Easter is falling in the first week of April. It is the nicest time to be in Ireland. The whole country is in full spring bloom. The days have just stretched long enough to enjoy properly. You won't face the dense crowds that arrive in the middle of summer. Both the north and south host many special Easter events. 

It makes sense to get any small loose ends tied up before you go. You can get your finances sorted first, so you can fully switch off if you have been worrying about juggling lots of small bills ahead of the break. You can look into a debt consolidation loan in Ireland to wrap all your separate payments into one simple monthly amount. This way, you can enjoy your trip and not spend the whole weekend thinking about fees.

Places To Visit in Easter In Ireland

Dublin Zoo Easter Egg Hunt

It remains the most popular family Easter event in the country. It runs straight through Phoenix Park, one of the largest city parks in all of Europe. You trail around, following an egg trail with little clues hidden all throughout the zoo grounds. Book your tickets in advance through the website to skip the lines. It is open daily at 9.30 am during the whole Easter holiday.

Titanic Belfast Experience

The world's largest Titanic exhibition. There are nine fully interactive galleries that take you through the entire story of the ship. This is the very place where it was constructed and launched in 1912. They will be running special Easter family workshops this time. Besides, your ticket also grants you access to the SS Nomadic, the last White Star Line vessel still afloat.

Fota Wildlife Park Easter Events

Fota, near enough to Cork City, is a zoo of an entirely different stripe. Most of the animals are entirely free-ranging with nothing but open air between you and them. All break, they have the Easter bunny available on-site every day for meet and greets. Not only are you able to have close encounters with giraffes and see a thrilling cheetah chase, but you can also get so close to the penguins that you almost get to touch them.

Easter Service: Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

If you’d like to do something quieter on Easter Sunday, visit Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. Located all the way back to 1030 AD. It has some of the most beautiful medieval architecture you will find anywhere on this island. The Easter Sunday choral services are renowned nationwide.

Galway City Break

For many places in Ireland, Galway is perfect for a lazy two- or three-day Easter break. Cobblestones and live music in almost every pub from noon. You can walk the Spanish Arch and down the promenade at Salthill beach. In the interim, a big Easter craft market is going on daily in the Latin Quarter. Oyster bars, street buskers and small independent shops line every street.

Kiss the Blarney Stone

A must-do for any trip to Cork at Easter is a visit to Blarney Castle. Legend has it that the stone will forever gift you the gab.  The estate also has the Poison Garden and Rock Close. The castle itself was originally built in 1446.

Causey Farm Easter Experience

Causey Farm, County Meath, is the most fun you will have all Easter. It is an operating family farm that has been owned by the same family for more than 30 years. You can bottle-feed newborn lambs, carry day-old chicks and see them hatch. There are bog jumping, traditional bread making and dozens of other small activities.

Johnstown Castle, County Wexford

The entire estate is carpeted wall to wall with daffodils. The place also has a new butterfly house that just opened, and their Easter egg trail runs right through the old walled garden. There will be no loud music, no massive queues, the cafe does fresh cream scones, and you can bring your dog.

Malahide Castle Egg Hunt

If you’re staying up in North Dublin, this is the ideal local Easter day out. The 800-year-old Malahide Castle is right on the coast. They have their own egg hunt and a beautiful fairy trail through the walled gardens.

Lough Key Forest Park, County Roscommon

This is easily the best family day out no one talks about. They run a special extended Easter adventure trail through the woods this year, plus a one-off after-dark torchlight egg hunt on Good Friday. You also get full access to the tree top walk, the underground maze and all the play areas. It is half the price of Dublin Zoo, and you will wait zero minutes for anything all weekend.

Gougane Barra, County Cork

This is the one for if you hate crowds, noise and egg hunts entirely. It is a tiny white chapel built on a tiny island in the middle of a remote mountain lake. They hold a famous quiet sunrise service on Easter Sunday, and there are miles of completely empty forest walks all around the valley. Bring a flask of tea, and you can easily spend the whole day here without seeing another twelve people.

Emo Court, County Laois

This big old country house run by the OPW is an absolute hidden gem. The entire walled garden is full of daffodils that hit perfect bloom exactly at Easter every single year. They run a very low-key egg hunt, easily the nicest Easter bonnet competition in the country, and the tea room does the best lemon drizzle cake you will eat all year.

Saint Patrick's Grave, Downpatrick

Easter Monday in Downpatrick is one of the nicest, quietest old traditions on the whole island. Every year, there is a slow, casual walk from the cathedral down to Patrick's actual grave. There is slow traditional music, a tiny craft market, and most people bring a shamrock to leave on the stone.

Conclusion

You don't need to plan months ahead or spend a fortune to have a great Easter in Ireland. Most of the very best things on this list cost almost nothing, and quite a few are completely free. You can try to book the most popular egg hunts and events a week or two in advance, and always pack a waterproof jacket, no matter what the forecast says.