9 Most Breathtaking Towns In Ireland
When you visit Ireland, you will find that the reward of your travels lies in the colorful streets of its small, beautiful towns. Head toward the stunning places that feel lifted from Ed Sheeran lyrics, where Atlantic spray hits the cliffs. The grass glows in a different kind of green, and hidden harbors appear beside quiet mountain villages. Some of the most special spots include Drumshanbo along the scenic Shannon-Erne Waterway and Lismore with its medieval cathedral. These towns, along with the others below, are not typical tourist stops. They will make you lose your heart in the best possible way.
Killarney, County Kerry
Killarney is one of the best towns in Ireland to visit if you want to explore the country’s wild side. It is surrounded by three glacier-carved lakes, namely Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and the Upper Lake. These water bodies are all located within Killarney National Park and are surrounded by majestic mountains. This national park is also Ireland’s first, and aside from the famous lakes, it also features the 65-room Muckross House and the 20-meter Torc Waterfall. You can take the scenic Gap of Dunloe drive inside the park while keeping an eye out for the country’s only native red deer herd. You can also hike or bike to the spot where the three lakes meet to enjoy the unmatched views of the water and landscape.
Other things to do in this beautiful town include exploring the 15th-century Ross Castle, which sits at the edge of Lough Leane. Or, you can drive the Ring of Kerry loop for even more fantastic views. Take the road anti-clockwise to avoid the tour buses and drive the 111 miles around the Iveragh Peninsula. The drive alone takes around 3,5 to 4 hours, but if you want to stop off at other towns or the park, you need at least two days.
Dalkey, County Dublin
Dalkey is all about the castles that Ireland is famous for. Before you head to some of these castles, take the trail to Killiney Hill. The trail will take you through the town to the coast and snakes along the sea to the top of Killiney Hill. Walking the trail is a two-in-one activity, as you can enjoy the views over the ocean as well as see some celebrity mansions. Some of these elaborate houses belong to Bono and Enya. When you get to Killiney, particularly the Obelisk, you will see the entire Killiney Bay below, offering one of the best views in this part of Ireland.
After a couple of hours of admiring the never-ending views, make your way to Dalkey Castle. You should book in advance if you want to explore the castle during a specific timeslot. The castle sits at the southern end of Dublin Bay and features costumed characters, live demonstrations, and even a resident ghost. There is also a Writer’s Gallery where you will find exhibits on the life and works of James Joyce, Maeve Binchy, and Samuel Beckett. Another castle to visit is Archbold’s Castle, built in the 14th century and used as a fortified warehouse. Today, it stands on a hill in Dalkey, just 200 feet west of Dalkey Castle.
Drumshanbo, County Leitrim
Drumshanbo is a beautiful town at the foot of Sliabh an Iarainn and the shore of Lough Allen. The lake is not only visually stunning, but an excellent place to kayak and paddleboard. If you are an adventurer at heart, you will love the Drumshamazon, a fun nickname for the waterways surrounding the lake.
If you want to spend some time walking in Drumshanbo, start at the floating boardwalk. Acres Lake Boardwalk is 600 meters long and ‘floats’ over the water. It is also the start of a walking and cycling trail along the Shannon Blueway that stretches 6.5 kilometers from Acres Lake to Battlebridge Lock. After a day of walking and enjoying the waterways, you can unwind at the Outdoor Spa and Wellness Center, which is also located on Lough Allen. Depending on the season, you can take a dip in the cold pool or soak away in the hot tub.
Kinsale, County Cork
There are bright colors everywhere in Kinsale, which frame the town's natural beauty very well. Kinsale is both a coastal and a port town, so just sitting at the harbor watching sailboats and fishing boats come and go is an activity in itself. If you venture into the town center, you will find wonderfully brightly painted buildings to admire, and if you take High Road, you can stroll past the mansions on Millionaire’s Row.
If you want to stroll through nature, too, take the Scilly Walk, which starts in town and takes you on a six-kilometer round-trip past Charles Fort and back. Charles Fort is worth a visit, too. This 17th-century star-shaped fort is not only the site of several historic events, but also offers magnificent views of the sea. Should you want to get up close to the lapping waves, head to Kinsale Beach, which is three kilometers from the Kinsale town center.
Lismore, County Waterford
One of Lismore’s claims to fame is the gorgeous Gothic castle that stands at the edge of the River Blackwater. While you cannot tour the castle per se, you can stay in a luxury venue inside it. You can also book the venue for a private party. During your stay, you can take leisurely walks in the stunning Lismore Castle Gardens and enjoy a coffee at the on-site café. It is believed that the gardens are the oldest cultivated gardens in Ireland.
