Category: Ireland

Sligo is the perfect destination for an Irish road trip. Nestled between Donegal and Galway, it’s the second largest city in western Ireland. With that been said, this place is not overcrowded by tourists. Surrounded by mountains and picturesque countryside, the drive to Sligo guarantees some stunning scenery.

If you’re looking for an exciting itinerary to spend 2 days in Sligo, you are at the right place. In this blog, I have tried to share my experience from a 2 days trip that we did to Sligo recently.

Please note that we had done this day trip from Dublin. If you are planning a trip from Dublin, I would strongly suggest keeping minimum 2 days in your plan.

Places covered on Day 1 (You can decide the route based on your place of stay):

Places covered on Day 2 (You can decide the route based on your place of stay):

Places covered on Day 1 (in detail):

1) Mullaghmore (Harbour/Beach):

Mullaghmore is a picturesque destination on Ireland’s northwest coast. It has both incredible coastal views and interesting history. It is a pretty fishing village that is well worth a visit.

On your first stop on Mullaghmore Head, don’t miss the stops to view Classiebawn Castle. It was built by Lord Palmerston in the 18th century and is famous for being the holiday home of Louis Mountbatten (who was killed by a bomb blast on his boat planted by the IRA in 1979 off the coast of Mullaghmore). Unfortunately, it’s not possible to visit Classiebawn Castle, but it can be seen from several areas on the Peninsula, with the coastal road being the most popular because you can see and photograph the castle with Benbulbin’s dramatic aspect in the background.

The waves at Mullaghmore Head can be highly unpredictable. The waves here normally always get a position in the Top 10 list of places with largest waves in the world.

2) Streedagh Beach:

You’ll find Streedagh Beach in a 15-minute drive from Mullaghmore. This beach is absolutely stunning; one of the best beaches in Sligo. It is 2-3kms long. With the Atlantic on one side and the lush green mountains on the other, this is a beautiful beach to relax, take a long walk or have a fun with the kids.

There’s a decent car park with plenty of space near the beach and as an added bonus, you’ll get views of Benbulben Mountain. Streedagh Strand is more popular with surfers because it is an exposed beach with reef breaks. Swimming at Streedagh is recommended for experienced swimmers, due to strong tides and undercurrents.

3) Benbulbin Mountain:

Sligo’s table mountain, Benbulben, towers over the town. It is part of the Dartry Mountain range and stands at 526 meters (about 1,700 feet) above sea level. Its unusual shape was most likely formed after the last Ice Age. It is no exaggeration to say that it was Benbulbin who made Sligo famous.

Benbulbin Mountain (Benbulben Mountain) is mentioned as Sligo’s Table Mountain because of its flat-top shape. It’s only one of a handful of table top mountains in the world and the only one in Ireland – so it really is a must-do on your list of things to do in Sligo, Ireland. It’s important to say you can also climb Benbulbin and it’s one of the more popular activities in Sligo, but with moderate difficulty rating and standing over 500m tall, it will take around 4-5 hours depending on conditions.

The Benbulben Loop Trail, on the forest road, takes you to a striking waterfall where you can enjoy panoramic views of Sligo Bay and on a clear day, Donegal in the distance.

4) Benwisken Mountain:

The beautiful and dramatic mountain of Benwisken is a part of the Dartry Mountain range. The peak of Benwisken is 514 meters above sea level. The tip of the mountain looks like the edge of a knife. The cliffs to the north side of Benwisken are amazingly steep and jagged.

5) Gleniff Horseshoe:

The Gleniff horseshoe is a nice 10kms loop along quiet roads with spectacular views and dramatic and wild Dartry Mountains. The walk also provides dramatic views of the Donegal Bay and the Ulster County beyond. Arguably this is one of the best things to do in Sligo, you can explore it in a couple of ways:

• The walk: 9.1km/3-hour trail
• The drive: It takes 30 – 45 minutes (try to drive in the clockwise direction)

Gleniff Horseshoe is a pretty remote area of Sligo, but it can be easily accessed from the main N15 Sligo to Bundoran Road.

Driving tips:

• The valley is very rural therefore be cautious of sheep that are often wandering on roads. If the animals don’t move, beep your horn lightly.
• The road is small and windy, so make sure you act accordingly – pay attention, drive slowly, especially before curves and watch for other cars and walkers coming your way.

You can also see 2 caves (Diarmaid and Grinnes caves) on the top and please note that its not an easy climb to reach those caves.

Photos don’t do it justice, and words can’t capture how we felt being there. It’s truly magnificent, very much worth the drive on the narrow roads leading there. If it’s raining heavily, you might miss some spectacular views.

6) Devil’s Chimney:

The Devil’s Chimney is Ireland’s highest waterfall with a height of 150 meters. It sits on the border of County Sligo and County Leitrim, situated in the Dartry Mountains in the west of Ireland. It takes about 50 minutes to walk there from the parking lot. Devil’s Chimney isn’t too far from the Glencar Waterfall, so it’s easy to see both in the same day. NOTE: We did not go near the Devil’s Chimney

Devil’s Chimney Waterfall – in Irish, ‘Sruth in Aghaidh An Aird’ – lies on the Sligo/Leitrim border in the Glencar valley, close to its more famous neighbour Glencar waterfall which we will also visit. Its name in Irish means stream against the height and reflects the observed phenomena that during certain weather conditions (when the wind blows from the South) the waterfall is blown upward and back over the cliff from which it falls. Due to this it has become known as the devil’s chimney.

The waterfall does not flow during periods of dry weather; but it is particularly spectacular during or after periods of heavy rainfall. So a perfect off-season location to visit.

7) Glencar Waterfall:

It is a beautiful 50 foot tall waterfall with a great viewing platform. Take a short walk through the forest on a nature trail to reach the falls. It’s one of the best free things to do in County Sligo. You can also embark on the 7km Glencar Hill Walk from the same car park. This waterfall is over the county border and is located in County Leitrim, but it’s really nearby and easily accessible waterfall and a great one to keep in your list of things to cover in Sligo.

There is enough markings from the car parking area. After parking you car, you might have to cross the road from  and follow the short path and you will reach the waterfall within 5 minutes. Glencar Waterfall is situated near Glencar Lake. It is particularly impressive after rain and can be viewed from a lovely, wooded walk. It is famous for being an inspiration to Ireland’s greatest poet William Butler Yeats and features in his poem ‘The Stolen Child’. The facilities on site include a car park, picnic area, public toilets, playground, tearoom and Tourist Information Point.

Places covered on Day 2 (in detail):

1) Sligo Town (Including Sligo Abbey):

Sligo Town is on the banks of the Garavogue River. It is a typical Irish market town bustling with life, boasting a collection of traditional old pubs, a number of Neolithic sites nearby and is famed for its connections with the poet W.B. Yeats

Take a leisurely stroll (walking tours are also available) through the local streets where you can observe historic buildings like the Sligo Cathedral, shop at boutique stores, and enjoy the lively atmosphere that defines Sligo. You can also walk along the river that winds through the town and wander around the streets. You’ll see adorable houses, several decorated bridges, and colorful buildings.

Perhaps the most well-known of Sligo town attractions is The Abbey, the only medieval structure still standing in the town. It is a burial place of kings and princes, including the King of Briefne, who died in 1418, and successive chiefs of the ruling O’Conor clan. There is a small admission fee (around 5 Euros, I guess). NOTE: We were slightly running out of time and hence had to skip the Abbey visit but still managed to take some snaps from the road.

2) Rossess Point (Harbour/Village/Beach):

Rosses Point is a peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland, located at the entrance to Sligo Harbour. It is a delightful little town to head to just 10-minutes away from Sligo Town. Drop by the harbour and admire the picturesque backdrop of Sligo Bay and the Dartry Mountains.

It’s the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway, with two kilometres of Blue Flag beaches to enjoy. There are plenty of good restaurants and accommodation in town, which give the place a lively vibe, especially in summer. Oyster Island lies off the coast from town, while Coney Island is just a bit further out.

3) Coney Island:

Coney Island (In Gaelic the name means “the island of rabbits”) is the largest and the most famous of the three islands off the northern coast of the Coolera peninsula.

The island lies in Sligo Bay between Rosses Point and Benbulben in the north, and Strandhill and Knocknarea to the south. The island which is 1½ miles long by ¾ mile across (around 400 acres)  is accessible by boat from the pier at Rosses Point, but the most popular route is by way of Cummeen Strand when the tide is out. This strand is exposed at low tide and is marked by 14 stone pillars for a distance of 5km leading to the island. We took a boat from Rosses Point to Coney island.

It’s actually a fun way of getting to Coney Island, known for its many rabbits! Unfortunately, we did not see atleast a single rabbit. So pity, isn’t it?

In 1862 the island had a population of 124 people, with 45 children attending the local school. The island now has only one family of permanent inhabitants, who can trace their history on the island back to the 1750s. The island is a haven of beauty and solitude. It’s a must if you’re in the area. You can explore old dwellings and imagine the island when it was more heavily populated.

4) Strandhill Beach:

Strandhill Beach in County Sligo is a popular surf beach featuring several schools catering for both beginners and experienced surfers. This place is renowned as one of Europe’s best and most consistent surfing breaks. Located 8km west of Sligo town, Strandhill Beach offers panoramic views of Knocknarea and Benbulben.

Strandhill Beach is one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches. It is forbidden to swim here, due to the strong currents. Parking is free on the seafront; however, it can be difficult to find a spot (especially at the weekends or on fine sunny days).

5) Knocknarea:

Knocknarea is a large prominent hill west of Sligo town in County Sligo, Ireland, with a height of 327 metres. There is 6-8 kms loop trail reaching a height of 327m at Knocknarea’s summit. The walk to the summit of the mountain takes an average of 1 hour and is considered as a moderately challenging route.

The route is now known as Queen Maeve’s Trail; named after the legend that the huge cairn and tomb on the summit of the hill is her resting place. We did not take that walking trail.

6) Listoghil Cairn (Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery):

County Sligo is home to the largest and oldest collection of neolithic stone circles and dolmens found in Ireland. The Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is in a captivating part of Sligo, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Benbulben. It is situated at the centre of the Cuil Irra peninsula in County Sligo, is the second largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Europe and is among Ireland’s oldest Carrowmore is managed by the Office of Public Works, a government body responsible for the care of national monuments.

A small visitor centre, which is subject to an entry fee, carpark and public toilets give access to about fourteen of the remaining monuments. Unfortunately, this place was closed for some renovation work when we visited.

7) Dunmoran Strand Beach:

Dunmoran Strand is surrounded by dunes and lies in a quite, rural region. A hiking trail leads along the beach and all the way to Aughris Head, 2,5 kilometres away. It was less crowded, compared to other beaches that we had visited in this trip.

Throughout the year the beach is frequented by walkers and surfers. Despite its obvious natural charms Dunmoran never gets busy and always retains its wild side. This unspoilt character extends to a complete lack of facilities – so bring everything you need with you, and take it home afterwards.

8) Aughris Head / Beach / Trail:

Aughris Head is located in a rural area in southern Silgo Bay. The ideal starting point for an exploration is the parking space at the Beach Bar, a traditional Irish pub. It is accessible via a narrow road not suitable for coaches. The newly redeveloped and extended Aughris Coastal Walk is one of the best coastal walks on the west coast of Ireland.

