Underrated Ireland ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Underrated Ireland

Replies: 11 - Last Post: 26-Jan-2008 14:07 Last Post By: Monaghangirl

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Posted
19-Dec-2007 19:23
by: diy01

Posts: 140
Registered: 03/03/03

Underrated Ireland

I'll be heading back for another long stint in Ireland in the Spring. I'd like to spend more time in "off the beaten track" type places. So what are some hidden gems? Underrated spots. Barely spent any time in the Midlands or the Southeast, if that helps. My main interests are hiking, seeing wildlife (no matter how small) and photography. Especially landscape shots.

Also, I'll be without my own transportation for most of the time.

Thanks.

Posted
19-Dec-2007 23:56
by: petronaskelly

Posts: 7
Registered: 19/12/07

1

West Mayo is stunning, particularly around Achill Island. The same is true of north Donegal (the further north and west the better). Rural Sligo has some absoloutly breathtaking scenery (can you tell I live in the northwest!)

The midlands are largely overlooked for good reason - they're dull. Although the Slieve Bloom mountains just outside Port Laoise are a noteworthy exception, particularly for those into their trekking.

The problem with going off the beaten track in ireland is that you really need your own transport but if your patient and have a lot of time it's still possible on public transport.

Some parts of the Wicklow mountains have a suprisingly desolate and rural feel despite being so close to Dublin.

Posted
20-Dec-2007 08:13
by: PhilipD

Posts: 1,045
Registered: 21/12/03

2

I'd agree with #1 about the northeast, its well worth exploring. I think the Sligo-Leitrim area is maybe the most underrated part of the west coast. The western part of coastal sligo has some lovely beaches and cliff walks (a little spot called Aughris is a favourite place of mine) and climbing Knocknarae on a clear day gives some truly spectacular views. The inland areas towards Leitrim are lovely in patches as well.

Another underrated place is north Louth. The Carlingford Peninsula is lovely and not often visited and if you have an interest in old legends, features strongly in the Tain, the ancient Celtic epic.

Parts of the south-east are lovely, with lots of history and landscape, although its a softer sort of landscape than on the west. I like the area south of Kilkenny, and the inland parts of Waterford and Wexford (some of the towns and villages are very nice). East Cork is also suprisingly nice, everyone raves about West Cork, but although the east is nowhere near as beautiful, there are lots of scattered little gems.

In the Midlands, I'm fond of Offaly - not particularly beautiful, but there is quite a lot of history in the towns (especially Birr) and travelling along the minor roads there reveals lots of interesting little villages, graveyards and old forts.

I'd also second petras recommendation of parts of Wicklow. There are some very lovely places in south Wicklow which seem to avoid the tourist trail altogether despite the proximity to Dublin.

'Travel is the art form available to Everyman. You sit in the coffee shop in a strange city and nobody knows who you are, or cares, and so you shed your chequered past and your motley credentials and you face the day unarmed. Bravery! Adventure! Defeat! Survival! And onward we go and some day in the distant future, we will stop and turn around in astonishment to see all the places weâve been and the heroes we were.' Garrison Keillor

Posted
21-Dec-2007 20:45
by: paddyleblanc

Posts: 372
Registered: 13/03/07

3

You could visit:

The Glen of Aherlow in Tipperary.

West Limerick is very scenic and has some interesting archaeological sites around Hospital and Grange or more commonly known as Lough Gur Co - Limerick.

Simply cruising on the west Coast will throw up some great little places to explore and as for photography, the barren landscape and changes of light will be a treat for you.

Enjoy!

Happy Trails!

P le B

Posted
29-Dec-2007 16:50
by: longford

Posts: 4,117
Registered: 28/05/03

4

Longford. Find time to visit central/northern Longford.

