Top 10 Best Small Towns to Visit in Ireland
Ireland is renowned for its lush landscapes, challenging golf courses, old castles, and unique music. Although the majority of visitors head to major cities ... read more...like Dublin, Belfast, and Galway, they are skipping out on one of Ireland's best features: the small towns where you may discover the country's true character. The Emerald Isle's most characteristic Irish charm can be seen in those bigger cities, but it can be best seen in the small towns and villages scattered across the flourishing countryside. Let's take a look at some of the best small towns in Ireland below!
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Kilkenny is one of the most beautiful and charming Irish cities. It is certainly known how to pack in touristy fun for a little town. Kilkenny Castle, Medieval Mile Museum, St. Canice's Cathedral & Round Tower, and Black Abbey are just a few of the prominent attractions in Kilkenny.
But the atmosphere is the main factor that draws most visitors to this charming village. It is a beautiful and ancient city where history and modernity fuse together on an unspoiled landscape. One hour and a half southwest of Dublin, mix an outdoor market with live music, vibrant shops, and the flowing River Nore, and you've got the makings of an enjoyable retreat. The medieval town's maze of streets and passageways takes visitors on unknown adventures, while elegant stores tempt those with a penchant for knick-knacks. This small stretch, which is called the Kilkenny Medieval Mile, takes guests from the cathedral to the main part of the castle. Additionally, it passes the National Design & Craft Gallery, which may compete with any museum in a large city.
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Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most picturesque and historic towns on the southwest coast of Ireland.
The major alleys of this historic fishing harbor come to life with brightly painted shops, galleries, and homes. A stroll around the harbor, which is dominated by yachts, is recommended. What a treat for the eyes! Although Kinsale has a lot of popular attractions, eating is one of the best things to do. High-end restaurants abound in this quaint beach town. In fact, Kinsale has earned the moniker "Gourmet Capital of Ireland" for having many excellent restaurants. The Supper Club offers exceptionally fresh seafood delivered by uber-friendly staff, but Bastion leads the pack with a delicious five-course tasting menu. Take a strolling tour or visit Charles Fort, a stunning star-shaped fort constructed in the 17th century, to burn off your excess. Charles Fort, which has views of both the Old Head of Kinsale and the mouth of the Bandon River, is accessed by a drawbridge.
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This beautiful town is located on Ireland's southwest coast. It is situated on the Dingle Peninsula and offers views of the Blasket Islands across Dingle Bay. Dingle is a great destination for self-described beach bums because it is always bustling with tourists on weekends and holidays (particularly in the summer). It is popular with swimmers and walkers because of its sandy beaches.
The majority of visitors come to Dingle to enjoy the outdoors; the top activities in Dingle are surfing, biking, boating, and exploring archeological sites. Your breath will be taken away by Coumeenoole Beach's breathtaking beauty. One of the highlights is taking the twisting Conor Pass road from Dingle to Kilmore Cross (on the north side). It provides unrivaled views and is Ireland's highest mountain pass. The Slea Head Loop is one of the most breathtakingly scenic drives in Dingle. The whole journey is only 30 minutes long, but while you’re visiting Dingle, it’d be great to try to see at least a small portion of it just because of its incredible beauty.
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Tralee, the county's capital, is found on southwest Ireland's Atlantic coast. It is filled with historic attractions, pubs, bars and restaurants. Visit a mountain peak for spectacular views of the Dingle Peninsula. In the county museum, find a remarkable collection of priceless archaeological objects.
This charming town, which is home to many entertainment attractions, is renowned for its untamed landscape, cliffs, mountains, and ocean views. The Blennerville Windmill must be photographed at all times. In front of the mountains and behind the sea, this whitewashed beacon stands erect. The Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre offers the perfect daytime activity. This large area is a great location to unwind, whether you want to take in the peace and quiet on the nature boardwalk or try your hand at water zorbing. Visit Banna Strand, a clean, quiet beach ideal for picnics, for complete relaxation. Tourists have flocked to Tralee for the Rose Of Tralee International Festival, which takes place in August and is the second most popular holiday in Ireland after St. Patrick's Day.
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The location of Portmagee is one of its outstanding features. This charming town makes a wonderful starting point (or overnight rest stop) for a tour of this excellent region because it is located close to the Ring of Kerry (also known as the Iveragh Peninsula). Unbeatably beautiful landscapes of mountains, seascapes, and winding countryside can be found along the 179-kilometer circular route.
Fishing boats moor right off the coast, and the seaside is dotted with colorful, fun houses. Join a tour of the Skellig Islands, which gained notoriety for serving as the hostile terrain in a recent Star Wars movie. Look out for dolphins when you are traveling here. And pray for favorable weather conditions. Only accessible from mid-May to late September, boats won't travel to this remote area if it's too windy or rough. When planning a trip to Portmagee, make sure you visit its nearby prime city of Cork. So, ideally, any vacation planner would recommend you to visit Cork for its bountiful attractions like Youghal, Blarney Castle, Fota Wildlife Park on your trip to Portmagee.