Place of Stay:

Property Details:

• It is a spacious 2 bedroomed apartment in the picturesque village of Grange along the Wild Atlantic Way.
• It’s just 5 minutes walk from Grange village. There is a regular bus service to Sligo and Ballyshannon (the bus stop is in walkable distance from the apartment)
• Langs Bar and Restaurant, Morans Bar and takeaway and Supervalu are all within walking distance from the apartment.
• The apartment is located behind the House owner’s house which has parking directly outside the door. It has an outdoor dining area with picnic bench and garden for use.
• It comes fully equipped with all essential items.

Our reviews:

• Rebecca was a great host, now wonder she is ranked as a Superhost in AirBNB.
• Rebecca was so communicative and had great recommendations for us.
• The house was so welcoming, spotlessly clean, had everything we needed, and we all loved it.
• Its nicely furbished and decorated.
• There were lot of toys and books made available in the house for children.
• A dedicated parking slot (with roof) was available.
• This is a perfect family-friendly place to stay. This house and hosts house were in the same compound.
• Major attractions like Streedagh Beach, Belbulbin mountain and Gleniff horseshoe are quite nearby.
• Supervalu nearby is relatively a bigger store.
• Host had kept a bottle of milk and a pack of butter in the kitchen for us.
• Even though public transport options are available nearby, it will be good to have a car if you are planning to stay here.
• Sligo city center is around 20minutes in car.
• Would definitely recommend this AirBNB property.

Summary:

Sligo is a charming county located on the northwest coast of Ireland. It is an underrated Irish county which is often missed by tourists when they plan their trip to Ireland. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and rich history.
The vast majority of Sligo Ireland’s sights are far from town and you will need to use public transport or have a car.

This itinerary is filled with beaches, hikes and scenic drives and I believe this blog post will give you an inspiration to visit this beautiful Irish county.

The Ring of Kerry (175 kms circular route) is a scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland’s County Kerry.

Whether you choose to cycle it or drive or travel in coach, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful scenic routes in Ireland. Fortunately or unfortunately, it rains almost most of the days here in Ireland. So, in case if you reach here on a rainy day, you might not be able to enjoy this place to the full extend.

With this itinerary, you will drive through miles of green, rolling hills, explore colourful and beautiful Irish towns, and see a fantastic stretch of Ireland’s rugged coastline. It is a beautiful scenic drive and it’s no wonder that it makes it into bucket list of many travellers.

There is a always a debate on which direction you should cover this circular route. Some people go in a clockwise direction and some others in the anti-clockwise direction. Most of the guidebooks suggests to go clockwise so that you are going the opposite direction of the tour buses (which go counterclockwise).

The route when done clockwise starts from Killarney following the N71 to Kenmare, then on to the N70 around the Iveragh Peninsula to Killorglin, passing through Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen, and finally returning to Killarney via the N72. Without any stops, it would take 2.5 – 3 hours to cover the main route. Please note that this itinerary would still take more hours as we had deviated to another road / location from the main route, in between.

This itinerary will be more suitable for those with their own vehicle or rental vehicle. I strongly believe that the best way to see the Ring of Kerry is to drive your own vehicle / rental vehicle, as you have the flexibility to stop and enjoy the stunning scenery whenever you want.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, there are still plenty of options like the ‘Ring of Kerry coach tours’, to see most of the important sights. Even though you will be confined to the viewpoints or stoppages planned by the tour companies, coach tour is also a good, safe and convenient option. If you get a good tour guide, your coach trip is going to be a great fun.

I know that there are many tour operators (mini and big buses) conducting one / two days tour in this route. I won’t be able to share pros / cons of any operator, as I have not tried any such coach trips in this route.

Keep in mind that daylight hours are much shorter in autumn and winter. We did this trip in July 2024, so the days were long. If you visit in autumn or winter, you could have 8 hours of daylight or less so that will need to be factored into your trip.

This is my second trip to Ring of Kerry. First was a One-day trip from Cork in 2019. This time since we were travelling from Dublin, we had to plan a two days itinerary.

The Ring of Kerry road is much like all the other rural roads in Ireland.  I appreciate that some of the narrow roads can be very challenging, especially for those coming from countries where you are used to much wider roads or where you follow a right hand side driving. Take it slow and take bends cautiously.

There is always another debate within the traveller’s community, if one should choose Dingle Peninsula or Ring of Kerry if you are forced to select one of the two options. In most of the cases, I have seen that Dingle Peninsula wins that debate. There’s definitely no reason not to visit the Ring of Kerry and I would suggest you to visit both these wonderful places, if you get a chance.

If you are a regular reader of my blogs, you would have noticed something special about my travel style/pattern. I tend to cover as much as possible on each day. I know that’s it’s not everyone’s travel style but unfortunately, I somehow cannot change that pattern. This trip is no different.

Enough of intros, now let me get into the details.

We started our journey from Saggart in Dublin.

Day 1:

We visited the following places on day 1.

Saggart, Dublin (started from here)

Torc Waterfall, Torc, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Ladies view, Derrycunihy, Killarney, Co. Kerry

Molls Gap, Eirk, Co. Kerry

Kenmare, Co. Kerry

Sneem, Drimna Beg, Co. Kerry

Caherdaniel, Ballycarnahan, Co. Kerry

Viewpoint of Scarriff Island

Charlie Chaplin Statue, Waterville, Co. Kerry

Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry

Skellig Ring, Co. Kerry

Coomanaspig, Co. Kerry

Portmagee, Doory, Co. Kerry

Bunnys Pod (EIR Code: V23FD37), Cahersiveen (Stayed here)

1) Torc Waterfall, Torc, Killarney, Co. Kerry:

The waterfall is 20 metres (66 ft) high and 110 metres (360 ft) long and was formed by the nearby Owengarriff River. This is one of the most popular things to do in Killarney.

The parking space is slightly limited in this place. Consider yourself lucky if you manage to get parking in the car park near to the waterfall (just a 5 minutes’ walk). I was told that there is another parking space but it is far away from the waterfalls.

Even though Torc Waterfall isn’t the biggest set of falls we’ve seen, it’s quite impressive in its own way. I think the natural surroundings around the falls make it so pretty. The moss-covered tree branches everywhere makes it look like it is part of some fairytale kingdom.

There are no much shops available but yes there is a Public toilet facility near to the car parking area. You don’t have to pay for the car park or to visit the falls. Nice one, isn’t it?

2) Ladies view, Derrycunihy, Killarney, Co. Kerry:

You will see this viewpoint in the right side of the road. There is also a cafe-restaurant (on left side) here, with panoramic views of the valley. I think there is also a small gift shop here. From this viewpoint, you’ll be able to see the Lakes of Killarney and the surrounding mountains. Unfortunately, it was slightly raining when we reached here. So, we couldn’t get the best views.

A short trail will take you to an even better viewpoint, if you prefer to do so.

3) Molls Gap, Eirk, Co. Kerry:

If you further continue from Ladies’ View, you will reach Moll’s Gap.

Moll’s Gap viewpoint got its name from a woman (named Moll Kissane) who set up an unlicensed pub in the area when the N71 road was newly constructed. While the illegal pub is long gone, Molls gap has a shop (named Avoca), which can be  good place to grab a coffee or food & you could use the toilet facility aswell.

This can also be a good stop for breakfast in case you haven’t been able to before the start of your Ring of Kerry drive.

4) Kenmare, Co. Kerry:

Kenmare is one of the beautiful towns in Ireland known for its colourful houses.

Kenmare offers a great selection of hotels and pubs, and as a result, it gets really lively during the peak season. So this can be another place for a short break or to grab some food or coffee.

5) Sneem, Drimna Beg, Co. Kerry:

Follow the road and enjoy the beautiful scenery until you reach the colourful town of Sneem. This can also be a good stop for food or coffee, if you wanted to.

Surrounded by mountains, the vibrant and colorful town of Sneem is a popular stop on the Ring of Kerry. The traditional Irish pubs get lively during the summer months and often provide live music and not surprisingly, a good selection of refreshing beverages.

6) Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry (Glenbeg Caravan and Camping Park):

Parking space is relatively smaller here, but it is worth stopping here. From the parking area, you can see ‘Glenbeg caravan and camping park’ and a small beach (on the right side). This is a small beach but it’s really magical, especially on a sunny day.

7) Viewpoint of Scarriff Island (Never miss this view point):

Continuing from Caherdaniel, there’s a fantastic viewpoint named ‘Scarriff Island Viewpoint’. One of my personal favourites, this viewing point should never be missed.

From here, you’ll get an epic view of Scarriff Island (and the neighboring Deenish Island). Both of these islands were inhabited in the 1800s, but today they’re deserted and very difficult to reach. On a sunny day, you can capture some breathtaking views from this viewpoint. There is enough parking space available here.

8) Charlie Chaplin Statue, Waterville, Co. Kerry:

Waterville is one of the Ring of Kerry’s more unique towns, which is very near to the coast.

You’re probably wondering why there is a statue of Charlie Chaplin in the Ring of Kerry (I did). Well, basically it’s because he and his family used to love visiting the town of Waterville and the statue was built for his remembrance. They even have the right to hold a Charlie Chaplin themed comedy film festival every year!

There are plenty of great accommodations in Waterville to choose from, and if you decide to stay here overnight, make sure to pay a visit to the beach during the sunset.

9) Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry (This will be the toughest stretch in this whole trip):

At this point, we took a detour off the main Ring of Kerry route and ventured onto what’s known as the Skellig Ring. If you are in short of time, you could skip this detour, but it’s worth including if you have a option. If you plan to take this route, venture off into R567/R566/R565, else you can stay on N70.

Without any doubt, Skellig Ring is one of the best extensions of the Ring of Kerry, and it was one of the highlights of our road trip. Please note that the roads are quite narrow here in this stretch. You won’t see tour buses as the roads in this area are simply too narrow for them.

10) Skellig Ring, Co. Kerry:

This drive was one of the most spectacular parts of the Ring of Kerry drive for me. The winding roads are much less driven than the main Ring and on a clear day you can see out to the Skellig Islands, which look so dramatic even from a distance.

Ideally the next stop should have been ‘Kerry Cliffs’, but we had to skip this part as we were running short of time. Kerry Sea Cliffs are over 1000ft above the Atlantic Ocean, which are actually taller than the Cliffs of Moher.

11) Coomanaspig, Co. Kerry:

You will pass through Coomanaspig – one of the highest points in Ireland that’s accessible by car.

On a clear day the view as you spin down towards Portmagee is mind-boggling. There’s plenty of parking up at the top but beware – it’s fierce windy up there!

12) Portmagee, Doory, Co. Kerry:

Portmagee is a small colourful town located around 80 km from Killarney.

You have good parking space here. Next to the parking area is the bathroom that was awarded Ireland’s Top Toilet Award in 2002.

Few of the Skellig Island boat tour operators depart from Portmagee.

