Best Visual Tours to Take in Ireland
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The 7 Best Virtual Tours to Take in Ireland

Having a bad case of cabin fever? We know how frustrating all these restrictions can be, which is why we’re turning to virtual tours to get our travel fix for the meantime.

While they don’t exactly replicate the same experience as the real thing, they do offer you something new to do besides binging your favourite shows. Today, we rounded up the best virtual tours to take from the comfort of your home. 

Alternatively, we also included essential information you might need in case you’d like to see these places in the flesh. Without further ado, let’s get started!

How much do virtual tours cost in Ireland?

If you haven’t taken a virtual tour before, then you might be glad to know that they won’t cost you anything at all. As long as you have a working internet connection, then you can take a virtual tour anytime and anywhere. 

You might also be interested in going to these places eventually, seeing that a lot of them are open to the public. To help you out with that, we also listed our picks’ admission fees in the table below. 

CompanyEstimated Average Cost Per Year
National Museum of Ireland — Natural HistoryFree (Closed as of writing)
Cliffs of Moher€10 (Adults; Unbooked rate, peak season)
€7 (Adults; Off-peak AM)
€8 (Adults; Off-peak PM)
Free for children under 12 years old accompanied by a parent/guardian
National Gallery of IrelandFree
Medieval Museum€10 (Adults)
Free for children under 12 years old with paying guest
Guinness Storehouse€20 (Self-guided Tour; Gravity Bar)
€24 (Self-guided Tour; Stoutie)
€28 (Self-guided Tour; Brewery Yard Bar)
Irish National Heritage Park€11 (Adult)
€6 (Children 17 years old and under)
Free (Children under 4 years old)
€3 - €5 (Wexford locals)
Blarney Castle & Gardens€16 (Adult)
€13 (Students/Seniors)
€7 (Children 8-16 years)
Free for children under 8 years old with paying guest

The Best Virtual Tours to Take in Ireland

We used the following measures in coming up with this list:

Variety of sights – We wanted to showcase the most popular and lesser-known parts of Ireland for tourists and locals alike.
Virtual tour features – We considered things like VR options, picture quality, and other online references to give you a decent online experience.
Onsite facilities – If you wish to see these sights personally, we made sure to look at their facilities and protocols that would make your visit more comfortable and safe. 

Moving on, here’s our top choices of the best virtual tours and tourist destinations to see in Ireland!

1. National Museum of Ireland — Natural History

TestInfo
BEST FORAll Ages/Families, Students
HIGHLIGHTSIrish Fauna Mammals of the World Fishes, Birds and Reptiles Insect, Shells, Crustaceans, Corals, and Blaschka Models
WEBSITEhttps://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Museums/Natural-History/Visitor-Information/3D-Virtual-Visit
ADDRESSNatural History, Merrion Street, Dublin 2
CONTACT DETAILS01 677 7444
OPERATING HOURSVirtual Tour: 24/7
Onsite Location: Temporarily Closed

Informally known as the “Dead Zoo,” the Natural History features Ireland’s native fauna, as well as those sourced abroad. 

While the museum also houses botanical and geological exhibits, they’re primarily known for their zoological collection—and their virtual tour features reflect this. 

Just head on to their website and you’ll see 3D showcases of four levels of the actual museum. 

The good news is that it gives you an option to view the collection from your VR headset, if you have one. The bad news is that picture quality isn’t the best, especially if you zoom in.

Unfortunately, this also means that you won’t be able to read the specimens’ descriptions. It would’ve been great if they had an audio guide to go with it, but sadly there’s none of that as well.

If you just want to look around, then we’re glad to tell you that there’s plenty to see here. You’ll have to stick to virtual means though, seeing that the museum is indefinitely closed for renovations. 

As a tip, we also recommend checking out their event page from time to time. The museum occasionally hosts free live streaming events with Q&A sessions.

