Ireland / Éire – Let’s explore here
Ireland is a beautiful island comprising of low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain. It has a very rich history, both full of folklore as well as geopolitically. The majority of the southern part of the island of Ireland is the Republic of Ireland. The remaining one sixth of the island in the north is Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom.
The population is around 7 million people (2022); approximately 5 million live in the Republic and 2 million in Northern Ireland. Irish culture has had a significant influence on many other cultures, and continues to do so, especially in literature (think Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw), music and the arts.
There are numerous coastal mountains surrounding a central plain. The highest point is Carrauntoohil in County Kerry in the south west of Ireland, at 3,407 ft (1,039m) above sea level.
Our favourite areas are the Beara peninsula, Dun Chaoin, Kilcommon, the Iveragh Peninsula, Rostrevor and the Sperrin National Landscape; although the whole of the Wild Atlantic Way is pretty spectacular. Ireland is amazing!
Current travels
On our Irish journey we traveled from Scotland by ferry to Larne, Northern Ireland, before heading around the entire coast of the island of Ireland. We’d been to Ireland before, but had never circumnavigated its perimeter. The journey really enlightened us even more about the wonderful history of Ireland and its welcoming people.
Our initial planned route took us anti-clockwise around Ireland. However the weather forecast made it clear that we should travel clockwise in order to avoid heavy Atlantic downpours and catch the sun. In the end on our mammoth trip we only experienced one full day of rain, one day of fog and one morning of mist, all the rest were sunny! Apparently we were extremely lucky, as everyone was telling us how it had been incessant rain prior to us turning up! Perhaps we had some of the famous Irish luck on our side 🙂
This is the actual route that we took around Ireland. The distance is approximately 1,700 miles (2,700km).
Our travels through Ireland and Northern Ireland take us from Larne – Belfast – Lisburn – Lough Neagh – Rathriland – Mourne mountains – Rostrevor – Trim castle – Dublin – Sally Gap – Glendalough – Wicklow – Wexford – Coolkenno – Waterford – Cork – Kinsale – Clonakilty – Mizen Head – Bantry – Glengariff – Adrigole – Lambs Head – Spunkane – St. Finian’s Bay – Valentia Island – Ross Castle – Killarney – Dun Chaoin – Stradbally – Tralee – Limerick – Lough Derg (Mountshannon) – Burren National Park – Galway – Spidall – Clifden – Letterfrack – Westport – Achill Island (White Cliffs of Ashleam – Dooega – Keem) – Kilgalligan – Céide Fields – Sligo – Donegal – Killybegs – Sliabh Liag – Glencolumbkille – Lough Barra Bog – Glenveagh – Fort Dunree – Portronan – Malin Head – Tremone Bay – Shrove – Redcastle – Derry – Sperrin National Landscape – Beaghmore Stone Circles – Binevenagh National Landscape – Giant’s Causeway – Larne
Our best places in the Republic of Ireland (for Northern Ireland, see the UK page)
Achill Island, County Mayo
Achill Island is a lovely island in the west of Ireland, north west of Westport. It is the largest of Ireland’s Islands, and is a stunning place to visit, due to the many dramatic cliff views.
Adrigole, County Cork
Adrigole is a very beautiful village on the Beara peninsula, south of Glengarriff. The village is dominated by Hungry Hill, which is the highest mountain in Beara, at 2247 ft (685m) above sea level. the waterfall that flows down the mountain’s east side is named Mare’s Tail waterfall, and is the highest waterfall in Ireland and the UK.
Allihies copper mine trail, County Cork
Allihies is located in the south west of the Beara Peninsula. At its peak in 1835, the Allihies Mining Company employed 1,600 people, and was the most productive copper mine in Ireland. The trail is mainly a stunning walking route over the mountains, however it can be driven, and provides some spectacular views over the coastline. Some sections of the road have farm gates that require opening and closing, although none are locked.
Allihies copper mine trail
Great views though
Ardgroom, County Cork
Ardgroom is a colourful, friendly village in the west of the Beara peninsula, near the border with County Kerry. The surrounding countryside offers some spectacular views towards the Iveragh Peninsula.
Ballydonegan Bay, County Cork
Ballydonegan Bay is a stunning bay with a gorgeous beach with mountains in the background, located in the south west of the Beara Peninsula. It’s totally unspoilt, offers beautiful views and there was literally no-one else around when we were there!
Bantry, County Cork
Bantry is a very pretty little town at the southern edge of the Beara peninsula, dominated by a large square, lots of colourful shops and small harbour offering lovely views towards Whiddy Island.
Burren National Park, County Clare
Burren National Park is a small national park, around1,800 hectares (4,400 acres) in size, located in the west or Ireland, south of Galway. It consists mainly of large areas of limestone rocks, bogs and grassland.
Céide Fields, County Mayo
Céide Fields is the most extensive Neolithic site in Ireland and, at 5,500 years old, claims to contain the oldest known field systems anywhere in the world.
