|
 No
doubt; there are a lot to see in Ireland. However, I decided only to spend three
weeks here, and I have found some highlights. And I have cut down on the amount
of cities, villages, distilleries, breweries, castles, churches, historical sites,
pubs, gardens, endless hiking trails,
national parks and especially museums.
I have even cut down on the sites I first found, leaving me with 85
highlights, including some scenic roads in-between. I have saved some "spare sights" below, should I
find the time - or return another day?
The sights are scatted around the island, and I consider the drive
in-between to be one of the main sights - estimated 4800 km. I have rented a car, pre-booked
all
hostels, and travel quite fast. A map below show the approximate location of the
sights. The numbers reefers to the page in Lonely Planet Ireland 2020.
August should be a good month, when the warmth of the summer is present, and the
rain not too bad (for Ireland). Maybe not that many flowers as in the spring
though.
|
IRELAND |
Lonely Planet 2020 |
May-August |
|
Page |
Site Hotels,
Roads |
Why? |
GPS |
|
153B |
Powerscourt Waterfall 121m |
6km from Estate, Ireland's highest |
53.146550, -6.210507 |
|
H1 |
Windy Acre 15-22 |
2+3. Breakfast + kitchen |
52.187845, -6.365513 |
|
155 |
Glendalough |
"the most beautiful corner", monastery |
53.007162, -6.347806 |
|
162 |
Glenmacnass Waterfall |
Cascade in deserted, wild bogland |
53.064206, -6.336785 |
|
152 |
Old Military Rd. R115 |
Through forest in Wicklow Mountains |
53.080830, -6.355733 |
|
208 |
Altamont Gardens |
"Magnificent landscape garden" |
52.735197, -6.720771 |
|
210 |
Clonegal |
"Picturesque village" |
52.694553, -6.647477 |
|
179 |
Wexford Town |
Maze of medieval streets |
52.342240, -6.463945 |
|
188 |
Tintern Abbey |
"Don't miss" |
52.236989, -6.838438 |
|
188B |
Hook Peninsular |
W's oldest lighthouse, scenic drive |
52.124084, -6.930528 |
|
H1 |
Windy Acre |
2+3. Breakfast + kitchen |
52.187845, -6.365513 |
|
220 |
Inistoge |
Village, bridge, R700: scenic |
52.487192, -7.064238 |
|
208B |
Borris |
Georgian village, B. House |
52.599535, -6.922566 |
|
211 |
Kilkenny City |
Castle, walls |
52.649955, -7.249445 |
|
211B |
Rothe House & Gard. in Kilkenny |
Ireland's finest Tudor merchant's house |
52.654302, -7.254447 |
|
217 |
Kells Priory |
"Evocative and romantic monastery" ruin |
52.536552, -7.268176 |
|
193 |
Waterford City |
Oldest city, walls, The Mall Lane |
52.259410, -7.105801 |
|
198 |
Dunmore East |
Scenic drive west to Tramore, 15km |
52.171969, -7.070931 |
|
200 |
The Copper Coast |
R675 scenic E: 52.153724, -7.174087 |
52.095239, -7.600192 |
|
H2 |
Fennessy's Hotel |
4+5. Breakfast NO kitchen |
52.354619, -7.702293 |
|
340 |
Cahir Castle |
Huge, well restored, views |
52.374888, -7.926785 |
|
336 |
Rock of Cashel |
"most spectacular historic sights" |
52.519828, -7.891139 |
|
335 |
Glen of Aherlow N24 |
25km scenic drive: Tipperary-Cahir |
52.427408, -8.025239 |
|
H2 |
Fennessy's Hotel |
4+5. Breakfast NO kitchen |
52.354619, -7.702293 |
|
252 |
Drombeg Stone Circle |
Well, Stone Circle |
51.564721, -9.086742 |
|
254 |
Lough Hyne |
"natural wonder", trail, NR |
51.506307, -9.303286 |
|
264 |
Beara Peninsula |
R574 across, Healy Pass |
51.721168, -9.756512 |
|
269 |
Allihies village |
Colourful houses |
51.641639, -10.044217 |
|
269B |
R575; not R 571 |
Small coastal, scenic roads |
51.666698, -10.017849 |
|
H3 |
Dempseys Hostel |
6+7+8+9. Kitchen |
51.708157, -8.514753 |
|
243 |
Middeltons Farmer's Market |
Saturdays 9-13 |
51.915377, -8.173721 |
|
268 |
Gougane Barra Forest Park |
"Truly magical spot", walk or drive |