There are two types of Skellig boat trips. One is a landing trip where you land on Skellig Michael and climb the carved steps to the monastery – although good fitness is required! You’ll also circle the island (if weather allows), to see the famous Gannet colony – one of the largest in the world! Landing tours generally cost around €100 per person.

Alternatively, eco-tours do not land on the islands but instead sail around them with a highly qualified guide providing information about the history of the islands, the monks that lived there from the 6th century and the ecology of the island too. You’ll also see the Gannet colony. Eco boat tours generally cost around €40 per person.

By the time we reached here, the boat service were all finished. Anyway, we never had the intention to visit Skellig Island in this trip.

We had planned our stay at Cahersiveen. So this was a good place to pack some food for our dinner.

We managed to buy some burgers from ‘K’s golden grill’ (an evening mobile food shop). Food was quite tasty and economical.

If interested, you can also plan to visit Valentia Island from here.  Valentia Island is one of Ireland’s most westerly points. It lies off the Iveragh Peninsula in the southwest of County Kerry. It is linked to the mainland by the Maurice O’Neill Memorial Bridge at Portmagee. We did not visit Valentia island in this trip.

13) Bunnys Pod, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry (Stayed here):

We stayed at Bunny Pod (EIR Code: V23FD37), Cahersiveen. This is a good glamping pod for a family (2 adults + 1 child).

The glamping site is at a great location with excellent views.

Day 2:

We covered the following places on day 2:

Bunnys Pod (EIR Code: V23FD37), Cahersiveen (Stayed here)

Cahersiveen Town, W Main St, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry

Kellsbeach Pods, Bay, Kells, Co. Kerry

Rossbeigh Beach, Unnamed Road, Faha, Co. Kerry

St. Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, 5 Cathedral Pl, Kilgarvan, Cobh, Co. Cork

Saggart, Dublin (Final destination)

1) Cahersiveen Town, W Main St, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry:

As you begin your loop back towards Killarney along the north-facing edge of the Iveragh Peninsula, you’ll pass through the market town of Cahersiveen, whose tall, colourful houses, many with traditional shopfronts is a great view.

2) Kellsbeach Pods, Bay, Kells, Co. Kerry:

Kells Beach (with Blue flag award)  is a lovely sandy beach with a small harbour. It is an idyllic spot for a day out on the northern coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula. There is a caravan park and a small glamping site near to this beach.

3) Rossbeigh Beach, Unnamed Road, Faha, Co. Kerry:

Rossbeigh Beach Car Park is free and there are plenty of spaces plus a cafe and toilet facilities. Overlooked by Rossbeigh mountains, this beach is very long. This is also a blue flag beach. Rossbeigh Beach is perfect for a day by the sea during the warm weather months. You can also drive up to the mountains, to get some panoramic views.

4) Cobh, Co. Cork (St. Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, 5 Cathedral Pl, Kilgarvan, Cobh, Co. Cork):

We decided to visit Cobh aswell, in these 2 days trip.

Cobh is a gorgeous coastal town situated half an hour from Cork. Cobh in fact is a destination by itself and would need a full day. Due to some time restrictions, we could spend only an hour here.

Cobh was ranked as one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe by Condé Nast Traveler. One of the major transatlantic Irish ports, the town was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America.

On the 11th April 1912 the newly built Titanic called to the port of Queenstown (now known as Cobh) on her maiden voyage.  From Southampton, she went to Cherbourg, France where 281 passengers boarded. On April 11, Titanic arrived in Cobh Harbor, its final port of call. Eight passengers disembarked and 123 boarded. There is also a visitor centre named ‘Titanic Experience Cobh’.

St. Colman’s Cathedral is a must see in Cobh. The interior of the cathedral is architecturally and visually very beautiful.

If you have more time in Cobh, You could also try a 45 minutes guided boat tour to ‘Spike Island’.

More details here : https://www.spikeislandcork.ie/

After Cobh, we returned back to Saggart in Dublin.

Summary:

There’s no doubt that the Ring of Kerry is worth its status as one of the best places to visit in Ireland.

Many roads on the Ring of Kerry are narrow, two lane roads. If you do not like the idea of driving these narrow, curvy roads it might be better to visit the Ring of Kerry on a tour. The Ring of Kerry is famed for its outstanding natural beauty, historical sites, unique winding roads and charming towns and villages.

A lot of visitors do tend to drive the Ring of Kerry in one day. If you elect to do so and want to do it any sort of justice, plan for a long day of exploring. I’d say anywhere from 7-10 hours would be a fair assessment.

If you will be relying on WiFi and plan on using Google Maps, make sure to download an offline version of the Ring of Kerry area before you set out for the day.

Ireland is popular for rains. A fine day could easily turn to a rainy one so make sure you are prepared for all sorts of weather on your drive. Most importantly, I’d say make sure to have a wind and waterproof jacket.

The nearest airport to Killarney is Kerry Airport, (often called Farranfore airport) which is 17km and a 15-minute drive away from Killarney. Its flight schedule is quite limited – namely to Dublin, London, Manchester, Luton, Faro, Alicante, Normandy, Brittany and Frankfurt-Hahn.

There is a train station in Killarney town that links up with a couple of routes within Ireland. Via Mallow, you can reach both Cork and Limerick Junction stations. From Limerick Junction, you’ll be able to join lines that take you to Limerick city, Galway, Dublin and Waterford.

One of the main appeals of traveling the Ring of Kerry is that the more time you spend there, the more you discover and the more you will enjoy this area.

The Ring of Kerry is technically just a national road, and there is no fee to drive along it.

There are so many great viewpoints that you will just stumble across, lots of which don’t even have names. You have to be okay with the idea that though you want to have a plan, there will be times when you’ll want to stop off and look through a quaint town or see a breathtaking view for a while.

The Ring of Kerry is open all year long, although it is the busiest during the summer months of July and August. In case if you want to avoid busy period, my personal suggestion to you will be to plan your visit on the shoulder seasons or even the off season. In the spring and fall (March to May or September to November), there are fewer crowds and it won’t be too cold.

I hope this itinerary will help you to plan your trip in a better and meaningful way.

In case if you have more days with you, there are still many more interesting places in and around Ring of Kerry. Please find list of some of such places (not in any specific order):

• Valentia Island – Knight’s Town and Skellig Boat tours
• Kerry Cliffs (After Skellig Ring)
• Ross Castle
• Muckross House / Abbey
• Staigue Stone Fort
• Cove Beach
• Derrynane Beach
• Coomakista viewpoint
• Geokaun Mountain and Cliffs
• Killarney National Park
• Staigue Stone Fort
• Skellings Chocolate Factory
• Rossmore Island
• Eightercua Stone Row 
• Ballaghabeama Gap
• Staigue Fort
• Loher Stone Fort
• Eightercua Stones
• Cahergall & Leacanabuaile Stone Forts
• Ballycarbery Castle
• Gap of Dunloe
• Beara Peninsula
• Garnish Island

County Donegal is a county of Ireland, in the province of Ulster.

Located in the northwest corner of Ireland, Donegal is the island’s northernmost county. In terms of size and area, it is the largest county in Ulster and the fourth-largest county in all of Ireland.

In this blog, I would like to share my experience around a two days trip that we did in July 2024 to County Donegal.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a breathtaking coastal route over 2,500 kms from Donegal to Cork, showcasing some of Ireland’s most stunning scenery. There are around 39 discovery stops in county Donegal.

Day 1:

We started our journey from Saggart around 9AM (1st day google map route is shown below)

NOTES:

1. In this road trip, you will be passing through some of the roads in the Northern Ireland. As the region is under UK, the speed limits will be marked in Miles.
2. It will be always beneficial to carry some snacks or light food with you, as you might not see a lot of food points of your interest in this road trip. Also, the number of towns (small/big) are relatively lesser.

The following places were covered on Day 1.

1. Portsalon Beach and Ballymastocker Strand Viewpoint:

This is a very extensive sandy beach (approximately 1 Km long) located on the western side of Lough Swilly between Rathmullan and Fanad Head and has fabulous views towards the Inishowen Peninsula. Portsalon Beach is also known as Ballymastocker Bay.

This is a Blue flag beach.  It’s an exceptionally clean beach and you can swim in these waters. Lifeguards are available during summertime (June-September). There is a limited parking available near the beach. The car park can get crowded here during the warmer summer months, so make sure to arrive earlier to secure a spot. Toilet facility is available, but seems like it’s an old building and not well maintained (not to Irish standards atleast).

There is also a small mobile coffee shop near the parking, in case if you wish to take some hot drinks, light snacks and so on.

American pop singer Taylor Swift had visited this beach in summer 2021. Her Instagram post from the beach made this beach even more popular among the tourists. You can also drive upto the hill to reach the Ballymastocker Strand Viewpoint.

NOTE: We didn’t go until the Ballymastocker Strand Viewpoint, as we were slightly behind our planned schedule.

2.Fanad Head light house:

Fanad Lighthouse is an iconic working lighthouse at the mouth of Lough Swilly. It was voted as one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. Fanad Head Lighthouse is one of 70 lighthouses operated by the commissioners of Irish lights around the coast of Ireland and plays a vital role in maritime safety.

Accommodation at Fanad Lighthouse is available all year round in three charming former lighthouse keeper’s homes, all with stunning sea views.  House 1 can sleep 2 people, House 2 can sleep 2-4 people and House 3 can sleep 2 people.

There are guided tours available. This tour will help you to learn lives of the lighthouse keepers and their families who were stationed there. You can also climb to the top of the tower for spectacular 360 views of North Donegal, the Atlantic and Lough Swilly. Please note that there are around 76 steps to reach to the top. My parents were with me in this trip. As it was difficult for them to climb that many steps, we had to skip the guided tour.

There is a dedicated parking facility available near the light house. A proper coffee cum souvenir shop is available near the parking bay. A very clean toilet facility is also available near the coffee shop. You will have to take the guided tour ticket from the coffee shop and then proceed towards the main gate to enter into the lighthouse premise. Please note that there is a very small parking facility (may be 4-5 cars) near the main gate aswell (Even if you park your car here, you will have to still get the tickets from the coffee shop mentioned earlier).

More details here : https://fanadlighthouse.com/

3.Boyeeghter Bay, aka Murder Hole Beach, aka Sheephaven Bay:

Please note that google map will take you till the car parking. It’s a flat 5 Euros (only cards) parking charge. I understand that there are 2 options to reach the beach.

A) You will have to take a trail (near to the car park) to reach the beach. I have read a lot of negative reviews (mainly in trip advisor) about the trail and the landowner who owns the property. I have not experienced it personally, so would be difficult to further comment on the same. Also, please note that the trail might test your fitness levels and it’s not ideal for people with walking difficulties or people who have buggies. There are restrictions for dogs aswell, since you need to pass through a working farm.

B) Another option to park your car in the parking area and walk backwards to the same direction from where you came in. There are clear sign boards showing the beach entrance.

I think there are more routes to the beach nearer to the car parking area, but seems like they are restricted, and access is only for the caravan homeowners who owns a holiday home in that site (Melmore Holiday Park).

I have read that one of the highlights of the beach is the quiet deep cave known as Murder Hole, which offers a fantastic view of the water. Visitors can find the cave by walking along the cliffs at the back of the beach.

