Are you planning to explore off-the-beaten-track places in Ireland? Get ready to discover five underrated Irish destinations worth adding to your travel list.
If you've visited all the popular attractions and well-known destinations in Ireland, it's time to explore some off-the-beaten-path places on this island. However, finding these hidden gems is not an easy task and can be difficult. Luckily, we've done the heavy lifting in putting together this guide to help you discover must-see and lesser-known travel destinations in Ireland.
Murlough Bay
Known for its remote location and exceptional beauty, Murlough Bay is worth adding to your travel list as it offers wild landscapes and stunning views of Mull of Kintyre and Rathlin Island. It is backed by steep rock faces and a sloping hillside, with boulders giving way to golden sand that stretches out to meet clear waters. This creates a serene picture, ideal for escapes of peace and quiet.
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This bay is located in County Antrim and is one of the locations regularly used for television and film filming. These include some scenes from the HBO medieval fantasy television series, The Iron Throne (Game of Thrones).
Although this bay has a calm appearance, it is full of stories. For example, the Irish abbot and missionary evangelist Saint Columba landed in Murlough Bay after sailing from the Isle of Iona to Ireland. It was also the chosen burial site of Sir Roger Casement, an international human rights activist and Irish nationalist revolutionary leader.
The Burren
Measuring approximately 530 square kilometers, the vast, moon-like Burren, centered in County Clare, is one of Ireland's most fascinating landscapes. Here, a cool, gray, alien-like rock, etched with cracks and crevices, tumbles down to the blue Atlantic Ocean, giving rise to one of nature's most extraordinary phenomena: an enormous rocky sidewalk sprinkled with the following elements:
- Caves
- Fossils
- Stone formations
- A variety of wildflowers including arctic, alpine and Mediterranean plants
What else? Your adventure to this lunar place can include visiting the Burren National Park. This park includes 1,500 ha of mountains, forests, meadows, moors and peat bogs.
Gleninchaquin Park
Nestled in the center of County Kerry, Gleninchaquin Park offers impressive scenery and scenery. Waterfalls dancing down rugged mountain sides, mystical stone circles and serene forests whispering stories of ancient times will amaze visitors.
The park has six designated walks; some are suitable for serious hikers, while others are ideal for all ages. The table below shows some of the walks you can take in this park:
| To walk | Details |
| The river walk | This 40-minute loop walk is a great way to experience the park's waterways. It starts on the other side of the reception car park and follows a path towards the Water Garden. |
| The farm walk | This one-hour loop walk takes visitors around the beautiful farm through grazing fields. You will enjoy watching sheep grazing in the fields and admiring some of the oldest Quercus Petraea (sessile oaks) in the park. |
| The border march | This 14.5km walk is ideal for experienced hikers and takes around seven hours. It follows the entire park boundary and takes visitors to the high ridges of An Cheacha (the Caha Mountains). |
Kesh Caves
Also known as the Keshcorran Caves or the Keash Caves, the Kesh Caves are a series of 16 limestone caves. They are located near the village of Keash, County Sligo, and have been used by humans for several millennia.
These interconnected caves formed after the weathering of Carboniferous limestone. You will find many quartz crystals in the Kesh Caves, with some caves having beds of glacial rocks. The walk to the caves takes between 20 and 30 minutes and offers stunning views over County Sligo.
The Inishmore Island Wormhole
The Wormhole is a giant natural swimming pool that measures approximately 10m long, 7m wide and 4m deep. The 2014 Red Bull Cliff Diving Championship was held here.
Perched on the edge of Inishmore Island, this blowhole is made of granite and limestone. It was naturally curved by Mother Nature as it was carved out by the ocean.
The rhythmic and majestic dance of the waves, combined with the salty breeze, makes it an excellent place for a relaxing day.
What to do on Inishmore Island
The place can be visited all year round. You can get there by renting a bike and then picnic on a cliff offering incredible views of the ocean. However, swimming is not recommended, as there are no lifeguards and in an emergency no one would be able to help you.
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The Gearagh
A haven of peace and tranquility, An Gaorthadh (The Gearagh) offers excellent off-road walking opportunities. Located 2km southwest of Macroom, County Cork, this submerged glacial forest and wildlife refuge is the perfect birdwatching travel destination. Some of the rare birds you may spot flitting between the trees while connecting with nature in Gearagh include:
- Coots
- golden plover
- Mallard
- Whistler
The calm of the water is incredible, punctuated by the cries of distant birds or the occasional splash of fish which add to the enchanting ambiance of the area.
Final Thoughts
If you're keen to explore lesser-known travel destinations in Ireland, it's time to pack your bags and visit one of the places mentioned above. Even though these secret places are not the most popular travel destinations, they offer an authentic and unforgettable experience.
