16 Unique Destinations for Your Irish Getaway

If you’re lucky enough to visit Ireland someday, you’re lucky enough. This is a strong nation full of fighters who place value on the meaning of family, community, and a well-lived life. Some of the most magnetic artists this world has ever known were birthed in this magical little island and countless traditions continue to abound, even though centuries have gone by. 

When you begin to research a trip to the Emerald Isle, a lot of common destinations will start to crop up: Dublin City, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Kerry, to name a few. 

Each of those highlights will light up your life, but there are also a few hidden destinations off the beaten path. That’s what we’ll focus on today. 

While we’ll spend a lot of time on the West Coast, we’ll also venture a little further inland to find that proverbial pot of gold in each of these small-town dazzlers. 

Sliabh Liag

There’s one hotspot in all of the country that most people feel they can’t miss when they visit: the Cliffs of Moher. Without doubt, these are magnificent cliffs towering over the Atlantic that will make you feel like you’re the king of the world. 

A little bit further up the western coastline, however,  you’ll land upon delightful Donegal. Here, you’ll find the cutest cottages to rent and a host of friendly welcomes wherever you go. 

Best of all, they have their own set of cliffs, known as Sliabh Liag, that will not only make you feel like the king of the world, but an eagle that can spread its wings and fly. 

Sligo

Are you a Nora Roberts fan? Most readers have taken a tour or two through her exhilarating trilogies. One of them, Island of Glass, ends up in County Sligo, filled with witchcraft and relentlessly strong female characters. 

While Ireland is mostly known for its windswept cliffs, don’t forget about its thick, dense forests, either. Sligo is home to hidden forests, spectacular beaches, and a surprising host of culinary delights that even the most sophisticated palate will tip their cap to. 

Achill Island

Like the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara National Park calls tourists from all corners of the world – and rightly so. 

Nestled neatly into the Connemara Region, you’ll find Achill Island, a beautiful place dotted with ancient castles and even older ruins. Most notably, you can touch the stones of the former home of Grace O’Malley, a 16th-century Irish pirate who knew what it meant to be made of sterner stuff. 

Cong

Back to another Nora Roberts trilogy. Cong is a magical little town that not only inspired one of the most prolific writers of our time, but also a Hollywood classic – The Quiet Man. 

While Cong enthralls you with its small-town charm, the nearest attraction well worth a visit is Ashford Castle. It’s a sprawling castle worthy of a visit for afternoon tea, as well as a hawk walk with any one of their gracious guides.