The route to reach this place itself is very scenic. I would suggest to skip going to this beach if you are not particular about doing so. Instead, you can go until the car parking area to experience the scenic route and further take a U turn and return back (5 Euros saved😊)

4.Killahoey Beach:

In the county that boasts the highest number of Blue Flag beaches and the longest coastline in the country; you are never too far from a beach. Killahoey Beach (Tra na Cille), also known as Dunfanaghy Beach, is located close to the town of Dunfanaghy (Dun Fionnachaidh) on the northern coast of County Donegal. It is a sandy beach just over 1km long. There is a large car park with portable toilet facility aswell.

When you enter to the beach road from the main road, you will soon find a car parking,  its for the people who visit the golf club nearby. You can further drive to find the actual car park for the beach visitors.

Beach Lifeguards will be on duty on this beach – from June until September. The beach has spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous countryside.

5.Dunfanaghy Town:

Dunfanaghy is a small town, former fishing port, and commercial centre on the north coast of County Donegal, Ireland. We spend some time at this beautiful small town. The main intention was to take a parcel for our dinner.

We had taken food from ‘Megabites Chipper’ (a small mobile shop operating during evenings). The chicken burger and chicken wings (dips) were very tasty.

6.Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point @Magherroarty Pier, Magheraroarty:

Magherroarty Pier is a great hub for both locals and tourists.  The pier is the departure point for ferries to Tory Island and Inishbofin Island (a remote and rugged island off the coast of Donegal). In case if you plan for a ferry to Tory island, check with the staff as sailings are subject to tidal conditions, and cancellations are very common. There is also a long stretch of beach (Magheraroarty beach) near to the pier.

The pier is relatively small. It has a parking facility, toilet facility and a bar/restaurant. The journey time to and from Tory Island is approximately 45 minutes. It’s a passenger only ferry (no vehicles).

More details around Tory ferry here: https://www.toryferry.com/

The journey time to and from Inishbofin Islands is approximately 10 minutes.

7.Stay at Machaire Rabhartaigh Glamping:

We reached our destination (glamping site) around 7 PM.

There are around 10 pods here. Pods No. 1-6 and No. 10 are more family friendly and have bunkbeds in them. Pods No. 7,8 & 9 are more for couples or singles. The road towards the glamping site was not completed yet but you can easily drive through the gravel route. We had stayed in Pod 1. The view from the Pod was beyond words. You can experience beautiful views of the Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Magheraroarty Beach, Inis Bó Finne, Tory Island and even Horn Head in the distance.

Definitely, this is one of the best glamping sites that I have ever visited. Highly recommend without a second thought. Owner (Edward) was very kind. He visited each pods in the evening, to meet the guests in person. He also shared few useful tips about that region.

For booking, you can check this website : https://www.mrglamping.ie/.

NOTE: Please note that towels are not provided in the pods. You will have to bring one.

Day 2:

The following places were covered on Day 2 (2nd day google map route is shown below)

We started our journey around 8AM, as we had to cover a lot of places on day 2.

1.Errigal Mountains:

Standing at 751 meters high, Errigal is the tallest in the county and is one of the Seven Sisters. Errigal is now of huge importance to hikers and walkers. There is a slight deviation from the main road to reach the base of Errigal mountains. As my parents were not interested in hiking, we just took snaps of the mountain from the main road and skipped the hiking part.

NOTE: If you want to complete the trip as per the itinerary mentioned here, you will also have to skip the hiking part. Generally, this hiking route is considered as a challenging one and might take around 2-3 hours (around 4.5 kms I presume) to complete.

2.Carrickfinn Beach (and Donegal airport enroute):

Carrickfinn Beach is situated in the beautiful Gweedore Bay right behind Donegal Airport, which has been voted as the most scenic landing strip in the world in 2020 (https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/scenic-airport-landings-2020/index.html).

The beach is a long stretch of white sand beach backed by sand dunes. The beach currently has Blue Flag status. It is also known as Dunmore Strand. Beach Lifeguards will be on duty on this beach – from June until September.

Aer Lingus operates direct flight in Dublin – Donegal route (around 50 minutes).

3.Col Glengesh, Leamagowra / Glengesh pass:

Glengesh Pass is a fabulous mountain pass in County Donegal, near the Irish town of Ardara.

The road is a succession of twists and turns. For sure, this will be the most scenic stretch in this 2 days trip. So, try not to skip this route even if you are slightly behind the schedule. Once you’ve reached the highest point, you can park your car and take some beautiful snaps.

Often referred to as the ‘Donegal Pass’, the road at Glengesh snakes through the valley and provides a very unique experience, regardless of whether you’re driving or on foot.

NOTE: In this itinerary, you will be climbing up the mountain. So be extremely cautious when taking the bends as they’re extremely tight, so take your time and drive safely. The total stretch is around 15 kms.

4.Glencolumbkille Folk Village:

The Glencolmcille Folk Village Museum, in Glencolmcille County Donegal, is a cluster of seven small cottages, called a “clachán,” perched on a hillside overlooking a sandy curve of nearby Glenbay beach.

This thatched-roof replica of a rural village in Ireland’s most north westerly county offers a glimpse into daily life as it was during past centuries. Each cottage is an exact replica of a dwelling used by the local people in each of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and is equipped with the furniture, artifacts and utensils of its particular period. Visitors may wander at leisure through the Village, or join one of the guided tours.

More details here: https://www.glenfolkvillage.com/

(NOTE:  There is also a small beach nearby, beyond the car park)

5.Malin Beg Pier:

From the old watchtower situated on the headland close to Malin Beg, you have a spectacular view over Malin Bay and the island Rathlin O’Birne. The watchtower can be reached by foot from Malin Beg Pier.

6.Silver Strand Beach :

Located at the tip of the Slieve League Peninsula, just past Glencolmcille, it’s one of the best beaches in the county.

As you arrive at the car park (using google maps), you will not see the beach immediately. It is hidden between the rocks, but that makes it more special. The beach is accessible via a staircase with about 170 steps. The beach is relatively small, but the formations of nature here is simply beyond words.

Silver Strand is a popular spot for a swimmers, when conditions are safe. However, please note that there are no lifeguards on duty here, so you should only enter the water if you’re a capable swimmer.

7.Sliabh Liag Cliff Experience & Visitor Centre (& Bus to Sliabh Liag Cliffs):

As of my understanding, Sliabh Liag Cliffs is the second largest cliffs in Ireland (after Croaghaun Cliffs on Achill Island in County Mayo). The famous Cliffs of Moher is around 214 meters and Sliabh Liag Cliffs is around 600 meters.

The Sliabh Liag Visitor Centre officially opened in May 2019. The Centre is part of the overall development of Sliabh Liag Mountain and the Sliabh Liag Cliff Experience. There is a visitor information service, Public Toilets, a small café and a large parking facility here.

There is also a relatively new building next to the visitor centre. It is a cafe and shop with some nice items.

There are 2 options to reach Sliabh Liag cliffs:

1. Park your car near the visitor centre (lower car park) , take a shuttle bus (to and fro journey is 6 euros / person). Only the approved coaches can go upto the cliff.  We went with this option as it was risk free. Bus operates every 30 minutes in a normal scenario and every 10 minutes during the busy hours. The shuttle buses are well maintained.
2. You can drive your car to some distance further ahead from the visitor centre. There is another parking (upper car park) facility available. You can park the car in that parking area and walk upto the hill. Please note that you would still need to walk for around 30-45 minutes to reach the top of the cliffs from that parking area.

A visit to the cliffs and the surrounding region is a must on your Wild Atlantic Way adventure. There are also few small mobile coffee and Souvenir shops at the top of the cliffs. The views that your can experience on a clear day is simply beyond words.

More details here: https://www.sliabhliag.com/visitor-centre/

8.Killybegs:

Killybegs is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. It is the largest fishing port in the country and on the island of Ireland. It is located on the south coast of the county, north of Donegal Bay, near Donegal Town.

It was a great experience walking around the town and the fishing port. With its shimmering waters and glorious coastline, this area is famous for its maritime culture.

We also tried food at the ‘Sea food Shack’ (a famous fish and chips shop in this region). The ambience was great. We tried Battered Haddock. It was tasty and quantity was also good.

9.Donegal Town Centre:

Since we had gone all the way till Donegal, we thought to just drive through the Donegal Town centre before proceeding back to our home in Saggart. The town is finely situated at the head of busy Donegal Bay, along the River Eske.

10.Bundoran Beach and the Fairy Bridges / Wishing Chair:

On our way back from County Donegal to Dublin, we spend some time at Bundoran Beach and the Fairy Bridges. This was the last destination in our itinerary.

Bundoran Beach is located in County Donegal, just 250 metres off Bundoran town’s Main Street. Bundoran boasts not one but two great beaches – Main Beach and Tullan Strand. I was surprised to see the number of fixed caravans in the neighbour caravan park. This area of the coast is popular with experienced surfers. There is also a lot of parking space available here.

The Fairy Bridges and Wishing Chair are two enchanting features situated beside the sea at Bundoran, County Donegal. Due to the peculiar rock formations in the area, a series of natural “blow” or “puffing” holes exist (and still do to this day) which causes the seawater, when tidal conditions dictate, to crash through and blow water upwards.

The Wishing Chair is also very popular with visitors, who take advantage of the magical powers of the natural stone chair.

Now its time to return back home. On your way back aswell, you will pass through some of the roads in the Northern Ireland. As the region is under UK, the speed limits will be marked in Miles. We reached back our final destination ‘Saggart’ by around 7PM.

Please note that I have only tried to cover some important and most visited places in Donegal. There are still maaaannyyyy moooorrrrre places that you can explore in Donegal.  If you have more time and budget, I would definitely recommend 3-4 days to cover Donegal.

Also the itinerary presented here is a tight one with very less time for relaxation. If you want to see get a high level idea about county Donegal and if you are OK to drive around 800+ kms in different terrains within 2 days, this would be a great itinerary for you.

