8 reasons to visit Ireland in 2025
From new cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites to the first marine park, there’s plenty to see this year…
The Emerald Isle got its nickname thanks to its rolling green hills and dense forest, but being among nature isn’t the only reason to visit Ireland in 2025 (although, it’s certainly a good one).
2025 will mark some major anniversaries, the opening and reopening of significant sites, and plenty of festivals. And with new flight routes between Derry and Edinburgh and Liverpool from EasyJet, and a four-times-weekly Cork to Glasgow service from Aer Lingus, getting to Ireland has never been easier.
Here are all the reasons to visit Ireland in 2025…
1. To visit Ireland’s first marine national park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara
Ireland’s first marine national park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, or the Kerry Seas National Park, was unveiled in April last year. Spanning more than 70,000 acres of land and sea, the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be protecting biodiversity and heritage within park limits. For visitors, you can head over to islands like the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sceilig Michíl, watch colonies of seabirds including puffins, storm petrels and manx shearwaters, and see the Valentia Tetrapod Trackway, which has more than 145 imprints from a primitive animal.
More information: nationalparks.ie/ga/mara-ciarrai
2. To try Irish whisky in a former gaol at McConnell’s Distillery
No visit to the Emerald Isle would be complete without trying some Irish whisky, and you can now do that within an historic Grade I listed building in Belfast. McConnell’s Distillery opened its doors within the A wing of the Crumlin Road Gaol in April last year, and visitors can book in for a number of different tours. Whisky connoisseurs can learn about the entire process from reservoir to bottle, while those with more of a casual interest can try a cocktail experience or make Irish coffee. For cheese lovers, you can also try a pairing experience.
More information: mcconnellsirishwhisky.com.
3. To celebrate Cathedral Arts Quarter Festival’s 25th birthday
First established in 2000, Belfast’s annual Cathedral Arts Quarter Festival now attracts 60,000 people every April or May. Taking over more than two dozen venues near St Anne’s Cathedral, the festival – this year from 1-11 May – will have more than 100 events spanning live music, comedy, film and literature. While the full programme is yet to be confirmed, tickets are already available for concerts by artists including Bernard Butler and Luca Fogale, as well as shows for comedian Mark Watson and podcast hosts Taylor Glenn and Hannah George.
More information: cqaf.com
4. To explore Northern Ireland’s first cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site
Northern Ireland now has its first cultural UNESCO World Heritage site: The Moravian village of Gracehill in County Antrim. One of the oldest Protestant denominations of Christianity, the village was founded as a Moravian settlement in 1759, and still has a Moravian community to this day. 2025 will mark the start of tours of Gracehill, which is the only complete Moravian settlement on the island, as it joins Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, USA; Herrnhut, Germany; and Christiansfeld, Denmark, on the transnational listing.
More information: gracehillvillage.org
5. To mark the 125th anniversary of Oscar Wilde’s death
2025 will mark 125 years since the death of Irish writer Oscar Wilde, and 130 years since the publication of The Importance of Being Earnest, and there will be another of events taking place across the country to mark the occasion. In Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, where Wilde attended school, the In Our Dreams festival from 16 to 20 October will see performances of Wilde’s plays, as well as numerous tributes to his short story The Happy Prince which was inspired by the town.
Over in Dublin, the third edition of Oscariana will be held in venues across the city, with film screenings, plays and more. The exact schedule will be announced later this year.
More information: fermanaghlakelands.com / oscariana.ie
6. To walk St Patrick’s Way on its tenth anniversary
The 82-mile walking trail between the Navan Centre in Armagh and Saint Patrick’s final resting place, the grounds of Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year. Taking walkers through some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery, the route encompasses everything from rolling hills to canal towpaths. You can pick up a Pilgrim’s Passport at The Navan Centre & Fort, with ten stamps to collect along the way, and those who complete the path can pick up a certificate of achievement at The Saint Patrick’s Centre, Downpatrick.
More information: visitarmagh.com
7. Or try the newly opened Littleton Labyrinth Bog Walk
For those looking to explore a shorter route, the new Littleton Labyrinth Bog Walk may be a better option. Built along land previously used for the peat industry, the full route will cover 23 km. For now, a 7km greenway has opened as part of the first phase of the development, and it’s a great option for walkers and cyclists.
More information: tipperary.com
8. To visit Dublin Castle’s Medieval Tower after a two-year restoration project
The Medieval Tower in Dublin Castle, also known as the Wardrobe Tower, Gunner’s Tower or Record Tower, will reopen to the public this year following a two-year restoration project. Dating back to the 11th century, the building has served as a wardrobe tower, a prison, and records store, and as the home of the Irish Crown Jewels. The inside of the tower will host a museum, and you can head to the Dublin Castle website for more details when it does open.
More information: dublincastle.ie
