9 Prettiest Small Towns In Ireland
Ireland's small towns pair medieval history with seafront beauty. You can step into ancient abbeys and remote pools or spend a weekend browsing the shops in Clifden. Pretend you are a local for a few days in Kinvara. Meet the fairies and ancient spirits in Kenmare. These nine towns paint prospective visitors a picture of what to expect on their travels.
Clifden
County Galway's Clifden is marked by its proximity to the rugged Connemara beauty and being full of shops and pubs for an ideal Irish tourist experience. Experience true Irish music at Lowry's Music & Whiskey Bar every night of the week with an authentic Irish whiskey in hand. The downtown area is also adorned with a series of art galleries, some of which have striking exteriors, like the bright yellow and cobalt of Lavelle Art Gallery, or the hot pink of art glass shop Connemara Blue, selling handmade quirky decorations. Last but not least, pose for a photo-op or spur a new friendship at The 'Happy to chat' Bench overlooking the Clifden Bay.
And, if you have time, venture out onto Sky Road to John d'Arcy's Clifden Castle, stripped of its resources in the 19th century, due to the locals selling what parts of it they could during the Irish famine. Continue your scenic drive on Sky Road around Clifden Bay and the uneven terrain of the boggy, moss-covered Connemara; best to go at sunrise or sunset for the most amazing views of western Ireland. For a traditional touristy experience, Clifden ticks all the boxes, as most of these things can be done within around 24 hours of arriving in town.
Kinvara
Still in County Galway, Kinvara has a famous 16th-century castle, a serene harbor on Kinvara Bay, and top-notch seafood and pub eats. Although Dunguaire Castle has been closed since 2023 amid an ownership-transfer dispute involving the local council, there is still plenty to see and do here. Just 10 minutes away is the Burren, where you might feel as if you are walking on another planet with its strange terrain, made of the limestone topography called Karst.
But back in central Kinvara, The Pier Head Bar & Restaurant overlooking Kinvara Pier provides pretty views of the Kinvara Bay while you eat steamed mussels or a warm seafood platter. For a lighter meal, pop your head into coffee chain Tully's Bar, Kinvara for a buttery pastry and a brew. Or, go there after your day out on the Burren for some wild music and drinks in a classic Irish pub, living like a true local, an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking to become a part of this waterfront town, if only for a day or two.
Doolin
Head southwest to Doolin in County Clare, packed full of cutesy accommodations and colorful antiquated buildings, as well as Irish music that floods the village streets. Be met by the country home hospitality that is at Doolin Inn, or the luxurious self-catering lodges or cottages of the Fiddle + Bow Hotel, and Doolin holds the Doolin FolkFest every June, bringing in some of the best folk musicians to town for a three-day event.
Fisherstreet Bridge offers a perfect viewpoint of the vivid row of houses on Fisher Street, paired with the green grass and oftentimes, grey clouds, due to the overcast weather in Ireland. You may see a rainbow with a clear blue sky if you are lucky. Not far away is the Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail, which can be started in Doolin, going down to the Cliffs of Moher Experience by 19th-century O'Brien's Tower and the iconic sea stacks, but watch out for the extreme wind and the equally extreme beauty. But visitors should note that there have been recent trail closures in this area. Best to book in June for two or three nights to dance, sing, and drink at the Doolin FolkFest, Doolin acts as a gateway to the Cliffs of Moher that are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Adare Village
13th-century Adare Village treats visitors to thatched cottages and walls that echo with the history of centuries long gone in the County Limerick countryside. To the north, the grand beauty of Desmond Castle lies on the banks of the River Maigue, not far from the well-preserved ruins of the Adare Franciscan Friary, founded in 1464 by Thomas, Earl of Kildare. Visitors can also admire Neo-Gothic architecture on the grounds of Adare Manor across the bridge, and in the heart of the village, receive Irish hospitality and blessings at the Holy Trinity Abbey Church. Dive deeper into the history of Adare Village with a tour of Desmond Castle through the Adare Heritage Centre, and be sure to purchase a piece of Adare Woollens. Peruse the bronze sculptures and jewelry at Draiocht Art Gallery and Shop, supporting some of Ireland's best artists.
Finish your weekend by having a full Irish breakfast in the comfort of the early 19th-century establishment, Aunty Lena's. Much of Adare Village can be seen within a short walk or drive, unlike that of a big city, which might prove too overwhelming for a brief trip.
Dingle
Dingle greets visitors on the waterfront with a statue of Fungie, the beloved bottlenose dolphin who made the harbor his home from 1983 until he vanished in 2020, and the surrounding waters still brim with oceanic life. Boat tours head out on multiple types of adventures, like a Wildlife Tour, an Inner Harbour Tour, or maybe a Private Charter for a more intimate setting.