Some other places of interest (not in any specific order):

• Aphort Beach
• Ardara Beach
• Ards Forest Park
• Arranmore Island
• Assaranca waterfall outside Ardara
• Ballymastocker Bay // Ballymastocker Beach Viewpoint
• Bristí Sea Arch of Crohy Head
• Buncrana
• Carrigan Head Signal Tower
• Crohy
• Culdaff Blue Flag Beach (Located on Inishowen Peninsula)
• Derryveagh Mountains and Glenveagh National Park
• Doagh Famine Village
• Donegal Bay Waterbus
• Donegal’s ‘Hidden’ Waterfall (Secret Waterfall)
• Doon Fort
• Dunlewey Church
• Dunfanaghy Beach
• Fintra Beach
• Five Fingers Strand  (near to Malin Head)
• Fort Denree (Dungranenen Fort)
• Glen of Granny
• Glen Loop Walk
• Glencolmciile
• Glenevin Waterfall
• Glenlough bay
• Glenveagh National Park and Castle
• Gola Island
• Greencastle
• Grianan of Aileach (Grianán Ailigh) (entrance to the Inishowen Peninsula)
• Horn Head
• Inishowen 100 (160km scenic drive that loops around the windswept Inishowen Peninsula)
• Killahoey Beach
• Killybegs
• Kinnagoe Bay
• Knockamany Bens
• Lough Salt
• Magherclogher Beach (Eddie’s Boat)
• Maghera and Maghera Strand and Caves
• Malin Head (Wild Atlantic Way)
• Mamore Gap
• Marble Hill
• Muckross Head, Kilcar
• Narin Beach / Portnoo Beach
• LetterKenny
• Lough Derg (seperate small island)
• Oileán Ruaidh (Island Roy)
• Pool of Light (boating in caves)
• Rosguill Peninsula
• Rossnowlagh Blue Flag Beach
• Sliabh Liag (Boat Ride)
• Stroove beach and Lighthouse
• Sunset at Malin Head
• The Rosses
• Tory island (cannot go in Car) (Take Ferry from Magheraroarty)

 Points to Note:

• The best time to visit Donegal, and Ireland in general is between the months of May, June, July, August and September. As you would have heard or read, Irish rains are hard to predict. So it will all depend on your luck.
• Donegal claimed the top spot on National Geographic Traveller’s “Cool List” of recommendations for people who love to travel (back in 2017).
• The best way to get around Donegal in my opinion in via your own transport (own or rented cars, for example). If you don’t have access to your own form of transport, then you can use tours to get across to the best tourist attractions Donegal has to offer.
• Lonely Planet have named Donegal in their Best in Travel Awards 2024.
• Donegal is in Republic of Ireland and not in Northern Ireland. Donegal is blessed with everything the traveller could wish for. Look forward to gorgeous scenery, delicious fresh food, a rich history and authentic Irish cultural experiences.

Summary:

County Donegal is one of the most rural places in all of Ireland with very remote locations. This would be a great option if you are looking for a truly unspoiled natural beauty.

I have got a chance to do a lot of road trips here in Ireland. I can undoubtfully say that this was the best one I ever did. Try this itinerary and let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

Clare is a county in western Ireland with terrain ranging from rolling countryside to craggy Atlantic coastline. Clare is the seventh largest of Ireland’s 32 traditional counties in area and the 19th largest in terms of population.

In this blog, I would like to cover a one-day trip that we did in June 2023, to County Clare.

We started our journey from Saggart, Dublin Ireland around 7:30 AM and returned by around 9:00 PM.

We took the following route. Its approximately 6.5 hour’s drive and 550 Kms.

[Apart from the driving time, you would also need time for sightseeing, refreshments and so on. So, you should certainly consider minimum around 13 hours for the entire journey].

Now let’s get into more details about the various stop overs:

1.Kinvarra: (Google map : Harbour House, The Quay, Dungory West, Kinvarra, County Galway)

From Saggart we started at 7:30 AM, it took around 2 hrs 15 minutes to reach Kinvarra.

Kinvara or Kinvarra is a sea port village in the southwest of County Galway, Ireland. Its a picturesque coastal village on the shores of Galway Bay.

You can also visit Dunguaire Castle enroute (not marked in the above map).  It was told that this castle was build in 16^th Century.

Another place that can be covered is Traught Beach. Its not mentioned in the above map and we have not visited aswell.

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 30 minutes

2. Linnalla Irish Ice cream parlour: (Café Linnala):

Kinvarra to Linnalla –> 15 Minutes

This was a surprise stop over in this trip. I managed to see people mentioning about this place, when I was searching in internet to prepare an itinerary for county Clare.

Situated on the stunning Flaggy Shore along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Bríd Fahy and her husband Roger run Linnalla Ice Cream is one of the few farmer owned and operated ice cream parlours in Ireland.

I would certainly recommend this place. The route to the cafe is quite scenic with tonnes of photography options. You should certainly visit this place to experience the beauty of the place and of course to have few scoops of ice creams aswell.

In google map, this is shown as a ‘unnamed road’ and we will get confused if we are on the correct route. But you can blindly follow google maps and it will take you to the correct destination.

There are enough parking space available near the café and there is also a very clean restroom available within this café.

If you have time, there is a nice walkway near to the café and there are few slides and swings for the little ones aswell.

Visit their website for more details (like opening times and so on)

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 45 minutes (includes time for having ice cream aswell, the time doesn’t include the walking trail)

3. Fanore Beach:

Linnalla to Fanore –> 45 Minutes

The route from Linnalla to Fanore is quite scenic (will cover a lot of costal route aswell)

The small coastal village of Fanore is located where the Caher River enters the Atlantic Ocean on the edge of the world-famous Burren region.

Fanore Beach (holds a blue flag status) is a stunning sandy beach. There is a good view of the Burren from the beach.

During the summer months, the beach is lifeguarded. Don’t forget to check out the beach’s noticeboard for more information. This beach is popular for walkers, swimmers and surfers.

There is a surfing school available with equipment for hire at a reasonable cost.

There’s a large car park right next to Fanore Beach, however, it can be easy to miss when you’re driving the coast road (the scenery is incredible), so make sure to keep an eye out for the parking signs.

Was told that there are Jellyfish in this beach, but we never saw one. Its good to be a bit careful especially if you have dogs or kids with you.

There seems to be laws in place which needs to be taken care of:

• Dog-owners are required to clean up their dog poops in a public place such as public roads, footpaths, parks and beaches. Failure to do so can result in an on-the-spot fine of €150.
• Horse riding and dogs are prohibited between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the summer season.
• Motorised watercraft, surfing and the use of canoes and kayaks is prohibited in close proximity to swimmers.

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 30 minutes

4. Doolin Pier Point:

Fanore to Doolin pier –> 30 Minutes

NOTE: Its better to have lunch enroute or near to Doolin Pier. We brought lunch from Home and had the same at the car parking.

Doolin Pier (also known as Ballaghaline Quay) is situated in the Wild Atlantic Way. Doolin is the home of traditional Irish music. Its a nice walk down to the pier, but they’re not great for getting down to the sea itself as there’s no seashore here. Its more like a rocky beach here.

This is not a beach for swimming. But it is a beach for amazing views, listening and watching the waves crash, enjoying the sun, and admiring the dazzling geology of the coastline.

I believe the Sunset view from here will be excellent. There are high chances that you will find some Dolphins here. The pier has well maintained restrooms.

There is also lot of parking space available, and the rates are nominal (1 Euro for 0 – 2 Hours).

You have Ferry Services (operated by Doolin Ferry) from here to Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher (closed during winter). Check their website for more details –> https://www.doolinferry.com/

We took the cliffs of Moher Ferry (2 PM). The total ferry travel time was around 45 – 50 minutes. Its better to book this ticket in advance (few days or week) so that you can avoid last minute surprises like tickets sold out and so on.

Ticket Rates: Adults (28 Euros), Senior Citizens (26 Euros) , Children 5-15 years (15 Euros).

The Cliffs of Moher is one of Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions. People say that until you see them from the ferry, you haven’t really seen them at all. I would also agree to that statement. Its indeed a great view of the cliffs from the ferry.

It is hard to take in their magnificent heights until you see them from sea level. The people walking along the trail high above appear no larger than ants!

The ferry has 2 decks. The upper deck is open and the lower deck is a closed one (except few seats at the back of the ferry). If its raining, you will get exposed to rain if you are sitting in the upper deck or at the back side of the ferry (in the lower deck) as they are open to sky.

One other issue with the open part in the lower deck is that water will splash on your face and head during high tide. There is a commentary available in the ferry, but sometimes (no, most of the times) it is not clear.

The entry route to the ferries is clearly marked. You will have to wait in a queue before boarding the ferry. If you are behind in the queue, there are chances that you might not get a seat in the upper deck. Please note that the ferry has toilet facilities aswell.

There is no requirement to wear life jackets as the ferry is large and high off the sea.  You are allowed to take your own refreshments.

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination (Doolin Pier) for photography and lunch: 45 minutes.

Also, you would need another 50 minutes to 1 hour for the ferry trip.

5. Cliffs of Moher:

The initial 2 km or so from Doolin Pier to Cliffs is a challenging one with very narrow and steeper roads. It might take 15 minutes to reach the cliffs from the pier.

One of the important things to be noted is that we need to take tickets to visit the cliffs. The price varies based on the time of the day. Its 7-10 Euros (For adults). For Children up to 12 years, it’s a free ticket.

Admission includes secure car parking, wi-fi, access to all areas including O’Brien’s Tower and the interactive Cliffs exhibition.

If you book online (at least one day in advance), you will get tickets at the discounted price.

Its always better to look into their website https://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/ to see more details like opening hours.

This is one of the most famous destination in the entire scenic wild Atlantic way. The cliffs run for around 14 kms and at some places, it rise to a maximum height of 214 metres (702 feet) above the Atlantic Ocean. It ranks one among the most visited tourist sites in Ireland, with around 1.5 million visits per annum.

You can also visit the Cliffs of Moher visitor’s center (opened in 2007).  This state-of-the-art underground visitor centre features various interactive exhibits, images and displays that can be enjoyed by people of all age groups. There are some restaurants and public toilets available within this center.

There’s also a observatory tower called O’Briens Tower.

The parking area is huge. But you will have to walk a long distance to reach the cliffs from the parking area (Private vehicles).

There are safety barriers which prevents visitors from going near the cliff. However, if you keep walking away from the Visitor’s center, the barrier ends. So be a little careful and dare not to go near the edge. Already many have lost their life here.

Being one of the busiest attractions in Ireland, you are bound to find visitors all year round, however July and August are the peak months.

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 2 hours

NOTE: If you have time limitations and can cover Cliffs of Moher only through one of the two options (land or sea), My personal recommendation would be to see it from Land as it gives you to real beauty of this wonderful and ginormous landscape. However if you have people with mobility/walking issues in your group, its good to opt for the sea option as they can sit back and see the cliffs from a ferry (without much walking).

6. Lahinch Beach:

This is the last stop over in this trip

Cliffs to Lahinch Beach : 15 Minutes

This is also a sandy beach will stretches around 1Km or so.

This beach (Lifeguarded) is known for surfing, sea kayaking, kite surfing and so on.

There are also several surf schools in the area, so whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, you can grab a board and catch a wave.

There seems to be laws in place which needs to be taken care of:

• Dog-owners are required to clean up their dog poops in a public place such as public roads, footpaths, parks and beaches. Failure to do so can result in an on-the-spot fine of €150.
• Horse riding and dogs are prohibited between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the summer season.
• Motorised watercraft, surfing and the use of canoes and kayaks is prohibited in close proximity to swimmers

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 30 minutes

Further before heading to Dublin, in  case if you would like to have a dinner, this can be a ideal place as there are many restaurants in this locality.

This concludes the various stops in this trip.  We returned to Saggart, Dublin which was approximately 250 Kms and 2 hours 45 minutes (reached back around 9PM)

I had to do the trip to county Clare in a day and hence had to purposefully avoid few other interesting places in County Clare.

If you have time, I will strongly recommend spending minimum 2 days (&1 night) in County Clare. There are plenty of accommodation options available within the county.

