Hidden Gems of Northwest Ireland

Slieve League cliffs – vast, spectacular, and three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, are a popular destination to visit when spending time in County Donegal. While most visitors either drive to the viewpoint or park up and walk from the Visitor Centre, there is another quieter and more secret way.

Instead of driving, why not hike up the Pilgrim’s Path?

This historic trail climbs steadily on the inland side of the cliffs. Along the way, it passes the remains of a mass rock: a secret place where Catholic priests once gave illicit mass back in the Penal Times when Irish Catholics were persecuted, and Catholicism was outlawed (along with speaking Irish and a number of other Irish traditions). The fact that the route winds this hidden location is enough to let you know that this is a beautiful and rewarding hike.

After winding your way up the spine of the hillside, you emerge at the edge of the highest sea cliffs in all of Ireland. From here, the views are breathtaking, the land sheering away beneath your feet and the plunging Atlantic ocean rolling dark and heavy against the rocks below.

After reaching the cliffs, the path then carries on along the evocatively-named “One Man’s Pass” (so named for its narrowness) and eventually descends to the Bunglass Viewpoint. There is also the option to return the way you came. Afterwards, make sure to warm up with a cup of tea and a bowl of steaming soup at the Teelin Cafe.

Learn more about visiting Slieve League here. The Pilgrim’s Path is just one of the several remarkable places featured on our ever-popular trip, Causeway Coast & Donegal.

View Trip

Perched atop the heather-capped Greenan Hill and only 15 minutes from Derry, the Grianan of Aileach, a reconstructed Iron Age stone fort, deserves a place among Ireland’s most notable historical sites such as the iconic Rock of Cashel, Glendalough monastic site in Wicklow, and the impressive Neolithic tomb of Newgrange.

A winding road fringed by thick hedgerows leads you up to its imposing circular walls. Thought to date back to 1700 BC, the fort was once the centre of the Kings of Ulster, though it was plundered and destroyed in 1101, and excavated in Victorian times.

In 2001, the OPW (Office of Public Works) reconstructed the fort, returning it to its former glory. Read more about the Grianan of Aileach, an intriguing site of Irish heritage, in our guide here.

As well as visiting engaging historical sites such as Grainan of Aileach, discover other hidden gems that pepper the sea, shore and land of Northern Ireland when you travel with us on our Causeway Coast and Donegal trip. 

View Trip

The stone tombs of Carrowkeel date back to the Neolithic era, making them about 5,000 years old. Framed by massive lintel stones to form passages and burial chambers and then covered by loose stones, these impressive hilltop mounds were built to be seen.

The Carrowkeel tombs are protected National Monuments. From their lofty heights, you can spot nearby cairns, such as Kesh Cairn, the huge cairn atop Knocknarea, and the silhouette of the Dartry Hills beyond, each topped with their own monuments. Below across the valley, the remains of over 50 round huts are just visible in the craggy landscape.

The hike also offers stunning panoramic views across the hills and pastures of Sligo and beyond. Look out for Knocknashee, known as the hill of the fairies, topped with its own cairns and even the remains of an ancient village, and learn about the stories of fairies and ancient people.

As of 2021, Carrowkeel and 100 or so Neolithic monuments in Co. Sligo have joined UNESCO World Heritage’s tentative list. If accepted, the sites will join other ancient places like Newgrange, Skellig Michael, and England’s Stonehenge as legally protected sites.

Read more about the mystical ancient site of Carrowkeel. Intrigued by this place from the faraway past? Take the opportunity to step back in history on a flexible Surf Coast Self-Drive tour, which allows you to explore Northwest Ireland at your own pace. 

View Trip

County Leitrim is a patchwork of rugged peaks and wild hills, quaint little towns and romantic castles, as well as magical glens and waterfalls.

In the north of the county, you’ll find Glenade Valley – one of the best examples of a glacial valley in Europe. The valley’s lake, which reflects the changing moods of the sky, is also said to be home to the Dobhar Chú, which translates as ‘water dog’ or ‘hound of the deep’.

It is said to be a cross between an otter and a dog, albeit 5 times the size and first appeared in Irish folklore as far back as 1684. In 1722 it is said to have killed a young woman, who was washing her clothes in the water. Her headstone, which can be found in a nearby graveyard, attributes her death to the monster.

With many places to pull over and take in the beautiful views, as well as many instances of natural beauty and opportunities to explore the glen on foot, a trip to County Leitrim and Glenade Valley is sure to be both enjoyable and memorable.

