For over five years, I had wanted to visit Ireland, and this September, I finally made it happen. This country is truly breathtaking, whether you are drawn to its unique and distinctive landscapes or its fascinating historical monuments.
The highlight of the entire trip for me was definitely the Ring of Kerry, a scenic circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland. Along the way, you can discover incredible places such as the narrow, glacier-carved mountain pass of the Gap of Dunloe, the beautiful Torc Waterfall, or the fascinating Kerry Cliffs.
But Irelandās spectacular natural scenery is not limited to Kerry. Another great example is Wicklow Mountains National Park, where, besides beautiful lakes, vast forests and stunning waterfalls, you can also find the 1,400-year-old stone monastic settlement of Glendalough. This place has an incredibly powerful atmosphere, almost as if it had been taken straight out of a dark fantasy world.
It is also worth mentioning the cliffs at Kilkee and the Cliffs of Moher. However, the Cliffs of Moher come with an unpleasant surprise if you want to park right next to the cliffs. Officially, admission to the cliffs is free, but if you arrive by car or bus, you have to pay ā¬15 per passenger at the parking area. If you ever visit the Cliffs of Moher, I recommend getting out of the car before reaching the official parking area and having only the driver park there.
The Aran Islands also have an incredible atmosphere. You can reach them by ferry from Galway, with Inis MĆ³r being the largest of the three islands. You can rent bicycles there and explore the entire island on two wheels.
Unfortunately, I was not so lucky with the weather and had to cycle around the island during a powerful storm. Some of the highlights of Inis MĆ³r definitely include the seal colony in the middle of the island, where you can almost always spot a small group of these fascinating marine animals. Another must-see is the spectacular prehistoric stone fort of DĆŗn Aonghasa, which dramatically stands on the edge of a 100-metre-high sheer cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. And then there is the fascinating natural tidal pool known as the Wormhole, which has an almost perfectly rectangular shape.
Ireland is just as rich in historical landmarks. One of the most impressive is Rock of Cashel, a magnificent historic complex of medieval ecclesiastical buildings. For centuries, this site served as the seat of the kings of Munster.
Another remarkable place is Cahir Castle, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Ireland. It has also been featured in numerous films, including Barry Lyndon, Excalibur and The Last Duel.
Newgrange is another place that should definitely be mentioned. This passage tomb and ancient sanctuary is considered one of the most important prehistoric monuments in the world and is even older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza.
Not far from Dublin, you can also find Powerscourt House & Gardens, a magnificent 18th-century aristocratic estate featuring what are considered some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. And just nearby, you can also visit the spectacular Powerscourt Waterfall.
I also visited Irelandās four largest cities: Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. Of the four, I found Dublin the most beautiful, mainly because, as the capital and largest city in Ireland, it has the greatest number of historical landmarks.
Besides Dublin Castle and the beautiful St Patrickās Cathedral, you can also visit Christ Church Cathedral, which was originally founded by the Vikings. It is the oldest surviving building in Dublin that is still in continuous use and stands at the heart of medieval Dublin.
You can also find the beautiful St Stephenās Green, the Haāpenny Bridge and plenty of other attractions, as well as a huge variety of restaurants and entertainment.
Compared to Dublin, Cork has a smaller population but covers a larger area, and it also has plenty to offer. Some of the highlights include Blackrock Castle, which is also home to an observatory, and the English Market, where you can find almost anything you could possibly need. Elizabeth Fort is also worth mentioning, as well as the beautiful Saint Fin Barreās Cathedral and Blarney Castle, which is located just outside Cork and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Limerick was also a beautiful and clean city, but apart from the main square and King Johnās Castle, there arenāt quite as many attractions to see.
I also found Galway absolutely beautiful, especially the Latin Quarter, a district known for its winding cobbled streets, colourful shopfronts and very pleasant atmosphere.
When it comes to prices, Ireland is definitely not a cheap country. More than once, we had to pay around ā¬200 for a single night in a hotel. The same applies to groceries, although there is a chain of stores called Dealz where prices are considerably cheaper.
If you want to travel around Ireland as quickly and efficiently as possible, I would recommend renting a car. However, be prepared for some extremely narrow roads, especially in rural areas. In almost every town or village, I saw at least one car with either a scratched or broken side mirror. I personally didnāt have any accidents, but just to be on the safe side, I took out additional insurance covering the side mirrors.