If that is not your cup of tea, try kayaking with touring agency Irish Adventures instead, where you will be taken out to Dingle Bay for a delightful exploration of the sea caves. And Slea Head Drive has a reputation for some of the most beautiful views, looking out to sea by the cottages that are sure to brighten up a rainy day with their colors, as does Dingle Marina for quiet contemplation on your Ireland travels. The Main Street also has St. James' Church of Ireland, kitted out with lancet windows and some of the original stonemasonry from the 13th-century. Whether in moody mist or sunny sunshine, County Kerry's Dingle pulls in visitors craving an escape to the Irish seaside.
Kenmare
Foodies will flock to Kenmare, recognized for its selection of upscale dining options, not to mention a stone circle where ancient Irish spirits come to life. Mulcahys on Main Street opens up visitors to an experience of exquisite taste, named one of the best 100 restaurants in Ireland by McKenna Guides, and being one of the many little row houses with excellent food on Main Street. Perhaps walk the Kenmare Heritage Trail to envision what previous times here might have looked like, like at Cromwell's Bridge, a semi-circular stone structure under much speculation regarding its origins.
Take a gander further to the Kenmare Stone Circle, a monument from the Bronze Age sure to whisk your soul away to another realm, and be sure to get a coffee at the mini cafe stand in summertime. The Hawthorn Fairy Tree here is just as significant as the Kenmare Stone Circle, and that is due to the immense mythological power the white-budded hawthorn holds over the Celtic people, symbolizing love and protection. The spiritual inclinations in Kenmare, as well as the plentiful gourmet cuisine, make it a perfect destination for a two-night stopover in Ireland.
Glengarriff
The tiny village of Glengarriff in County Cork is a retreat into the rural Irish nature, a part of Glengarriff Bay. Let the clear waters of Blue Pool by the River Glengarriff lure you into this woodland secret of Ireland, whether swimming in the cool water or going for a jaunt on The Fairy Walk. Open the dark red door to The Blue Loo, and have a Guinness at their beer garden when the Irish weather is in a good mood.
Book a rejuvenating night or two at the four-star Eccles Hotel & Spa, an 18th-century piece of history once used to care for British soldiers in World War I, later changing ownership a number of times until becoming the renowned spa it is today. Before you leave, be sure to take a ferry trip via Harbour Queen Ferry to Garnish Island for an Italian-inspired getaway in Ireland. Smell the landscaped flowers, or take in the brute intensity of the Martello tower. Glengarriff seems a world away, but really is in the south of Ireland, waiting for travelers to cross into its sacred waters.
Bantry
Just across Glengarriff Bay and Whiddy Island is the seaside town of Bantry, its most famous attraction being the 17th-century Bantry House with its impressive gardens, namely the heavenly wisteria, and the view of discordant Bantry Bay. Believe it or not, visitors can actually stay in the East Wing from April to October or November, lapping up the indulgence.
Head down to the water to take a ride from Bantry Ferry to Whiddy Island, where overnight stays can occur in the old School House on this island of wartime importance, formerly acting as both a patrolling spot for the US Navy in World War I and later, a Gulf Oil terminal in County Cork. Make sure to book this trip in summer to see the intoxicatingly beautiful purple and red fuchsia on Whiddy Island. The uniqueness of Bantry and Whiddy Island stands out as a trip that will fulfil history buffs' gnawing curiosity and gardeners' and artists' desires.
Kinsale
Enjoy a pop of color in County Cork's Kinsale, with streets lined with richly colored green, pink, and yellow houses, and the River Bandon wrapping itself around the town, shaping up visitors for a prime-time maritime vacay in a place full of history. The ritzy Georgian-styled Old Bank Townhouse might be a divine choice for a more luxurious stay here in Kinsale. For a fancy night out, be whisked away on a two-course seafood dinner at Max's prepared by their head chef Olivier Queva, not far from the Galleon Mast replica in honor of the bloody Battle of Kinsale.
Be educated on the history of Kinsale even further with Kinsale Heritage Walks, led by acclaimed Failte Ireland guide Dermot Ryan. Guided or self-guided, visitors might be able to see sites like the St Multose Church of Ireland in Kinsale, with its history stemming from 1190 and facing reconstruction in the mid-19th century, one of its highlights being the gorgeous, intricately designed stained glass windows. The history of Kinsale will meet you on every street corner in this Irish town, suggesting a trip that takes you back in time to the ancient past of Ireland.
Be Enchanted by Ireland
Many of these towns can be seen together on one single road trip, like Clifden and Kinvara in the west's gem that is County Galway. The history and culture of this Celtic country ring through its people, monuments, and bodies of water. Heart-swelling traditional music, dramatic castles and estates that have stood for hundreds of years, gifts made of sheep's wool, and churches that have picked themselves back up through battles are threads of the Irish tapestry that await you when you book your trip to Ireland today and visit one or more of these towns.