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You won't want to skip Doolin's sunset. An overall impression of serenity is created by the way that fractured light softly reflects off the landscape, the lake, and the old stone walls. The buildings in this remote town are the prettiest and most vibrant, and some have thatched roofs.
Locals play traditional Irish music all night long to welcome visitors to their spectacular landscape. Doolin's picturesque setting is hard to beat because it is situated in the towering Burren on the Atlantic coast. For example, The Great Stalactite, the longest free-hanging stalactite in all of Europe, may be found at Doolin's Cave. The Ivy Cottage is the place to go when you're hungry. They offer the most delicious, fresh fish and chips. Dessert is key; the honeycomb cheesecake and Banoffee Pie are worth each extra calorie. The most stop in Doolin ready to travel to or from the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. These massive cliffs, which are on the Wild Atlantic Way and extend all the way to Hags Head, rise more than 200 meters above the water (about eight kilometers away). Sign up for a tour with local farmer Pat Sweeney for a more instructive experience.
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Malahide, which can be reached by car from Dublin in just 36 minutes, is the perfect small town for a day (or night) trip. Malahide Castle and Gardens are the main tourist attraction, even though Malahide Beach is a popular spot to unwind and take in the sea view.
Explore its fascinating history, look around in private rooms and hear about life as a Talbot—the family who lived in this place home for 800 years. The garden, 250 acres of parkland that attract nature enthusiasts from near and far, is one of the most well-liked features. One of just four in Ireland, the botanical walled garden is a must-see. Spending time in Malahide village is a true delight for the senses, especially when the shops are decked out with vibrant, overflowing hanging baskets. The gentle caress and scent of the sea wind refresh energy drained in the hustle and bustle of big city adventures, while the soul-soothing strum of waves beating against their masts soothes the soul.
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Do you want to know what life was like in the 1800s? Visit Ardara. This charming village, which lies adjacent to the River Maigue and has been designated a Heritage Town, is only 20 minute drive from Limerick City.
Ardara is charming and peaceful, in striking contrast to Limerick's bright lights and bustling streets. Ardara Park, the neighborhood park, is so tranquil that you won't want to leave. You'll struggle to find a location with a more peaceful and laid-back vibe with beautifully kept lawns, nicely groomed trees, and inviting benches. Both the village's Holy Trinity Abbey Church and its charming thatched-roof homes are stunning. Additionally, you should take some time to explore charming shops and coffee cafes. Ardara Desmond Castle lies on the outside of the village, and King John's Castle is only 30 minutes distant, so castle fans are in for a great treat. Two 18-hole golf courses can be found in Ardara, both of which are accessible by foot from the village.
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Youghal, a short drive east of Cork, is a great spot to relax. Visit the Youghal Gate Clock Tower, stroll the boardwalk, or spend a nice afternoon at the beach. This charming beach resort city is located on the River Blackwater Estuary. Most of the action and an insight into the town's history may be found in the Raleigh Quarter. This beautifully renovated neighborhood, located in the heart of the town, takes tourists back in time.
The St. Mary's Collegiate Church tour is worthwhile, but Youghal's most appealing feature is its historic Town Wall. The wall, which was constructed around the busy trading district in the middle of the 13th century, provides a pleasant walk with breathtaking views. Pick up a map of the Youghal Heritage Trail at the visitor center to go on a self-guided historical exploration. It will lead you past the church and into Raleigh Quarter while highlighting other worthwhile stops to make en route. Plan your trip around the Youghal Medieval Festival in August. This festival, which is enjoyable for the whole family, includes historical re-enactors, demonstrations of birds of prey, music, artisan food kiosks, tours, storytelling, and an archaeological dig.
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This charming Georgian town on the River Camcor is a designated Irish Heritage Town. The tree-lined streets, which were constructed in the early to mid-1700s, are spacious and well-planned, making it a delight to walk through them.
The main draw of the town is Birr Castle. The Great Telescope, once the largest in the world, is currently housed in a magnificent castle that has been the original home of the Parsons family for 14 generations, also known as the Earls of Rosse. The massive box hedges in the castle gardens cannot be missed either. As you stroll around the grounds, be mindful of your surroundings. There, you'll see traces of countless landscape alterations over the centuries, including the arboretum and river garden from the 20th century as well as the waterfall and winter garden from the 19th. The Earls of Rosse was great astronomy and science enthusiasts. At the Birr Castle Demesne, a science museum situated on the grounds of the castle, you may find outdated equipment, cameras, and pictures (dating back to the middle of the 1800s). Birr served as the first host destination for the All-Ireland Hurling final in 1888. Additionally, Birr hosts the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships in September.