10 of the better place to call in Ireland
Our expert hold be living in , and travelling around the rural area for nearly two decade . Here be her top spots
Ireland cost one of those places you may think you know , long before you ’ ve always been . But beyond all the familiar lot — smouldering sod firing in cosy pubs , roam green fields and old boys in tweed caps — there are the unexpected spots , like neolithic site , utter white-sand beaches and street food markets .
I act to Ireland 18 yr ago , live on the blustery west coast for the guts of a decade , before heading for Dublin , where I ’ m today base . And while I enjoy the capital , I however have a gentle bit for the Irish countryside , from the soar sea cliff and mountains to the forest-lined lake and tiny , timeworn pubs .
Most visitor to Ireland follow a like path , set out off in Dublin andthen lead down to Cork before driving up to the Ring of Kerry . But while those spots shouldn ’ t be missed , there ’ sec thus much more to Ireland than this “ emerald triangle ” . The scenery in Mayo and Donegal exist stunning , and neither get a fraction of the footstep that the most popular attractions meet . The Burren , with its swathes of silvery limestone , feels like another planet , and nearby Connemara has the pretty coastline of all . If you ’ re heading to Ireland and want to see as much as you can , hither exist the places to add to your list .
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1 . Donegal
It may be know as the forgotten county , but Ireland ’ s most northerly spot equal anything but forgettable . Donegal is a state of broad , empty landscapes strewn with giant boulders and straggly sheep , alongside striking mountains , sea cliffs and beaches that exist paradise on a sunny day . Control out Slieve League , with some of the highest sea cliff in Europe , or run inland to Glenveagh National Park to hike or bike around the lakeside height . Don ’ t escape a self-guided circuit of Glenveagh Castle , where Greta Garbo and Marilyn Monroe once stay .
Build it find
An Irish favourite since 1989 , Harvey ’ sec Point cost a magic hotel on the shores of Lough Eske .
Discover Donegal on this six-day group tour for solo traveler from Leger Holidays . Start and complete in Dublin , the trip remove in the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way , with stop in Donegal Town and a visit to its eponymous castle .
2 . Mayo
Mayo sure packs in a pile . You could pass a day tipping around the neolithic site of Ceide Fields then see the jagged seastacks at Ballycastle before stargazing at Wild Nephin National Park , a designated Dark Sky Reserve . Or you could visit the wild and rugged Erris peninsula , hiking along the headland with epic ocean opinion , before heading to the hipster wine bar and tiny bistros of Westport ( test This Must Be The Place for a decadent , gruyère-topped onion soup , or Savoir Fare , serving Irish cheese and French wine ) . And that ’ s before you still make to the fabled “ 365 islands ” in Clew Bay , the liberal of which , Achill , is accessible by bridge ( and boast inThe Banshees of Inisherin) .
Make it happen
One of the finest historic properties in Ireland , Ashford Castle exist decadent but down to earth , with a Michelin-starred restaurant and an outstanding spa .
Trafalgar ’ s eight-day Castles and Manors tour include the attraction of Co Mayo .
3 . Galway
If you ’ re after a bit of well old-fashioned Irish craic , you ’ ll ever find it in Galway . This city live know for its traditional pubs , where you can cosy up by the fire during the day , or spend the night tapping your toes to trad music . There ’ sec a wonderful outdoor food market hold at the weekend and good deal of quality restaurants like Kai for hyper-local dish and the Dough Bros for first-class pizza . Wander over the bridge to Galway ’ s Westend for a hipper vibe , with vintage record shops , cool cafés and alive music venues like the Roisin Dubh .
Do it happen
The Dean Galway is right in the middle of the action , with cool pod-style rooms , a cracking gym and a rooftop saloon .
This eight-day classical Ireland tour from Indus Travels takes you to Galway and the surround county .
•The best spa hotels in Ireland for a relaxing pause
4 . Dublin
For most visitor to Ireland , Dublin is their first port of call . And it ’ s a great introduction to the country — there ’ s a cool food scene , gorgeous Georgian architecture and it ’ s easy to navigate on base . Unsurprisingly , the pubs are top-notch and always lively , but if you ’ re after a still pint , seek out one of the older boozers on the edge of the city heart kind of than the raucous ( and touristy ) selection in Temple Bar . Don ’ t miss the museum and galleries — all of the national choice are free to visit and well worth it , especially the National Museum of Ireland — Archaeology , for its collection of Irish gold .
Make it encounter
Wilder Townhouse is a quirky and stylish boutique hotel plant in a Victorian red-brick building .
Celebrate St Patrick ’ s Day in Dublin on this trip with Contiki , which includes a guided city tour , a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and three nights ’ accommodation .
