be difficult to narrow down an itinerary on this route. The Fanad Head is a great place to go if you want something different. The most amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean can be seen from the Fanad Head Lighthouse.

2. Indulge in a seaweed bath

The monks used to give seaweed to the poor. The benefits of seaweed for rheumatism and arthritis led to the creation of bathhouses. There are still seaweed baths around the west coast of Ireland, even though there are not as many.

Kilcullen's Seaweed Baths is located in the pretty seaside town of Enniscrone and has been owned by the Kilcullen family for over 100 years. There is a chic spa and organic seaweed-based skincare brand in the area. Guests can recreate the experience at home by buying products from it. The Ladies Beach can be seen from the Seaweed Baths in Ballybunion.

3. Eat your way around Kinsale

Kinsale is the gourmet capital of Ireland and was originally a fishing port. Fishy Fishy is one of the best restaurants in the area that highlights local food producers and artisans. The Kinsale Gourmet Festival started in 1976.

Kinsale is one of the best places in Ireland for food, with colorful buildings and impressive fortified walls, and it is also a great place to visit. The harbor and countryside can be seen from this location.

4. Tour the House of Waterford Crystal

You can see some of the finest crystal pieces in the world at the House of Waterford Crystal. William and George Penrose founded the company in 1783.

Visitors will be taken on a journey of the crystal making process and watch highly skilled artisans excel at the various techniques and tools, from glass-blowing to the final engraving. The high-end signature pieces of the crystals are created on site.

When you're done in the city, go out to the coastline and find some of the best under-the- radar beaches.

5. Grab a pint at John Kavanagh’s The Gravediggers

If you have a few hours in Dublin, you should head to John Kavanagh, the bar that used to be home to gravediggers.

The charm of this Victorian-era pub is that it is built into the wall of the cemetery. The bar and tables are the same as they were when it opened. It is a great place to hang out with your friends and have a good time.

Macnas street performance This Thunderous Heart, during Galway Arts FestivaL
Performers take over the streets during the Galway Arts Festival © Rihardzz/ Shutterstock

6. Experience a festival in Galway

If you want to go to an Irish festival while in Ireland, you should go to Galway. The city of festivals is located along the Wild Atlantic Way and hosts around 120 events annually.

You will need to book well in advance if you want to attend the popular events such as the Galway International Arts Festival and the Galway Races. The Galway Food Festival is a great place to go for food lovers.

7. Visit the National Leprechaun Museum

The museum is dedicated to preserving Irish folklore through the art of oral storytellers, so don't skip it. If you're interested in the folklore of the child-stealing fae people of Ireland, this is the place to go. The myths are tied into Irish cultural identity and imagination through the museum.

Don't count on this being a family day out because the museum may not be suitable for young children.

8. Take a hike at Glendalough

Glendalough means "the valley of two lakes" in the Irish language. The ruins of the Christian settlement, founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, are one of the highlights of the area. The Wicklow Way is an entrance point to a network of walking trails that can be found in the Irish countryside.

The best time to hike is in the summer when the weather is warm and sunny.

9. Go on pilgrimage at Croagh Patrick 

St Patrick spent 40 days of Lent on top of Croagh Patrick in order to convert Ireland to Christianity. Thousands of people flock to the mountain on the last Sunday of July.

This is one of the best hikes in the country and you don't need to be religious to enjoy it. You get a bird's-eye view of Clew Bay at the top.

The Split Man sculpture which is displayed at the Indian Sculpture Park in Roundwood, County Wicklow.
Victor's Way Indian Sculpture Park deals with mature themes © Ross Mahon / Shutterstock

10. Victor’s Way Indian Sculpture Park

The Victor's Way Indian Sculpture Park was created by Victor Langheld in 1989 after he went to India to get spiritual enlightenment. It took 25 years for this garden to be finished. A tunnel based on the idea of vagina dentata is one of the major sculptures.

The garden has nudity and mature themes and is considered to be a place for adults. It is also a place for spiritual reorientation and some amazing photos.

11. Go gin tasting

Ireland is known for its whiskey but the gin craze has taken over the last few years. Ireland had no real history of making gin until recently, but now there are many renowned distilleries popping up. Gunpowder Irish Gin is available at the Shed Distillery in Drumshanbo. You can learn to make your own gin at Listoke Distillery. There is a gin trail in Castlebar that allows gin lovers to taste the latest products on the market.

12. Tour “Ireland's Alcatraz”

Spike Island's history includes heroes, sinners and convicts. This fortress was once the largest prison in the world and was built in the 6th century. After taking the ferry to the historic island, you will be regaled with fascinating stories about the island's past.

The "Ring of Spike" walking trail is a 45 minute walk around the coastline and you can explore it if you wear your walking shoes.

Medieval Ashford castle
The 800-year old Ashford castle is now a luxury stay in County Mayo © Mustang_79 / Getty Images

13. Book a stay in a castle

When you're on vacation, you need to treat yourself. The 800-year-old Ashford Castle is a great place to book yourself into. The hotel is located on a 350-acre estate and is surrounded by a garden and a lake. Located at the foot of the Blue Stack Mountains, the 5-star Lough Eske Castle is a great place to stay for a relaxing break. You can take a free tour of the castle every day if you don't stay.

14. Gaze upon Glencar Waterfall

There is a waterfall that falls down the Dartry Mountains into Glencar Lough. WB Yeats is said to have inspired his poem "The Stolen Child". You can take a walk up the stairs to see the waterfall.

It's a good idea to go to teaShed Café after you've built up your appetite.

15. Take the ferry to the Aran Islands

The Aran Islands are a great place to go for a day trip or weekend break. The three islands of Inis Orr, Inis Mein, and Inis Mr have a strong traditional culture and are some of the few places you can hear most locals speak Irish. Dn Aonghasa is a prehistoric fort that is scattered around the island.

T Joe Watty's Bar is a great place to sit back and enjoy a beer and some seafood after a tour. Don't forget to buy yourself a famous Aran sweater from Inis Mein Knitting Company that will keep you warm.

The article was last updated about 8 hours ago.