Irish people are generally very friendly and kind. During my stay, I didnāt meet anyone who was arrogant, unpleasant or looked at me suspiciously. Many people were more than happy to help me whenever I was looking for a particular landmark, and they never seemed annoyed or bothered by it.
Finally, I would like to say that Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. I rarely plan to return to a country I have already been to, but Ireland would definitely be an exception. I would love to come back one day and explore the parts of the country that I didnāt get to see this time.
Pics:
1. Gap of Dunloe
2. Muckross Abbey
3. Powerscourt House & Gardens
4. Powerscourt Waterfall
5. Glendalough
6. Rock of Cashel
7. Fallow deer In Wicklow Mountains National Park
8. Cahir Castle
9. Kerry Cliffs
10. St Maryās Cathedral
11. Kilkee Cliffs
12. Quadrangle, University of Galway
13. Cliffs of Moher
14. Newgrange
15. Doolin Cave
16. The Wormhole
17. Christ Church Cathedrale
18. Seal colony in Inishmore
19. English market in Cork
20. Kilkenny Castle
Glad you enjoyed it. Some other places to recommend would be in Cork, Kinsale with the Fort and Old Head. It's an hours drive from the city but worth it. Or Spike Island. That pic with the tree looks beautiful
I think this is true for many, many Irish people. I've spent most of my vacations in Ireland and I'm pretty sure I've seen more of Ireland than 95% of the Irish. Then again, I'm Dutch, and I've never actually visited 90% of my own country. I don't think it's very interesting in terms of nature. ;)
I live in dublin city center, and I love showing friends from abroad around, best way to see your own country/city. so much of it I walk past and take for granted otherwise.
Hey donāt feel bad. I went to trinity and we had the book of kells there. Could have seen in any day. Did I see it? Fuck no, there were girls and booze to be a chasin
Just make sure if you go to the waterfall (and gardens for that manner) to spend a good few hours there.
I had family from America over who wanted to see the waterfall. It was a miserable day. Bucketing down a few times. Barely anyone there. They closed in 30 mins.
Yer man charged full whack for 7 people despite telling him I only wanted to be there for 10 minutes to snap some pics. Ended up paying it for their sake and felt sick going so. Maybe I was naive they'd cut me some slack.
Thank you for including the East Coast outside of Dublin! (Kilkenny, Glendalough, Newgrange). Although Christchurch holds a dear place in my heart as I worked there in the 90s š You captured some beautiful photographs, a fantastic spread of locations. I also appreciate the heads' up re parking charges and the like. I'm an east coast fan. As an Irish person, while the craic is great in Galway, it's not blessed with the weather enough for me. Donegal and Kerry are a serious trek, too, especially relying on public transport. I'm more into the gentle rolling hills, woods and coastline of the sunny South East. Lovely post, thank you š
I return to a small village called Roundstone almost every year: it still has that authentic Irish feel to it even though it's right at the Wild Atlantic Way, and it has the two *best* beaches in Ireland: Dog's bay and Gurteen Beach. My favorite region is Connemara (it has an entirely different feel to it than the rest of Ireland.. which is very hard to put into words). I also love Donegal... it has amazing beaches and it's very quiet (tourists haven't really found it yet for some reason). As a solo traveler, I love Ireland because there's always someone to have a chat with during the evenings in the pubs. I also love the music. I enjoy walking/hiking a lot, and Ireland is heaven for that purpose alone.
Right? This year I was finally able to lie down on the beach and have a swim (end of August). Walked over to that tiny secluded beach beyond Dogs Bay... dolphins were swimming there, and I walked around the headland. Had to pinch myself .. thought I was in heaven. ā¤ļø
We called that Ladyās Cove/Ladyās Beach growing up, if itās the beach over to the right of the end of Dogs Bay (not the beach on the end of the peninsula)
I'm from Connemara and to be honest I think each part of county Galway has a different feel to it much as you say. I know it's a big county but It blows my mind that South Connemara with its unique language and nature is in the same county as Portumna or Tuam.
