Reader
Ireland is full of iconic sights—but what if you could explore the magic of it without the crowds? What if you could explore some off-the-beaten-path destinations like charming little towns and villages, a large park in the West of Ireland that provides thrills and adventure for families, or a windswept island that is not overrun with tourists?

That's just a fraction of what you could find in Ireland if you are willing to go beyond the bucket list attractions.

Below you'll find some of my favorites that I hope will provide some inspiration for what might be your first — or next — Irish adventure.

Most will be easier to get to if you have a rental car. However, if not, then public transport is doable, but you may need a taxi to complete your journey.

As always, if you have any questions about traveling to Ireland or about planning your dream vacation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me by responding to this email.

Happy traveling,

Colette ☘️💚🇮🇪

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🔹 Inistioge, County Kilkenny
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​Situated along the River Nore, the pretty village of Inistioge boasts a combination of medieval, Georgian and Victorian architecture and because of its unusual appearance, it has attracted filmmakers over the years.
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Movies like Circle of Friends, The Secret Scripture and Widows' Peak were all made there.
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Attractions that are worth seeing include the Woodstock Estate and its gardens, established by the Tighe family, who turned Inistioge into a planned estate village during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. In addition to the gardens, you'll also find the remains of the Woodstock House on the estate.

Other things to see in Inistioge include St. Mary's Church built in 1824, St. Columbkille's Holy Well and the pretty village green.

Ivy-covered cottages and nearby woodland walks make this an idyllic stop on your journey through Ireland, and it's only 16 miles/25 km from the medieval city of Kilkenny, well worth seeing in its own right.

If you're planning on stopping in Kilkenny, be sure to check out my PDF of activities before you do so.
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​Nearby Accommodation: Inistioge is a half-hour drive from Kilkenny City, where you can find lots of great accommodation, the most popular being The Pembroke Hotel, The Butler House, and The Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel a more affordable option.

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​🔹 Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, County Roscommon

So few tourists visit Roscommon and it's a shame because it is a lovely county that is waiting to be explored.
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In Lough Key Forest Park alone, there are plenty of things to do, such as ziplining through the trees; taking a treetop canopy walk; discovering the Adventure Play Kingdom, which is suitable for children up to 12 years; checking out Boda Borg, an indoor interactive experience, or taking a boat ride to see the amazing 13th-century castle ruin called McDermott's Castle that sits on Castle Island in the middle of Lough Key. This park attraction is ideal for families or anyone craving nature.

A 30-minute drive from Sligo, 90 minutes from Galway and 2 hours and 15 minutes from Dublin (all approximate traveling times that are dependent on road conditions, traffic and how fast you drive).

​Nearby Accommodation: Linsfort Bed and Breakfast, Boyle.

🔹Carlingford, County Louth​
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If you're planning a trip to Northern Ireland, it makes sense to stop in Carlingford, a charming medieval town, with views of the water thanks to its proximity to Carlingford Lough, as well as epic mountain trails (the Slieve Foy Loop is a popular one) in the surrounding area.

The town's main heritage sites are King John's Castle/Carlingford Castle (not to be confused with King John's Castle in Limerick); The Mint, a 15^th-century house where coins were once minted; The Thosel, a tower that was part of the town's defensive walls and served as a toll gate and a jail during the Middle Ages, Taafe's Castle, a medieval tower house that is now a popular tavern, in addition to the Church of the Holy Trinity.

Carlingford is approximately 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Dublin and only 11 kilometers (6 miles) from the border with Northern Ireland. You can reach Belfast in about an 1-hour drive from there.

Nearby Accommodation: The Ghan House, Carlingford.
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🔹 Fethard, County Tipperary

Most people heading to the Rock of Cashel, a recommended bucket list attraction, often forego the medieval town of Fethard, also in County Tipperary (only 16 km/9.5 miles from Cashel).

Over 90 percent of its original 14^th-century town walls are still intact, with its North Gate fully preserved and the remains of two still visible. Take the 2-kilometer Heritage Trail that runs alongs the walls and through the town, where you will see its gates, town wall battlements, Church of the Holy Trinity, and Sheela na Gig carvings.

