Ireland is full of undiscovered beauty, craic, and culture.

Here you’ll find some inspiration on how to skip the tourist trail and find something new on your visit.

 1. A distillery with a difference in Dublin

Some of Dublin’s hottest tourist attractions are breweries and distilleries, and with good reason. The Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery are both well worth a visit. But if you want to experience something different, the Teeling Distillery is a hidden gem. It’s the first new distillery in the capital for 125 years and it’s creating a stir in the Irish whiskey market.

Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Dublin

2. Micro island haven in Galway

Sometimes overlooked by its big brothers, Inis Óirr is the smallest Aran Island. This is one off the beaten track treasure you won’t want to miss. Take the ferry over and soak in panoramic views of the Cliffs of Moher. Walk or cycle around the 3km-wide island and discover its fishing village, castle ruins, shipwreck and more.

Cycling on Inis Oirr, the Wild Atlantic Way

3. A slice of paradise in Cork

It’s no secret that Cork is a foodie paradise. The English Market is legendary and the city even has a museum dedicated to butter. One place the locals love is Cafe Paradiso. It’s one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the country! If you fancy a dip, one of Ireland’s best hidden gem beaches is in Cork.

4. An oasis of calm in Irish horse country

Home to the Curragh Racecourse, Punchestown, and countless riding schools, Kildare is well known internationally for horses. And at the National Stud, you’ll get more than you bargained for. Created over 100 years ago, these Japanese Gardens are some of the finest in Europe.

Japanese Garden, Irish National Stud

5. Enjoy a night in the best pub in Ireland

Ireland is home to many incredible pubs, but Jim O’ the Mill in a tiny Tipperary village called Upperchurch has built a reputation as the best watering hole in the country. Take a trip to the Premier County and experience it for yourself. Jim O’ the Mill has just one beer tap, a roaring turf fire, raucous live music and, of course, an unbeatable welcome.

6. Sail through history

The lifeblood of Ireland’s Ancient East is the River Shannon. Essential for everything from food production to transport to culture, this hidden gem shapes every county it flows through. Pick up your boat and sail through thousands of years of Irish history.

Cruise on the River Shannon

7. Michelin star cooking

Galway is a food lover’s paradise. The charming west of Ireland city is packed with first-rate restaurants. Sitting pretty in the heart of Galway is the Michelin starred Anair. Right now you can learn how to recreate the dishes yourself in the restaurant’s in-house cookery school, with live online cooking classes! From dinner party planning to fish perfection, pick your course and bring a taste of Ireland home to your kitchen.

8. Surf’s up

The Wild Atlantic Way has some of the best surfing in the world. If you’re a beginner, learn the ropes in Ballybunion Beach, Co. Kerry. Up for a challenge? Head to Sligo’s infamous Mullaghmore Head. While you’re surfing the waves, you might even catch sight of a whale or dolphin too.

Easkey Surf Co. Sligo on the Wild Atlantic Way Route

9. Deadly displays

Blarney Castle in Co. Cork is best known for its iconic Blarney Stone. People flock here to kiss it, but it shares the grounds with something very sinister… The Poison Garden has a collection of some of the world’s deadliest plants, from Wolfsbane to Opium. Some plants are so toxic they’re caged for your safety.

Blarney Castle, Cork