Few other places that you could explore are:

The Burren National Park

Kilfenora Cathedral

Doolin Cave

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Aillwee Cave // Birds of Prey centre

Doonagore Castle

Caherconnell Stone Fort

Leamaneh Castle

Lough Inchiquin

Clare Heritage Centre

Cliffs of Kilkee

Corkscrew Hill

Loophead cliffs/peninsula

Aran Islands

Black Head cliffs

Bridges of Ross

Corcomroe Abbey (Sunset)

Scattery islands

Shannon ferry from Clare to Kerry

There are many walking trails aswell, within county Clare.

Hope you enjoyed reading my blog. I would like you to try out this itinerary and let me know your comments!

Waterford is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Munster and is part of the Southern Region.

From its vibrant city life to its rural charm and stunning coastline, County Waterford have something for everyone.

In this blog, I would like to cover a one-day trip that we did in July 2023, to County Waterford.

We started our journey from Saggart, Dublin Ireland around 8:30 AM and returned by around 8:30 PM.

We took the following route. Its approximately 6 hour’s drive and 450 Kms.

[Apart from the driving time, you would also need time for sightseeing, refreshments and so on. So, you should certainly consider around 12 hours for the entire journey].

Now let’s get into more details about the various stop overs:

1. Kilkenny Castle (Kilkenny, Ireland’s Medieval City):

This castle has been rebuilt, extended, and adapted to suit changing circumstances over a period of 800 years. Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round.

If you wish to see the castle in detail, its better to book a tour (self-guided or guided) in advance. Tickets can be found in https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/kilkenny-castle/

The adult ticket price is around 12 Euros and student price is around 6 Euros.

Other features include 50 acres of rolling parkland with mature trees, a formal terraced rose garden, woodlands, and a man-made lake, which were added in the nineteenth century.

The toughest challenge you will face with this first destination is ‘Parking’.

There is parking exactly in front of the castle, but slots are limited.

In case if you find something even 400-500 meters away from the castle, grab that without a further second thought.

As this is old city, you should certainly spend some time walking around the streets to explore more.

(NOTE: We did not go inside the castle but saw it from outside and explored few streets within the city centre)

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 45 min

2. Mahon Falls:

If you follow the above route, you would ideally be passing through the various sections of Comeragh Drive and Nire valley drive.

The Comeragh Mountains stretch from the coast near Dungarvan as far as Clonmel and this is one route that has spectacular views.

During the Comeragh Drive, you must stop at the ‘MAGIC ROAD’. The magic road is located close to Mahon Falls. A small road, located off the beaten track, where if you stop the car and let the handbrake off, the vehicle will magically roll uphill.

NOTE: Not sure why, I could not figure out this magic road enroute Mahon Falls.

Also, we did not take the walking trail to reach near Mahon Falls.

Mahon Falls is an 80m waterfall situated in the Comeragh Mountains near Lemybrien, Co. Waterford.  The waterfall can be seen from far, but you might have to walk around 20+ minutes (from car park) if you really want to see it from near.

There is a very nice restaurant (Cooney’s Yard) enroute the Mahon Falls. On your way back from the falls, you can have lunch from this restaurant (please note that there are not many restaurants available in this route). We just had coffee and hot chocolate and the rate seems to be nominal. There is enough parking space aswell.

There are clean toilets available, so getting down here for a lunch would be a right time for a biological break aswell.

As the route is quite scenic, you might love to have short breaks for capturing some moments in your Camera. Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination and enroute photography: 1 hour.

As per this itinerary, you can spend around 45 Min for Lunch time.

3. Bunmahon Beach:

Bunmahon Beach is a stretch of sandy beach located on the southeast coast of Ireland in Bunmahon, County Waterford. This beach is slightly off the R675 (one of the most scenic coastal routes in Ireland)

It is backed by sand dunes and is popular with surfers and for canoeing and kayaking.

Swimming at Bunmahon Beach is only suitable for experienced swimmers. The high waves are dangerous. In fact, Bunmahon Beach can be one of the most dangerous beaches on this part of the coast.

The beach is manned by lifeguards during the summer months and has been awarded Blue Flag status. 

There is a caravan park, modern outdoor play park and basketball court located directly behind the beach.

The dedicated parking space is quite limited, but I have seen people parking on both sides of the different nearby roads.

COPPER COAST UNESCO Global geopark (one of the 3 Geoparks in Ireland) is few meters away from this beach. You can also explore the park if you wish to do so.

The area used to be mined for copper and this section of the coast being known as the “Copper Coast”.

NOTE: We have not gone to the Geopark.

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 20 min

NOTE: We took lunch from home and had that near the parking area in Bunmahon Beach.

4. Kilmurrin Cove / Beach:

This is a nice viewpoint over this beach, with a decent parking lot facility.

For extra picturesque views walk a bit uphill on the farmland and enjoy the view from there! 

Kilmurrin Beach is an expansive stretch of golden sand that’s perfect for a day out with friends and family. The beach was the location for a stunning piece of sand art created by environmental artist Sean Corcoran, measuring 120ft in height and 200ft wide, higher than Dublin’s Liberty Hall. The artwork was created to encourage people around Ireland to ‘Keep Discovering’ as the country reopens once again.

Kilmurrin Beach is surrounded by two rocky headlands that shelter the soft, powdery sand, leaving the water still and clear, creating perfect swimming conditions.

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 20 min

R675 Route is one of the most scenic coastal routes in Ireland.

5. Annestown Beach:

This place is not mentioned in the above map.

There are many beaches in the R675 route. The one that we visited after Kilmurrin was Annestown beach.

Annestown Strand is in Annestown, County Waterford and is an attractive bathing place. It is popular with surfers and swimmers alike.

There is a dedicated parking space available but there is a height clearance restriction to enter the car park.

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 10 min

6. Newtown Cove / Beach:

Newtown is a small, sheltered cove with a stony beach, with easy access for swimmers by the slipway or ladder.

The water is very clean generally with good visibility. This place is popular during summertime. There is a lot of parking space available, and this place is nearby metal man statue.

The Metal Man statue stands on one of three pillars near Newtown Cove.

It was constructed as a maritime beacon after the tragic loss of over 350 lives after HMS Seahorse sank back in 1816.

Dressed in traditional British sailor clothing, the Metal Man is on private land with the entrance to the monument blocked due to dangerous cliffs. However, you can see the figure from various points along the coast. 

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination: 20 min

7. Station House, Kilmeadan  (WSV Railway):

The Waterford Suir Valley Railway starts from this station and ends at this station (journey time is approximately 50 minutes).

This is a heritage narrow gauge railway whihc runs along 10 kilometres of the abandoned Waterford Dungarvan line. We were told that this is Ireland’s longest narrow-gauge railway.

I had my son with me during the trip and hence this place was picked as one of the destinations in this trip. Kids would love this train journey.

There is enough car parking space available in front of this station. The car park and train’s starting point (Kilmeadan) are very near to each other (just a few metres).

There is also a toilet facility and a café shop (Whistlestop Cáfe) available within the station.

Try to book online in advance, if you plan to visit this place as sometimes the seats get filled faster.

I had done an online booking in the WSV website ( https://www.wsvrailway.ie/) a day prior and have opted for the 4PM trip (last trip of the day). By picking 4PM slot, you will get enough time to cover all the places mentioned above in the route map.

Enroute, the train stops at a station for a minute or so. On the left side, watch out for the cormorants resting on the ruins of Kilmeadan Castle and get a glimpse into Mount Congreve Gardens . Make a wish when you see the fairies in the Magic Wood.

NOTE:

1. There are different slots available like 11 AM, 12 Noon, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3PM and 4 PM (last slot)
2. There are 8 small compartments available. Enclosed compartments can hold 12 people and partially open compartments can hold 8 people.
3. You will get better views (River Suir) if you sit on the left-hand side. The right side has view only to the walking track (part of Waterford greenway)
4. If you plan to take photos/videos, I suggest booking a partially open compartment as its quite open (the enclosed ones have fully closed windows).
5. The carriages are wheelchair accessible.

8. Dunmore East / Dunmore Harbour:

Dunmore East is a popular tourist and fishing village in County Waterford, Ireland.

The harbour is one of the five designated National Fishery Harbours and has the second highest figure for fish landings after Killybegs.

Tourism in Dunmore East is supported by boating and sailing facilities, holiday homes, traditional pubs, a golf course, and several hotels.

This place can potentially be a good place for you to have your Dinner.

We tried some Fish and Chips from ‘Fish shop’.  The food was economical and good (taste wise and Quantity wise)

Approximate time that you can set aside for this destination (including Dinner):  1 Hour

9. Waterford City Centre:

This place is not mentioned in the above map.

If you are following the above map, you will be passing through Waterford city centre enroute Dublin.

Waterford is the oldest and the fifth most populous city in the Republic of Ireland.

Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city is believed to have been established by the Viking Ragnall (the grandson of Ivar the Boneless) in 914 AD.

Incase if you didn’t have your dinner from Dunmore, this place would be another great option.

Parking can be a problem if you decide to park your car and explore the city by foot.

Waterford is renowned for its exciting festivals and events such as the West Waterford Festival of Food.

This concludes the destinations in this trip.  We returned to Saggart, Dublin which was approximately 150Kms and 1.5 hours.

I had to do the trip to Waterford in a day and hence had to purposefully avoid few other interesting places in Waterford.

If you have time, I will strongly recommend spending 2 days (&1 night) in County Waterford.  There are plenty of accommodation options available within the county.

Few other places that you could explore are:

Waterford crystal Factory, Medieval Museum, Bishops’ Palace

COPPER COAST UNESCO Global geopark

Dungarvan (Davitts Quay),

Tramore Beach

Lismore castle garden

Ardmore Beach

Ardmore farm & Mini Zoo

Goat Island, Ballynamona

Copper Coast Sea Kayaking

Hook Lighhouse

There are many walking trails within county Waterford:

Waterford Greenway

The Mahon Falls Walk

The Coumshingaun Loop Walk

The Ardmore Cliff Walk

The Ballysaggartmore Towers Walk

The Anne Valley Walk

The Dunmore East Cliff Walk

There are also different surfing schools within Waterford that offer lessons for novice surfers and first timers, so don’t worry if you’ve never tried surfing before. If you fancy trying your hand at a bit of surfing, this is an ideal place.     

Hope you enjoyed reading my blog. I would like you to try out this itinerary and let me know your comments!

Victor’s way is an Indian Sculpture Park located in County Wicklow, near Dublin, Ireland. It is a 22-acre park surrounded by lush green forest and typical Irish countryside. The park also has some open green fields, ponds and several small lakes.

We followed the below route:

The entire route is quite scenic.

We had spent some time at the Cloghleagh Bridge and at the Lough Tay Viewing point (and Guinness Lake) before reaching Victor’s way.

Cloghleagh Bridge:

This lovely Single arch bridge (over Shankill River) is surrounded by woodland and is adjacent to a quaint church. It’s a beautiful quiet place surrounded by shady trees, with small waterfalls and large flat rocks. There is also a Walking Trail available here.

Lough Tay Viewing point (and Guinness Lake):

The lake is located along the Sally Gap drive and you’ll be treated to magnificent views of its inky black water. The Guinness Lake, as it’s known, is situated within a private estate, but it can be viewed from above from several viewing points along the Sally Gap.

