Hidden gems in Ireland

This collection spans Ireland’s diverse landscape, featuring prehistoric megalithic tombs like Fourknocks and the Proleek Dolmen alongside early Christian architecture such as the dry-stone Gallarus Oratory. Coastal highlights include the Dun Briste sea stack at Downpatrick Head and Malin Head’s rugged northern tip. Inland, the list explores Gothic ruins, the Kilbeggan whiskey distillery, and unique cultural spots like the Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio and Dublin’s retro-gaming arcade, Token.

Ireland's Hidden Gems — Map

K. Jähne / CC-BY-SA-3.0

A

Gallarus Oratory

The Gallarus Oratory (Irish: Séipéilín Ghallarais, Gallarus being interpreted as either 'rocky headland' or 'house or shelter for foreigner…

LuciaRuane / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Keem Beach

Keem Bay is located past Dooagh village in the west of Achill Island in County Mayo, Ireland. It contains a Blue Flag beach.

Denise Figueiredo / CC-BY-SA

C

Downpatrick Head

A coastal headland in County Mayo featuring the 50-meter-high Dun Briste sea stack. The site includes a statue of St. Patrick, the ruins of an ancient church, and a World War II lookout post.

Takeshi316 / Public domain

D

Grianan of Aileach

The Grianan of Aileach, sometimes anglicised as Greenan Ely or Greenan Fort, is a hillfort atop the 244 metres high Greenan Mountain at…

Sharonlflynn / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Menlo Castle

Menlo Castle or Menlough Castle, also called Blake's Castle, is a 16th century castle situated on the bank of the River Corrib near Menlo…

Chmee2 / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Malin Head

Malin Head is the most northerly point of mainland Ireland, located in the townland of Ardmalin on the Inishowen peninsula in County…

David Ayrton / CC BY-SA 2.0

G

Glenevin Waterfall

A 40-foot waterfall located near Clonmany on the Inishowen Peninsula. A maintained wooded path follows the stream to the wedge-shaped cascade falling into a circular pool.

Wandervogel / Public domain

H

Fourknocks Megalithic Passage Tomb

Fourknocks Passage Tomb is a passage grave and National Monument located in County Meath, Ireland.

Oliver Dixon / CC BY-SA 2.0

I

Proleek Dolmen

Proleek Dolmen is a dolmen and national monument in County Louth, Ireland.

Rodhullandemu / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio

Ye Olde Hurdy Gurdy Museum of Vintage Radio is a museum of communication history based in the Martello tower in Howth, Dublin.

Riekeshieldmaiden / Public domain

K

Lough Hyne

Lough Hyne is a fully marine sea lough in West Cork, Ireland, about 5 km southwest of Skibbereen.

Sheila Russell / CC BY-SA 2.0

L

Brigit's Garden

Four gardens in County Galway designed around the seasonal festivals of the Celtic calendar. The site features a limestone sundial, a traditional thatched roundhouse, and a nature trail.

Sabrina O Brien / CC BY-SA 4.0

M

Kilmogue Portal Tomb

Kilmogue Portal Tomb, also called Leac an Scail, is a dolmen and National Monument located in County Kilkenny, Ireland.

Hazel Coonagh Photography / CC-BY-SA

N

Token

A combination restaurant, bar, and retro arcade in Dublin's Smithfield neighborhood. It houses over 40 vintage arcade machines and pinball tables alongside a menu of sliders and tacos.

Andrea Doyle McCabe / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

Kilfane Church

Kilfane Church is a medieval church and National Monument in County Kilkenny, Ireland.

Jjm596 / CC BY-SA 4.0

P

Mizen Head

Mizen Head is traditionally regarded as the most southerly point of mainland Ireland.

Serge Ottaviani / CC BY-SA 4.0

Q

Kilbeggan Distillery

Kilbeggan Distillery is an Irish whiskey distillery situated on the River Brosna in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath, Ireland.

R

Murder Hole Beach

Boyeeghter Strand or Boyeeghter Bay, commonly known as Murder Hole Beach, is a beach situated on the Melmore head peninsula beside…

Nicolas Klein / CC-BY-SA

S

Cupán Tae

A tea room in Galway’s Latin Quarter specializing in over 50 varieties of loose-leaf teas and homemade cakes. The interior features vintage china and Victorian-inspired decor.

Winnie45 / CC BY-SA 4.0

T

Strokestown House

The National Famine Museum is located at Strokestown Park, County Roscommon, Ireland.

//www.flickr.com/photos/dingbat2005/ / CC BY 2.0

U

Fort Dunree Military Museum

Fort Dunree is a coastal defence fortification located on the west side of the Inishowen peninsula, County Donegal, Ireland.

sarah gallagher / CC BY-SA 2.0

V

Charleville Castle

Charleville Castle is a Gothic-style castle located in County Offaly, Ireland, bordering the town of Tullamore, near the River Clodiagh.

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