Today, we are sharing 33 things everyone must have on their bucket list from this magical part of Ireland.
If you’re planning a visit to the southern counties of Ireland, there are certain things you need to include on your Munster Bucket List.
From historical sites to beauty spots, quaint coastal villages, and more, visiting this province is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Munster, here are 33 incredible things to do here before you die.
33. Dungarvan, Co. Waterford – a quaint coastal town
Dungarvan is a coastal town and harbour in County Waterford, on the south coast of Ireland. Prior to the merger of Waterford County Council with Waterford City Council in 2014, Dungarvan was the county town and administrative centre of County Waterford.
Waterford City and County Council retains administrative offices in the town. The town’s Irish name means “Garbhan’s fort”, referring to Saint Garbhan, who founded a church there in the seventh century.
The town lies on the N25 road (European route E30), connecting Cork, Waterford, and Rosslare Europort.
Address: Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland
32. Brow Head, Co. Cork – a must-visit on your Munster Bucket List
If you have visited the northernmost point of the whole island of Ireland, you have to visit the southernmost point at Brow Head. It’s a great spot with fantastic views!
Address: Brow Head, Co. Cork, Ireland
31. Grubb’s Monument, Clogheen, Co. Tipperary – a memorial to Samuel Grubb
Samuel Grubb was buried on Sugarloaf Hill in the Knockmealdown Mountains on 10 September 1921. To this day, a monument stands on the mountain in his honour.
It is located at the following Loc8 Code – YYR-20-RN9 – and it is very close to The Vee (within a few hundred meters or so). It is signposted just along from the Vee on the Waterford side.
Address: The Vee Pass, Knockmealdown, Clogheen, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
30. Lismore Castle, Co. Waterford – a Gothic-style stately home
Lismore Castle is a stately home located in the town of Lismore in County Waterford in Ireland, belonging to the Duke of Devonshire.
It was largely rebuilt in the Gothic style during the mid-19th-century by William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire.
Address: Lismore Castle, Lismore, Co. Waterford, Ireland
29. Blarney Castle, Co. Cork – one of Cork’s top attractions and a must on your Munster Bucket List
Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork and the River Martin.
Though earlier fortifications were built on the same spot, the current keep was built by the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, and dates from 1446.
The noted Blarney Stone is found among the machicolations of the castle.
Address: Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland
28. Drombeg Stone Circle, Co. Cork – a fantastic piece of history
Drombeg Stone Circle is a recumbent stone circle located 2.4 km (1.5 miles) east of Glandore, County Cork.
Drombeg is one of the most visited megalithic sites in Ireland and is protected under the National Monuments Act. The area of the circle has been covered in gravel to protect it from the volume of visitors.
Address: Drombeg, Glandore, Co. Cork, Ireland
27. Glandore, Co. Cork – a beautiful harbour and village
Glandore is the name of both a harbour and village in County Cork, Ireland. Glandore is located about an hour’s drive west of Cork city.
Address: Glandore, Rushanes, Co. Cork, Ireland
26. Bantry House, Co. Cork – a historic house
Bantry House is a historic house with gardens in Bantry, County Cork, Ireland.
It is an unmissable stop on your Munster Bucket List that we highly recommend checking out.
Address: Glandore, Rushanes, Co. Cork, Ireland
25. Garnish Island, Co. Cork – a stunning scenic spot
Garnish Island, Garnish Island, which is one of the highlights of the Ring of Beara, is located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, in southwest Ireland.
Garnish is world-renowned for its gardens that are laid out in beautiful walks. It also has some stunning specimen plants, which are rare in this climate.
Address: Iskanafeelna, Garinish Island, Co. Cork, Ireland
24. Allihies, Co. Cork – the furthest place from Dublin
Allihies is a coastal parish in the west of County Cork. The corresponding civil parish is Kilnamanagh.
The largest village in the parish is Cluin but is often mistakenly referred to by the name of the surrounding parish.
Allihies Parish is located on the western tip of the Béara Peninsula and stretches between Cod’s Head to the North West and Dursey Island to the South West.
Allihies is the remotest village in Ireland from the capital, Dublin, some 394 km (245 miles) away by road.
Address: Allihies, Co. Cork, Ireland
23. Ross Castle, Co. Kerry – a must-visit in Killarney National Park
Ross Castle is a 15th-century tower house and keep on the edge of Lough Leane in Killarney National Park.
It is the ancestral home of the O’Donoghue clan, though it is better known for its association with the Brownes of Killarney, who owned the castle until more recently.
The Office of Public Works operate the castle, which is open to the public seasonally with guided tours.
Address: Ross Rd, Ross Island, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 V304, Ireland
22. Muckross House, Co. Kerry – lies between the lakes
Muckross House is located on the small Muckross Peninsula between Muckross Lake and Lough Leane, two of the lakes of Killarney, 6 km (3.7 miles) from the town of Killarney.
