Something shifts when you watch Ireland through the eyes of someone who truly loves it. Not the polished, postcard version — all shamrocks and sunsets — but the real thing: the craic in a small-town pub, the weight of history on a windswept headland, the complicated, beautiful, constantly evolving story of a modern nation still rooted in something ancient.
A new wave of Irish travel vloggers is doing exactly that. On YouTube and beyond, these creators are building remarkable audiences not by chasing trends, but by being honest about what Ireland actually is — and sharing that with people who love it as much as they do. Whether you’re planning a trip, nurturing a connection to your roots, or simply want to see Ireland through new eyes, these are the creators worth your time.
Two Mad Explorers — Dublin Unfiltered
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening to Ireland’s cities beneath the tourism brochures, Luke and Naomi of Two Mad Explorers are asking the same question — and putting the answers on camera.
With roughly 359,000 subscribers and a catalogue of long-form videos that routinely clock in at 30 minutes or more, they’ve built one of the most distinctive Irish travel channels on YouTube. Their approach isn’t about listing the best things to do in Dublin; it’s about walking the streets and asking harder questions about social change, urban transformation, and what’s being lost — and what’s being gained — as Ireland evolves.
Their series exploring Dublin’s shifting identity — including the viral The Dublin You Loved is Gone — struck a nerve with Irish viewers at home and in the diaspora alike. These aren’t comfortable videos, but they’re honest ones, and that honesty is exactly why their audience keeps growing. If you want to understand modern Ireland, not just visit it, Two Mad Explorers is essential viewing.
Find them on YouTube: @TwoMadExplorers
Michael Londra — Ireland With Michael
Some travel creators show you a country. Michael Londra lets you feel it.
A Wexford-born tenor and former Riverdance Broadway lead, Michael has spent years combining his love of Irish music with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the island’s landscapes, traditions, and hidden corners. The result is Ireland With Michael — a series hosted by the Emmy-nominated Michael Londra that has aired across PBS in 97% of U.S. television markets, reaching audiences who might never otherwise discover what Ireland really sounds and looks like.
Now in its sixth season, the show takes viewers to places most tourists never reach: traditional sessions in tiny Connemara pubs, heritage sites in counties that rarely see a film crew, artisan workshops where centuries-old crafts are still being practised. Michael’s ability to open doors — both literally and culturally — sets this series apart from anything else about Ireland currently on television or YouTube.
His debut episode, It’s a Long Way From Here to Clare, remains one of the finest introductions to the west of Ireland ever committed to film. If you have Irish heritage and haven’t watched it yet, clear an evening.
Find him on YouTube: Ireland With Michael, and on PBS stations across North America.
Speaking of Ireland’s extraordinary heritage — if you’re curious about the deep history that these creators draw on, our guide to Cobh, where six million Irish said their last goodbye, tells the story of Ireland’s great emigration in full.
Janet Newenham — Journalist on the Run
Janet Newenham has visited 145 countries. She’s been named Digital Media Travel Journalist of the Year. She’s contributed to Lonely Planet and the Irish Times, been profiled by RTÉ, and built a following of over 200,000 people on Instagram. She also runs small-group adventure travel experiences born directly from her content.
But what makes her relevant here isn’t the CV — it’s the lens she brings. Janet is a trained journalist who applies editorial rigour to travel storytelling. When she writes or films about Ireland, there’s a depth to it that casual vlogging rarely achieves. She’s not chasing algorithm-friendly content; she’s telling stories that deserve to be told.
Her YouTube channel and blog, Journalist on the Run, blend international travel with a distinctly Irish sensibility — a reminder that the Irish have always been remarkable explorers, carrying a particular way of seeing the world wherever they go. If you want travel content that makes you think as well as dream, Janet’s work is the place to start.
Find her at journalistontherun.com and on YouTube under her own name.
For more on the Irish music traditions that creators like Michael Londra draw on, have a read of our piece on Ireland’s traditional music artists keeping a living tradition alive.
Diane Jennings — Irish Girl
Not every travel creator needs to be solemn about it. Diane Jennings — known online as Irish Girl — has built an audience of over 305,000 subscribers by being exactly what her channel name suggests: an Irish woman looking at the world (and at Ireland itself) with curiosity, warmth, and a very sharp sense of humour.
Diane’s content spans cultural comparison videos, travel vlogs, and the occasional documentary-style departure that shows real range. Her series comparing life in Ireland with life in the USA and Canada resonates powerfully with the Irish diaspora, who recognise the experience of carrying Irishness into places that don’t quite understand it — and the comedy and poignancy that comes from that.
Her short documentary Ireland’s Vanishing Triangle is a particularly striking piece of work: serious, carefully researched, and a reminder that behind the cheerful personality is a creator who takes her subject matter seriously. She’s been posting consistently since 2010, which in YouTube terms makes her a veteran — and her continued growth suggests she’s only getting started.
Find her on YouTube: @dianodrama / Diane Jennings
If you’re curious about Ireland’s ancient past — the history that draws so many people back to this island — our piece on Newgrange and the winter solstice is a wonderful place to begin.
Know a Creator We Should Feature?
The creators above are just four of the voices telling Ireland’s story on screen. There are dozens more — some with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, others just starting out — doing extraordinary work. If you know an Irish travel vlogger, filmmaker, or content creator whose work deserves a wider audience, tell us in the comments below. We’re always looking to celebrate the people who love Ireland as much as we do.
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Ireland has always produced remarkable storytellers. These creators are part of that tradition — carrying it forward in new formats, finding new audiences, and making sure that the story of this island keeps being told. Subscribe to a channel, share a video with someone who loves Ireland, and help these voices reach the audiences they deserve.
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Planning a trip to Ireland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions spoil your journey. Iconic experiences like visiting the Cliffs of Moher, exploring the Rock of Cashel, or enjoying a guided walk through Ireland’s ancient past often sell out quickly—especially during peak travel seasons.
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