Victor’s way:

You can either book online or pay as cash (10 Euros for Adults) for the tickets. I have not seen any ticket counter as such. There is a small slot where you deposit the money. When we visited, there was a person available near the car park to collect the cash. I don’t remember them giving us any printed tickets or so.

There is enough parking space available within the park.

The entry to the Victor’s Way is an unusual opening, with two ladies on either side. It is known as Victoria’s Gate and the opening represents the birth canal. The birth canal in other words is the one through which we came through into this world. It’s the first journey we ever make in life, and at this point our world becomes so much bigger.

The birth canal here represents being born again and entering into the park, with all the worries of the world left behind on the other side.

The park was known as Victoria’s Way until 2015, when it was closed by the owner who felt that too many day-trippers were coming into the park for fun activities (for parents & children). It was reopened in 2016 as Victor’s Way with new age restrictions as it was designed as a garden for over 28’s year old only.

Although the park won’t suit everyone’s taste, it’s one of the unique things to discover in Ireland. If you’re looking to escape from your busy daily life, then a trip to the peaceful Victor’s Way Park might just be what you need. In addition, it was created for those between the ages of 28 to 60 years old.

It is indeed a great place for a relaxing walk. You can easily spent a good hour or two, walking around the sculpture gardens and it’s best to follow the arrows to guide you through the different areas. There are lot of sculptures (lot of Indian/Hindu deities aswell) within the campus. Some statues appear stunningly beautiful in their black granite.

Seems that many of the sculptures here were directly carved in Mahabalipuram, India.

Please note that this place is not intended for Family Fun (like other parks). This is more of a meditation park.

There is a lot of walk around. So please plan accordingly if you have small kids or elderly people within your group.

Its always better to check their website for the opening season/timings. Please note that this is not open throughout the year. Also, I believe they don’t encourage pets.

Website: https://victorsway.eu/

The Irishman Victor Langheld designed and created the park. Victor also stays within the campus. So there are high chances that you might see him somewhere within in the park.

One of the most famous sculpture here is The Ferryman’s End.

The Ferryman’s End represents the icon of burnout, is set in algae covered waters.

     The ferryman ferries himself and others from ‘this shore’ to the ‘other shore’ (and where the grass is always greener). In other words, he/she ferries from here (meaning sameness) to there (meaning difference) and so from death to life. (Courtesy: https://victorsway.eu/sculptures/ferryman.htm)

(Note: One personal comment. Don’t underestimate the size of this sculpture after seeing the images in Internet. It is relatively small and is set in algae covered waters)

There is a craft shop onsite selling Indian made products. The interesting thing is that there is nobody available within the shop for selling the items. All items have the amount details mentioned in that. If you liked any item, just check the price, and deposit the money in a small box (Honesty Box) kept at the entrance.

We visited Howth in August 2021.

Howth is in the outer suburb of Dublin, Ireland. The district as a whole occupies the greater part of the peninsula of Howth Head, which forms the northern boundary of Dublin Bay, and includes the island of Ireland’s Eye.

Its stunning location surrounded on three sides by the Irish Sea makes it a favourite with tourists.

One of Dublin’s oldest working harbours, Howth has been a fishing village and port since at least the 14th century.

We took the Public transport (Luas) from Saggart to Connolly (Last stop of the red line)

Other Travel Options:

1. You can get the 31 number bus that will take you to the Howth Harbour. Or you can take the 31A number bus which goes through Howth Village to Howth Summit. Both buses leave from the same location, Eden Quay (just off O’Connell Street).
2. If you are coming from downtown Dublin, follow the R807 road along the coastline. This road will turn into R105 and this will lead you to downtown Howth. It is about 18km and might take about 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Connolly luas (Tram) and the dart (train) stations are quite near to each other.

The Dart station is in the first floor and you can take lift/escalator from the Luas Platform to reach there.

If you are interested, you can use Leap Travel Card. More detail about Leap Visitor card can be found here:

https://about.leapcard.ie/leap-visitor-card

If atall you don’t have leap cards, you can buy it from the shops within or nearby the Luas/Dart stations.

You can touch off your leap card in the machine provided at the entry. Don’t forget to do that at the exit aswell.

Connolly station:

There are around 7 platforms in Connolly (+ 2 Platform for Luas).

The train timing and Platforms are clearly marked in the boards. So you don’t have to panic and there are even sign boards clearly indicating the platform number.

The dart train from Connolly to Howth would take around 30 minutes. Trains are available at regular intervals.

If you are visiting Howth using you own car, there ae plenty of parking space available near to the dart station.

There are multiple trails available in Howth. It’s worth to note that many of these trails get busy over the Weekends / Public holidays.

In the beginning of the cliff paths, there are clear indications of the various paths like Green, Blue, Red, Purple and so on. But there are high chances that you miss the actual path (as colour codes are missing at many places, enroute)

All Trails website will give you a rough idea about the various options.

https://www.alltrails.com/ireland/county-dublin/howth

We had gone with the Cliff walk from the dart Station towards the Howth Summit (Howth head Cliff Walk-lower cliff walk). The distance is around 6 Kms (walking time of 1.5-2 Hours approx)

NOTE: If you have more time, you can try Black Linn Loop Walk that goes through Ben of Howth (highest peak of the peninsula). From the summit, you might get a full 360 degree view overlooking the entire peninsula, Howth Castle, Howth village and so on.

Another option is the Bog of Frogs Loop Walk, which follows the coastline for 12km.

If you are taking the Howth Summit route, the best way is to take Google search option to look for Howth summit (as the destination) . The good thing with that destination is that you can take a Return Bus either to Dublin city centre or back to the ‘Howth’ Dart station.

 The beginning of the cliff walk is relatively very steep.

But you have some parking space available at the end of the steep.

Enroute the way to  the cliff parking, you can also visit Balscadden Bay Beach.

NOTE: When you walk past the village towards Howth Head, walk up the hill until you reach a little gate, behind which there is a set of quite steep steps, that lead you down to this beach.

Please note that the path is quite narrow there is no fence available throughout the cliff walk. So please be careful if there are small children in your group.

The view throughout the cliff walk is excellent. There are tonnes of photography options throughout the walk.

Near to the Summit, you can also see a path going down to the Baily Lighthouse (the last lighthouse in Ireland to be automated). This cottage-style, 13-metre tall lighthouse sits out on the cliffs with a stunning view over the Irish Sea. Baily (built in 1917) is one of Ireland’s most photographed lighthouses on the eastern coastline.

In this trip, we did not go to the Lighthouse.

NOTE: If you really dont have the energy / time for a 6Km walk, you can drive till the Howth Summit and walk down the Baily lighthouse.

Just check out for sign bus board (near the summit) from where you can get the return bus (H3) back to Howth beach or the Dublin City Centre.

There is also enough Car parking space available near the summit.

Compared to the Main Howth City centre, the summit has relatively less number of restaurants/shops.

After the cliff walk, we took the bus back to the Howth beach (Bus H3, which goes to city center via Howth Beach), got down the bus at Howth beach stop and went to the Ferry / Bay area to take a boat service to Ireland’s Eye.

Currently uninhabited, Ireland’s Eye was once home to a monastery, established around 700 AD.

Ireland’s Eye can be visited every day during the summer months and on weekends / bank holidays only during the rest of the year.

There are different companies that are operating ferries here.

A 45 minutes TO and FRO trip to the Ireland’s eye will cost around 25 Euros/person.

We had taken the service of a company named ‘Howth Cliff Cruises’. (http://howthcliffcruises.ie/)

NOTE: I have read in many places that we can get down at the Ireland’s eye and walk around. You can visit the Martello Tower aswell. Landing on the island is at the discretion of the captain depending on weather conditions. Since we had take a evening ferry, such an option was not available for us.

This is a great boat trip, something that should not missed during your journey to Howth. You will see a lot of birds and probably seals, during this journey.

During the return journey in boat, you would also get a chance to see the Howth Harbour Lighthouse from different angles.

NOTE: There are options available to walk down the Howth Pier to see the Lighthouse at a closer distance.

After the boat trip, we returned back to the Howth Dart station and further to the Dublin city centre.

Howth is a very safe destination. Coast guard security is also present at important points.

If you are looking for some food options, there are multiple options available.

We had tried ‘The Bloody Stream’ and the service/food quality/menu items were really good.

Also there are a few Indian restaurants like ‘Okra Green’ in Howth. Due to a tight schedule with a limited time, Personally I did not try any items from Okra.

You need to spend around 6-7 hours to complete the itinerary/places , that I mentioned here.

NOTES:

1.Please note that there are many other places to see like Howth Castle, St. Mary’s Abbey, Howth Market, Howth Village, National Transport Museum, Hurdy Gurdy Vintage Radio Museum and so on.

2.There are some limited accomodation options available like ‘King Sitric’.

“The Journey not the Arrival matters.” – T.S Eliot

We visited Dalkey and Killiney in Oct 2021. It was a great sunny day In Ireland (perfect for a day trip).

We took the Public transport (Luas) from Saggart to Connolly (Last stop of the red line).

Connolly Luas (Tram) and the Dart (Train) stations are quite near to each other.

Connolly station:

It is the biggest train station in Ireland. There are around 7 platforms in Connolly (+ 2 Platform for Luas).

The train timings and Platforms are clearly marked on the boards. So you don’t have to panic and there are even sign boards clearly indicating the platform numbers.

We took the train to Bray from Connolly. Dalkey is the 14th stop from Connolly. Dalkey is a very small station. This is a very scenic train route.

We had covered the following places in our trip:

1. Dalkey Town:

Just outside the train station, you will see clear road markings indicating the different place names.

Dalkey town is a small and beautiful town with lots of shops including multi cuisine restaurants.

It’s also an interesting fact that many rich and famous people stay in and around Dalkey. 

If you are reaching here during lunch time, make sure to have the lunch from the Dalkey town itself. You wouldn’t find more options in the other destinations during this journey.

If you are planning to have a walking tour, it will be good to  get some bottles and snacks from Dalkey. There is a SuperValu available here.

2. Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre:

Dalkey Castle is one of the seven fortified town houses/castles of Dalkey. The castles were built to store the goods which were off-loaded in Dalkey during the Middle Ages, when Dalkey acted as the port for Dublin. The castles all had defensive features to protect the goods from being plundered. These are still available on the site. For more details: https://www.dalkeycastle.com/ Note: Please note that there is an entry fee of 13.95 Euros.

3. Colliemore Harbour & Dalkey island:

This was more of a walking tour.

The next destination after the castle was the Colliemore Harbour.

Please note that there are small boats available to visit the Dalkey island (Its an uninhibited island) .

This island is an ideal spot for fishing.

But these boat services are seasonal.

You can check the website to see some boat timings : http://kentheferryman.com/

4. Dillion’s Park:

It’s a great place for a small picnic, to go fishing or simply to enjoy the views of Dalkey Island and the lighthouse.

5. Vico Road to Vico Bath:

We took the Vico Road (Scenic route along the coast) to reach the Vico Bath.

You will see a lot of nice houses with great views, enroute.

Vico Bathing place is a must see in this route. Unfortunately, there are no great markings to Vico Bath. So please be a little careful else you might miss the entrance (it’s a small path going down with a bridge over the dart line) to the Bath area.