51.830671, -9.331792 |
|
287 |
Moll's Gab |
N71 Killarney - Kenmare 32 km road |
51.938479, -9.657645 |
|
285 |
Gab of Dunloe |
Scenic pass |
52.016824, -9.635822 |
|
282 |
Aghadoe |
Hilltop 5km west: "jaws drop view" |
52.076541, -9.555082 |
|
H3 |
Dempseys Hostel |
6+7+8+9. Kitchen |
51.708157, -8.514753 |
|
205B |
Lismore Farmers Market |
Sundays 11-16, food, art, craft |
52.138379, -7.932753 |
|
|
Cork city |
Castle, colourful houses, cathedral |
|
|
245 |
Kinsale |
"Picturesque harbour", |
51.705210, -8.522170 |
|
H3 |
Dempseys Hostel |
6+7+8+9. Kitchen |
51.708157, -8.514753 |
|
299 |
Staigue Fort |
from 3-400 |
51.805032, -10.017070 |
|
297 |
Kerry's Most Spectacular Cliffs |
305m high, 800m trail |
51.869329, -10.380600 |
|
287B |
Ring of Kerry road |
179km beach, ruins, mountains, |
51.820406, -10.171581 |
|
293 |
Glanleam House |
- and especially the Gardens |
51.923967, -10.318907 |
|
304 |
Dingle Town |
Cosy and the drive to it |
52.139606, -10.271038 |
|
H3 |
Dempseys Hostel |
6+7+8+9. Kitchen |
51.708157, -8.514753 |
|
333B |
Kilmallock |
"Best preserved medieval town" |
52.399245, -8.573775 |
|
333 |
Lough Gur |
Grange Stone Circle |
52.521836, -8.519371 |
|
330 |
Scenic N69 |
58km |
52.605942, -9.019869 |
|
H4 |
Rowan Tree Hostel before 21 |
10+11. kitchen |
52.846036, -8.982813 |
|
354 |
Killaloe |
Picturesque town, bridge 1770 |
52.807402, -8.439788 |
|
324 |
King John's Castle |
1200-1212 Massive! |
52.670010, -8.624299 |
|
331 |
Adare |
"Ireland's prettiest village" |
52.564056, -8.790964 |
|
356 |
Vandelour Walled Garden |
"Stunning 'lost garden'" |
52.631403, -9.476499 |
|
H4 |
Rowan Tree Hostel before 21 |
10+11. kitchen |
52.846036, -8.982813 |
|
363 |
Ennistimon |
"postcard perfect main street" |
52.939885, -9.293444 |
|
363B |
Cascades |
Behind Byrne's Inn in Ennistimon |
52.939205, -9.293741 |
|
376 |
R480 |
Barren scenery on Burren |
53.046475, -9.140590 |
|
377 |
Poulnabrone Dolmen |
5000 years old |
53.048661, -9.140070 |
|
377B |
Glenninsheen Wedge Tomb |
4-5000 years old |
53.064760, -9.149996 |
|
H5 |
Sleepzone Galway City |
12. Kitchen? |
53.276746, -9.050249 |
|
412 |
Roundstone Bog |
Road: R-Clifden (w from R341, 4km n of R.) |
53.446606, -9.936374 |
|
411 |
Roundstone village |
Harbour, picture-perfect |
53.395831, -9.918933 |
|
408 |
Connemara |
Landscape along N59 |
53.558395, -9.889673 |
|
431 |
Westport |
Georgian town, harbour, |
53.800360, -9.521569 |
|
435 |
Newport |
Picturesque 18th cent village, viaduct |
53.884890, -9.545601 |
|
440 |
Ballycroy National Park |
Scenic bog, mountain views - trail |
54.024673, -9.823811 |
|
H6 |
The Woodlands |
13. Breakfast + kitchen |
54.020982, -9.316430 |
|
441 |
Céide Fields |
8km e.of Ballycastle, huge, 6000y |
54.308030, -9.456351 |
|
440B |
Dún Briste Sea Stack |
Cliffs, sea stack, the road |
54.326733, -9.347643 |
|
452 |
Scenic drive (R297+ small) |
Sligo to Enniscrone and Killala Bay |
54.269857, -8.756746 |
|
H7 |
The Ballyboe Boarding House |
14+15+16. Own kitchen-like |
54.958969, -7.740758 |
|
460 |
Donegal Town |
Nice, castle |
54.653878, -8.109765 |
|
467 |
Sliabh Liag Sea Cliffs |
600m. |
54.627303, -8.684628 |
|
470 |
Glengesh Pass |
Views! |
54.719755, -8.490473 |
|
470B |
Ardara village, Maghera Strand |
Assarancagh Waterfall |
54.758573, -8.513615 |
|
H7 |
The Ballyboe Boarding House |
14+15+16. Own kitchen-like |
54.958969, -7.740758 |
|
482 |
Glenveagh National Park |
R251+R254, lakes 54.989070, -8.050216 |
55.035766, -7.968604 |
|
482 |
Glenveagh National Park |
R251+R254, lakes |
55.035766, -7.968604 |
|
475 |
Scenic drives |
To Horn Head. Crolly WF: |
55.019697, -8.268287 |
|
477 |
Horn Head |
