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Most beautiful place in Ireland?

  • 10-04-2011 05:15PM
    #1
    Dionysus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,420 ✭✭✭Dionysus


    First off, I'd like to apologise for starting a positive thread about Ireland in the middle of an economic recession!

    Anyway....

    I was listening to Miriam O'Callaghan's interview this morning on RTÉ Radio 1 with Desmond Fennell and his daughter, Natasha Fennell (Miriam Meets). For those of you familiar with Desmond Fennell's work, it is well worth listening to. At any rate, Fennell mentioned how in 1968 the local council made an order to buy his home in Dundrum, Dublin, and he and his wife thought about where to move with their young family and they decided on rural Ireland and, after a while, on Maínis island in Conamara.

    My memory lit up with the name.

    I've travelled the length and breadth of Ireland and in 2009 I decided to drive along the western seaboard and came across, entirely by accident, Maínis in Conamara and I've never ever ever seen a place as beautiful and isolated in this country. I never heard of it and to be very honest I had to ask a local (Dublin-born and educated Irish speaking) guy I met down on a small beach what the name of the place was. It's not a town, not a village but rather a small island linked to the mainland by a bridge. We didn't even realise it was an island, to be honest. It was so extraordinarily quiet with deep blue seas and fresh air and small cottages around the place, with many old ruined stone cottages a sign of its former glory and mass emigration. While I can't move there at this stage, I can see myself moving there in the future and I'm already planning for that life.

    Other places in Ireland I've seen which struck me as amazing were Ceann Sléibhe in Corca Dhuibhne, Barleycove in south-west Cork, Alihies, in West Cork, Rathlin Island in Antrim and Dún Aonghasa all made an impression on me for their isolation and beauty. For cultural uniqueness, Doolin in Clare for its world-famous trad. music scene has secured no less than three return holidays out of me. As you can see I'm partial towards the sea in all my choices.

    These are all well-known places, but the tiny island of Maínis off Conamara was so unexpected that I can see myself moving there.

    What place in Ireland has been so spectacular it left a positive impression on you?


«13456

Comments

  • #2
    Pauleta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,778 ✭✭✭Pauleta


    Ive lived in the area all my life but Killiney Bay gets me everytime. I never get sick of the moment im on the DART and exit the tunnel from Dalkey, amazing view.


  • #3
    chin_grin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,808 ✭✭✭✭chin_grin


    Cool story bro.


  • #4
    HoneyRyder
    Closed Accounts Posts: 240 ✭✭HoneyRyder


    Abra circa any Saturday at 3am


  • #5
    Dionysus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,420 ✭✭✭Dionysus


    chin_grin wrote: »
    Cool story bro.

    Shíte meme, horse.


  • #6
    Hyperbullet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,084 ✭✭✭Hyperbullet


    Moyross. The way the sunlight flickered on the early morning dew that had settled on a burnt out car brought a tear to my eye.



    ....Could have been the repeated kicks to the stomach while my wallet was being robbed that caused the tear mind....


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  • #7
    joshrogan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 855 ✭✭✭joshrogan


    the wright venue


  • #8
    chin_grin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,808 ✭✭✭✭chin_grin


    Dionysus wrote: »
    Shíte meme, horse.

    I'm not your horse, boy.


  • #9
    Brenireland
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,373 ✭✭✭Brenireland


    Clara,great place,something their for everyone whether it be a cheap carpet or a strimmers.


  • #10
    Dionysus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,420 ✭✭✭Dionysus


    chin_grin wrote: »
    I'm not your horse, boy.

    :o


  • #11
    mikemac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,967 ✭✭✭✭mikemac


    Skellig Michael


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  • #12
    epgc3fyqirnbsx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,228 ✭✭✭epgc3fyqirnbsx


    Keem Bay and the Atlantic Drive in Achill is one of my favourite spots. The whole drive to get there is stunning, and also a little scary. Then the beach is so sheltered that a mild day feels realy warm.


  • #13
    Oh_Noes
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,512 ✭✭✭Oh_Noes


    Sligo town can be a beautiful place if the weather is right. You have Benbulben on one side and Knocknarae on the other. I only lived there for a short while but I'll always want to go back.

    It feels like a whole other Ireland, a little remote corner of the country that's vibrants with life, surround by mountains, the sea and the town itself has such character in its history.


  • #14
    bleg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,847 ✭✭✭bleg


    Helvic near dungarvan


  • #15
    InTheTrees
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    Maínis?

    near Carna? Or Lettermore? In the gaeltacht right? not further west by Clifden?


  • #16
    InTheTrees
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    no sea view but...

    I always loved Glendalough. Its a very magical place, and not windswept like a lot of our other sites.


  • #17
    Sanjuro
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,241 ✭✭✭Sanjuro


    Connemara is one of the most beautiful places on earth, let alone Ireland. Glenmacnass Waterfall is Wicklow is pretty freaking spectacular.


  • #18
    fontanalis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭fontanalis


    Being biased but parts of Donegal are beautiful when the weathers good (some even when it's not). Don't mean to bring negativity to your thread but some of the houses that were thrown up in nice places are atrocious.


  • #19
    Princess Consuela Bananahammock
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,779 ✭✭✭✭Princess Consuela Bananahammock


    Lakes of Killarney.

    Also Glendalough, the Cliffs if Moher (before the build a wall and trouristified it!) and the view from Croagh Patrick.

    Everything I don't like is either woke or fascist - possibly both - pick one.



