10 Best Places To Live In Ireland - Updated 2024

1. Kenmare (from USD 368)

If you love delicious food, colorful artwork, energetic music, and fun sightseeing Kenmare is the place to be. Nestled on the west coast of Ireland, Kenmare is an adorable town with a peaceful-retreat ambiance and is known for inviting pubs and fantastic locally sourced cuisine. For music lovers, the Soundz of Music music store is a treasure chest of standard and eclectic musical instruments to amuse. The prime spot for drinks and dining is the charming and intimate Horseshoe Pub where you can sip tasty cocktails and savor a fresh-seafood entrée.

Located in a beautiful woodsy setting, Sheen Falls Lodge provides first-class service. This deluxe five-star accommodation features lavishness in every direction and rooms provide a cozy elegance.

2. Cork (from USD 215)

Cork resides along the banks of the River Lee and offers an impressive yet combative history. From fighting Viking invasions to the brutality of the Irish War of Independence this town earned the nickname The Rebel County. A quirky place, Cork showcases a butter museum and a grand opera house. There’s a hearty tradition of beer brewing and a favored spot for locals is the Franciscan Well Brewery. A former monastery, this establishment has a casual beer garden and fine samples of sudsy ales and lagers.

The Kingsley Hotel overlooks the River Lee and offers an idyllic tranquil environment. The amenities are world-class and select rooms provide nice river views.

3. Galway (from USD 177)

A hidden gem on Ireland’s west coast, Galway is a quaint harbor city and some consider it the cultural heart of the Irish Republic. Galway celebrates a wide range of cultural festivals throughout the year so if you adore literature, music, and art this is a great place to reside. You can experience a splendid mix of classic Irish history with a contemporary, lively, and eclectic atmosphere. Pubs are a fanciful delight that often provides intoxicating live Irish folk music. To add to Galway’s festive feel, you can always find street performers happily entertaining people.

The Galmont Hotel & Spa is an in-demand lodging that boasts rooms with understated sophistication. This modern waterfront hotel features luxurious amenities from soft goose-feather pillows to reinvigorating spa treatments.

4. Kilkenny (from USD 184)

A medieval jewel, Kilkenny is known as Marble City because of its black-marble exporting throughout the British Empire. Located in southeast Ireland, Kilkenny is a captivating place filled with historic architecture and comely green countryside. Boasting a long history of fantastic artistic traditions, Kilkenny hosts the longest-running arts gala in Ireland: The Kilkenny Arts Festival. There is also no shortage of ancient sites like delicately inscribed stones, prominent crosses, magnificent castles, and charming abbeys dotting the Kilkenny terrain.

Stylish minimalism best describes Hotel Kilkenny. This four-star centrally located accommodation features top-notch accents from attractive French wallpaper to handsome custom-crafted furnishings. The luxuries are limitless with a splendid indoor pool, relaxing hot tub, and much more.

5. Shannon (from USD 115)

If you love battle reenactments, kayaking on calm waters, and banquet-style feasting in a medieval setting then Shannon is choice. An inviting town in west Ireland, Shannon is many times overlooked for more high-profile cities such as Dublin and Cork. Replete with Irish charm, Shannon offers a variety of attractions. Visit Bunratty Castle for a delectable four-course meal and entertainment or explore Craggaunowen Park and Castle - a reconstructed ancient settlement that features historic battle reproductions. The mighty River Shannon offers tranquility, water recreation, and pretty aquatic views.

Conveniently located steps away from the Shannon International Airport’s main terminal, Park Inn by Radisson Shannon Airport is a clean and uncluttered lodging. The rooms are straightforward and bright with sufficient and comfy amenities.