In 1932, William Bowers Bourn and Arthur Rose Vincent presented it to the Irish nation. It thus became the first National Park in the Republic of Ireland and formed the basis of the present-day Killarney National Park.
Address: The National Park, Dromyrourk, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland
21. Waterville, Co. Kerry – a lovely Irish village
Waterville is a village on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, and has one of the best golf courses in Killarney.
The town is situated on a narrow isthmus, with Lough Currane on the east side and Ballinskelligs Bay on the west with the Currane River connecting the two.
Address: Waterville, Co. Kerry, Ireland
20. Sneem, Co. Kerry – a great stop on the Iveragh Peninsula
You can find the village of Sneem on the Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland.
It lies on the estuary of the River Sneem and is a great place to add to your Munster Bucket List. National route N70 runs through the town.
Address: Sneem, Co Kerry, Ireland
19. Torc Waterfall, Co. Kerry – a breathtaking sight to behold
Torc Waterfall is approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) from Killarney Town and approx 2.5 km (1.6 miles) from the motor entrance to Muckross House and is one of the best waterfalls in Cork and Kerry.
It can be accessed from a car park on the N71, better known as the Killarney – Kenmare Road. A short walk of approx 980 ft (300 m) brings you to the waterfall.
Address: Cloghereen Upper, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland
18. Moll’s Gap, Co. Kerry – a popular tourist attraction
Moll’s Gap is a pass on the N71 road from Kenmare to Killarney in County Kerry.
On the Ring of Kerry route, with views of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountains, the area and its shop is a panoramic spot visited by thousands of tourists each year.
The rocks at Moll’s Gap are formed of Old Red Sandstone. This is an absolute must on your Munster Bucket List.
Address: Moll’s Gap, Co. Kerry, Ireland
17. Derrynane Bay, Co. Kerry – another lovely Irish village
Derrynane is a village in County Kerry, located on the Iveragh Peninsula, just off the N70 national secondary road near Caherdaniel on the shores of Derrynane Bay. Also, Trundle outbreak zone.
Address: Derrynane Bay, Co. Kerry, Ireland
16. Puffin Island, Co. Kerry – a Wildbird Conservatory
Puffin Island is an Irish Wildbird Conservancy reserve on a small island to the south of Valentia Island near Portmagee, County Kerry, and separated from the mainland by a narrow sound.
It holds thousands of pairs of Manx Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, and Puffins. There are smaller numbers of other breeding seabirds.
Address: Puffin Island, Co. Kerry, Ireland
15. The Skelligs from Valentia Island, Co. Kerry – for Star Wars fans
The Skelligs are one of the most romantic places in Ireland for Valentine’s Day. Valentia Island is one of Ireland’s most westerly points, lying off the Iveragh Peninsula in the southwest of County Kerry.
It is linked to the mainland by the Maurice O’Neill Memorial Bridge at Portmagee.
From April to October, a car ferry also departs from Reenard Point to Knightstown, the island’s main settlement.
The island is approximately 11 km (6.8 miles) in length by almost 3 km (1.9 miles) in width, and its permanent population is 665.
Address: Skellig Islands, Co. Kerry, Ireland
14. Slea Head, Co. Kerry – a scenic route
The Slea Head Drive is a circular route, beginning and ending in Dingle, that takes in many attractions and stunning views on the western end of the peninsula.
The route is clearly labelled by road signs throughout its length. To properly enjoy the Drive, a half-day should be set aside for the journey.
Address: Slea Head, Co. Kerry, Ireland
13. Annascaul, Co. Kerry – a lovely village on the Dingle Peninsula
Annascaul (or Anascaul) is a village in the heart of the Dingle Peninsula. Situated close to both the Slieve Mish mountains and the long sandy beach at Inch, it is a popular area for walkers.
It is also home to several pubs and accommodation providers.
Address: Annascaul, Co. Kerry, Ireland
12. Kerry Bog Village, Co. Kerry – for a glimpse into the past
The Kerry Bog Village Museum, located on the beautiful ‘Ring of Kerry’, gives people an insight into how people lived and worked in Ireland in the 18th-century.
The village is the only one of its kind in Europe.
Address: Red fox, Ballintleave, Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry, V93 D92V, Ireland
11. Holy Cross Abbey, Co. Tipperary – for insight into Ireland’s religious roots
The Holy Cross Abbey in Tipperary is a restored Cistercian monastery in Holycross near Thurles, County Tipperary, situated on the River Suir. It takes its name from a relic of the True Cross or Holy Rood.
The fragment of that Holy Rood was brought to Ireland by the Plantagenet Queen, Isabella of Angoulême, around 1233.
She was the widow of King John and bestowed the relic on the original Cistercian Monastery in Thurles, which she then rebuilt and was thereby named Holy Cross Abbey.
Address: Holy Cross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
10. The Swiss Cottage, Co. Tipperary – a one of a kind spot
The Swiss Cottage was built around 1810 and is a fine example of cottage ornée or ornamental cottage. It was originally part of the estate of Lord and Lady Cahir and used for entertaining guests.