Viewpoint, the drive to it |
55.215365, -7.977782 |
|
484 |
Rosguill Peninsula |
15km Atlantic Drive |
55.225249, -7.851557 |
|
486 |
Rathmullan - Portsalon road |
Roller caster road, Knockalla Fort |
55.167148, -7.574251 |
|
H7 |
The Ballyboe Boarding House |
14+15+16. Own kitchen-like |
54.958969, -7.740758 |
|
488 |
Grianán of Alieách |
Fort, eye-popping views |
55.024707, -7.426775 |
|
N.Ire |
Londonderry, Carrickmore |
and th lakes |
|
|
H6B |
Easkey Hostel |
17. Breakfast + kitchen |
54.286304, -8.962497 |
|
455 |
Lough Glencar Waterfall |
15m, "most beautiful area" |
54.340182, -8.368630 |
|
451 |
Carrowmore Megalithie |
Huge, 30 sights |
54.250894, -8.519360 |
|
453 |
Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetary |
Remote, desulated, 14 tumbs |
54.057187, -8.379364 |
|
499 |
Rathcroghn |
60 ancient Royal Celtic monuments |
53.778755, -8.253833 |
|
xxx |
Kilmacduagh Round Tower 34m |
Highest round tower in Ireland + ruins |
53.047829, -8.887377 |
|
509 |
Birr town |
Elegant Geo. Oxmant. Mall, castle + garden |
53.098121, -7.911927 |
|
H8 |
The Ring Farmhouse |
18. Breakfast NO kitchen |
53.080982, -7.883790 |
|
518 |
Slieve Bloom Mountains |
Remote, wild, Cut Mountain Pass |
53.083922, -7.600298 |
|
506 |
Belvedere House & Gardens |
Greenhouses |
53.476740, -7.367590 |
|
534 |
Trim Castle |
I's largest Anglo-Norman fortification |
53.554936, -6.790895 |
|
524 |
Brú na Bóinne: Only Newgrange |
One of Europe's largest old burial sights |
53.693486, -6.476122 |
|
H9 |
Spoon and the Stars Hostel |
19. Kitchen + breakfast |
53.713146, -6.342843 |
|
109 |
National Botanical Gardens |
Nice old greenhouses |
53.371122, -6.270651 |
|
147 |
Howth |
The castle and garden, w. market |
53.386412, -6.078794 |
|
|
Dublin City |
Free parking near hostel |
53.352583, -6.249690 |
|
H10 |
The Foundry Dublin Bef. |
20+21 Kitchen |
53.353082, -6.250406 |
|
147B |
Howth weekend market |
Didn't bother to go there after all |
53.388690, -6.073166 |
|
80 |
Grafton Street |
The "centre", Dublin Castle |
53.342100, -6.259864 |
|
87 |
Merrion Square |
The Georgian Dublin, park + parking |
53.339069, -6.250057 |
|
71 |
Kilmainham & the Liberties |
The old town West of Sct Patrick's |
53.339962, -6.272390 |
|
H10 |
The Foundry Dublin Bef. |
20+21+22. Kitchen |
53.353082, -6.250406 |
|
|
Dublin
City |
Just walk around |
|
|
H10 |
The Foundry Dublin Bef. |
20+21+22. Kitchen |
53.353082, -6.250406 |
|
|
Car return before 8;30 (12;00) |
|
53.428102, -6.230220 |
|
|
Fly home 10;35 |
Not sure why.... |
53.428102, -6.230220 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Should I get the time - or another time |
|
|
(153) |
Powerscourt Estate |
Formal and Landscape gardens, views |
53.184903, -6.189709 |
|
(203) |
St Declan's Monestery |
Ruins, round tower, Cathedral, walk |
51.948983, -7.726135 |
|
(205) |
Lismore Castle |
The gardens |
52.140105, -7.932265 |
|
(211B) |
St Canice Cat. In Kilk. |
Secon largest in Ireland |
52.656604, -7.256710 |
|
(245) |
Outside Kinsale: |
Charles Fort |
51.697842, -8.498851 |
|
(261) |
Bantry |
Nice settings |
51.679287, -9.450409 |
|
(273) |
Knockreer House |
- and the terrace gardens view |
52.059524, -9.524610 |
|
(383) |
Galway City |
Lively, some old houses, sat. Market |
53.270110, -9.053561 |
|
(423) |
Cong village |
Traditional village |
53.541428, -9.284646 |
|
(485) |
Ramelton |
Georgian houses |
55.035228, -7.646088 |
|
(503) |
Aughnacliffe Dolmen |
5000y |
53.856772, -7.596499 |
|
154 |
R755 and R759 |
Through forest in Wicklow Mount North: |
53.200396, -6.456350 |
|
154B |
R5755 South |
South R755 50km (WF halfway #162) |
52.939248, -6.236878 |
 |