My 5 Amazing Favorite Destinations in Ireland
In honor of St Patrick’s Day I’m going to give you a list of my favorite destinations in Ireland.
As you can imagine, this was NOT easy for me.
Only 5?
Yeah.
This was HARD!
I had to really think about this as there are so many places in Ireland that I love.
But I did it.
So here are my 5 favorite destinations in Ireland that I highly recommend to you!
Connemara, County Galway
I love this western piece of County Galway.
It tugs at my heart so much.
There is a beauty to Connemara that is different from other parts of Ireland.
You’ll find the peaks of the 12 Bens and the Maumturk mountains.
Peaty bogland that is teaming with life.
A coastline that zigs and zags but has wonderful surprises in the way of harbor villages and beautiful sandy beaches.
Then there is the fabulous Connemara National Park with its bogland and Diamond Hill.
And there are some amazing drives such as Sky Road, the Old Bog Road, the road through the Inagh Valley and on the Renvyle Peninsula that offer up views and wee roads that lead to hidden treasures.
*Sigh*
I find that every time I visit this piece of Ireland, I discover more.
Connemara is definitely one of my favorite destinations in Ireland.
I love it so much that I have an e-guide about it!
Not to be missed: Connemara National Park Sky Road Renvyle Peninsula
Northern County Donegal
After spending 2 weeks in the northern part of County Donegal, it was added to my favorite destinations in Ireland list.
I had long wanted to visit because the descriptions and images intrigued me.
Wild. Remote. Rugged. “It’s different up here.”
And it is all of these and more.
I spent time in the village of Dunfanaghy which made a great base for exploring Horn Head, the Rosguill Peninsula, Fanad Peninsula and Glenveagh National Park.
The Inishowen Peninsula which has Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head on it, is also part of northern Donegal.
It’s awesome!
Tramore beach right near Dunfanaghy is one of the most stunning beaches in Ireland.
It’s a fun 20 to 30 minute walk through the sand dunes to get to this 2 mile stretch of sandy gorgeousness.
Ards Forest Park is a local gem that has some fabulous wooded walks as well as time along the water including some really nice beaches.
And Fanad Head Lighthouse is amazing!
I just love lighthouses!!
The landscape of northern County Donegal with Muckish Mountain and Errigal Mountain, craggy coastline, bogland, forests and rolling hills is gorgeous!
Such a magnificent destination!
Not to be missed: Tramore just outside Dunfanaghy Horn Head Loop Drive (or you can walk it) Fanad Head Lighthouse
Silver Strand, County Mayo
I will forever rave about this beach in southern County Mayo.
It was my first Irish beach so it holds a special place in my heart.
I remember Aedín, my Irish friend, and I walking onto this beach just as a couple was getting back into their car, leaving the beach to just the 2 of us.
I love that Silver Strand is hidden down this wee road that dead ends in the parking lot for it.
That Mweelrea looms above it.
And I love that there are more mountains off in the distance.
There are sand dunes to play in as well.
It is one of my favorite destinations in Ireland and I think it will remain on the list forever.
Not to be missed: Playing in the sand dunes Just walking on the beach and soaking up the beauty of this special spot
West Cork
If you mention West Cork — the western part of County Cork — to an Irish person, you’ll notice they get a dreamy look in their eyes.
West Cork has that effect on you.
This part of County Cork is truly special.
There are charming harbor villages like Baltimore, Schull and Glandore.
You’ll find historic sites such as Drombeg Stone Circle, the ruins of a few fortresses (Dunlough and Knockdrum) and all things Michael Collins.
West Cork has some gorgeous beaches as well with the ever popular Incheydoney and less visited stretches of sand such as Barleycove and Red Strand.
Mizen Head and Sheep’s Head — 2 of the Peninsulas in West Cork — are incredible and very different.
I’m a huge fan of Mizen Head as out at the very tip is the Mizen Head Experience with its jaw dropping sea cliffs and views to the Atlantic.
Sheep’s Head is different with less drama but has unbelievable views and fewer crowds.
And, we can’t forget that the Beara Peninsula is partially in West Cork too.
This is another magnificent peninsula with a mountainous — and stunning — interior and a beautiful coastline.
Not to mention Beara has quite a few prehistoric sites such as stone circles, portal tombs and standing stones.
There are a few islands off the coast of West Cork as well that have just a handful of folks living on them.
Cape Clear is fabulous!
But for me it’s the light.
As a photographer, the light here is ethereal and makes for some stunning images.
I think you can see why West Cork is one of my favorite destinations in Ireland.
Not to be missed: Mizen Head Drombeg Stone Circle Baltimore
Killarney National Park + Kenmare, County Kerry
One of my favorite towns is Kenmare.
And Kenmare sits just south of one of my favorite places in Ireland — Killarney National Park.
So this is a bit of a 2-fer.
Let’s start with Killarney National Park.
I’m planning on digging deeper into this park on my upcoming trip here.
But I’ve driven through it, wandered around it and did a short hike in it.
I just love Killarney National Park — Ireland’s first and oldest national park.
The mountains, the lakes, the trees, the views. I
t’s a stunner.
There are some historical sites here as well with Muckross House — which you can tour, Muckross Abbey and Ross Castle, both of which are more ruins.
You can take a cruise on the lakes or even kayak on the lakes.
Kenmare makes a great base to explore the park as it’s less filled with motor coaches than Killarney Town.
This Kerry town has the perfect mix of locals and travelers in the pubs and on the streets.
It’s a lively town with enough in the way of tourist amenities including lots of pubs!
I’ve always had so much fun when I’ve stayed in Kenmare.
Not to be missed: Pub time in Kenmare Walking along the lakes Driving the N71 through the park and stopping at Ladies View
So there are my 5 favorite destinations in Ireland
If you ask me to choose in a month, I may have a different list.
It’s hard to choose my favorite places in Ireland as I love so much of this country.
I could easily add a site such as Loughcrew Cairns in County Meath or Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.
What is your favorite place in Ireland?
Drop it in the comments below or feel free to send me a note at Lynne@WanderYourWay.com.
Happy St Patrick’s Day! Sláinte 🍻
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