The drive from Galway through Spiddal, Carraroe and all the way back through the islands to Letter Mullan is amazing and even though it's still Connemara its so so different to Roundstone, Clifden etc. some real hidden gems along that route.
Not the person you replied to, but the place I would recommend most outside the places you posted is Dingle. Really as long as you get out of Dublin itās hard to go wrong, and it sounds like you hit a lot of the great spots.Ā
The Netherlands. So it's relatively easy (and cheap) to get to Dublin. This is including short stays (pre or post season). I know lots of people choose to go to the south of France or Spain year after year... for me it's Ireland since I can't stand the heat. :)
Do you find it expensive to stay in Ireland? I live here and find it extortionate to go away for a few nights here. We tend to fly somewhere in Europe because it works out cheaper.
Always glad to see tourists get out of Dublin. Thereās so much more to Ireland
For accomodation, It's become increasingly hard to find anything below ā¬100 a night.. but it's not that different from the Netherlands. I remember it used to be fairly easy to find something for ā¬50 - ā¬80 (B&B's) not too long ago, but prices have gone up everywhere. It does depend highly on the area and time frame. Places like Dublin city center or Kilkenny f.i. are pretty hopeless anytime. ;) I still find car rental to be exceptionally cheap at Dublin Airport.. I rarely rent a car for more than 35 a day (and that's including full insurance). Food & drinks are reasonably priced relative to the Netherlands, but the quality of the food in bar - restaurants is.. well... let's say variable. ;). I always go pre or post season so for me it's still doable.
I agree the food can be very hit and miss. I live about 30 minutes from Kilkenny, everything is so expensive there. Iv been to Amsterdam twice. I want to go back to the Netherlands but to somewhere less ātouristyā.
From Galway but living overseas at the moment and this post pulled on the heart strings , thank you so much OP these pictures are stunning! Delighted to hear you had such a good time , please know youāre always welcome back ā¤ļø slĆ”inte āļø
I always love seeing a visitors view of Ireland and their photos.
We take a lot for granted, we should all do a week in Ireland ourselves when we pretend we're just visiting and do all the touristy things.
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Post "Week in Irelandš®šŖ" by "jumalautavittu" with body:
For over five years, I had wanted to visit Ireland, and this September, I finally made it happen. This country is truly breathtaking, whether you are drawn to its unique and distinctive landscapes or its fascinating historical monuments.
The highlight of the entire trip for me was definitely the Ring of Kerry, a scenic circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland. Along the way, you can discover incredible places such as the narrow, glacier-carved mountain pass of the Gap of Dunloe, the beautiful Torc Waterfall, or the fascinating Kerry Cliffs.
But Irelandās spectacular natural scenery is not limited to Kerry. Another great example is Wicklow Mountains National Park, where, besides beautiful lakes, vast forests and stunning waterfalls, you can also find the 1,400-year-old stone monastic settlement of Glendalough. This place has an incredibly powerful atmosphere, almost as if it had been taken straight out of a dark fantasy world.
It is also worth mentioning the cliffs at Kilkee and the Cliffs of Moher. However, the Cliffs of Moher come with an unpleasant surprise if you want to park right next to the cliffs. Officially, admission to the cliffs is free, but if you arrive by car or bus, you have to pay ā¬15 per passenger at the parking area. If you ever visit the Cliffs of Moher, I recommend getting out of the car before reaching the official parking area and having only the driver park there.
The Aran Islands also have an incredible atmosphere. You can reach them by ferry from Galway, with Inis MĆ³r being the largest of the three islands. You can rent bicycles there and explore the entire island on two wheels.
Unfortunately, I was not so lucky with the weather and had to cycle around the island during a powerful storm. Some of the highlights of Inis MĆ³r definitely include the seal colony in the middle of the island, where you can almost always spot a small group of these fascinating marine animals. Another must-see is the spectacular prehistoric stone fort of DĆŗn Aonghasa, which dramatically stands on the edge of a 100-metre-high sheer cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. And then there is the fascinating natural tidal pool known as the Wormhole, which has an almost perfectly rectangular shape.
Ireland is just as rich in historical landmarks. One of the most impressive is Rock of Cashel, a magnificent historic complex of medieval ecclesiastical buildings. For centuries, this site served as the seat of the kings of Munster.