Pros

  • Large collection of fauna
  • VR options available
  • Free online events available

Cons

  • Relatively poor picture quality
  • No audio guides available
  • Museum closed indefinitely

Customer Reviews

Great museum

“Great museum! So many amazing species and with free entrance. The top floor is closed for years now, but it is possible to see it in a virtual walk on their website.” —Miguel Azeredo, Google Reviews

Very useful for children

“Excellent museum. Good place for family. Free admission but I recommend making a donation to support this museum, rich in natural history and very useful for children. Nice experience.” —Simone Crivellari, Google Reviews

2. Cliffs of Moher

TestInfo
BEST FORAll Ages/Families, Tourists
HIGHLIGHTSCliffs O’Brien’s Tower
WEBSITEhttps://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/a-virtual-visit/ | https://www.virtualvisittours.com/cliffs-of-moher/
ADDRESSCliffs of Moher, Liscannor, Co. Clare
CONTACT DETAILS065 708 6141 | [email protected]
OPERATING HOURSVirtual Tour: 24/7
Mon to Sun: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Nov to Jan)
Mon to Sun: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm (Mar to Apr; Sept to Oct)
Mon to Sun: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm (May to Aug)

The Cliffs of Moher is one of Ireland’s most iconic sights. Just type in “Ireland” on Google, and you’ll see the cliffs on top image results.

In fact, the pictures don’t justify how beautiful this place is. If you happen to pass by Liscannor village in County Clare, we highly recommend seeing the cliffs in the flesh. 

The visitor centre has binoculars and picnic blankets that you can borrow for free. You can also visit O’Brien’s Tower, which is the highest point of the cliff that allows you to see nearby counties on a clear day.

We really like how accessible this place is for all. Onsite, there’s a water refilling station, phone charging facilities, meditation rooms, and buggies for less mobile visitors. 

But if you can’t visit the cliffs any time soon, then going on a virtual tour is your best option for now. It gives you a 360-degree view of the cliffs at different points during sunset. 

There’s also a VR option, in case you prefer it. It’s a shame that their virtual tour facility doesn’t allow you to “walk” around the area since it only features the main viewing spots. 

On the plus side, we recommend downloading their app from Google Play or the App Store to access free audio guides. 

If you plan on visiting, just bear in mind that peak seasons may mean more crowds, seeing how popular this destination is among tourists. 

Pros

  • Onsite location open
  • VR options available
  • PWD-friendly onsite location
  • Complimentary services available onsite
  • Free app/audio guides available

Cons

  • Limited virtual tour features
  • More expensive onsite fees 
  • Can be crowded during peak seasons

Customer Reviews

Worth the visit

“Amazing place. Really love it here. Especially when it is not too crowded.  The view is amazing along the whole path. And there is also enough parking space.  The entrance/parking is paid though, but it is still worth the visit.  With the ticket you can also visit nice visitor centre where you can also find toilets and grab some food and drinks.  Nice place for a family trip, I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Ireland.” —Primoz Obolnar, Google Reviews

Very unique place

“Stunning. I recommend. It’s a beautiful place. Great for spending time with the family walking, hiking and admiring the beautiful views and picturesque photographic scenery. A very unique place to admire the power of nature.” —S H (Hojnors), Google Reviews

3. National Gallery of Ireland

TestInfo
BEST FORAll Ages, Students, Art Enthusiasts, Tourists
HIGHLIGHTSEighteenth-century European Art
WEBSITEhttps://www.nationalgallery.ie/virtual-tour
ADDRESSMerrion Square West, Dublin 2
CONTACT DETAILS01 661 5133 | [email protected]
OPERATING HOURSVirtual Tour: 24/7
Mon: 11:00 am - 5:30 pm
Tues to Sat: 9:45 am - 5:30 pm
Sun: 11:30 am - 5:30 pm

The National Gallery of Ireland is home to a large collection of European and Irish art. One of the key highlights of this museum is the Grand Gallery, which features an exhibition of 18th-century paintings highlighting the Enlightenment.

If you’re unable to visit the gallery yourself, then you can take a leisurely stroll online using their virtual tours. You get special access to four of the museum’s permanent collections, featuring paintings and sculptures from different eras.