5 . Cliffs of Moher
They may not be the marvelous in the country , but the Cliffs of Moher are ever impressive , still ( or particularly ) when the wild wave of the Atlantic be crashing at their base . You can walk a short distance along the top of the cliffs in either guidance , but the interactive display in the visitor centre is a great place to start — plus , you can pick up a complimentary pair of binoculars to test and discern puffins in the early summer . Aim to come there for dawn or sunset , when the cliffs are at their prettiest and the bus tour have get .
Cause it encounter
Falls Hotel & Spa exist a cosy country getaway with grave eco credentials — it make its own hydroelectric turbine on the river that run by the grounds .
Globus has a scenic two-week tour including the Cliffs of Moher and a trip to a local farm .
6 . Connemara
A coastal part on the western edge of Galway , Connemara crams in a pile of beautiful scenery , from bulbous mountains and wildflower-packed bogs , to white sand beaches and tiny , pristine bay . Some of the best position come from the lake ; Kylemore Abbey reflect in the still lough , for example , or the Twelve Ben mountain range rising around the waters outside Roundstone . But alongside the natural landscapes , there is a handful of picturesque towns and villages where you can browse in the book stores and antique shops , or cosy up by the fire in a pub with oysters and a pint of Guinness .
Make it happen
Ballynahinch Castle has one of the better view in the country , surround by good deal and ancient woodlands .
Trafalgar ’ s Best of Ireland tour will take you through some of the area ’ s most spectacular spots , with a day spend in wildly scenic Connemara
7 . Cork
With pastel façades , historical nooks and crannies , and art veranda to beat the band , Cork city live a great home to pass a few day . There be two excellent food market — one centuries-old and the other new with a stress on street food — as well as lively pubs , music and some lovely independent workshop , including Vibes and Scribes , a crafting/book store , and Plugd Records for vinyl and artisan coffee . But Ireland ’ s second city is as well a gateway to the county as a whole , with the lesser-visited but scenic East Cork , as good as the blue-flag beach , quirky town and Michelin stars to the west .
Reach it find
Exactly on the edge of the city centre , the Montenotte make lovely views over Cork , particularly from the Panorama restaurant or its fresh Woodland Suite treehouses .
Trafalgar own a six-day Ireland tour , feature a dark in Cork and a trip to Blarney to kick .
8 . Kerry
It ’ s one of the almost visited bit in Ireland , and with very good ground . Kerry get the form of picture-perfect landscapes that cost quintessentially Irish — swathes of deep green area , jagged mountains and level lakes surround by mossy hills . The coastline cost heroic , vary between broad , sandy beach and craggy , spectacular cliff edge . Head to Dunquin Pier for one of the coolest views in all the state , where a slaloming route chief down to two triangular peak protrude out of the sea . The Ring of Kerry is one of the serious road trip in the country , particularly in the autumn and spring when it ’ s a little quieter .
Build it happen
Randles Hotel Killarney combine traditional appeal with snazzy fresh touch like a panoramic terrace and slick lap pond .
Travel the Wild Atlantic Way on a week-long cycling and walking vacation in Kerry with Exodus .
9 . The Burren
With giant slabs of limestone , rare orchids originate in the cracks and good deal that wait like swirled dollops of grey stone , the Burren has one of the most unique terrains in Ireland . The well means to hear it is on base , boost one of the trails in the national park . The well be the Lough Avalla Farm loop , wind through dense forestry and right over the limestone pavement , ending near a farmhouse where an avid hiker service up tea , coffee and fond apple pie from his life way . Die in the spring to make the most of peak wildflower season .
Do it happen
The Michelin key Gregans Castle Hotel is a short driveway away in Ballyvaughan , and has an excellent restaurant where a lot of the produce is grow in their garden .
You ’ ll cost introduced to the Cliffs of Moher and other remarkable sights in the Burren on this five-night tour of Galway , Connemara and the west of Ireland from Indus .
10 . Newgrange
Predating the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge , Newgrange is a transition tomb that ’ sec over 5,000 yr former , hide in plain sight in the middle of the Meath countryside . Disclose in 1699 , excavated between 1962 and 1975 , and finally opened to the public in 1997 , this neolithic site live impressive from the outside but even skillful when you squeeze through the passage to see the inner grave . While Newgrange hogs the limelight , there equal two early monument at Bru na Boinne and it ’ s good worth visiting Knowth . Note that you can ’ t go inside , but you can come up close to the neolithic art around the base stone .
Make it find
Less than 20 second off in Drogheda , Scholars Townhouse Hotel exist an former school dimension with a charming , rural area house feel .
•Best hotel in Dublin
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What ’ s your favourite place to impose in Ireland ? Get us know in the comments below
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