One of my favorite things about the West of Ireland is the jaw-dropping scenery. Breathtaking, rugged vistas stretch across the landscape, and, for those who really want to get to know the people, it’s the best place in the country to get a real glimpse of traditional Irish culture. Especially in places such as Cork, Galway, Donegal, and Kerry, where folks still speak Gaeilge (Irish).
Shannon is the place to fly into for a vacation in Ireland’s West. Don’t over plan your trip… you’ll want to leave room for unexpected surprises and discoveries such as scenic overlooks, fascinating towns, and meeting the locals.
Choose any or all of the following activities for a spectacular trip!
Explore the Burren, County Clare
Home to rare Arctic, Mediterranean, and Alpine plants which thrive side by side, this amazing limestone environment in County Clare is fascinating to explore. The Burren is also home to the spectacular Ailwee Cave, discovered by a local herdsman in 1940.
Pick up a copy of The Burren Explorer, a guidebook with cycling and walking maps and information on the area, and explore the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.
Tip: for the best Clare-caught salmon, head to the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna.
Drive the Ring of Kerry & check out the Puck Fair
The famous “Ring of Kerry” from Killarney around the Iveragh Peninsula is known for its breathtaking beauty. Whether you travel by foot, bike or car, you’ll have jaw-dropping views. If anything is a must see in Ireland, this is it!
Tip: Each August here in Killorglin, you’ll find one of the oldest fairs in Ireland, the Puck Fair. A mix of a traditional horse fair and a busking competition, it’s a great place to meet the friendly locals and attend the coronation of – believe it or not – one lucky goat as “King Puck”!
Visit Dingle Town and the Dingle Peninsula
Steep cliffs broken by sandy beaches rise dramatically along the Dingle Peninsula coastline. Lined with walking routes for all levels, this area also has a rich musical tradition as well as fine dining, sea angling, talented craftspeople and some of the best surfing in Ireland.
Tip: Be sure to spend some time in Dingle Town – it’s become of mecca for traditional music lovers and you’ll want to spend an evening or two in an old style Irish pub enjoying laughter, Guinness, and the craic.
Did you know? It is said that in the 17th century, an exiled Galway silversmith named Richard Joyce made a Claddagh ring for his wife, which he gave to her when he returned home 30 years later. Today, this traditional ring is given as a symbol of friendship, loyalty, and love.
Pay homage to W.B. Yeats at Drumcliff Church, County Sligo
Drumcliffe Church is best known as the final resting place of William Butler Yeats, the world-renowned poet, and writer who spent his childhood in County Sligo. But the church also features one of the finest examples of a High Cross left in Ireland, as well as a round tower built in the 10th century as a refuge against plundering Vikings.
Tip: Take a boat tour around the beautiful Isle of Innisfree. The picturesque island, so steeped in myth and legend, inspired W.B. Yeats to write one of his most well-known poems – The Lake Isle of Innisfree.
Connemara Gaeltacht, County Galway
Irish is the first language for many of the locals in Ireland’s Gaelstacht regions, which are known for their charming atmosphere. The scenery is rich in beauty, and the area is alive with traditional music and crafts. Unique to this area is the participation in singing Irish ballads and telling and storytelling. Don’t hesitate to join in!
Tip: Bring home a piece of this great tradition by buying a hand-made bodhrán, a traditional lrish instrument, in the village of Roundstone.
Take in the Cliffs of Moher, Country Clare
The dramatic cliffs of this world-renowned wonder are breathtaking. Stretching for nearly five miles along Ireland’s rugged coastline, they drop 214 meters at their highest point to the Atlantic Ocean far below.
Tip: Pack some wine and cheese for sunset on the Cliffs of Moher. Just watch out for the howling wind, which could whip up at any moment.
Did you know? Skellig Michael, the larger of the two Skellig islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the sparsely populated southwest coast of Ireland, was the remote location featured at the end of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Stay at a manor hotel in Adare, County Limerick
Adare, with its thatched-roof cottages and picturesque streets, is considered one of Ireland’s prettiest villages. Delve into history at the county’s Heritage Centre, then explore the numerous craft and gift shops, antique stores, and lively pubs in the village.
If you’d like to extend your time here, Adare Manor, as you can see from the aerial view above, is simply gorgeous! Whether you want to relax in the spa, enjoy a round of golf, dine on gourmet cuisine, or indulge in a romantic getaway, this restored 200-year-old manor house is one of Ireland’s most exciting new hotels.
Go on a scenic drive through West Cork
West Cork has many rewarding sights to visit. One of my favorites is the colorful medieval town of Kinsale, where you can browse delightful shops and eateries set in a stunning coastal area. Also in Cork are the quaint villages of Schull and Goleen and the fishing ports of Union Hall and Castletownbere.
Make sure you also detour to Blarney – that’s where you’ll find the famed castle and fabled Blarney Stone, said to endow anyone who kisses it with the gift of gab. West Cork is also known for its food. You’ll find artisan producers, seafood restaurants, gourmet cafés, and farmer’s markets here, offering high-quality local produce.
