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Top ten hidden beauty spots in Ireland - SEE PHOTOS

Some of beautiful spots around Ireland off the tourist trail


Newross town, County Wexford
Newross town, County Wexford

5.  Slieve Bloom Mountains Laois. One of the great natural assets of County Laois in the Irish midlands is the Slieve Bloom Mountains, which also touch surrounding counties such as Offaly.

They are without a doubt one of Ireland's hidden gems and under rated beauty spots.

The best entry point is via Portarlington. The magnificent Slieve Bloom Way boasts an almost unlimited amount of different activities including walking, cycling, auto touring, heritage tours, equestrian trails and Irish music and dancing festivals.

6. Cavan lakes.
They say there are 365 lakes in County Cavan, one for each day of the year. Just drive to the county about sixty miles Northwest from Dublin and you will find them in abundance. Glorious angling, unspoilt vistas and well away from the tourist traps, the Cavan lakes are an undiscovered wonder.

7.  The Glen of Aherlow is a quiet country valley near Tipperary town, secluded but not isolated. There are sixteen miles of unspoilt countryside offering some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable. a wonderful hiking, walking and outdoors vacation experience 

8. Birr Castle,
in County Offaly features a great new attraction; Ireland's new Historic Science Centre features the many pioneering achievements of the Parsons family and of other great Irish scientists in the fields of astronomy, photography, engineering and horticulture.

In the grounds, the Great Telescope built by the third Earl of Ross in the 1840's; this was the largest in the world for 70 years. Birr Castle Demesne also host the most amazing Gardens in the country with Formal Garden and River Garden recently restored, parkland with thousands of rare trees and plants collected all over the world, rivers, lake and waterfalls. The neogothic Castle is the private family home of the Parsons family.

9. New Ross Wexford.
Where the Kennedys set out for the New World as well and created the greatest political dynasty in American history. The Dunbrody, a recreated famine ship is an amazing adventure.  Nearby is the Irish National Historic Park where visitors can experience 900 years of history in just ninety minutes.

10. Boyne Valley.
Stretching through large parts of counties Louth and Meath an unparalleled area of great historical importance, minutes North from Dublin Airport.  Following the path of the Boyne River, Newgrange and other historical sites, including the Battle of the Boyne heritage site can be seen. Helpful road signs direct you to the highlights.

SEE PHOTOS - Ireland's hidden gems


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10 Comments

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Love Killarney-Dublin-Ring of Kerry-so many places in the 4 trips I have made. May be taking another trip with business associates!
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.
"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.
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.
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!
Dinner at Truman's Restaurant in Dublin, across the street from Leinster House...
Don't overlook Tory Island, nine miles off the coast of Donegal... And climb Mount Brandon in Dingle, County, Kerry...
Enjoy dinner at Packie's Restaurant in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland!
The lovely loughs and lakes of Co. Cavan. Discovered these Irish gems while visiting places associated with my Ulster Scots ancestors.
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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