Connemara National Park, County Galway
Connemara National Park is a small national park located in the west of Ireland, west of Galway, and close to Cllifden. It consists of about 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of mountains, bogs, grasslands and forest.
Coomanaspig, County Kerry
Coomanaspig is a tiny hamlet in the south west of the Iveragh Peninsula offering great views towards the Atlantic Ocean.
Cork, County Cork
Cork is a lovely, friendly city in the south of Ireland. The city is a cultural hotspot and whilst we were there there was a pride festival taking place. Although the weather was inclement that day, they were definitely trying to make the most of the festivities 🙂
Curracloe Beach, County Wexford
Curracloe Beach is a lovely long sandy beach near to the county town of Wexford. Due to its similarity to Omaha beach in Normandy, France, it was used for the filming of the D-Day sequence in the film Saving Private Ryan.
Dirreencallaugh, County Kerry
Dirreencallaugh is a tiny, picturesque hamlet on Kenmare Bay in the Bearra peninsula. There is a wildlife cruise boat here from which you can see seals and other creatures.
Dublin
Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland. The population of the metropolitan area is almost 1.3 million people (2022). There are four universities in the city, and along with the massive amount of tourists that visit the city throughout the year, provides for a very vibrant, youthful and friendly atmosphere. there are many tourist attractions in the city, including Trinity College, the Spire, the castle, the botanic gardens and of course the plethora of pubs in the temple Bar area (and elsewhere).
botanic gardens, Dublin
Dun Chaoin, County Kerry
Dun Chaoin is is the most westerly settlement of Ireland and of Eurasia, excluding Iceland. It’s located in the far west of the Dingle peninsula, and offers excellent views, in particular over the Blasket islands. It can get very windy in this remote region and much of the land is quite unstable.
from Dun Chaoin
Farraniaragh, County Kerry
Farraniaragh is a tiny hamlet in the south of the Iveragh Peninsula overlooking Scariff and Deenish islands and the south west of Beara peninsula.
Fintragh Bay, County Donegal
Fintragh Bay is a very pretty 1km long sandy beach in the north west of Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way, near Killybegs.
Foilhommerum Bay, Valentia Island, County Kerry
Foilhommerum Bay is a stunning bay located in the south west of the Iveragh Peninsula on Valentia Island. It is the site of the commercially viable transatlantic telegraph communication cable from Foilhommerum Bay to Heart’s Content, Newfoundland in 1866.
Fort Dunree, County Donegal
Built during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century, Fort Dunree was built on a promontory away from the mainland. It’s located in the far north of Ireland, on the Inishowen peninsula, not far from Malin Head. It’s very well preserved and is a great place to visit.
Glencolumbkille, County Donegal
Glencolumbkille is a lovely little village in the north west of Ireland. Many people speak Irish in the area and there is a popular Irish language school in Glencolumbkille.
Glengarriff, County Cork
Glengarriff is a great little town on the Ring of Beara that has many cafés and restaurants, and as such is a very popular stop-off point for tourists. There is a beautiful little hidden harbour, with lots of lovely walks, called the Glengarriff Blue Pool. Warmed by the Atlantic Gulf stream, it’s covered by lush Atlantic Oak woodlands and overlooks several islands, including Garinish Island.
Glengesh Pass, County Donegal
Glengesh pass travels through the beautiful Croknamurrin mountains area. It is part of the Wild Atlantic Way and connects Glencolmcille to Ardara via the R230 road.
Gleninchaquin Park, County Kerry
Gleninchaquin Park is a beautiful scenic area near to kenmore on the Beara peninsula. There are many walks in the area for keen hikers, although the land can be very boggy, so bring decent footwear!
Gour, County Cork
Gour is a remote hamlet located in the south west of the Beara peninsula, offering lovely long range views towards the coast and the mountains.
Inch beach, County Kerry
Inch beach is a lovely sand dune 5km in length that stretches out into Castlemaine harbour. It’s located on the south side of the Dingle peninsula.
Kilgalligan, County Mayo
Kilgalligan is a lovely village in remote north west of Ireland … “next stop America” as I was told 🙂 People are friendly and the views are spectacular!
Kilkinnikin West Beach, County Cork
Kilkinnikin West Beach is a remote beach area in the south west of the Beara peninsula near to Lambs Head. There is a lovely early 19th century watch tower in the area that was built in case of a French invasion. There were 81 such towers built around the coast of Ireland for this purpose, in order to signal Dublin.
Kinsale, County Cork
Kinsale is an enchanting little town on the south west coast of Ireland. With its colourful houses, pretty lanes, lovely river views and its bustling cafes it’s definitely worth a visit.
Knight’s Town, Valentia Island, County Kerry
Knight’s Town is a lovely little village located in the south west of the Iveragh Peninsula on Valentia Island. There is a small ferry that travels between Knight’s Town and Reenard Point on the mainland.
