Ireland's Hidden Gems

holidaycloud

What are the best places to visit in Ireland that are off the heavily trodden tourist track?

I am trying to put together a list of great things to do in Ireland while on holiday. Things that people may over look when visiting.

Having taken a Canadian friend out and about around Dublin and for a drive to Glendalough I soon craved for something a little less predictable or less touristy.

If you have any great experiences or recommendations, shoot me a line below

Greg81

Mizen Head is a great place.

If you thinking also bout the north The Gobbins Cliff Path looks great.
Did not got a chance to visit it yet but soon.

http://thegobbinscliffpath.com/

holidaycloud

Thanks Greg, both look exceptionally cool, I also haven't been to either before, defiantly worth researching

Mizen Head by sea would be spectacular I would say...

Lex Luthor

Wicklow Mts National Park & Glenmacnass Waterfall
The Dark Hedges
Dunluce Castle
Achill Island
Clew Bay
Inishboffin Island
Valentia Island
Skellig Michael
Healys Pass
Dursey Island Cable Car
Castletownbere
Bundoran
Clare Island
Kinsale Town

NIMAN

The Inishowen peninsula (I might be slightly biased on this one).

dennyk

Seconding Achill Island, lovely spot and not as tourist-swarmed as the southwest. Lots of beautiful scenery in Mayo in general, actually; Downpatrick Head, the Windy Gap, Clew Bay, Doo Lough, Aasleagh and the north side of Killary Harbour, and of course Croagh Patrick.

Whenever I travel I also like to hunt down old ruins; castles, friaries, churches, round towers, and such. They're everywhere in Ireland and many of them are well off the beaten path and largely ignored by tourists. A few of my favorite spots that I've visited so far:

- Ross Errilly Friary, just outside Headford in County Galway. A huge ruin, you can wander around in it for ages.

- Killala in Mayo has a round tower in the center of town and a few nearby friaries: Rathfran Friary, Rosserk, and Moyne Abbey.

- Kilmallock in County Limerick has an abbey, a collegiate church, an old tower house, and some of the original town walls, including an original gatehouse.

A few resources that are handy for tracking down these sites:

http://www.megalithicireland.com/ - Photos and maps of hundreds of historic ruins and megalithic sites around the country

http://www.irishstones.org - Another site with lots of photos from many different sites (quite a bit of overlap with Megalithic Ireland, though)

http://www.monastic.ie - Only has religious sites and doesn't cover as many locations, but has tons of fascinating information about the ones it does, including detailed histories and site plans.

This Wikipedia list is also quite helpful:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_historical_abbeys,_castles,_and_monuments_in_Ireland

huskerdu

Loughcrew Cairns http://loughcrew.com/cairns/

fricatus

Depends heavily on what sort of things they're into of course, so if you can give us any pointers, that might help.

A few highlights from my local area, in no particular order:

- Woodstock in Kilkenny, Altamount in Carlow and Mount Congreve in Waterford: all fabulous gardens/estates
- Ring of Hook and Hook lighthouse in Wexford: the lighthouse is great and the peninsula has that "edge of the earth" feel about it
- Dunmore East: my favourite beautiful place on the planet bar none, and going to have the starring role in a BBC drama called Redwater on TV soon (spinoff from EastEnders)
- Swiss Cottage near Cahir. I haven't been myself, but apparently it's like the Shire!
- The Medieval Museum in Waterford: beautiful, award-winning building, and one of the displays is these fabulous vestments: http://www.waterfordtreasures.com/medieval-museum/whats-inside/cloth-of-gold-vestments
- Kells Priory in Kilkenny: for me it was sort of just ruins, but those with interest/knowledge say it's one of the finest sites of its type anywhere
- Copper Coast drive in Waterford (basically the coast road between Tramore and Dungarvan) is one of the most dramatic and beautiful coast roads, especially around Bunmahon and Boatstrand
- Dungarvan: lovely town with a foodie vibe and great pubs
- Ardmore and into east Cork: foodie heaven, with places like the Cliff House, the deli on the corner in Castlemartyr (can't remember its name), Ballymaloe House, and various places in Ballycotton.

God we're spoiled!

JCX BXC

The Waterford Greenway is really quite amazing, namely the part between Dungarvan and Kilmacthomas.