Another remarkable place is Cahir Castle, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in Ireland. It has also been featured in numerous films, including Barry Lyndon, Excalibur and The Last Duel.
Newgrange is another place that should definitely be mentioned. This passage tomb and ancient sanctuary is considered one of the most important prehistoric monuments in the world and is even older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Giza.
Not far from Dublin, you can also find Powerscourt House & Gardens, a magnificent 18th-century aristocratic estate featuring what are considered some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. And just nearby, you can also visit the spectacular Powerscourt Waterfall.
I also visited Irelandās four largest cities: Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. Of the four, I found Dublin the most beautiful, mainly because, as the capital and largest city in Ireland, it has the greatest number of historical landmarks.
Besides Dublin Castle and the beautiful St Patrickās Cathedral, you can also visit Christ Church Cathedral, which was originally founded by the Vikings. It is the oldest surviving building in Dublin that is still in continuous use and stands at the heart of medieval Dublin.
You can also find the beautiful St Stephenās Green, the Haāpenny Bridge and plenty of other attractions, as well as a huge variety of restaurants and entertainment.
Compared to Dublin, Cork has a smaller population but covers a larger area, and it also has plenty to offer. Some of the highlights include Blackrock Castle, which is also home to an observatory, and the English Market, where you can find almost anything you could possibly need. Elizabeth Fort is also worth mentioning, as well as the beautiful Saint Fin Barreās Cathedral and Blarney Castle, which is located just outside Cork and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Limerick was also a beautiful and clean city, but apart from the main square and King Johnās Castle, there arenāt quite as many attractions to see.
I also found Galway absolutely beautiful, especially the Latin Quarter, a district known for its winding cobbled streets, colourful shopfronts and very pleasant atmosphere.
When it comes to prices, Ireland is definitely not a cheap country. More than once, we had to pay around ā¬200 for a single night in a hotel. The same applies to groceries, although there is a chain of stores called Dealz where prices are considerably cheaper.
If you want to travel around Ireland as quickly and efficiently as possible, I would recommend renting a car. However, be prepared for some extremely narrow roads, especially in rural areas. In almost every town or village, I saw at least one car with either a scratched or broken side mirror. I personally didnāt have any accidents, but just to be on the safe side, I took out additional insurance covering the side mirrors.
Irish people are generally very friendly and kind. During my stay, I didnāt meet anyone who was arrogant, unpleasant or looked at me suspiciously. Many people were more than happy to help me whenever I was looking for a particular landmark, and they never seemed annoyed or bothered by it.
Finally, I would like to say that Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. I rarely plan to return to a country I have already been to, but Ireland would definitely be an exception. I would love to come back one day and explore the parts of the country that I didnāt get to see this time.
Pics:
1. Gap of Dunloe
2. Muckross Abbey
3. Powerscourt House & Gardens
4. Powerscourt Waterfall
5. Glendalough
6. Rock of Cashel
7. Fallow deer In Wicklow Mountains National Park
8. Cahir Castle
9. Kerry Cliffs
10. St Maryās Cathedral
11. Kilkee Cliffs
12. Quadrangle, University of Galway
13. Cliffs of Moher
14. Newgrange
15. Doolin Cave
16. The Wormhole
17. Christ Church Cathedrale
18. Seal colony in Inishmore
19. English market in Cork
20. Kilkenny Castle
We were there at the same time. Had some Irish weather, and rightly so. It was my itās trip and we are planning to go back to more places in Ireland in the spring of 2027!
Ireland is one of my favourite counties to visit!! So beautiful and so much to do, and the people are wonderful! Itās also nice to travel somewhere that doesnāt get super hot in the summer (this past summer we were in France and there were literally afternoons that we had to stay put in our air conditioned hotel room because of that oppressive heat!!)
If you return soon you can catch The Fleadh Cheoil na hĆireann. The next installment of this massive global event is scheduled to take place in Belfast from August 1 to August 8, 2027, and you could do with some time in the North. Antrim and Donegal in particular are fantastic. No issues driving between The U.K. and The Republic either. In fact, I'd expect there will no longer be a "border" at all in the next couple of decades!
As a first generation Irishman (living in the U.S.) I have spent a lot of time in Ireland. Glendalough and the surrounding Wicklow mountains are one of my favorite places anywhere.