Maps Indication (Courtesy: Google Maps): https://www.google.com/maps/@53.2703705,-6.0973575,3a,75y,176.69h,75.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sEiB1toGZ6ntZtLD18S-cpw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

The historic Vico Baths in Dalkey is one of the most popular places to go swimming in Dublin. This historic bathing place has been delighting locals and tourists alike for many years.

Here, we are covering these places as a part of the walking tour. If you plan to visit this place directly in a car, please remember that there is no much parking available near to the bath, as the Vico road is very narrow. The best option will be to park your car somewhere near the Dalkey Town.

There is no life guard available here. So it is good to be careful while swimming. There is a small changing room but no bathrooms.

Historically, it was a gentlemen only bathing place. There were penalties for women who break the rule and try to swim there. But such things have changed now and no such rule persists today.

You would also see  a Big ‘EIRE’ Sign on your walk down to the Vico Baths.

6. Killiney Hills

This park was dedicated to public use in 1887. Killiney Hill is a popular destination for walkers and hikers availing spectacular views, over the surrounding areas.

You can follow the Vico Road further to reach the entry to the Killiney Hill. Clear indication boards are available.  Please remember that if you are planning to take this route, you will have to climb a large number of steps (don’t recollect the number of steps) to reach the top of the Killiney Hill. If you have small kids / or people with walking difficulties in your group, this wouldn’t be an ideal route for you. Instead you can reach the top of Killiney hill through the other side in your car. There is also a big car park available at the top.

The views from the Killiney hill top is marvellous. As soon as you reach Killiney hill top, please refer to one of the maps/boards which are erected in different places. That places will give you a fairly good idea about the various points of interest within the Killiney Hill.

From one side of the Killiney hill, you can see the Vico Road, DART Train line and the Dalkey Island.

From another side, you will see the Killiney Beach.

From another side, you will see a lot of residential areas, Motor way and industrial estates.

7) The Obelisk (within the Killiney Hills):

Don’t miss the Obelisk while you are in Killiney Hill.

Killiney Obelisk has been the subject of much attention since it was built in the 1740s. It was intended as the centerpiece of a great undertaking to plant and landscape the hill, which at first was called Obelisk Hill, and more recently has become known as Killiney Hill.

You can also visit the Pyramid, when you are in Killiney Hill.

NOTES:

1. There are couple of options to reach the Killiney Hill, if you are coming in car. (One route has a height restriction in place)
2. There are no much shops available in the  Killiney hill. Either you have to get something from a coffee shop near to one of the car parks. Normal people try to come up to the Killiney hill with some small snacks, Pizzas, Burgers and so on.
3. There is also a rest room available outside the coffee shop.

8. Killiney Beach:

You can Climb down the Killiney hill to reach the Killiney beach.

Personally, We did not like the beach.

There is enough parking space available near the Killiney Beach. There is also public toilet available (near the Killiney beach parking). The toilet is not maintained properly.

Food options:

As mentioned earlier, there are lots of restaurants in Dalkey.

Personally we had tried food from Kathmandu Restaurant and Wood Burn Pizza. The food was tasty.

There were also 3-4 Indian cuisine restaurants available in Dalkey.

Some restaurants would need prior booking.

Parking Options:

By chance if you want to visit in car, there are parking spaces available near Collimeore harbour, Castle, Killiney hill and Killiney beach.

Killiney Beach was our last destination in our journey. The Killiney DART (Train) station is just near to the Killiney Beach.

For those who wants to return back to the Dublin City Center, you can take direct train to Connolly from Killiney station.

For those who wants to explore beyond Killiney, please check out the rail network. There’s a great rail network coverage and you could pick some nice destinations.

Dalkey and Killiney Hill  is infact a great one day trip from Dublin. Infact this can be covered in a half day trip aswell.

NOTE: We have covered only a few places here in this blog. Our idea was to give you a high level overview of this place. Certainly do a homework and make a proper plan. You can really craft a beautiful one day itinerary for this destination.

Happy Journey!!

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide.

We visited Bray and Greystones in July 2021.

Thanks to the Sunny Weather (believe me, it didn’t rain that day in Ireland), it was really a wonderful trip.

We took the Public transport (Luas) from Saggart to Connolly (Last stop of the red line)

Connolly Luas (Tram) and the Dart (Train) stations are quite near to each other.

Bray is relatively a small station.

You can also go to Bray in bus and there is a bus depot aswell, in Bray.

Main Attractions in Bray:

1. Sea Life Aquarium:

We couldn’t visit the aquarium as the entries were restricted with prior booking (due to covid restrictions).

2. Bray Beach:

Bray beach is not a pure white sand beach.

You will see a lot of pebbles here.

There are lots of snack shops (ice creams shops and restaurants) near the beach area.

Few points to note:

a) There are clear indications through out the walking trail.

b) Remember the Wicklow Litter Code: You wouldn’t see any bins through out the walking trail. You will have to keep the rubbish with you and throw it in the bins at the start or the end point.

c) Some of the paths in the walking trail is very narrow.  A one way traffic might have to be followed there.

4. Greystones Beach:

The final destination of this cliff walk is the Greystones Beach.

Compared to the Bray beach, the Greystones beach is less crowded. (You can play/swim here).

The bay area here is really nice.

The Greystones town is small and there are lot of shops in both sides of the road (for light refreshments and so on).

The Greystones dart station is around 1 km / 10-15 min (walking distance) from the beach.

There is a small and nice beach near to the station.

You can take the train from Greystones to Bray (if you have parked your cars in the Bray Parking area).

For those who wants to return back to the Dublin City Center, you can take direct train to Connolly from Greystones station.

For those who wants to explore beyound Greystones, please check out the rail network. There’s a great rail network coverage and you could pick some nice destinations.

There are lot of restaurants and small coffee shops available in both Bray and Greystones.

Some among them are:

PLATFORM Pizza Bar and BOX BURGER (in Bray)

We had tried some of the Indian restaurants (lots of options available) in Greystones and really liked ‘Chakra By Jaipur’ the most.

If you are looking for ice-creams, our personal recommendation would be ‘Gino’s’

Another cool hangout place for Vegetarians in Greystones is ‘The Happy Pear’.

Bray and Greystones is infact a great one day trip from Dublin.

NOTE: We have covered only a few places here in this blog. Our idea was to give you a high level overview of this place. Certainly do a homework and make a proper plan. You can really craft a beautiful one day itinerary for this destination.

Happy Journey!!

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharlal Nehru

We visited Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough and Kilkenny In Ireland in December 2018. We booked this trip through ‘Wild Rover Tours’. The details of the tour can be seen in the link below:

https://wildrovertours.com/activity/kilkenny-wicklow-mountains-glendalough/

This is a full day trip from Dublin, Ireland and the booking can be done online.

Route Map:

During online booking, they give you some discounts (10-15%) on other similar tour packages operated by the same company.

They have 3 Pickup points in Dublin and the trip starts at 8:10 AM

8:10am at Gresham Hotel, O’Connell St Dublin 1
8:20am at Ulster Bank Bus Stop, Dame Street / College Green Dublin 2
8:30am at Jurys Inn, Christ Church Dublin 8

Note: They have only 1 Drop point near O’Connell street (will be back by 6PM)

Charges: Adult: €33.00
Child (under 12): €25.00 (they don’t accept reservations for babies under 2)
Student: €28.00

Place 1: As a part of this trip, we first visited ‘Richard Collen’s Working Sheep Farm.

Mr Richard and his wife explains how they run the farm.

Also a very interesting ‘Sheep Herding Demonstration Using Border Collies’. It’s an interesting one, for people like me who have not seen this before. This is a wonderful experience not to be missed!

After demonstration, they hand us the baby lambs for hugs and cuddles and you can take pictures with the baby lamps.

Place 2: The next place is the famous heritage site of Glendalough; a glacial valley and medieval monastic settlement. Its just a 5 minutes drive from the sheep farm.

The Bus will be parked there for 2 hours (expected to be back in bus by around 12PM)and we can visit the Glendalough Monastic Site. Nick (our guide) from the Tour operator side will explain about the place and once the walking tour is over, we can walk till the Glendalough Upper and Lower Lake. Please note that the walking distance is around 1.6 Kms+ (one side) from the parking area. The views are stunning and I would personally recommend this.

There are restaurant and bathroom facilities available in the ‘Glendalough Hotel’.

I would personally suggest you to take some light food from here as the bus would stop only at the next attraction at around 1:45 PM.

Enroute to the place 3, we will pass through the beautiful scenic mountains (Wicklow Gap) lying both sides of the Braveheart Drive road. You will also pass through very small town like ‘Holly Wood’. The bus will also stop for 10 minutes, for you to take some beautiful snaps of the mountains. You will also get a chance to see a lot of ‘Fairy trees’ enroute.

Place 3: The last and final place of visit is ‘Kilkenny’ Medieval City. We might reach here around 1:45 PM and bus will be parked near the Kilkenny Castle till 4PM. Before reaching Kilkenny, the guide will provide all the information related to the various attractions in that area.

If you are a person who is not fond of History, this is not a location that you might enjoy.

My decision was to visit the St. Canice’s Medieval Cathedral and Round Tower. You need to pay a small fees for getting onto the top of the Round Tower from where you can get a 360 view of the town. Beware that there are around 100 steps and it’s a risky one for the elders and young kids.

There is also a small ticket for seeing the inside of the Cathedral.

Based on individual preference, you can also decide between:

Kilkenny Castle

Ballykeefe Distillery

Rothe House & Garden

Saint Francis’s Abbey Brewery

National Craft Gallery

You will be back in the City Center by 6PM, if the bus starts around 4.15 PM from Kikenny.

Overall, I feel that the trip is very economical. The Travel Guide ‘Nick’ and the pilot ‘Paddy’ were very supportive and caring. Nick has spend more than 30 years in Ireland and he gives a lot of information (using Mic and speaker) about the History of Ireland, Dublin and the attractions that we visit. He was amazing – not only was he informative but hosted walking tours along the way which was interesting. He also brought along some instruments and entertained us with his music along the way.

The only thing what you have to keep in mind is that the operator doesn’t spend/waste time by stopping the bus in front of the restaurants. Anyway food is not included in this package. So be prepared to grab a short menu like Burgers or sandwich wherever the bus parks. This is quite a busy journey throughout the complete day. In case, if you want to save some money, you can also pack food from your home/hotel. The tour operator don’t block you from having outside food inside the coaches.

Overall, I would recommend this one-day package to my fellow travellers.

As for the tour itself, everything was great except time. But I guess that’s the same thing for all day tours; there’s little time for so many things to see and do. All in all, it was a great tour, and we were lucky to have a beautiful weather to make it more enjoyable.

Anyway, there are some other tour operators like ‘Paddywagon’ who are also operating in the same route.

https://www.paddywagontours.com/KILKENNY-and-WICKLOW-Day-Tour-From-DUBLIN?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-vuPrYK23wIVBbTtCh39wg6JEAAYASACEgL_5vD_BwE

But they don’t take you to the sheep farm, I guess.

In Winter time, we might not see the real beauty of this place. But in Summer, these are must see destinations.