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Here are ten day trips you can experience in Ireland without spending a lot of money.

1. Fota Gardens and Wildlife Park, Cork. Visiting the wildlife park costs €13.50 for adults, €9.00 for U16 students, senior citizens and the disabled. A family ticket for two adults and up to four children is €56.00. Mornings and evenings you can watch wardens feeding the animals. You can also partake of Arts and Crafts, and special musical programs.
2. Mountain View Stables, Poulnagun Lisdoonvarna. A three hour horseback tour takes in view of the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, and Galway Bay. Beginners are welcome as are advanced riders.
3. Glenveagh National Park and Castle, Donegal.The staff are all local, and have been rated as friendly and helpful. Even the food in the small coffee shop gets rave reviews. The park includes the two highest mountains in Donegal, Errigal and Slieve Sneacht.
4. Muckross House and Gardens, Killarney. At €5.75 per adult, this is hailed as one of the best values for a day out. The mansion and gardens are spectacular. A 90 minute hike features animals, farms, and a blacksmith.
5. The 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour, Dublin, costs €12 and those who have participated say its guides are extremely knowledgeable and give the history of the 1916 Rebellion in such a way that the two hour tour seems to fly by.
6. National Botanic Gardens, Dublin is free. If you ride a bus to get there, it costs €1.50, and you have to have exact change. The National Botanic Gardens have received great reviews from plant lovers to families wanting a place to picnic.
7. The Milk Market, Limerick.This is an outdoor flea market where you can find a huge range of items for sale (but not milk). Fresh food on offer is anything from artisanal cheese to crepes to cherries.
8. The Lough Gill Drive, Sligo. This drive is said to be so captivating it has caused people to uproot and move here. It is very unspoiled and un-touristy.
9. Jack Meade’s Pub, Waterford. Jack Meade’s is more a place for a night out than a day out, but it comes highly recommended for its food, drinks (even fancy coffee drinks) and atmosphere. It is described as the Ireland you always imagined.
10. Cloghereen Blue Pool Walk, Killarney. This is a nature reserve with marked footpaths plus some unmarked paths that stray slightly. It’s a long, but easy walk to see the blue pool. This is one of those often overlooked, yet beautiful place you’re glad you found.