By Arabella Peterson Entertainment 31.08.2021

10 Underrated Destinations in Ireland For Your Next Holiday

From wild coastlines to storybook villages, these 10 hidden gems deserve a spot on your travel list.

Ireland, or Éire in the country’s native tongue, is having something of a cultural moment. From Dua Lipa’s iconic Dublin pub moment where she "split the G," to Ayo Edebiri being jokingly adopted as the “Irish people’s princess” – it feels like the rest of the world is finally cottoning on to the magic of The Emerald Isle.

But far more than a land of sheep-dotted hillsides, ancient folklore, and a pint of Guinness by the fire (although there is plenty of that), Ireland has a rich culture and layered history you can feel everywhere you go.

While cities like Dublin, Galway and Kilkenny are well worth a visit, the country is full of stunning rural scenery, dramatic coastlines, and quaint small towns full of stories and charm. Get off the well-trodden path and bask in some of the warm, country town hospitality that Ireland is so well known for.

Beara Peninsula

Southwest Ireland is home to some of the country's most beautifully rugged landscapes. Overlooking the Atlantic ocean is the Miskish and the Caha Mountains, covered in native subtropical greenery. Along the coast, follow the hedgerows down country roads towards Beara’s cosy, colourful villages and parishes like Eyeries and Glengarriff. Looking for some more nature? Kayak with the Seals in Adrigole harbour, take a stroll in Dereen Gardens, or soak in the view from the Dursey Cable Car.

Beyond the postcard-worthy towns and seaside vistas, the Beara peninsula is rich with history with Bronze Age remains still standing – wedge tombs and stone circles left behind from ancient rituals.

Inis Meáin

As the least frequented of the Aran Islands, visiting Inis Meáin (or Inishmaan in English) feels like stepping back in time. Here, you can immerse yourself in Irish language, tradition, and total tranquillity among a population of about 200 people. Rolling hills and crystal-clear views of the Cliffs of Moher form the backdrop, while Celtic and Christian sacred sites provide a glimpse into the rich spiritual heritage of the area.

One of the most popular activities is to cycle across the island, taking in its monuments, cliffs, and beaches. If you’re craving a dose of island life, there’s no shortage of options – from bus and food tours (the island is famous for its goat’s cheese), to shopping for an iconic Aran sweater, bird watching, or joining a local festival.

Loop Head Peninsula

To get a glimpse of this wild coastal frontier, look no further than the 2017 film Star Wars: The Last Jedi. You won’t encounter any aliens or lightsabers, but you will see some of the moodiest, sweeping seascapes and vertiginous cliffs in the world. It’s little wonder they used Loop Head Peninsula as a filming location – with its untamed beauty and windswept solitude, it still feels untouched by civilisation.

The iconic Loop Head Lighthouse dates back to 1854 and is open to the public for guided tours. If you’re comfortable with heights, the 23-metre elevation above the ground allows you to see all the way to the Twelve Bens mountains of Connemara to the north and the Blasket Islands to the south. You can even stay in the lightkeepers’ accommodation, courtesy of the Irish Landmark Trust.

Dunmore East

Once a clifftop stronghold of ancient forts and fishing families, Dunmore East grew into a genteel 19th-century seaside escape with thatched cottages and sea views. Today, its sheltered harbour, once built for royal mail ships, anchors a vibrant fishing village that still carries echoes of its storied past.

From crystal cutting to cliffside strolls, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to activities around Dunmore East. Discover the artistry of the House of Waterford Crystal and the museums of the Viking Triangle, or wander through galleries, shops, and cosy cafés. Outdoors, take to the sea with sailing or kayaking, or play a round at Dunmore East Golf Club if that’s your cup of tea. With golden beaches, scenic coastal drives, and some of the county’s best walking trails, there’s something here for every pace of traveller.

Birr

The Irish coast gets a lot of love (for good reason) but there’s so much to enjoy further inland. Take Birr, a Georgian heritage town in the heart of Offaly, which is home to Birr Castle Demesne, the seat of the Parsons family – the Earls of Rosse – for fourteen generations. The meadows of the Castle Gardens are a popular spot, especially in spring and summer, while the Science Centre draws visitors year-round. Most famously, the Great Telescope – standing an impressive 72 feet long with a 6-foot-wide mirror – held the title of the largest telescope in the world from 1845 to 1914.

