The Emerald Isle is one of the most idyllic locations in Europe. Whether you arrive during the rainy season, when it’s particularly misty, or in the beaming sunlight, you’ll be able to enjoy the incredible landscapes and many points of interest.
Of course, people coming to Ireland tend to base their time around Dublin. It’s a bustling city with plenty to enjoy, but given that there’s so much more discover, it’d be a shame to limit one’s trip to just the city. So here, we’re highlighting a few hidden gems of the country that are more than worth your time.
Keash
The small County Sligo village of Keash is close to a series of ancient limestone caves that have been used by people and animals for millennia. The Cave of Kesh or Caves of Keshcorran, as they’re sometimes known, consist of a series of 17 caves that lead underground from the side of Keshcorran Hill. From the outside, you can see the many entrances to the cave network under the hill, and from within, you get superb views of the hills beyond.
Ancient and extinct animal bones have been found within the caves, while on top of Keshcorran, you can find a 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tomb that remains unopened. From there, you can also see the sprawling Feenagh lough, which is loaded with brown trout for any anglers who come to visit.
Carlingford Lough
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Taking the form of a glacial ford on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Carlingford Lough is loaded with historical and mythical points of interest – while also being a stunning location in and of itself. The ancient castle is one of its most famous features, but perhaps its most intriguing is as the home of faeries.
Fairy Cavern and the National Leprechaun Museum call Carlingford Lough home. It’s here that people can explore the claimed last home of the leprechaun. The mythical creature remains famously tied to Ireland, from comedy-horror movies to the Rainbow Riches slots. In those Irish-themed games, the leprechaun takes on more of a helper role, being the path to its many hit features. In Irish lore, however, the leprechaun can be much more devious.
Bunmahon
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Located on the coast of County Waterford, Bunmahon offers scenic views from all angles, a superb beach enclosed by cliffs, and the point at which the River Mahon meets the sea. As well as these elements, the village also grants you quick access to a UNESCO site.
The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark offers guided tours, audio tours, and walking trail cards that let you immerse yourself in the history of the area and learn about its geology as a copper mining hub. Trails will take you near Bunmahon, but also around to places like Fenor, Annetstown, Dunhill, Stradbally, and Boastrand. An incredibly geologically diverse location, this is a top pick for those who like to be out and about on their holidays.
Ireland has so much to offer, with these three hidden gems just being the start of what could be a huge adventure across the Emerald Isle on your next trip.
