By Dawn Rainbolt, PR Manager
Published: May 25, 2016 More by Dawn
By Dawn Rainbolt, PR Manager
Published: May 25, 2016 More by Dawn
So you want to visit Ireland, but you’re not sure where to go? See our list of the Top 15 places to visit in Ireland as your go-to guide.
So, you know about the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, Galway city, Connemara National Park and the Ring of Kerry. But there are some other absolutely fantastic places to visit in Ireland. Whether you’re looking for natural beauty, cultural heritage, historical significance, or beautiful countryside, the team at Wilderness Ireland has pulled together this list of top 15 places to visit in Ireland.
Starting off our list of top 15 places to visit in Ireland in the extreme northwest, Co. Donegal is full of rugged, cool landscapes, beaches and cliffs. Tucked into the centre of the county is the enchanting 16,000-hectare Glenveagh National Park.
Nestled amongst the Derryveagh Mountains, explore the fairytale-like Poisoned Glen, the shores of the glittering Lough Veagh, and the winding mountain trails circling the park. At the park’s core is the hauntingly beautiful Glenveagh Castle, reputed to be cursed due to the original landlord who evicted hundreds of original tenants.
Learn more about the rugged, outdoor lover’s paradise of County Donegal, and what makes it the “coolest place on Earth.”
Why Donegal is So CoolInsider’s guide to hiking the Slieve League Cliffs, and things to do nearby.
Hike Slieve LeagueLearn all about the intriguing county of Donegal with this Destination Spotlight.
10 Donegal FactsThe Slieve League cliffs are some of Europe’s tallest cliffs – three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher. One of Ireland’s hidden gems, the cliffs reach up 601 (1,972ft) metres from the sea at their tallest point. Hike along the nearby Pilgrim’s Path, an ancient Christian pilgrimage, which has terrific panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean, the mountains of Sligo and Donegal Bay.
A little-known peninsula jutting out to the sea, the Coolera Peninsula contains several gems. It is here that the legendary warrior Queen Maeve is buried, at the top of Knocknarea mountain.
The beach at Strandhill is one of Europe’s best surfing hotspots, thanks to the northwest direction of the peninsula. Inland, the Carrowmore Megalithic site contains some 40 tombs, the earliest dating to 3700 BC (significantly older than the Egyptian pyramids!) and is one of the largest and most complex sites of this era in Ireland. The views of the iconic mountain, Ben Bulben, from anywhere on the Coolera Peninsula over the iconic mountain, are spectacular.
While this is a rather broad region, it contains some the best wilderness in Ireland. Hike through the desolate yet beautiful blanket bogs and along the banks of the Owenduff River in Ballycroy National Park, which houses of the largest expanses of peatland found in Europe.
On the northern section of the region, find Downpatrick Head, a dramatic cliff jutting out into the rough seas of the Atlantic. From here, gaze out at the fascinating Dún Briste sea stack, layered with mismatched coloured rock, worn narrow by erosion from the sea. Not far away are the Ceide Fields, home to a Neolithic archeology site. The region is dotted with ruined monasteries and Neolithic tombs.
Sheep graze in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s most holy mountain though not a particularly grilling hike, Croagh Patrick, sometimes called Ireland’s holiest mountain, is ingrained in Irish religious history, and a major pilgrimage site to this day. St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, is said to have fasted for 40 days at the summit of this mountain, commemorated by a chapel at the top.
Though popular year-round by pilgrims, the last Sunday in July is known as Reek Sunday, where thousands of pilgrims flock to the mountain to climb it en masse – many of them barefoot. From the top, you’ll get wonderful views of Clew Bay and its 365 islands, and the bustling town of Westport. Want to hike Ireland’s holiest mountain?