The picture quality is very impressive actually. While you can’t really read painting descriptions right off the bat, we recommend using their online guide for that purpose. 

You may access room-specific descriptions here: Grand Gallery, Room 48 – 45, Shaw Room, Irish Art 1670 – 1835.

You can also view these tours in VR, if you own a Google Cardboard or Samsung VR device. Just click the VR icon in the lower right corner once you enter the rooms.

As of writing, the museum is currently open to the public. Just take note that all visitors must book a ticket in advance, and that opening hours are subject to change without notice.

Don’t worry—admission to the permanent collection is totally free of charge! Some temporary exhibitions may carry a fee though, which will depend on the exhibit at hand. 

Pros

  • Onsite location open
  • Free onsite admission for all
  • VR options available
  • Good picture quality
  • Online guides available

Cons

  • Mandatory online bookings
  • Opening hours subject to change

Customer Reviews

Impressive exhibition

“An impressive exhibition of paintings and sculptures. You need to get tickets with time bracket beforehand. The coffee shop is working on a limited capacity. The gift shop is lovely! Bought several gifts to bring back home!” —Alejandra Aboud Keenan, Google Reviews

Safety protocols are fully implemented

“Amazing and astounding art gallery offering beautiful works of not only Irish painters but also foreign sush as Caravaggio and Picasso. The admission is free of charge, however you need to book a time slot via their website in advance as the place is super popular among the tourists. In this gallery you can practically the whole day enjoying the masterpieces from different time periods. The COVID-19 safety protocols are fully implemented, you are required to constantly wear a mask and maintain social distancing. The hand sanitizer stations are widely available in the gallery. Upon entry you will be required to present your EU Digital COVID Certificate. However, they also accept foreign vaccination certificates if you’ve fully vaccinated by the EU approved vaccine. For instance, I presented a Canadian issued certificate, and it was accepted for entry.” —I C, Google Reviews

4. Medieval Museum

TestInfo
BEST FORAll Ages, Students, History Enthusiasts, Tourists
HIGHLIGHTSThe Relic of the True Cross
Mayor’s Wine Vault
Other Medieval Artifacts
WEBSITEhttps://www.waterfordtreasures.com/medieval-museum/the-experience/virtual-tour
ADDRESSCathedral Square, The Viking Triangle, Waterford
CONTACT DETAILS07 611 02 501 | [email protected]
OPERATING HOURSVirtual Tour: 24/7
Mon to Fri: 9:15 am - 5:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

If you’re interested in anything medieval, then Waterford’s Medieval Museum is a great choice. This humble museum is home to relics and artefacts that date back to the 11th century. 

For instance, you can find “The Relic of the True Cross” here, which is considered to be part of the actual cross where Jesus was crucified. There are also prized jewellery and objects that served as gifts from royalty to the Mayor of Waterford at the time. 

All these and more are available for viewing at the Medieval Museum, which is currently open to the public. Otherwise, you can also get a glimpse of some of the museum’s highlights by taking their virtual tour.

There are no VR options sadly, but the picture quality is very good. In fact, you can even read some of the descriptions there. 

If you do manage to visit, we should warn you that there are no parking facilities onsite. On the plus side, there are several parking options available nearby, all of which are within walking distance from the museum.

Pros

  • Onsite location open
  • Good picture quality
  • PWD-friendly location
  • Discounts available for groups

Cons

  • No online guides
  • Limited virtual tour features
  • No onsite parking 

Customer Reviews

Worth the visit

“A wonderful museum in the heart of the Viking Triangle. The museum allows you to explore the history of Waterford over various levels through informative displays and technology. This museum houses the Gold Vestments and the Vestment chest which is definitely worth the visit on its own.” —Liam Karma, Google Reviews

Great value for money

“We purchased the Freedom of Waterford package which got us tickets to the 4 museums in the Viking Triangle as well as the guided walking tour. It was great value for money and it made for a wonderful afternoon being able to check out each museum at our leisure throughout the day.

