10 ways your life could be better in Ireland in 2026

Bursting with charm and culture, blessed with stunning landscapes and friendly communities and with no language barrier or visa requirements for UK citizens, Ireland ticks plenty of boxes for expats. We highlight 10 lifestyle reasons you might want to make 2026 you consider a move to the Emerald Isle.

1. It’s a peaceful, happy place – that’s official!

Let’s get to the heart of the matter – Ireland is the second most peaceful country in the world, second only to Iceland. That is according to the latest Global Peace Index, which ranks 169 countries around the world for general peacefulness. Similarly, the Emerald Isle is ranked 15th out of 147 countries in the latest World Happiness Report (2025). That makes it a more content place to be than the UK, USA, Canada and pretty much all of southern Europe, including France, Spain and Italy.

2. Feast on first-class food

Ireland’s gastronomic resurgence goes from strength to strength, making eating out a highlight of living there. In 2025 its tally of 1-star Michelin restaurants grew by three to a record 19. Meanwhile, five Irish restaurants retain 2 stars.

Cork is deemed the food capital of Ireland. Home to foodie destination Kinsale, a pretty harbour town where celebrity chef Keith Floyd once had a home, the county has nine Michelin restaurants. These include 2-star venues at Terre in Castlemartyr Resort and Dede in Baltimore. The latter also has a Michelin Green Star, awarded to places that combine “culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments”. Inis Meain on the Aran Islands is the only other Irish restaurant with one of these.

Enjoy eating out? From soda bread and chowder in a rustic pub grub to shellfish and champagne in a fine dining establishment, you’ll never be stuck for places to go.

3. Boundless trips to the beach

Swap your swimsuit for a coat and you can enjoy visits to stunning beaches any day of the year. Eighty-nine beaches and 10 marinas in Ireland were awarded Blue Flag status in 2025, a new record for the island.

The county with the most Blue Flags is Kerry with 15, followed by Donegal with 14. Meanwhile, 70 Irish beaches achieved the Green Coast badge. This recognises beaches for their clean environment, water quality and natural beauty. With over 7,500km of coastline, Ireland’s beaches can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you fancy a jog, spot of surfing, leisurely horse-ride or stroll with the dog, you’ll have an idyllic stretch of sand nearby.

4. Lose yourself in live music

Renowned globally for their love of music, nowhere does live gigs like the Irish. They’re a tuneful nation with performing in their veins, whether in a pub, street festival or large arena. So much so, the Government has recently introduced a basic income scheme to support musicians.

“Generating over €1 billion annually and supporting more than 13,400 jobs, the music sector is not only a key driver of our creative economy, but a fundamental part of our national identity,” highlighted a 2025 report by the Irish Music Rights Organisation. Serious fans of traditional Irish music should aim for County Clare, regarded as the centre of the country’s music scene where pubs host regular music. The epicentre of the action is the town of Ennis, with famous pubs like The Poet’s Corner and Brogan’s Bar – institutions on the music trail.

5. Festival frenzy!

With a rich Celtic culture and deep-rooted identity, it’s no surprise Ireland is a champion of festivals. From St Patrick’s Day to Halloween, the country enjoys a packed year-round calendar. They span the arts, gastronomy and sport. Living there, you’ll never have a quiet day at home if you don’t want one!

Some of the major events to have in your diary include the festival ‘Fleadh Cheoil’ (August), the world’s largest celebration of Irish music, song and dance – 2026 being its 75th anniversary. Dublin’s version is its TradFest Temple Bar festival (January). Other key arty events are in Galway (July), Earagail (July) and Kilkenny (August), while Cork hosts a famous film festival. Food features highly too, from the oyster and seafood extravaganzas along the west coast (Galway’s is especially prized) to Kinsale Gourmet festival (October) and the Waterford Harvest Festival, which showcases local produce.

6. Be wowed by quirky traditions

Ireland’s history and customs provide an endless source of discovery and entertainment. You’ll find plenty of traditions and activities unique to the island. Take Gaelic Games, which include hurling, Gaelic football and handball, a huge part of Irish life and exhilarating to watch. Road bowling is another rural sport you might encounter in Cork or Armagh.

Folklore and mysticism are entwined in Ireland’s ancient culture. A lasting legacy of this is storytelling, a tradition passed on through generations and accessible in everyday life, from conversations in the pub to Ireland’s famous authors and songwriters. More rural customs you’ll encounter include turf cutting, horse fairs and, if you’re lucky, horse-racing on the beach!

7. Get into golf

The Emerald Isle is a golfer’s paradise. Its lush rolling landscape has the fourth-highest number of golf courses per capita worldwide and is home to a third of the globe’s natural links courses. According to Golf Ireland, the body that runs amateur golf there, in October 2025 golf membership in Ireland hit its highest level since records began.

The next year is especially exciting as the Ryder Cup is coming to Limerick in 2027. Adare Manor is the chosen venue for the sport’s most prestigious tournament. Other equally internationally acclaimed Irish courses include The K Club in Kildare, Mount Juliet Estate in Kilkenny, Druids Glen in Wicklow and Portmarnock and Royal Dublin in Dublin, and Royal Portrush in Antrim.

8. Get cosy down your local

The fatherland of both stout and whisky (or whiskey to purists!), another of Ireland’s great attractions are its pubs. Down to earth and friendly, the magic of Irish hostelries lies in their traditional feel, authenticity and spontaneity as much as what is served in them. Not forgetting the music.

According to Ireland’s Health Research Board (2024), 73% of the population live within 300 metres of a drinking hole. With more than 7,000 pubs, this means Ireland has the third-highest number of pubs per capita (pub density) in the world. Rural counties have the highest pub density, with one pub for every 330 people in Kerry and one pub for every 359 people in Mayo. By contrast, in Dublin, there is one pub per 1,519 people.

What better way to integrate and embrace the local culture than a weekly (or twice-weekly!) trip to your local pub. Seeking out new ones in your area is always worthwhile.

9. Thrilling road trips – whatever the weather

Stunning clifftop scenery, incredible unspoilt beaches and ancient towns make Ireland one of the globe’s most desirable coastal destinations for exploring. In fact, its Wild Atlantic Way is ranked as the world’s longest coastal touring route. Starting in the south-east it begins in Kinsale in Cork and follows the coast round to Donegal to its end point at Malin Head.

Smaller routes include the circular Ring of Kerry, which includes the Iveragh Peninsula with the lakes of Killarney, mountains of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and island monastery of Skellig Michael, famous as a filming location for the latest Star Wars film. Or on the East Coast, there is the Celtic Coast route. From Wicklow to Cork, this passed by Viking settlements and 18th-century estates. Plenty there to be getting on with!

10. Get active in the great outdoors

Ireland’s sparsely populated interior and coastline make it one large natural playground. Wherever you call home there, you’re never far from a rugged landscape of hills or mountains, or a lake, river or waterway, or pretty coastline with beaches and harbour.

Trails criss-cross the country, both inland and along the coast. Popular areas for enjoying the great outdoors centre around Ireland’s seven national parks and registered 77 nature parks. For hikes in the wildest parts of the country, head to the west coast and the protected areas of Wild Nephin in Mayo, Connemara in Galway, Burren in Clare, Dingle in Kerry or Beara Peninsula in the south. There’s no excuse for staying fit and enjoying it while you do!