There are so many amazing things to see on a tour of Ireland, from the Giant’s Causeway to the Cliffs of Moher and from the Book of Kells to Blarney Castle, but sometimes it’s nice to do something different. Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been before, here are six recently opened attractions on the island of Ireland that you should add to your to-do list. 

Derry Girls Experience, Tower Museum, County Derry

Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland has long been known for its well-preserved city walls, but in recent years it has become synonymous with the hugely popular TV comedy series Derry Girls. Fans of the award-winning sitcom can now enjoy a new attraction at the Tower Museum in the city where an exhibition, running until July 2024, showcases props, costumes and memorabilia from the show such as Erin’s diary and Ma’s 90s-style jumper. This a new treat for fans who may already have enjoyed the Derry Girls guided tours and mural. 

Irish Wake Museum, County Waterford

Ireland’s newest museum traces the Irish customs, traditions and superstitions associated with death from the earliest times to the twentieth century. The unique attraction, located in Ireland’s oldest urban domestic building, offers a guided tour that takes you through five centuries of fascinating funeral rituals.

Death has always been a community event in Ireland, a time to grieve together but also a celebration of life. The Irish Wake – the send-off of departed loved ones – is one of the best-known Irish funeral traditions and involves watching over the recently deceased from the time of death to burial, telling stories of their life, praying and toasting the person with a drink or two.

Beyond the Trees Avondale, County Wicklow

Visitors to Avondale Forest Park and its dramatic treetop walk can now enjoy the added attraction of guided tours of the newly refurbished Avondale House. Avondale occupies a significant place in Irish history as the birthplace and home of Sir Charles Stewart Parnell, a key figure in Ireland's home rule movement of the 19th century. The Beyond the Trees walkway, which opened last year, stretches for nearly a mile through the tree canopy, ending at the foot of an impressive 125 ft (38 metre) high timber viewing tower, which offers incredible views of the Wicklow countryside. 

International Rugby Experience, County Limerick

Rugby fans from all over the world will enjoy this top-class visitor attraction, in the heart of Limerick city, which celebrates rugby and its international heroes in an interactive, multi-sensory experience. Featuring six zones rooted in World Rugby's values of Passion, Discipline, Integrity, Solidarity and Respect, visitors go on a journey from the grass roots of rugby right up to legendary status.

Mount Congreve Gardens, County Waterford

Recognised as one of the great gardens of the world, Mount Congreve boasts 70 acres of woodland gardens and four acres of walled gardens within a 140-acre estate located 10 minutes from Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. It is home to one of the largest private collections of plants in the world. The gardens have recently been redeveloped to create three walking routes peppered with creative interpretation and features that tell the story of Mount Congreve and its botanic collection. A new visitor centre adds to the experience. 

OM Dark Sky Park, County Tyrone

Named after the sound of the universe, the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory is one of only three areas on the island of Ireland designated as an International Dark Sky Place. Featuring state-of-the-art tech, the purpose-built stargazing facility at Davagh Forest offers exceptionally clear views of the night sky – just as it would have been seen in Ireland centuries ago. 

From holographic installations and virtual reality headsets, to colourful, accessible interpretation panels and hands-on activities, night sky watchers will also be able to explore the solar system here at will. As evening falls, the observatory’s sophisticated telescope is used to observe the heavens via a retractable roof, with images transmitted to large screens around the centre. 

The ancient Beaghmore Stones nearby, built to align with the stars, are part of the magical experience. What makes the stone monuments so important is their sheer scale. Featuring seven low stone circles of varying sizes, six of which are paired, there are also 12 cairns and 10 megalithic rows integrated into the overall layout. One of the circles is highly unusual – with 800 smaller stones placed upright inside its perimeter it has come to be known as the ‘Dragon’s Teeth Circle’. 

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, said: “There are so many wonderful things to see and do on a tour of Ireland, and these newest attractions are sure to prove popular for visitors. From the comedy of Derry Girls to the sporting legacy of rugby, and from the dramatic new tree top walk at Avondale to the sympathetically redeveloped gardens at Mount Congreve, there is now even more to add to your itinerary!”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland, please do contact our friendly team today.