Top ten hidden beauty spots in Ireland - SEE PHOTOS

Some of beautiful spots around Ireland off the tourist trail

PATRICK COOPER,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Saturday, June 11, 2011, 7:08 AM

Updated Saturday, June 11, 2011, 7:08 AM

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Newross town, County Wexford

SEE PHOTOS - Ireland's hidden gems

We all know the Ireland of Saints and Scholars, Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse and Dublin Castle, not to mention the Ring of Kerry and Cliffs of Moher. But what about a trip to the hidden Ireland, where few tourists go?

Here are the top ten hidden beauty spots that will make your vacation there very special.

1. Cooley Mountains, in County Louth. Towering over the border areas, the Cooley peninsula has been cut off because of The Troubles as a tourism spot. Which has meant that it is incredibly unspoilt, with beautiful views North and South over Carlingford Lough from its peaks. The grandeur and beauty of Kerry without any of the high prices or tourist traps is how our guide described it. Just take your car and drive north to Dundalk and head for the Cooley peninsula.

2. South Armagh. Once known as Bandit Country during The Troubles, it too, like Cooley suffered greatly because of those bad times. It has stunning vistas, beautiful mountain ranges and a wonderful Irish music tradition. Tommy Makem of the famous Makem and Clancy Brothers hails from here and his legacy and that of the South Armagh musical tradition can be found in the pubs. Nearby Slieve Gullion national park is one of the great nature parks of Ireland, North or South.

3. Bettystown/Laytown. Just twenty five miles North of Dublin in County Meath are Bettystown and Laytown, two beautiful little villages with wonderful beaches and a huge expanse of Irish Sea. Many Dubliners take their vacations there but overseas tourists are rare. There is a championship golf course and inexpensive lodgings and restaurants.

4. Ring Gaeltacht. You may be familiar with Dingle, Gweedore and Connemara Gaeltachts or Irish speaking locations, but Ring just six miles from Dungarvan in Waterford is the smallest gaeltacht in Ireland and a beautiful and remote spot. Here you can hear the language of your ancestors, visit the little town and surrounding villages and step back in time.

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Inis2228 | Jun 12, 2011, 08:36 AM EDT

Love Killarney-Dublin-Ring of Kerry-so many places in the 4 trips I have made. May be taking another trip with business associates!

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mamaginnty | Jun 11, 2011, 06:38 PM EDT

Cooper you are so right The Ring Co.Waterford a beautiful spot, you will really enjoy listening to our beautiful language, you will here english as well, but a lot of american accents as the tourists love the area, also to the east Kilkenny Carlow and Tipperary, lovely villages abound. From Dublin, Bettystown cavan and Navan, they have become very built up areas due to motorways that shorten the journey to Our Capital.

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GeorgeDillon | Jun 11, 2011, 03:18 PM EDT

"Here you can hear the language of your ancestors". Nonsense, Cooper, the only language you'll hear in An Rinn is English (well, actually you'll also hear the usual Eastern European languages that are ubiquitous in Ireland). But you won't hear Irish. The Ring Gaeltacht is dead, it survives only as a scam for getting government grants. The Irish language is quite kaput as a language in daily use in An Rinn. Sad but true. Though I do agree with Cooper's mention of Cavan. Western Cavan has many pretty spots, and it hasn't been spoiled by Celtic Tiger (sic) and Mass Immigration in the way that so many other places in Ireland have. It still feels like you're in Ireland when you're in West Cavan.

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Helen Ferone | Jun 11, 2011, 12:24 PM EDT

Why leave out the Kylemore Abbey in Connemara? It's absolutely beautiful with quite a history, and should inspire eveyone to visit it. The first time I went to Ireland I stayed in Clifden, and went venturing out to sight see when I came upon a beautiful lake, and beyond it stood Kylemore Abbey looking majectically down on its surrounding area. I might also add if you buy an Irish Calendar more than likely you will see the Abbey on one of the months. Take the back roads and you'll see much more than you think you will.

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MotherIrish | Jun 11, 2011, 12:19 PM EDT

You have missed talking about all the wonderful sights on Inishowen Peninsula. The top of Ireland at Malin Head, The highest sand dunes in Ireland,Mamore Gap, Dungree Fort and more. It is a day long trip out of Derry, if you leave early. We wish we had spend more than a day!

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odubslaine | Jun 11, 2011, 12:10 PM EDT

Dinner at Truman's Restaurant in Dublin, across the street from Leinster House...

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odubslaine | Jun 11, 2011, 12:07 PM EDT

Don't overlook Tory Island, nine miles off the coast of Donegal... And climb Mount Brandon in Dingle, County, Kerry...

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odubslaine | Jun 11, 2011, 12:03 PM EDT

Enjoy dinner at Packie's Restaurant in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland!

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carrickcourt | Jun 11, 2011, 10:33 AM EDT

The lovely loughs and lakes of Co. Cavan. Discovered these Irish gems while visiting places associated with my Ulster Scots ancestors.

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Liamkeyes | Jun 11, 2011, 10:31 AM EDT

Armagh is known as "The Orchard of Erin's Green Land" in the song. Need I say more? Wicklow and Wexford down in the "Sunny South East" are worth a visit. Some parts of Ireland does'nt get the same publicity as the better knownn areas.

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