Boasting vibrant cities, wild coastlines and renowned hospitality, Ireland has become one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations.
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The Emerald Isle has so many things to see and do that deciding on which ones to include on an Ireland travel itinerary could pose the biggest challenge ahead of your trip.
Now, a new study by Cork-based digital marketing agency Baldwin Digital has revealed Ireland’s highest-rated tourist attractions.
To determine the ranking, the study analysed the 50 attractions featured in Tripadvisor’s “Things to do in Ireland” list. For each destination, the percentage of five-star reviews was calculated using the total number of reviews on the platform.
Attractions were then ranked according to the highest share of five-star ratings, with those receiving the strongest visitor feedback placing highest.
Which are Ireland’s top attractions?
You may be forgiven for assuming that Dublin’s Guinness Storehouse and Cork’s Blarney Castle & Gardens would be flying high on a list of Ireland’s most highly-rated tourist attractions. However, neither even appear in the top 20, with Blarney Castle at No.28 and the Guinness Storehouse in equal 44th.
According to the study, Roe & Co Distillery in Dublin is crowned the highest-rated attraction in Ireland. The research found that 97.35% of reviews for the Irish whiskey distillery are rated five stars.
An award-winning museum telling the story of 300 years of Dublin’s hidden history, 14 Henrietta Street is named the second-highest-rated tourist attraction in Ireland, with an impressive 94.77% five-star review rate on Tripadvisor.
The Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience has the third-highest percentage of five-star reviews. With more than 8,000 reviews uploaded to Tripadvisor, the data found that 92.12% of reviewers awarded the museum a five-star rating.
Located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal, Slieve League was No.4 on the list, with the mountain receiving an 87.16% five-star review rate. Visitors to Slieve League can explore some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, all while enjoying the views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay.
The Wild Atlantic Way ranks fifth, with 86.51% of its reviews awarded five stars. The popular tourism trail is one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world and is one of the best ways to experience Ireland’s natural beauty.
Other top attractions to make it into the top 10 were the Irish Whiskey Museum in Dublin, EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, The Little Museum of Dublin, Killarney National Park in County Kerry, and the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience in County Offaly.
Immersive experiences
Museums dominate the ranking, with five museums in the study's top 10 – outperforming major attractions spots such as Dublin Castle and Grafton Street.
This suggests that tourists are looking for “more unique and immersive visiting experiences”, said Mark Baldwin, director and founder of Baldwin Digital Ltd.
“Ireland has no shortage of iconic landmarks, but the research shows that the attractions leaving the strongest impressions are those that immerse visitors directly in the country’s heritage, rather than simply observing it from the outside," he added.
"As this study shows, tourists want to feel like active participants, rather than just observers."
Top 20 highest-rated tourist attractions in Ireland
Based on Baldwin Digital’s analysis of Tripadvisor reviews and overall five-star review percentages.
- 1. Roe & Co Distillery, Dublin – 97.35%
- 2. 14 Henrietta Street, Dublin – 94.77%
- 3. The Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience, Dublin – 92.12%
- 4. Slieve League, County Donegal – 87.16%
- 5. Wild Atlantic Way – 86.51%
- 6. Irish Whiskey Museum, Dublin – 85.44%
- 7. EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum, Dublin – 84.99%
- 8. The Little Museum of Dublin – 84.93%
- 9. Killarney National Park, County Kerry – 84%
- 10. Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Experience, County Offaly – 83.30%
- =11. Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Dublin – 82.63%
- =11. Spike Island, County Cork – 82.63%
- 12. Croke Park Stadium Tour & GAA Museum, Dublin – 82.13%
- 13. Experience Glasnevin - Ireland's National Cemetery, Dublin – 81.08%
- 14. Gap of Dunloe, County Kerry – 79.33%
- 15. Smithwick's Experience, Kilkenny – 78.33%
- 16. Midleton Distillery Experience, County Cork – 76.39%
- 17. Sky Road, County Galway – 76.17%
- 18. The Jeanie Johnston: An Irish Famine Story, Dublin – 76.07%
- 19. Cliffs of Moher, County Clare – 75.95%
- 20. Howth Head, Dublin – 75.49%