The walking tour lasts approx 45 minutes and our guide Claire was fantastic, explaining the history of the location in a detailed and engaging way, sharing facts and stories of incredible things I had no idea about and answering any questions people had along the way.

Overall a really good experience and one I’d recommend for anyone visiting Waterford that’s interested in learning a little bit about history.” —Robert McGrath, Google Reviews

5. Guinness Storehouse

TestInfo
BEST FORTourists, Beer Enthusiasts, Adults (Kids under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult)
HIGHLIGHTSGuinness Tasting Experience
WEBSITEhttps://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en | https://www.virtualvisittours.com/guinness-storehouse/
ADDRESSSt. James's Gate, Dublin 8
CONTACT DETAILS01 408 4800
OPERATING HOURSVirtual Tour: 24/7
Mon to Sun: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Whether you’re going on an onsite or virtual tour, the Guinness Storehouse is not to be missed. What’s Ireland without a nice cold glass of Guinness, right?

And of course, an even better way of enjoying it is by going to the place where it all started, right at the heart of St. James’s Gate. The Guinness Storehouse takes you through the history of Guinness, from the origins to the brewing process.

At the end of the tour, you get to enjoy a nice cold pint of Guinness at the Gravity Bar, which features a 360-degree view of Dublin. Alternatively, you can also enjoy your drink at the newly opened Brewery Yard Bar outdoors.

We think that the videos and virtual tours are rather limited. They simply don’t give you the same experience, seeing that the highlight of the tour is the beer tasting. 

However, it does give you an idea of what to expect, just in case you’re planning a visit soon. 

And if you happen to be in Dublin and haven’t been to the Storehouse yet, we recommend visiting it at least once. Be sure to book online in advance to secure an available time slot for you and your group.

Pros

  • Onsite location open
  • Several time slots available (onsite)
  • Free onsite parking
  • PWD-friendly location

Cons

  • No audio guides
  • Limited virtual tour features
  • May not be suitable for kids under 18

Customer Reviews

Best place on the planet to have one

“Add to your tourist stop list when visiting Dublin. Allow time to read and visit all the stops as there is a lot of history of 7 floors to visit. Ending off at the sky bar affords the opportunity for a fresh pint (best place on the planet to have one) with views of the city.” —Gareth VW, Google Reviews

Staff were amazing

“Amazing. Brought my dad up for the first time, he not able to walk but the minute i went in they had a wheelchair ready. The staff were amazing on fourth floor at the tasting room this young girl was so good and could not do enough. Leaving it Anna was fabulous let me go for the car and looked after my dad. Will definitely be returning. Was the best day. The amazing staff made an old mans birthday a great one Thank you so much xx” —Una Evans, Google Reviews

6. Irish National Heritage Park

TestInfo
BEST FORAll Ages/Families, Tourists, Kids
HIGHLIGHTSPrehistoric Ireland Tour
Birds of Prey
Early Christian Ireland Tour
WEBSITEhttps://www.irishheritage.ie/heritage-park-digital/
ADDRESSFerrycarrig, Co. Wexford
CONTACT DETAILS053 912 0733 | [email protected]
OPERATING HOURSVirtual Tour: 24/7
Mon to Sun: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

The Irish National Heritage Park’s virtual tours are a bit different from most attractions. In the early days of the pandemic, they released a series of videos that takes you through Ireland’s rich history, from Prehistoric Ireland to Early Christian Ireland.

These bite-sized videos are informative and easy to watch—perfect for all ages. Unlike most of our entries, sadly, you won’t find a virtual simulation of the actual park.

On the bright side, the heritage park is also open to guests as of writing. It’s a great open-air museum that features many unique experiences for the whole family, from guided tours to overnight stays in the Viking House. 

The park also features woodland trails where you can observe native trees and wildlife that inhibit the park. You’re free to go at your own pace, considering that there are audio guides available onsite.

We recommend allocating at least 2 hours for your visit to make use of their guided tours. And like most tourist destinations these days, make sure to book your ticket online beforehand. 