Knight’s Town harbour
Knight’s Town harbour
Letterfrack, County Galway
Letterfrack is a small hamlet that sits on the edge of Connemara National Park in the west of Ireland, close to Clifden. The ealy morning mist gave it a spooky, haunted atmosphere when we were there 🙂
Limerick, County Limerick
Limerick is a small city in the west of centre of Ireland. It sits on the River Shannon, and much of the city is actually on the island of King’s Island. There’s a great castle that’s well worth a visit called King John’s Castle, built in the year 1200.
Lomanagh Holy Well, County Kerry
Lomanagh Holy Well’s were once used by Catholics for devotional purposes on feast days. This well is located near to Kenmare on the Iveragh Peninsula.
Lough Barra, County Donegal
Lough Barra is located in the north west of Ireland on the edge of Glenveagh National Park. It is surrounded by over 430 acres (176 hectares) of the Lough Barra Bog, a special area for protected birds and bogland.
Lough Derg
Lough Derg is the second biggest lake in the Republic of Ireland, and the third biggest on the island of Ireland. It sits in three counties of Ireland and is located quite close to Limerick. There are many harbours and marinas, including at Mountshannon in County Clare.
Malin Head, County Donegal
Malin Head is is the most northerly point of mainland Ireland. It’s located on the Inishowen peninsula and is very popular with tourists. Several scenes from Star Wars: The Last Jedi were filmed at Malin Head.
Mizen Head, County Cork
Mizen Head is known as the most southerly place in Ireland. The cliffs are high and the tourists are many. The views approaching and leaving the head are pretty spectacular.
Portronan, County Donegal
Portronan is a small hamlet near to Malin Head on the Inishowen peninsula in the far north of Ireland. the bay is secluded and not well known, but is spectacular!
Ross Castle, County Kerry
Ross castle is lovely, well preserved 15th century castle overlooking Lough Leane, located close to Killarney.
St. Colmcille’s Abbey, County Donegal
The ruins of St. Colmcille’s Abbey are located just to the east of Glenveagh National Park in the north west of Ireland. The site over looks Lough Akibbon and Lough Gartan.
St. Finian’s Bay, County Kerry
St. Finian’s Bay is located in the south west of the Iveragh Peninsula overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Schull, County Cork
Schull is a small town on the south west coast of Ireland. Just outside there are some magnificent views towards Mizen Head. There is a 5,000 year old Neolithic tomb, named Altar Wedge Tomb, that’s also well worth a visit.
Shrove, County Donegal
Shrove is a small hamlet in the north east of the Inishowen peninsula in the far north of Ireland.
Sligo, County Sligo
Sligo is a small but vibrant city in the north west of Ireland, with a population of around 20,000 (2022). There are loads of restaurants and cafés, and the people are very friendly.
Tremone Bay beach, County Donegal
Tremone Bay is very secluded, beautiful beach that isn’t very well known. It’s located in the north east of Inishowen peninsula in the far north of Ireland.
Trim Castle, County Meath
Trim castle is a lovely 12th century, well preserved castle located just north of Dublin in Trim, County Meath. It is the largest Norman castle in Ireland, and the keep is unique in that it is cruciform in shape. Trim itself is a small but very busy town and as such parking is severely limited., in particular in the vicinity of the castle.
Waterford, County Waterford
Waterford is the oldest city in the Republic of Ireland, having been founded in 914 AD. Located on the coast in south east Ireland, it is undergoing lots of regeneration, especially around the docklands area. Famously, it is the home of glass making.
Wicklow, County Wicklow
Wicklow is a small town south of Dublin, on the east coast of Ireland. The town is clearly undergoing quite a lot of regeneration, and everyone seemed to be in general good spirits when we visited. The town itself has the usual brightly coloured houses throughout, providing a cheery disposition, and there were people swimming in the sea in the harbour, as well as sunbathing, and learning to sail.
Wicklow mountains, County Wicklow
the Wicklow mountains lie just south of Dublin and cover all of the county of Wicklow. There are many mountains in the area, of varying heights, the highest mountain being Lugnaquilla at 3,035 ft (925m).
What currency do they use in Ireland?
In the Republic of Ireland they use the Euro, and in Northern Ireland they use the UK pound sterling. The use of credit / debit cards is now widespread, though not guaranteed in Eire, take some cash as backup. Traveller’s cheques are accepted. There are lots of ATMs in the cities, though they’re sparse in towns and not common at all in villages.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Ireland?
They speak English in both the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland. Officially Irish Gaelic is recognised as the first language of the Republic of Ireland, although only around a third of its people speak the language.
What time zone is Ireland in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Ireland?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
What’s it like to drive in Ireland?
Driving in Ireland is mostly a leisurely affair, in particular in the more rural areas. Some drivers can be aggressive by driving a few feet behind you, desperately trying to overtake, although this is not common. In rural Eire, there are many very narrow roads and single track roads with intermittent passing points. Driving into verges is common when overtaking.
We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂
Is wild camping legal in Ireland?
No, wild camping is illegal in Ireland, although in more remote areas it is often tolerated for single nights.
Is it safe to drink water in Ireland?
Yes, it is safe to drink tap water in Ireland. Bottled water is also readily available across the country.
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!