Best Ways to Discover Ireland Off the Beaten Path

Ireland is a wonderful destination for a holiday. It has almost everything on offer to suit everyone.

It really doesn’t matter what you are looking for in your trip to Ireland. It has everything such as awesome landscapes with an incredible diverse culture. You can enjoy historic castles and cathedrals with it’s beautiful countryside and rugged coasts.

If you get off the beaten track and look for some of Ireland’s secret spots and hidden gems you can of course go out and explore on your own but if you are not a seasoned traveller then I would highly recommend that you book onto Ireland tours so you experience your trip to Ireland in its full beauty.

Here is a selection of Ireland’s gems that I highly recommend you visit while you holiday in Ireland.

1. Hook Lighthouse

Hook lighthouse is situated at the edge of the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford. It is one of the oldest operating lighthouses anywhere in the world and it dates back to the 13th century. Hook lighthouse is open to the public and it offers stunning views of the coastline.

2. Loftus Hall

Apparently Lotus Hall is the most haunted building in Ireland and was built in 1350. It has many uses over the years such as a hotel, a nunnery and has been left abandoned for many years.

It’s most amazing feature is the staircase. There are only three of its type of staircase anywhere in the world. One is on the titanic at the bottom of the ocean and the other is in the Vatican. It really is a must visit.

3. Aran Islands

One of the most famous tourists attractions in Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher. When you look across the water you will see the Aran Islands. Well, it’s well worth the ferry ride. It is one the of last places in Ireland where Irish is the still the language spoken. It has natural highlights and small communities and is completely off the beaten track.

4. Hore Abbey

Hore Abbey was built as a Cistercian monastery in the 13th century. It is very close to the Rock of Cashel but if your thing is the ruins of cathedrals or castles and you want to be away from the crowds then a walk around Hore Abbey is the place for you. It is truly stunning.

5. Torc Waterfall

Torc Waterfall can be found in the very popular Killarney National Park and is really one Ireland’s hidden gems. To find it you take a five minute walk through the woods to find this amazing waterfall. It’s a great place to admire a stunning view so be sure to check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

So that’s my small selection of some Ireland’s hidden gems that can be found off the beaten track.

Of course, on your trip to Ireland it’s also important to include the more well known tourist attractions such as Giants Causeway which is of course an awesome sight. A visit to Cork is also a must-do. Cork is the culinary capital of Ireland which also has many historical landmarks on every street corner.

Another fantastic way to see the beauty of Ireland is on the train and jumping on a train to Dublin is one of the best ways to explore. Dublin is one of the oldest cities in Ireland with its castles it has so much history and lots of fantastic pubs to enjoy a pint of Guinness. If you have Dublin on your agenda then travelling on a high speed train in comfort means you can relax and enjoy all the stunning Irish countryside.

Have you been to Ireland? I would love to hear your favourite places to visit in Ireland in the comments below.