Your Trip to Ireland: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next National Museums of Ireland Best Walks to Take Castles to Visit Cliffs of Moher Blarney Stone What to Do Along the Wild Atlantic Way Places to Golf in Ireland Foods to Try Best Irish Drinks The Best Time to Visit Ireland Weather & Climate Airports in Ireland Driving in Ireland Best Castle Hotels How to Spend Two Weeks in Ireland The Best Tours in Ireland Top Places to See Things to Do in Ireland Free Things to Do Your Trip to Ireland: The Complete Guide close Overview Europe Ireland The Best Free Attractions in Ireland By Bernd Biege Bernd Biege Bernd is a travel writer from Germany who has lived in Ireland since the late 1990s and written several German-language tourism guides to the country. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 04/08/19 Share Pin Email To be honest, "Ireland for Free" sounds a bit strange, if not impossible - the island tends to be known to be leaning a bit towards the more expensive side, compared with other European destinations. Getting there might be a bargain, but visitors often are, and not very pleasantly, surprised by Irish prices, especially entry fees for attractions and sights. But fret not - even where so-called budget accommodation can exceed some budgets, traveling on a shoestring does not need to be a thing of the past. 01 of 10 See Top Heritage Attractions Without Paying TripSavvy / Bernd Biege View Map Address Cabragh, Hill of Tara, Co. Meath, Ireland Get directions Did you know that two of Ireland's top attractions, the Hill of Tara and Glendalough, are actually free to visit? The entrance fee applies only to the local heritage center, not the attraction itself. This might not be immediately obvious to most visitors. And is amongst the best-hidden secrets of the Irish tourism industry. The same applies to many other sites, a short "reconnaissance" of the area could save you several Euros. 02 of 10 Climb the High Cliffs TripSavvy / Bernd Biege View Map Address Slieve League, Shanbally, Co. Donegal, Ireland Get directions Forget the Cliffs of Moher and head further north. Europe's highest sea cliffs are at Slieve League (County Donegal, 595 meters). High hills as part of spectacular coastal scenery are a trademark of Achill Island (County Mayo). Near Achill Head you'll find Croaghaun (665 meters), further northwest Slievemore (671 meters). 03 of 10 Visit Belfast's Murals and the Ulster Museum TripSavvy / Bernd Biege View Map Address Botanic Gardens, Belfast BT9 5AB, UK Get directions Phone +44 28 9044 0000 Web Visit website You do not have to pay for a tour to see the famous political wall-paintings of Belfast - just walk, it is safe! The neighboring West Belfast areas of Shankill (strictly Loyalist) and Falls (staunchly Republican) provide splendid murals and the experience of communities living next to but totally isolated from each other. Round off your Belfast experience with a look at the splendid Ulster Museum. 04 of 10 Stroll Around Ireland's Heritage Towns Irish Heritage Towns Ireland has a large number of designated "Heritage Towns", all providing a fascinating glimpse of times past. Trim for instance provides a whole medieval townscape with only the castle actually charging visitors. Monastic remains, a round tower and high crosses recommend Kells to visitors. And Birr is famous for Georgian architecture. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Enjoy Stunning Views and Mysterious Tombs TripSavvy / Bernd Biege View Map Address Unnamed Rd, Grange North, Co. Sligo, Ireland Get directions This is one of the largest megalithic cemeteries in existence. Queen Maeve's Tomb on Knocknarea (near Sligo) is unexplored but surrounded by myths and legends. The views from both locations are breathtaking ... so is the ascent. 06 of 10 Listen to Irish Folk for Free Ireland.com Why waste money on some spectacular but ultimately artificial evening entertainment with a "traditional" twist? You can have the same for free in literally hundreds of pubs up and down the island! Many pubs host free sessions that usually bring out the best local talent. For the price of a pint you can listen in - see this listing of traditional sessions in Ireland's pubs for details, times, and places. 07 of 10 Take Sheer Endless Walks on Waymarked Ways Luiz Andrade / Getty Images If hiking in Ireland tickles your fancy, why not use one of the many waymarked ways? These range from easy local walks to the epic Ulster Way. But take note that camping without the explicit consent of the owner is illegal, even on public land. 08 of 10 Visit Ireland's National Parks Peter Zelei Images / Getty Images View Map Address Co. Kerry, Ireland Get directions Phone +353 85 801 7973 Web Visit website Ireland's National Parks are free to enjoy for everybody, entrance fees only apply to special attractions. Especially parks like Killarney and Connemara are firm favorites with tourists - and quite rightly so. A great alternative up North are the Forest Parks like Glenariff in the Glens of Antrim. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Go Whalewatching Ireland.com Marine mammals of all sorts and sizes can be observed near Ireland's shoreline - dolphins, whales, orcas and seals. Regular visitors also include the giant basking sharks, smaller sharks may even swim around your ankles when you are wading out. All you need to bring is time and maybe binoculars. And these natural encounters will leave Fungi the Dingle Dolphin looking like a very poor cousin. 10 of 10 Walk in Saint Patrick's Footsteps Design Pics Inc / Getty Images View Map Address 35 English Street, Downpatrick BT30 6AB, UK Get directions Phone +44 28 4461 4922 Web Visit website Ireland's Patron Saint has been commercialized in many ways, but you can still follow in many of Patrick's holy footsteps for free: The two cathedrals of Armagh, Downpatrick Cathedral with his (reputed) grave, the site of his first church at Saul. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit