My Top 5 — No 6 — Experiences in Ireland Every Traveler Must Have

I wanted to post this for St Patrick’s Day week, but life got in the way.

So here is a belated St Patrick’s Day post of my top 5 travel experiences in Ireland.

Ok.

I lied. 

I tried to choose 5 but ended up with 6. 

These are not just single experiences, but rather experiences that you can make a half or full day out of. 

Are you ready for a little Irish adventure?

Let’s go!

Walk to and on Tramore (Big Beach) in Dunfanaghy and enjoy a session at Patsy Dans after (County Donegal)

There are some amazing beaches in Ireland!

And spending time on one (or 2 or 3) of these beaches is one of the best experiences in Ireland.

Tramore is one of these breathtaking beaches.

But it’s one you have to work for.

First of all, it’s way up in the northern part of County Donegal which is the far northwest part of Ireland — the piece that looks like it should be part of Northern Ireland, but is actually part of the Republic of Ireland.

Tramore is just on the outskirts of the village of Dunfanaghy, one of my favorite Irish towns.

I spent 2 weeks here and fell in love with it.

We’ll get to Dunfanaghy.

So this beach…

First of all you’ll either drive or walk from Dunfanaghy on the Horn Head road which you should see signs for at the Western edge of town.

Not far down this road, you’ll cross a lovely bridge.

As you cross over the bridge you’ll see a sign for a car park on the left.

If you’re driving, this is the place to park.

If you’re walking just walk in that direction.

You’ll see the gate and the trail that leads through a small wooded area.

After a short walk through the trees you’ll begin the roller coaster ride part of the walk — through the sand dunes.

I know!

How fun is this???!!!

You may even see some people sledding down the dunes!!

There are lots of different tracks, but all will get you to the beach — eventually.

There may be some that don’t quite get to the right spot but you’ll get there.

My advice is to stay a bit right but not too far right.

It’s about a 30 minute walk to get to the beach itself.

Before you actually get to Tramore, you’ll see it off in the distance.

Wow!

Once you are at Tramore, you’ll probably find that it’s not overly busy unless you are there in the height of summer (July and August).

The beach is 3km/2mi long.

And it’s simply gorgeous.

It’s a wide, crescent-shaped beach that you can’t believe is in Ireland.

Be sure to pack a picnic because there are no services here.

And because you can’t just drive to it and walk 500m, it has a more wild, remote and natural feel to it — like most of County Donegal.

Walk the entire beach, exploring the rocks and sand.

Enjoy your picnic, taking in the views of the wild Atlantic Ocean.

Just be at one with nature and with Ireland.

Once you walk back to the parking area, drive or walk into Dunfanaghy.

I highly recommend staying in this town as it’s a great base for exploring this part of Ireland.

And after your day at Tramore stop by Patsy Dans for a pint or a wee dram.

There will be music every night, but Mondays and Fridays are when you’ll hear traditional Irish music at about 6pm.

If you’re a bit hungry the Rusty Oven Pizza is attached to Patsy Dans and a good spot for some pizza while you are having your adult beverage and listening to the music.

Yes, a perfect day in Ireland!

Tip: If you want a fun, vibrant holiday scene visit in summer. If you want it a bit quieter, try spring (outside of the Easter break) or September.

Hike one of the Mullaghmore trails in the Burren followed by lunch at the Burren Perfumery (County Clare)

The Burren is one of the coolest places I’ve been.

Walking through the Burren is one the best experiences in Ireland especially for those who love the outdoors and who appreciate geology and botany.

So where is the Burren?

And what is the Burren?

The Burren is located in the Northern part of County Clare.

It’s an interesting landscape characterized by limestone.

And it’s one of Ireland’s 6 national parks.

I wrote this post that explains a bit more of what it is.

I think the best way to explore this intriguing landscape is by foot.

You can walk about anywhere but I love the the trails around Mullaghmore as this peak, and neighboring Sliabh Rua, are very unique.

Sliabh Rua looks like a cinnamon bun!

You’ll find the trails for Mullaghmore near the town of Cloon.

There is a red, blue and green route with the green being the easiest as an out and back.

This is the one I did.

Once you have finished your morning walk, stop by The Burren Perfumery for a late lunch or even a spot of tea and a treat.

This perfumery makes soaps, lotions, perfumes and teas from the plants and flowers that grow in the area.

So it’s all locally grown and made.

And these soaps and teas make great gifts!

Their cafe offers up fresh, locally produced food.

It’s a great reward after all the walking.

You can find The Burren Perfumery about 2.5km/1.5mi from the town of Carron.

Tip: If you go in May the flowers will be blooming in the Burren. It’s a wonderful time to visit, but can be a bit busy. But there are places to find solitude.

Explore Killarney National Park by foot, drive over Molls Gap to Kenmare, eat at the Coachman enjoying the music there too — and an adult beverage (County Kerry) — Oh, and stay in Kenmare for a couple of nights

I love Killarney National Park.

And I love Kenmare.

So for me one of my favorite experiences in Ireland is to put these 2 together.

Spend some time in Killarney National Park.

You can visit Muckross House, walk along one of the lakes, hike on one of the more adventurous trails or even take a ride in a carriage pulled by horses over the Gap of Dunloe.

Get out and explore Ireland’s first national park on foot.

Really delve into this stunning landscape.

When you’re finished, make the drive over Molls Gap, taking in stunning views of the mountains.

It’s one of my favorite drives.

Just pack your patience as the road — the N71 — is a narrow 2 lane road.

Once over Molls Gap, the N71 will take you into the charming town of Kenmare.

Kenmare is one of my favorite Irish towns.

You’ve booked yourself into one of the lovely B&B’s here such as Rockcrest, Abbey Court or The Lodge.

Freshen up then head out for a good pub meal and some traditional Irish music.

I recommend Coachmans.

Coachmans has a wonderful menu — a notch above pub grub — and has an incredible array of whiskeys.

And they have music most nights, especially late spring through early autumn.

PF McCarthys is a good alternative as it has good pub food.

The fish and chips are delicious!

Typically PF McCarthys has traditional music early so no need to stay up late to catch a session.

But Coachmans is lively and filled with locals and travelers alike.

This is a perfect day in County Kerry!

Explore Mizen Head, have dinner in Schull then walk across the street to have a pint and listen to some music at Hackett’s Bar (County Cork)

There are 5 peninsulas in southwestern Ireland.

The most southerly one is Mizen Head.

And it is one of the best destinations in Ireland.

Mizen Head is less visited than the Dingle Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry which are the 2 most northerly peninsulas and the 2 most popular ones — with the Ring of Kerry holding that number 1 spot.

However, I might argue that Mizen Head is the most beautiful.

You can begin the drive at Ballydehob as you make your way off the N71 onto the R592 toward the harbor village of Schull — which we’ll come back to.

After Schull the scenery wow factor really picks up.

Stop by the Altar Wedge Tomb to take in a piece of history as well as some fabulous views of the coastline.

It’s around here that you pick up the R591.

Don’t miss Barleycove Beach — one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches.

Be sure to get out and walk on this sandy stretch of gorgeousness.

You can take a side trip to Crookhaven or Browhead.

But you want to be sure you make your way all the way out to the end of Mizen Head to the Mizen Head Experience.

The trails are superb and the views are stunning.

It has an end of the world feeling.

I think this is one of the most incredible experiences in Ireland.

I was awed by it for sure.

After your day on the peninsula, make your back to Schull which is a great base for exploring this part of County Cork.

Have a lovely dinner at Newman’s West with a pre or post dinner drink at the adjoining pub, TJ Newmans.

And finish off your day with a pint or a wee dram at Hackett’s Bar which is just across the street.

