An Irish Easter: Travel Ireland in Spring

Aside from Christmas, Easter is the most important holiday celebrated in Ireland (with St Patrick’s Day a close third!). While Easter evokes religious overtones, there is also an entirely other side to the holiday which has been affected by the Celtic culture: the Great Outdoors.

Traditionally, Easter is about spending time with family and friends. Many Irish people travel to spend time with further-flung family members and close friends. But while the traditional Easter dinner is a staple of these family gatherings, another aspect of this holiday is the celebration of spring, and the appreciation of Mother Nature and Ireland’s great outdoors.

Due to the unpredictable nature of Irish weather, when the sun shines and rainbows frame the sky, one can’t help but head outdoors to appreciate what we have! Though there’s no guarantee that the sun will shine over the Easter holidays, the Irish tend to spend the post-Easter dinner time with family members out of doors – hiking, biking, or doing any number of other outdoor sports and activities that allows them and especially younger family members the chance to connect with nature, something we don’t do enough anymore.

The Cliffs of Moher embraced in spring flowers.

Choosing to travel Ireland in spring is full of rewards and promise: new life, brilliant wildflowers, adorable lambs, Easter chocolates and festivities, the celebration of the growing season. Looking for inspiration? Here are a few great places to travel Ireland in spring!

One of the best places to spend Easter outdoors is the Burren National Park. This exposed limestone landscape erupts in blankets of wildflowers each spring. What makes it unique is the breadth of wildflower variety in the Burren – the flora found here can also be found as far north as the Arctic and as far south as the Mediterranean Sea.  This unique landscape is the perfect place for a family hike as the terrain, though rough, is also relatively flat. The area is also peppered with ancient Celtic sites, bringing the Easter holidays full circle.

Sound perfect? Check out our trip hiking through Connemara & the Burren National Parks!

Another lovely place to spend your Easter outdoors is West Cork. The region’s three peninsulas are Ireland’s southernmost points, and also happen to be in their own micro-climate, meaning that you’ve got a higher chance of lovely weather and comfortable temperatures. West Cork is also one of Ireland’s least populated (and least visited) regions. Often overlooked by travellers due to the time it takes to get there, you won’t be disappointed. Aside from a bit of sun, expect stunning sea views, rolling hills dotted with sheep and quaint farmhouses, as well as cheery locals more than willing to open their arms to travellers.

To explore the best of West Cork, join our easy hiking trip, Island Hopping in Cork & Kerry.

If you fancy making (and eating!) a bit of chocolate yourself, head over to the nearby Lorge Chocolatier in Bonane to learn the history of chocolate and how its made from an award-winning chef before creating some yourself! Another option to curb that springtime chocolate craving is a visit to the newly renovated Skelligs Chocolate factory to see expert chocolate in the making (and of course tasting a few yourselves)!

If Parknasilla Resort sounds like a great place for a family adventure, check out our family adventure, Legends of the Southwest. 

With spring comes new life and new baby animals around the farm. Probably the most adorable and iconic of Irish animals are the new lambs. Though closed for winter, there are many sheep farms up and down the Wild Atlantic Way that reopen in time for the start of spring – just when the new lambs are being born! Watch sheepdog demonstrations, meet the livestock and learn about the local farming industry. But the best part?  You’ll also get to help the farmer feed the lambs! What’s a better way to celebrate an Irish Easter?

If visiting a sheep farm and feeding the lambs sounds lovely, why not check out our family adventure, Paddling and Pirates which explores Connemara.