6. Killarney (from USD 184)

A picture-perfect place, Killarney offers nature lovers and history buffs a bit of paradise. Residing on the shores of lovely Lough Leane - the biggest of the three lakes found in Killarney - this irresistible town oozes an authentic Irish feel. An exquisite national park and the famed 124-mile (200-kilometer) Kerry Way walking trail highlight the best of Ireland’s natural beauty. Colorful buildings from the 1800s and the stateliness of St. Mary’s Cathedral are standouts on Killarney’s historical landscape. First-rate shopping even offers something for retail-therapy seeking folks.

Affording views overlooking beautiful Killarney National Park, Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa is a top pick. Enjoy delicious cuisine, high-quality spa services, and outstanding rooms at this stately four-star hotel.

7. Limerick (from USD 150)

Limerick is one of Ireland’s most ancient cities. Boasting beautiful Georgian architecture, this town was established by Vikings as far back as the 9th century! Limerick is found on the banks of the River Shannon and offers an idyllic setting. The landscape is awash in character and captivating history. Quirkiness abounds in Limerick from the rugby-crazed locals to the longest footbridge in Europe - located at the University of Limerick. Every year the town celebrates the late Irish actor and native of Limerick Richard Harris with a delightful International Film Festival.

Situated in the center of Limerick on the banks of the River Shannon, Limerick City Hotel is a top-notch accommodation in an attractive setting. The rooms exude a subtle classiness equipped with many modern-day luxuries.

8. Aughrim (from USD 86)

You wouldn’t think a former granite-mining town would be an appealing place to live but you haven’t seen Aughrim. Located in a picturesque valley in eastern Ireland, Aughrim features the rushing waters of the Aughrim River that boost the laidback atmosphere of this dazzling town. The mined granite material was widely used to construct the village giving the town a singular and consistent architecture. Awarded for its cleanliness numerous times, Aughrim is pleasing and steeped in some of Ireland’s important battles like the bloodiest in Irish history: the Battle of Aughrim.

Macreddin Rock Bed & Breakfast oozes a welcoming charm and boasts a breezy patio and irresistible garden views. The green Aughrim countryside enhances this cozy lodging experience that features terrific river views, comfy beds, and a yummy English/Irish or vegetarian breakfast.

9. Dungarvan (from USD 167)

Like a colorful postcard, Dungarvan offers a dreamy landscape amid lovely architecture. It’s easy to see why Dungarvan is one of Ireland’s most-adored seaside spots. A flourishing market town, Dungarvan lies on the south-east coast of Ireland and is tucked away beneath the gorgeous Comeragh mountains. Locals picnic and sunbathe at the expansive sandy beach at Clonea Strand and go biking or hiking along the Waterford Greenway - a rail-trail that affords stunning scenic views. Life in Dungarvan offers a nirvana of Irish charms and beauty.

Housed in dapper surroundings, The Park Hotel, Holiday Homes & Leisure Centre is the best seller in the city. Located on 5 acres (2.02 hectares) of splendidly landscaped grounds, this hotel offers well-furnished rooms and a kid-friendly environment that features a great playground.

10. Dublin (from USD 117)

Possessing over 1,000 lively pubs and oozing with a fantastic history and culture, Dublin is a seaside city full of surprises. This capital city boasts no less than four Nobel prize winners for literature and a collection of prestigious universities such as Trinity College. A top landmark in Dublin is the expansive Phoenix Park - the biggest enclosed park in the European continent that’s home to the popular Dublin Zoo and the President of Ireland. Want a frosty pint? Then head to The Temple Bar - an iconic establishment with a distinctive red-hued exterior in existence since the 14th century!

Ballsbridge Hotel is a best seller in Dublin with good reason. Centrally located near many attractions, this hotel features warmly furnished rooms along with classic Irish dining choices and an animated pub that offers live music on weekends.

Ireland's magical cities

Whether you want to immerse yourself in rowdy pubs occupied by friendly locals or explore the historical ruins of Ireland, the country is the place to experience all this and more. Ireland’s scenery and attitude are a soul-nourishing remedy for anyone needing a jolt of life injected into them. You’ll definitely feel as lucky as a leprechaun living in one of these incredible locales.