  • #20
    Dionysus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,420 ✭✭✭Dionysus


    InTheTrees wrote: »
    Maínis?

    near Carna? Or Lettermore? In the gaeltacht right? not further west by Clifden?

    It was after Carna coming from, if I recall, where we got off the boat from Oileáin Árann (I'm open to correction on this, however); we drove by the shop (on the left) and school (across the road on the right) and kept going but went down to the left to keep nearer the atlantic coast and ended up in Maínis. Got out of the car there and stayed for hours.


  • #21
    Pwindedd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,316 ✭✭✭Pwindedd


    InTheTrees wrote: »
    no sea view but...

    I always loved Glendalough. Its a very magical place, and not windswept like a lot of our other sites.

    I knew it was only a matter of time before Glendalough appeared, I've only been once but it leaves a lasting impression. It's like something out of lord of the rings/harry potter/labyrinth - behind every tree there could be a troll or fairy - must go back soon.


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  • #22
    fontanalis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭fontanalis


    Pwindedd wrote: »
    I knew it was only a matter of time before Glendalough appeared, I've only been once but it leaves a lasting impression. It's like something out of lord of the rings/harry potter/labyrinth - behind every tree there could be a troll or fairy - must go back soon.

    Come on Wicklow people have feelings too!


  • #23
    later12
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,298 ✭✭✭✭later12


    A lot of it is subjective. The best view of ever had of Ireland was probably one at home in the rural midlands, sat upon a roundbale of straw on one of those hazy August evenings, drinking cider with the sheepdog, listening to the birds warbling in bogland, cows moseying along a grassy road out of the farmyard...

    And now excuse me while I break into the chorus of Slievenamon...


  • #24
    Dionysus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,420 ✭✭✭Dionysus


    InTheTrees wrote: »
    no sea view but...

    I always loved Glendalough. Its a very magical place, and not windswept like a lot of our other sites.

    I went hillwalking by An Spinc a few years ago and came across literally hundreds of wild deer (and many goats) up there. For a hugely tourist area, Glendalough still has enormous appeal for people who love isolation and natural beauty. Speaking of which, the Wicklow Way, which I finally walked in its entirety (to Carlow) last summer, is well worth doing. My only complaint was that there wasn't enough water taps along the way (your 2-litre supply runs short quite quickly). But I'd strongly recommend the Wicklow Way for anybody who wanted to get away from things.


  • #25
    Kidchameleon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,482 ✭✭✭Kidchameleon


    Chapelizod. No place like home.


  • #26
    Mint Sauce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,293 ✭✭✭✭Mint Sauce


    Stayed outaside a Village near Skibberenn many years ago, think it was called Castletownend. Was late at night when we arrived, so pitch dark, knew we were near the coast but didn't realise quite how near. Opened the curtains the next morning to one of the best views in the county I have seen, overlooking the bay, the hills and the cliffs on the far side, gutted didn't have the camera.

    Slieve Leauge in Donegal is worth a huge mention, driving round a narrow lane up to the car park, is one thing, once you hit the walk along the top its almost breath taking.

    Oh_Noes wrote: »
    Sligo town can be a beautiful place if the weather is right. You have Benbulben on one side and Knocknarae on the other. I only lived there for a short while but I'll always want to go back.

    It feels like a whole other Ireland, a little remote corner of the country that's vibrants with life, surround by mountains, the sea and the town itself has such character in its history.

    The views from the top are preety special as well.


  • #27
    SEPT 23 1989
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43,038 ✭✭✭✭SEPT 23 1989


    Certain parts of Town are beautiful


  • #28
    El Weirdo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,651 ✭✭✭✭El Weirdo


    Oh_Noes wrote: »
    Sligo town can be a beautiful place if the weather is right. You have Benbulben on one side and Knocknarae on the other. I only lived there for a short while but I'll always want to go back.

    It feels like a whole other Ireland, a little remote corner of the country that's vibrants with life, surround by mountains, the sea and the town itself has such character in its history.
    Whilst I don't particularly agree with you on Sligo Town itself being beautiful, there are some lovely parts of the surrounding area.

    Actually, the whole of the North West has some stunning scenery that would rival anything in the likes of Kerry. The Tourist Board seems to have a hard-on for the South West though and the NW seems to be forgotten about when it comes to promoting tourism.


  • #29
    fontanalis
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭fontanalis


    El Weirdo wrote: »
    Whilst I don't particularly agree with you on Sligo Town itself being beautiful, there are some lovely parts of the surrounding area.

    Actually, the whole of the North West has some stunning scenery that would rival anything in the likes of Kerry. The Tourist Board seems to have a hard-on for the South West though and the NW seems to be forgotten about when it comes to promoting tourism.

    Enniscrone is lovely.


  • #30
    El Weirdo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,651 ✭✭✭✭El Weirdo


    fontanalis wrote: »
    Enniscrone is lovely.
    Indeed it is. It would be more lovely if it wasn't for all the empty holiday homes.


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  • #31
    Dionysus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,420 ✭✭✭Dionysus


    Kidchameleon wrote: »
    Chapelizod. No place like home.

    Chapelizod is easily one of the most underrated places in Dublin. With the Liffey flowing through it and the massive Phoenix Park next to it, and the long walk by the Angler's Rest and Liffey valley (as in the valley of the Liffey - not the shopping centre!) on your left, Chapelizod is great for those of us who love the water and to roam through hundreds of hectares of land. Walking by the Strawberry Beds is like walking in the countryside.

    My favourite place in all of Dublin still has to be Howth/Binn Éadair. Unlike Dún Laoghaire or other places it still retains a strong fishing village sense to its identity and heritage.


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