You can also visit the Lismore Heritage Centre to learn more about the town's history and its legends. Remember to take a walk past St. Carthage’s Cathedral to admire its spectacular architecture, which dates back 1,300 years. If you want to do some kayaking, fishing, and hiking, you can do so in the Comeragh Mountains and Blackwater Valley surrounding Lismore. Should you just want to enjoy a tranquil day in one of Ireland’s prettiest towns, stop by The Cotton Library and enjoy paging through historical books.
Westport, County Mayo
Westport, located close to Clew Bay in County Mayo, has an octagonal center. The Octagon is a monument with an octagonal plinth, erected between 1843 and 1845. You can view the monument before walking the Westport sidewalks and listening to live bands performing outside the pubs. Make some time to visit the Westport House, one of the best examples of an Irish period house. It sits on 480 acres of woodland, parkland, and gardens. You will also find a pond, a tea house, and even a small train here.
If you are up for a challenging hike that rewards you with panoramic views of Clew Bay and its 365 islands, make the trek up Croagh Patrick. The mountain is sacred and believed to be the place where Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days in 441 AD. Every year, on the last Sunday in July, Reek Sunday, pilgrims climb the mountain to attend mass in the chapel at the top. You can also see Clew Bay’s islands up close by booking your seat on a cruise that departs from Westport Harbor.
Killaloe, County Clare
Killaloe is another breathtaking town with classic green Irish hills and deep blue waterways. This historic waterside market town sits at the spot where Lough Derg meets the River Shannon. You can explore the Lough Derg Blueway with a paddleboard, canoe, or kayak. Or you can go sailing up the River Shannon to enjoy the scenic views from the water. If views are what you are after, you can also go on a river cruise and see the town from a water angle.
Back on dry land, you can take a seven-kilometer walk along the Ballycuggaran Crag Wood Walk, where you will have more views across Lough Derg. For views and beauty of a different kind, make some time to see St Flannan’s Cathedral. There are several Norse runes and Celtic Druid ogham symbols carved into the stone façade of the cathedral, dating back to 1000AD.
Kinvara, County Galway
Pretty Kinvara sits on the shores of Galway Bay and is yet another town known for its stunning castle. Dunguaire Castle is as breathtaking from a distance as it is up close. It was originally built in the 16th century and was a stronghold built by Guaire’s descendants. When you return from visiting the castle, you can detour to Traught Beach, which lies a couple of miles from the Kinvara town center. The views of the Atlantic are simply unmatched, and you can have a picnic right on the beach while looking out at the water.
Just outside of Kinvara, in Cloonasee, you will find the 50-acre organic site called Burren Nature Sanctuary. The sanctuary is an interpretive center that makes the Burren's natural history accessible. It is a great place for the whole family to spend a day meeting farm animals and walking ancient woodland trails.
Dunfanaghy, County Donegal
Dunfanaghy is one of the most scenic towns in Ireland. It sits within an inlet off Sheephaven Bay, where the water is perfect for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. One mile to the east, you can spend a day on the horseshoe-shaped beach in Portnablahy while watching the boats in the harbor. You can also spend some time on Killahoey Beach or Dunfanaghy Beach, which looks out towards Sheephaven Bay.
For hiking, Mount Errigal stands out from the rest of the Derryveagh Mountains. It will take you a couple of hours to hike this mountain, and it is only advisable for experienced hikers to do so. If you are a bit apprehensive, you can do the Horn Head Loop Trail, which features cliffs rising from the ocean and loads of seabirds along the way. Dunfanaghy also boasts its own abandoned castle, namely Doe Castle. You can visit the castle grounds, but you must book in advance.
Finding Your Own Irish Fairytale
Travel brochures of Ireland tend to focus on rainy streets and crowded pubs. While this is a draw in its own right, there is so much more to see and experience in this breathtakingly beautiful country. From the rugged cliffs of Dunfanaghy to the harbors of Kinsale, these destinations prove that the Emerald Isle is so much more than just a marketing slogan. The famously lush landscapes crisscross the coastal and inland towns as frequent rains fall, making the Irish culture come to life in all the possible shades of green. You will find these shades everywhere you go, whether in town or in nature, making you feel as though you are stepping into a living postcard that contains its very own Irish fairytale.