Mayo is a wild and wonderful place. The roads are small and winding, many of which have a mohawk of grass running down their centre, and the pretty villages, which are few and far between, add to the county’s feeling of peaceful isolation.

Carrowteige headland is perhaps one of the most remote corners of Ireland and is one of the country’s best-kept secrets. To get there, you must drive through blanket bogs and vast, wind-swept countryside for a number of miles. Over an hour from the nearest town, this is a place you cannot visit by accident. Rugged and remote, with cliffs that tumble into the sea, the headland offers brilliant hiking and spectacular views.

There are a number of lovely walks. Perhaps the best perhaps is the Children of Lir loop – named after an old Irish folk tale. Lir was a king, and father to four children. Upon remarriage, their stepmother, jealous of the king’s love for his kin, cursed them to spend 900 years as swans adrift on the lakes of Ireland. You can read more about the tragic Irish folktale of the Children of Lir.

This 10km circular walk follows the contour of the headland, taking in the dramatic coastal views and crossing the mossy grass and sandy beaches. Curious sheep and calling gulls will keep you company as you explore one of the most lovely corners of Ireland.

Discover Carrowtiege and County Mayo on our off-the-beaten-track self drive trip from Ireland’s Surf Coast to Westport.

View Trip

The west coast of Ireland is peppered with islands of various sizes, with many of the smaller ones being uninhabited. Clare Island has a population of about 150 and is well known for its most infamous resident – Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen.

Clare is a fascinating place for history lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and bird watchers. During the Middle Ages, it was part of the O’Malley clan, and during the 16th century, controlled by the formidable Pirate Queen. As one of her primary strongholds, Grace O’Malley was laid to rest in the island abbey.

In 1806, a lighthouse was established on the Island. Fires, lightning strikes and the wreckage of time left their marks on the lighthouse, and in 1965, it was decommissioned. Today, it’s now a unique guesthouse – a stay that combines its colourful history with an amazing view.

There are several hikes around the island for anyone wishing to explore. Join an island hopping trip along Ireland’s west coast to visit Clare Island, Inisbofin and many more. 

View Trip

Clocking in at 814 metres (2,700 feet) high, Mweelrea is Connacht’s highest mountain. Though the terrain may be rugged, the views are breathtaking and hiking to the summit is wonderfully rewarding. On your ascent, enjoy traversing the rocky, grassy landscape below a forget-me-not sky.

At the top, marvel at Killary Fjord, one of just three fjords in Ireland. To the east, the silhouette of the Sheffry Hills can be seen, and out west, the glittering blue expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

Would you like to summit Connacht’s highest peak and other notorious mountains of Ireland’s west coast? Join a small group trip exploring the mountains of Connemara and Mayo.

View Trip

Located only seven kilometres off northern Galway, Inishbofin is a small island, full of hidden gems. Tranquil beaches, the ruins of castles, sea arches and blowholes, an old famine road and the crumbling foundations of Iron Age promontory forts, Inishbofin offers so much to explore.

There are a number of circular walks on the island, perfect for those looking to marvel at the isle’s beauty on foot. The crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkelling and diving, and the quiet beaches are lovely to wander along at your own pace.

Cultural enthusiasts will be intrigued by the 16th-century ruins of Cromwell’s Barracks, a sombre reminder of past turbulence. Bird watchers should keep binoculars at the ready as a number of seabirds flock to Inishbofin for nesting and breeding.

After your day’s activities, settle in for a hearty chowder or fresh fish and maybe a pint or two at one of the island’s five restaurants and four bars. Love wild islands? Check out some of Ireland’s other isles here.

Visit Inisbofin as well as several other stunning isles and coastlines while island hopping along the west coast on our small group tour. 

View Trip

Mám Éan is an ancient pilgrimage route with connections to Ireland’s patron saint, St Patrick. Translating to the “pass of the birds,” Mám Éan is dotted with the stations of the cross, reminders of the path’s religious origins.

Mám Éan is a pilgrimage walk that weaves through the rough and rock-strewn Mayo landscape, culminating at a tiny stone chapel. After 16km, hikers are greeted by a statue bearing the likeness of St Patrick.

In the running for Ireland’s smallest chapel (indeed, this is an ongoing debate), the cave-like recess in the stone wall is known locally as St Patrick’s Bed. Enjoy views of Connemara and appreciate the craggy, boggy wilds of western Ireland while walking this ancient path.

Learn more about this hike and other Irish caminos and pilgrimages here.