Pros

  • Informative virtual tour video series
  • Pets allowed onsite
  • Audio guides available online
  • PWD-friendly location
  • Local bus service available 

Cons

  • Limited virtual tour features
  • Other onsite activities temporarily suspended

Customer Reviews

Overall a good place and great day out for kids

“If you like history, you’ll love this. This place offers an insight into the various early settlers to Ireland and the life they lived. The huts are impressive and a stark reality of how people lived and strived to stay alive. From foraging off the land to evolving and learning to grow crops. There’s plenty to see here and a great place for kids. They have birds of prey you can see, while I didn’t get to see them out of their cage, they were lovely to look at. Overall a good place and great day out for kids. They have a kids play area and you can also bring dogs here. They have a nice restaurant too.” —Lorraine, Google Reviews

Tour guide was great

“Great open air museum. They do free guided tours. The falconry is amazing. The lady at ticket desk was very friendly and helpful. The tour guide was great and the guy at the falconry was very friendly and showed us a lovely 14 week old falcon. Lovely views of the river from the top of the hill” —Javier Fernandez, Google Reviews

7. Blarney Castle & Gardens

TestInfo
BEST FORAll Ages/Families, Tourists
HIGHLIGHTSBlarney Stone
Blarney Castle
WEBSITEhttps://blarneycastle.ie/pages/map-and-virtual-tour
ADDRESSBlarney, Cork
CONTACT DETAILS021 438 5252 | [email protected]
OPERATING HOURSVirtual Tour: 24/7
Mon to Sun: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Blarney Castle & Gardens is another popular destination among tourists. It’s best known for the Blarney Stone, which is historically believed to bestow the gift of eloquence to those who kiss it. 

While kissing the stone is certainly not a good idea during a pandemic, you can still catch a glimpse of the castle grounds by taking a virtual tour. 

It’s a bummer that it doesn’t let you stroll around the area. It does have VR options though, plus the picture quality is pretty decent. 

Alternatively, you can just head to the castle yourself if you live around Cork. In reality, it’s a nice place to stroll around and spend an afternoon at, seeing how massive the area is. 

The majority of the castle grounds are wheelchair accessible too. Apart from the actual castle, there’s really plenty to see here from long walking trails to dungeons.

So if you’re looking for a place to enjoy fresh air, we highly recommend checking this one out!

Pros

  • Onsite location open
  • Good picture quality
  • VR options available
  • Guide dogs allowed
  • Guide maps available onsite

Cons

  • No audio guides online 
  • Onsite audio guides cost separately
  • Bikes and scooters not allowed onsite

Customer Reviews

A must do if you are visiting Cork

“One of the most beautiful and mystical castles and gardens in Ireland. Not far from Cork City, its a stunning and interesting way to spend an afternoon. Allow yourself three or four hours at least if you want to enjoy it without having to rush around. The gardens have the most diverse and different areas with stunning plants, natural features and beautiful landscapes. The lovely Blarney house lies in the centre and the amazing Blarney castle is nearer the front entrance. We spent a few hours in the gardens before visiting the castle. Kiss the stone, then finish up by relaxing with coffee and ice cream in the peaceful courtyard cafe. A must do if you are visiting Cork. You won’t regret it.” —Paul Hannigan, Google Reviews

So much to see and explore

“Exploring the castle was so much fun, I wasn’t expecting having access to go up and down on the stairs but we did! The gardens and grounds are also beautiful with so much to see and explore. We went there in the afternoon there was barely anyone there or a line to kiss the stone (if that’s your thing) . The only thing I would have wished is for the store to be open a while longer, employees were eager to close up shop.” —Cyndi MV, Google Reviews

FAQs about Virtual Tours 


So that wraps up our list of the best virtual tours in Ireland! If you decide to go to these places, make sure to follow safety guidelines and visit with caution.

Got other destinations in mind? Drop us a line and we’ll check them when we can.

We know how excited you are to travel again. When that happens, you can check out our recommendations of the best travel agencies in Dublin for the best deals.