The town is also home to the renowned Birr Theatre – a regional stop-off for all major drama, dance, opera, and comedy performances doing the national circuit. Its lively programme ensures there’s always something on, making Birr as much a cultural hub as it is a historic one.

Kenmare

Overshadowed by the crowds that flock to nearby Killarney, Kenmare remains one of Ireland’s most underrated gems. This colourful market town sits at the meeting point of the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, making it the perfect base for exploring two of the country’s most spectacular scenic routes. But Kenmare isn’t just a stopover – it has a distinct personality all its own. The streets are lined with pastel-painted shopfronts, cosy pubs, and artisan boutiques, all wrapped in the easy pace of rural Kerry life.

Food lovers are particularly drawn here; Kenmare is renowned for its thriving dining scene, from farm-to-table bistros to family-run seafood restaurants serving the day’s catch straight from Kenmare Bay. The town even boasts a handful of Michelin-recommended spots, earning it a reputation as one of Ireland’s culinary capitals outside Dublin.

Achill Island

On Ireland’s wild west coast, Achill Island is a place where the elements set the pace. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, this rugged outpost in County Mayo is all windswept beaches, towering cliffs, and tiny, scattered villages that feel a world away from the bustle of modern life. While it has long held a place in Irish culture and literature – inspiring artists, writers, and filmmakers alike – it remains surprisingly under-explored by overseas visitors.

The island’s beaches are some of the most dramatic in Europe. Keem Bay, with its horseshoe of golden sand backed by emerald slopes, often appears on lists of the world’s best beaches, while the endless stretch of Keel Beach is a favourite with surfers braving the Atlantic swell.

Connemara’s lesser-known villages

While Clifden often steals the spotlight as the capital of Connemara, the region’s true charm lies scattered through its smaller villages. Tucked between mountains, boglands, and glittering inlets, places like Roundstone and Letterfrack capture the raw beauty and cultural heartbeat of the west coast. These communities may be tiny, but each offers its own unique flavour of Connemara life, often with scenery that rivals – or surpasses – the better-known spots.

In Roundstone, pastel cottages line the harbour where fishing boats bob against a backdrop of the Twelve Bens mountains. The village has long been a haven for artists and musicians, and you’ll find craft shops, lively pubs, and access to some of Ireland’s most pristine beaches, including Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Bay, with their startlingly white sand and turquoise waters. Letterfrack, meanwhile, is the gateway to Connemara National Park, where trails wind through heather-clad hills to panoramic views over mountains and sea.

Doolin

Tucked on the Atlantic edge of County Clare, Doolin is a small village with a big reputation as the folk music capital of Ireland. On any given night, the sound of fiddles, flutes, and bodhráns spills from its pubs, drawing locals and travellers together. While its name is well-known, Doolin has managed to hold onto its authenticity, offering a warm, lived-in atmosphere compared to larger, more polished tourist hubs nearby.

Beyond the music, Doolin is the perfect gateway to the Burren, a surreal limestone landscape, with rare wildflowers springing from cracks in the rock. The village also sits just a short boat ride from the Aran Islands, making it an ideal base for those keen to combine cultural immersion with natural beauty.

Cobh

Set on the shores of Cork Harbour, Cobh is one of Ireland’s most colourful and historic towns – yet it’s often bypassed by travellers hurrying from Cork City to Kerry. Its rows of pastel-painted houses, climbing steeply above the water with the towering spire of St Colman’s Cathedral in the background, have earned it a place on countless postcards and Instagram feeds. But beyond the photogenic streets, Cobh is a town layered with stories.

Most famously, Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic in 1912, a fact commemorated in museums and walking tours that bring the town’s maritime past to life. Its history as a departure point for millions of Irish emigrants adds an even deeper poignancy to its harbour views. Today, cruise ships still dock here, but the town retains a relaxed, small-town feel – a place to wander the waterfront, browse independent shops, or linger in cafés with harbour views.