Some photos of Longford and the Dublin-area: click here

Posted
30-Dec-2007 09:55
by: carraig

Posts: 317
Registered: 28/06/07

5

Midlands? Really off the beaten track are the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Offaly, hardly any foreign tourists anywhere, even the locals don't appreciate it much. It's the biggest woodland (in one piece) in Ireland and the only mountaineous area in the midlands. Lovely walks around there.
You can visit Birr, a strangley English town (well, was a plantation town, and the area was once called King's Country), but with interesting architecture (think Georgian houses on a small scale, or kind of Cornish cottages), including Birr Castle, where you can visit the famous park (not the castle itself though. The Lord of the manor is very private), or Kinnitty Castle nearby (a hotel now, but quaint). Or Leap Castle, a haunted fortress, but now inhabited by some famous musician (must be B-list, keep forgetting the name).
A lovely place to stay is Ardmore House, www.kinnitty.com.
And from there all the lovely villages along the river Shannon are just a few miles away, like Shannonbridge or Banagher or lovely Portumna including a beautiful Renaissance castle.

I still hate the layout of the new Thorn Tree, and the download time didn't improve.

Edited by: carraig
Forgot to mention East Clare! Now there is a hidden gem! Just google it! Most beautiful inland-place in Ireland.

Posted
02-Jan-2008 04:29
by: clodbod

Posts: 657
Registered: 05/06/04

6

Do a canal boat rental. Very interesting way to see parts of Ireland.

"One means of sanity is to retain a hold on the natural world, to remain insofar as we can, good animals." Wallace Stegner

Posted
09-Jan-2008 19:27
by: Connormcc

Posts: 3
Registered: 08/01/08

7

Slemish Mountain (more of a hill really) near Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Posted
11-Jan-2008 01:40
by: finn_nl

Posts: 76
Registered: 27/11/07

8

I completely second #1 - West Mayo and Connemara are, IMHO, the most beautiful parts of Ireland. I have been going on holidays there (family reasons) for the past 11 summers and I'm still not bored with it.
Opinion on Achill is divided - I always enjoy the remoteness and Keem Strand is spectacular (not to be confused with Keel). However, my Irish uncle hates Achill as 'thezve sold their soul to tourism' and yes, there are some hideous 'holiday villages' but the island is so beautiful that its only a tiny inconvenience. Do the Atlantic Drive if you happenm to have your own transportation.

The best, in my opinion, is Delphi valley, a valley in Connemara on the road from Westport to Leenane, along Irelands only fjord. Cant describe it in any way that would do it justice, just go there.
Westport is a very cute town, although as we have a house there its been alarming to see the incredible growth of the place with holiday homes... however the centre is untouched and, though ever traffic-congested, oozes charm. Direct trains connect with Dublin although the cost of them is frightening.
Croagh Patrick, a holy mountain is a short hop away and a climb to the top (3.5 hrs one way) is worth it on a clear day for the fantastic views of attractive island-speckled Clew Bay.
If it's a large town you're after, head south to Galway, which made LP's The Cities Book as one of the 200 best cities in the world. Its very nice.
Further south, too far for a day trip but worth further investigation is the famous northwest of county Clare, with the limestone landscape of the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, very overpriced but a spectatular sight (though I've heard someone say the Cliffs of Killeen to the south are free and just as nice - havent seen them so cant second but probably worth investigation.

Hope to have given you some ideas... I'm not sure about public transport in the region and, knowing Ireland these days, if it's there at all, it will certainly not be cheap. It will however give you access to what I consider a fantastic region.

Have a great trip! Finn

Only dead fish go with the flow

Posted
11-Jan-2008 01:41
by: finn_nl

Posts: 76
Registered: 27/11/07

9

I nearly forgot, someone once said of the comparison Irish Midlands - Irish coast that "Ireland is a dull picture in a beautiful frame", which I agree with.

Only dead fish go with the flow

Posted
23-Jan-2008 11:38
by: DeniMu

Posts: 70
Registered: 23/04/04

10

you wont be able to do it without your own transport but the Beara Peninsula in west cork and the island off it are stunning.

Posted
26-Jan-2008 14:07
by: Monaghangirl

Posts: 7
Registered: 04/12/02

11

You really cant beat parts of the NW Donegal coast the more remote the better. You get a real feel for real Ireland as long as you stay away from the awful holiday villages. I also agree with the Mayo suggestion. Spent a week down there last year and with Achill island, westport and Croagh Patrick (spectacular view from top) being real highlights and it gets a lot less tourism than nearby connemara which will be better for your pictures. Have fun.

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