The cottage was probably designed by the architect John Nash, famous for designing many Regency buildings.
Cahir, alternately spelt: Cahier, Caher, Cathair Dún Iascaigh, may have been built by Richard Butler, 10th Baron Cahir, 1st Earl of Glengall (1775–1819), who married Emily Jeffereys from Blarney Castle in 1793.
After some years of neglect, the restoration of the cottage started in 1985. The Swiss Cottage opened to the public as a historic house museum in 1989.
Address: Grange More, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
9. Cahir Castle, Co. Tipperary – a well-preserved 12th-century castle
Cahir Castle, one of the largest castles in Ireland, is situated on an island in the River Suir. It was built in 1142 by Conor O’Brien, Prince of Thomond.
Now situated in Cahir town centre, the castle is well preserved, with guided tours and audiovisual shows in multiple languages.
Address: Castle St, Townparks, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, E21 P652, Ireland
8. Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary – one of the top spots to add to your Munster Bucket List
The Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, is known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock. It is a historical site located at Cashel.
The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years before the Norman invasion.
In 1101, the King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Briain, donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church. The picturesque complex has its own character and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture found anywhere in Europe.
Few remnants of the early structures survive; most buildings on the current site date from the 12th-and 13th-centuries.
Address: Moor, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
7. Adare Manor, Co. Limerick – a luxurious spot
Adare Manor is a 19th-century manor house located on the banks of the River Maigue in the village of Adare, County Limerick, Ireland.
It was the former seat of the Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl and is now a luxury resort hotel, the Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.
Address: Adare, Co. Limerick, V94 W8WR, Ireland
6. King John’s Castle and River Shannon, Co. Limerick – for history fanatics
King John’s Castle is a 13th-century castle located on King’s Island in Limerick, next to the River Shannon. Although the site dates back to 922, when the Vikings lived on the island, the castle itself was built on the orders of King John in 1200.
One of the best-preserved Norman castles in Europe, the walls, towers, and fortifications remain today and are popular visitor attractions. The remains of a Viking settlement were uncovered during archaeological excavations at the site in 1900.
Address: Nicholas St, Limerick, Ireland
5. Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare – a 15th-century tower house
Bunratty Castle is a large 15th-century tower house in County Clare, Ireland. It is located in the centre of Bunratty village, by the N18 road between Limerick and Ennis, near Shannon Town and its airport.
Shannon Heritage runs the castle and the adjoining folk park as tourist attractions.
Address: Bunratty West, Bunratty, Co. Clare, Ireland
4. Spanish Point, Co. Clare – for the history of the Spanish Armada
Spanish Point is located on the west coast of County Clare. Spanish Point takes its name from the unfortunate Spanish who died here in 1588 when many ships of the Spanish Armada were wrecked during stormy weather.
Those who survived the wrecking and sinking of their ships and made it to land were executed by Sir Turlough O’Brien of Liscannor and Boethius Clancy, High Sheriff of County Clare at the time.
Address: Spanish Point, Breaffy South, Co. Clare, Ireland
3. Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare – a quaint town close to the Burren
Ballyvaughan village is situated between the hills of the Burren and the southern coastline of Galway Bay.
Ballyvaughan (O’Behan’s Town) developed as a fishing community from the 19th-century. A castle site and Celtic ring fort hint at earlier habitation of this sheltered bay.
Today, this community welcomes visitors to the Burren region. Each year, botanists and naturalists roam this lunar landscape searching for the Arctic, Alpine, and Mediterranean plants that grow in profusion over the limestone pavements.
The Burren is renowned for its archaeology. Ballyvaughan is surrounded by megalithic tombs such as Poulnabrone Dolmen, Celtic ring forts, medieval churches, and castles.
Address: Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, Ireland
2. Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare – one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions
The Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction, with a magical vista that captures the hearts of up to one million visitors every year.
Standing 214 m (702 feet) at their highest point, they stretch for 8 kilometres (5 miles) along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland.
From the Cliffs of Moher on a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. You can also make out the Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara, as well as Loop Head to the south and the Dingle Peninsula and Blasket Islands in Kerry.
Address: Lislorkan North, Co. Clare, Ireland
1. Poulnabrone Dolmen, The Burren, Co. Clare – top of our Munster Bucket List picks
In the heart of the stark landscape stands the magnificent Poulnabrone Dolmen. A wedge tomb, it is the first of over 70 burial sites to be found in the Burren’s limestone uplands and consists of four upright stones supporting a thin capstone.
When the tomb was excavated in the 1960s, the remains of 20 adults, five children, and a newborn baby were uncovered. Subsequent carbon dating calculated the burials took place between 3800 and 3600 BC.
This stunning spot is a must on your Munster Bucket List.
Address: Poulnabrone, Co. Clare, Ireland