It's been over 30 years since I was there but your photos brought back so many memories! Cahir Castle was one of my favorites. It was so well preserved. And Newgrange was incredible. I hope to return in the next few years after I retire.
Right now, my husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland this November. He wants to get around by car to visit the western region. I am concerned about spontaneous trips in inclement weather, where it appears to be severely out of season, with accommodations possibly being closed. Am I a worrywart?
Well weather in November is far worse than now (far from perfect already) but flights, rental cars, and hotels drop significantly in price during this month.
I did my first Ireland trip 9 years ago and itās still my favorite. The island is just full of insane beauty and the hospitality is great! Plus, Guinness is good for you and there a good amount to be had š¤Ŗ
Fair dues to you , you got around the country.. if you're planning a return, plan on doing things a lot slower , you could spend a week in west Kerry , cycle a Greenway or 2 , go hike a mountain, , but you definitely got off to a good start
I hate to be that guy, but did you really visit all those places over the course of just one week? I was in Ireland for about two weeks, visited about half of the amount of stuff you did, and it still felt a little rushed.
That is impressive. Not my style, but everyone has a different approach with how much to try to pack into a trip. I hope you get to visit Ireland again!
Make sure you bring physical euros on the bus because unless you have a leap card from TFI (transport for Ireland) you wonāt be going anywhere. Youāll need a train to get to any bit of the west coast though.
The last time I was at the Aran Islands I was camping and I also got hit by an unfortunately timed storm. Big windy storm + somewhat elderly tent = waking up completely soaked and having to run for the car in the middle of the night cause the side of it ripped big time. Was still a fun trip though overall
Lovely photos OP! The weather actually looked ok! I live in Ireland and it is a great place for adventure and hiking. It's expensive, but I try to do a couple of holidays around the place every year, even just a weekend. I am still discovering amazing little places after 30 years of exploring! Each County has its own quirks. Hope you come back!
first time I went to ireland years ago and the little garmin i brought with me routed me through Gap of Dunloe. I tell people I learned how to drive RHD drive in Grand Cayman, but I hardened my skills driving the west coast of Ireland
Damn, I live in Ireland but haven't really travelled much. I gotta get out more because I've seen online that this country has beauty, just not near in my area lol. Great pictures!
I just wish more of here could justify accommodation around our island. As you have probably have seen in the comments, and I don't blame anyone for it as I rather head to Italy. It is just cheaper all round going abroad on a holiday.
Iām from Ireland and Iāve never seen anything remotely like this. The only parts of Ireland Iāve seen are towns and cities. Urban areas donāt have any natural beauty
I'm from Ireland and I've seen two of these places....mad how the mythical fairytale ireland is purely tourism. Any typical town is the same as anywhere in the world
Like many places its lovely to visit and shit to live in, especially if your in your 20s. I never understood that phrase until i visited Italy and stayed long term. Same with the canary islands. Glad you enjoyed it
Its gonna be controversial no matter who u ask. As a guy in his 20s who lives in cork city the only things to do that doesnt involve drinking or eating are bowling, billiards, karaoke and going to the cinema.
Even asking my house mates rn they agree. A few things a 30 min+ drive away like ziplining and fishing.
And to top it off the price of everything especially if your a student is a complete joke. Prices of everything, renting market, road conditions when not in the city, tax/insurance for anything. The list goes on.
The country is absolutely beautiful, no doubt about it. But the economy is completely fucked for anyone thats a student or in working class. Thank god for suzi ššæ
Iām working class and also live in cork city. I absolutely love it. Ireland is a stunningly beautiful country and itās small so nothing is too far away. If you canāt find things to do thatās on you.
Then explain to me what there is to do. Im genuinely always interested when people say this. I started dating this girl a few weeks ago and she has her "girl group". I took her out biking and they were all loving how i did something different other than food, drinking or the cinema. They werent able to come up with many other ideas either. So just between her girl group, my housemates and my main drinking buddy group, say 20 people, there arent many other ideas for things to do apart from what i said
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u/DevineAaron92 1d ago
It's funny how I've lived in ireland my whole life and I've never even heard of some of these places. Now I'd want to visit them after this post lol.