Though fjords are more commonly associated with Scandinavia, Killary is one of only three glacial fjords in Ireland. Killary Harbour fjord is perhaps the most beautiful of them. Located in the heart of the region of Connemara at the boundary of Co. Mayo and Co. Galway, the fjord gives breathtaking views over Mweelrea mountain (Connacht’s highest), as well as the quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens to the south. Dramatic and inspiring, this is one of Ireland’s most magical corners.
Unlike the majority of this list, Glendalough is on Ireland’s east coast, south of Dublin. Snuggled deep into the Wicklow Mountains – sometimes nicknamed the ‘Garden of Ireland’ – Glendalough is renowned as an early medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin.
Chosen as the site where the ‘two rivers form a confluence,’ Glendalough and the surrounding valley is one of the most beautiful pairings of man and nature. Glendalough remained an important religious, cultural and natural site in Ireland. The surrounding Wicklow Mountains are a dreamer’s paradise: a landscape engulfed by purple heather, green moss and glittering waterfalls, and is a rewarding place to hike through Irish nature. Discover the wild beauty of Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains.
Ireland’s highest mountain may not be Mount Everest, but it’s a wonderful place to hike. At 1,038 metres (3,406 ft) high, Carrantuohill (pronounced care-in-too-hill) is the central peak of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range, on the Iveragh Peninsula (home to the infamous Ring of Kerry driving route).
As you hike the slopes of Carrantuohill, enjoy natural gardens of wildflowers, and keep an eye out for wildlife such as birds, hares and other critters. The views from the cross marking the top overlooking the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountain may be a tad windy – but phenomenal!
The Skellig Islands are one of Ireland’s most beloved destinations. If you’re a Star Wars fan, or simply happened to see either the 2014 film Star Wars Episode VII or the 2017 trailer for Star Wars Episode VIII, you may recognise these impressive islands. Only the larger of the two, Skellig Michael, is open to the public, accessible by boat. Monks in the 6th century looking for solitude and a connection to nature constructed an impressive monastery into the steep, rugged cliffs, much of which is still visible today.
Learn all about the nicknamed ‘Star Wars Island’ – the Skelligs and their Star Wars connections.
Star Wars & the SkelligsAll you need to know about visiting the famous Skellig Islands.
Visiting the SkelligsSkellig Michael – the Force Awakens. The Skellig Islands original Star Wars association.
The Force AwakensThe Beara Peninsula was one of the last points of native Irish resistance after the Battle of Kinsale in the early 17th century. Clinging to the edges of the peninsula is the 206 kilometre (128 miles) circular path (start/finish in Glengarriff, Co. Cork), the Beara Way, bringing hikers and cyclists to some of the peninsula’s most amazing spots. Located at the edge of the peninsula is the foodie haven of Kenmare.
One of Beara’s most significant myths revolves around the legend of the Hag of Beara, born on the winter solstice and with power of the lands during winter, who was later turned to stone. Find the petrified Hag on the coastal road between Eyeries and Ardgroom.
Tucked away in the middle of West Cork is the paradisal park, Gougane Barra, named for Saint Finbarr, who’s said to have built an early, 6th century monastery on an island in the lake. The current monastery was erected around 1700, and was a popular place to celebrate forbidden mass due to its isolation.
Despite its small size, Gougane Barra is one of Ireland’s most magical and picturesque regional parks – the lake and it’s monastery on the peninsula looks like a fairytale come to life!
Baltimore’s claim to fame dates to 1631 when a motley group of Moroccan, Algerian, Turkish and Dutch pirates attacked the town and captured between 106 to 237 people during the terrible Sack of Baltimore. Far off the beaten path, Baltimore is one of the coolest seaside towns in Ireland, and unlike the more popular but bustling Kinsale, you really have to make the effort to get there. Baltimore’s peninsula has the mildest climate in Ireland and is a great access point to nearby islands such as Sherkin and Cape Clear. The nearby (and epic-named!) Roaring Water Bay contains some of Ireland’s most rugged coast. Don’t miss the enormous bullet-shaped statue on a nearby peninsula, the Baltimore Beacon.
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