If you’re lucky, there will be some music at Hackett’s.

Another perfect day in Ireland!

PS I recommend staying in this harbor village for a couple of nights. It’s a charming village!

Climb Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, then have dinner and listen to some Irish music at Mannions in Clifden (Count Galway)

Getting out in nature is one of the best ways to experience Ireland.

And I can’t think of a better experience than hiking up Diamond Hill.

Connemara National Park is in County Galway — specifically in the Connemara region of the county which is the western piece.

This national park is just near the town of Letterfrack right off the N59.

There are just a few trails in the park — the Lower Diamond Hill/Bog Road Trail, the Upper Diamond Hill Trail, the Sruffaunboy Trail and the short Ellis Wood Nature Trail.

Hiking up Diamond Hill will take you on parts of the first 3 trails.

The best way to tackle this hike is to begin on the Struffaunboy/Lower Diamond Hill trail.

Continue onto Lower Diamond Hill trail then onto the Upper Diamond Hill trail, staying left at a split part way up this trail.

This will will lead you to the summit of Diamond Hill.

Now Diamond Hill is not a huge peak.

But it’s one of the things you must do while in Connemara.

The views along the trail are amazing over the Connemara landscape — the Twelve Bens (mountains) to the East, peaty bogland to the South and the sea and islands to the West.

Once at the summit take in all those views.

Have a snack.

Then continue across the top of the peak and down the back side.

You’ll be rewarded with fabulous views of some of the Twelve Bens.

As you get lower on the trail you’ll come to a fork in the trail.

If you take the right trail it will lead you down the way you came.

I highly recommend taking the left path onto the Bog Road Trail.

Once you come down to the valley where the peaty bogland is, you’ll have a nice easy walk back to the Visitor’s Center.

And if the heather is in bloom it will be gorgeous.

Even in early spring, you’ll be surrounded by lots of gorse in bloom with its vibrant yellow flowers.

Back that Visitor Centers, do treat yourself with a delicious treat from the Tea Room.

Sit outside if the weather allows.

And do either begin or end your visit with a wander about the Visitor Center.

This is a special landscape with its own unique ecology and it’s very important to the Irish.

So be sure to give yourself a wee bit of education.

After you’ve had your outdoor time, it’s time to head back to Clifden and freshen up for dinner.

I highly recommend Hillside Lodge — about 1.5km out on Sky Road — or try Sea Mist House right in the heart of Clifden for laying your head.

As for dinner?

Try Restaurant Darcy Twelve for a delicious dinner or Mannions.

Mannions is a bit more casual and you’ll most likely be treated some Irish music as you dine.

The food here is definitely a notch or 2 above pub grub.

If you want a restaurant experience, then try Restaurant Darcy Twelve.

Then walk just a few doors down to Lowrys for a pint or a wee dram and some awesome Irish music which will start a bit later.

Lowrys is one of those dark wood pubs that is so very Irish.

Whew!

That is some day!

This is one of the most amazing experiences in Ireland and a day you will not forget.

You’re welcome 😉

Tip: Do watch the weather as the Diamond Hill trail is very rocky. I don’t recommend this hike if it’s raining. Please do dress accordingly with proper footwear and clothing including a rain jacket. This is Ireland! I also recommend having water and a wee snack should you get a bit peckish on the trail.

And be sure to check out A Slice Of Ireland: Guide To Clifden & Connmeara for more information on this amazing piece of Ireland!

Choosing my best experiences in Ireland was very difficult!

I have many more.

But I forced myself to choose just a handful of some of my favorite that you could make into your own day or half day adventure in Ireland.

Ireland has so much to offer the traveler.

Pubs, small towns, historical sites and some awesome things to do in the outdoors.

The natural beauty of Ireland needs to be relished just as much as the historical sites and towns, in my opinion.

 

What are your favorite experiences in Ireland?

Drop them in the comments below.

I’d love to hear about them!

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