A land that has nurtured poets, playwrights and musicians, Ireland is rich in arts, music and culture to make your trip more magical
Culture & the Arts
So whether you fancy a bit of James Joyce, or would rather gaze at spectacular artworks, Ireland has all this and more.
What’s all the fuss about?
Ireland likes to think of itself as a rather cultural spot, and with good reason, too. With a lively theatre scene, elegant historic houses and gardens, a rich literary history, wonderful galleries and museums.
I want to go to the theatre!
Dublin enjoys an extraordinarily lively theatre scene with excellent productions at theatres like the Abbey and the Gate, the Olympia and the Gaiety, as well as a raft of shows at acclaimed spots including Andrew’s Lane Theatre, the Project Arts Centre, the Helix and the Civic Theatre. And around the country, things are just as dynamic with places like the Lyric Theatre in Belfast, the Everyman Palace Theatre and the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork, and the Druid Theatre Company in Galway.
What about Ireland’s literary connections?
James Joyce, CS Lewis, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Patrick Kavanagh, Samuel Beckett, WB Yeats, Brendan Behan, John B Keane, Seamus Heaney – Ireland’s writers past and present are renowned all over the world and the country’s literary culture can be felt everywhere from pubs to remote rural locations that inspired some of the greats. The Bloomsday Festival (celebrating the Joycean tome) and the Listowel Writers Week are just two of the top literary events around the country.
I fancy a spot of art?
There are countless wonderful art galleries dotted throughout Ireland with a wide variety of exhibitions from innovative, modern installations to traditional oil painting. Try the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Hugh Lane Gallery and the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin, the Limerick City Gallery of Art, Belfast Exposed, Northern Ireland's only dedicated photography gallery, and the Model Arts and Niland Gallery in Sligo.
What museums should I visit?
There are so many incredible museums dotted around the country celebrating everything from Carrickmacross Lace to Ireland’s saints and scholars. The Ulster American Folk Park in County Tyrone is a fascinating place to visit, telling the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Other places not to be missed include the exceptional Hunt Museum in Limerick and the National Museum of Ireland, with three sites in Dublin, and one in County Mayo.
What about country houses and gardens?
Ireland is famous for its elegant historic country houses scattered across the country with grand interiors and magnificent gardens. Make sure you take time out to explore the beautiful house and gardens at Mount Stewart in County Down, Russborough House in County Wicklow, Anne’s Grove Gardens in County Cork and the beautiful Japanese Gardens at the National Stud in County Kildare.
What should I expect from traditional Irish culture?
As you’ll notice as soon as you hit Irish shores, traditional Irish culture is alive and well throughout the island. From the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) areas and the Ulster/Scots language of Ullans, to traditional Irish music and dance and the ancient art of storytelling, Ireland’s cultural traditions are unique, fascinating and not to be missed.
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