Ireland is well known for its vibrant cities, pubs and coastal cliffs, but the most exhilarating aspect of this land is its countryside. The countryside of Ireland has personality all on its own and from Donegal in the North to Cork in the South there is a vast spread of pastures which provide ample photographic opportunities. While touring in the Irish countryside you might come across villages where traditional music and dance are performed out in the open or in local pubs. Irish people have joy and positive energies surrounding them, and they enjoy sharing it with everyone. That is one of the reasons we have come up with a list of things you can do in the countryside, hidden attractions included. Stay tuned!

How to Get Around

Traveling the entire Irish countryside takes a complete day of non stop driving. The best way to get around is by car, particularly if you want to stay away from the busy cities and stick to the countryside. If you don’t feel comfortable driving on your own, we have come up with a few coach tour offers in Ireland that will definitely make you enjoy the best of this country.

Self drive

.......or by luxury coach

Historical Places along the Countryside

There are many historical places along the Irish countryside that provide a pleasant break from the never-ending green pastures. The Rock of Cashel is a medieval castle situated on a hill in the County Tipperary Golden Vale. Needless to say that castles are one of the most visited sights in Ireland as they not only reflect the ancient architecture, but also take you down the lane of the torrid history of the land. Rock of Cashel has a Gothic cathedral that speaks about the religious and architectural history. On the other hand in County Meath you can visit the Bru Na Boinne where you will find several sheep grazing around unassuming mounds. These mounds are actually passage tombs which date back 5000 years to the Neolithic age or the Late Stone Age and have been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Rock of Cashel

The Friendly and Welcoming Villages

At night the villages provide a place to relax after exploring the rugged wilderness and farmlands. Known as the center of traditional Irish music Doolin in County Clare is a village you must visit if you want to enjoy the pub culture of the countryside. There is also the village of Inistioge in Nore River Valley of County Kilkenny where you will find pubs, lakes where you can fish to your heart’s content and an abundance of trees. The cottages and gardens in Kenmare in County Donegal provide a good starting point for traveling around the Ring of Kerry. While in Ardara in County Donegal you will find number of boutiques and shops selling Donegal wool. The quaint church in the medieval town of Dingle in country Kerry, and different places to drink and be merry are great welcoming alternatives.

Typical welcoming Irish pub

Ring of Kerry

Look for Uncommon Places

If you don’t mind traveling off the beaten path then the Irish countryside provides a great opportunity to delve into the history of the land. If you are interested in green farmlands, County Wicklow is a pastoral paradise, but Glendalough is even more interesting although mostly hidden. This is a monastic settlement which dates back to the sixth century – a good hide away from the madding crowd with its forests and waterways. Known as the seat of High Kings the Hill of Tara in County Meath, it also hides a passage tomb dating to the Stone Age.

Part of Glendalough Monastic site

This is not all when it comes to the Irish countryside as there are many more things to explore, but we’ll leave that to you to find out!