What are the top 5 tourist spots in Ireland right now? The list might surprise you. Some are obvious, some less so. According to new figures from Failte Ireland, here is where tourists from all over the world are choosing to spend their time when in Ireland right now:

Guinness Storehouse – 1,025,677 visitors



A massive one million visitors and more from Ireland and all over the world flock through the Guinness Storehouse to taste the ‘black stuff’. A visit to St. James’s Gate Brewery gives visitors the chance to experience seven floors filled with interactive experiences fusing a long brewing heritage with Ireland’s rich history.  

At the top is the big reveal – the Guinness Gravity Bar - on the rooftop offering panoramic views over Dublin with a 350 degree view over the city which can be enjoyed while sipping a pint.

Dublin Zoo – 1,000,000 visitors



Set in 28 hectares Dublin Zoo attracts over 1 million visitors a year and is Ireland’s biggest family attraction. Founded as a private society back in 1831 by anatomists and physicists, it officially opened in 1840, featuring 46 mammals and 72 birds donated by London Zoo.  

Dublin Zoo financially supports a variety of conservation projects of which great apes, tigers, rhinos, golden lion tamarins, African wild dogs, eagles and amphibians have been recipients. It’s a modern zoo with strict codes of practice in animal welfare and the setting in Dublin’s Phoenix Park makes it an extra special day out, particularly for children.

National Aquatic Center, Dublin – 825,049 visitors



The fact that the National Aquatic Center in Dublin is the third most visited paid tourist attraction in the country may come as a surprise to many. It was established by the Irish government to be the premier venue in the country for competitive swimming, diving and water polo in Ireland, but is much better known for the fun-filled Aquazone Water Park.  

The park is one of the biggest and most exciting attractions for families, groups and individuals in the country with a children’s play pool and wave pool for the best water adventures and thrills.

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare – 809,474 visitors
Perhaps Ireland’s most iconic visitor attraction, the Cliffs of Moher in Clare is always on the top of ‘to-do’ lists for those visiting Ireland. Now re-branded as part of the Wild Atlantic Way, the cliffs are proving more popular than ever before.  



Standing 214m tall at their highest point the Cliffs of Moher stretch for 8 kilometres along the Atlantic Coast and on a clear day it’s possible to see the Aran Islands and Galway. It’s also possible to see the Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk mountains in Connemara, Loop Head to the south and the Dingle Peninsula and the Blasket Islands in County Kerry. O’Briens Tower stands near the highest point and has served as a viewing point for visitors for hundreds of years  It’s still possible to climb up and look out and see the panoramic vista.

Book of Kells, Trinity College, Dublin – 524,110 visitors
The Book of Kells exhibition is one of the most evocative things to witness on any visit to Dublin. Its location in the heart of Dublin City in Trinity College through the cobbled stones of Trinity College, brings visitors back to the 18th century when the magnificent Old Library building it is housed in was constructed.

The Book of Kells, which can be visited 7 days a week, is undisputedly Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure. It is the world’s most famous medieval manuscript. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ.  

Also in the top 10 are Fota Wildlife Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Blarney Castle, Kilmainham Gaol and Bunratty Castle.