While in the town, I'd recommend that you stop at the Fethard Horse Country Experience, an interactive museum that focuses on the region's thoroughbred industry. The museum is located inside the 17^th-century Thosel building in town.

The Fethard Folk Farm & Transport Museum, housed in a repurposed 19th‑century railway goods shed, may also be of interest to you. It houses over 1,200 transport and farm life artifacts.

​Nearby Accommodation: Bailey's Hotel, Cashel (about 5 miles away).

🔹 Inishbofin Island, County Galway

While most tourists flock to the Aran Islands, few realize that there is another island off the coast of Connemara called Inisbofin.

Home to approximately 180 people, this beautiful place has been designated a Special Area of Conservation due to the presence of corn crakes, which have become quite rare in Ireland these days, as well as seals.

If you decide to spend the day in Inishbofin, I suggest that you either rent a bicycle or take the Westquarter looped walk that will take you to the Blow Holes and the beautiful Trá Gheal beach, or one of the other trails on the island. Kayaking and paddle boarding are also available.

A guided tour is always a good idea and on this one, you'll learn about the history of the island and visit places like Cromwell's Barracks, a 17^th-century fortress that was once a prison that housed Catholic priests arrested by Oliver Cromwell's army.
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Be sure to go into the Inishbofin Heritage Museum & Gift Shop where you'll find contents from traditional island homes, as well as fishing, farming and other tools that were used by the island's tradespeope, along with over 200 photographs of local residents.

Nearby Accommodation: Inishbofin House Hotel.

🔹 Beara Peninsula, County Cork​

Smaller than the Ring of Kerry — and way less crowded — the Beara Peninsula is packed with coastal beauty and colorful villages. It is often overshadowed by the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula.

If you are interested in exploring the Ring of Beara, you can begin in either Kenmare (actually in Kerry, but the Beara Peninsula straddles Cork and Kerry) or Glengariff, Co. Cork.

Here is a link to the route on Google Maps. If you're visiting during the summer months, you'll have the advantage of daylight well into the evening (as late as 10:30 p.m. in July).

Some of the attractions along the way include the Uragh Stone Circle, the Ardgroom Stone Circle, just outside the pretty village of Ardgroom, the spectacular winding drive from Eyeries to Allihies for outstanding scenery, Dursey Island, (you can get to that using a cable car, Ireland's only one), and so much more.
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​Nearby Accommodation: West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen.

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Meet Henry Doohan, a Member of the Licensed Private Driver Network

Are you looking to explore Donegal without the large tour groups? If so, Henry Doohan, a member of my Licensed Private Driver Network and the Donegal Tour Guide, can give you a bespoke tour of this fabulous county. Whether you're researching your Donegal ancestors or you just want to explore a part of Ireland that is not typically on the tourist bucket list, I'd recommend you consider booking Henry for a day or more to experience Ireland's fabulous Northwest.

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Driving in Ireland 🚗🍀

Thinking about renting a car in Ireland but feeling unsure about driving on the opposite side of the road? You’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest concerns for visitors, especially those used to driving on the right. And let’s be honest, narrow country roads, roundabouts, and local driving quirks can be intimidating at first.

If you’re on the fence about whether to drive or not, that’s okay. It’s completely normal to feel a little hesitant. The good news? Most people adjust faster than they expect, especially when they’ve had a chance to prepare.

💡A Simple Way to Feel Comfortable Behind the Wheel

​The Tripiamo Driving Guide for Ireland, certified by an Irish driving school, helps you mentally adjust before you even arrive.

Get a driver’s-eye view of Irish roads with 360° video practice, so nothing feels unfamiliar when you get there.

Train your brain to stay on the left with simple tricks that make it feel natural.

Master roundabouts, road signs & rural driving so you can focus on the scenery, not second-guess yourself.

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Avoid expensive mistakes — like bus lane fines, speeding tickets, or wrong turns onto a one-way street.

Most travelers who use Tripiamo go from 36% confident to 86% confident because when you’ve seen it before, it’s way less intimidating.

And for less than the cost of a single ticket or fine, it’s a small investment for a stress-free trip.

If you want to know more before purchasing, check out my landing page (be sure to look at the YouTube video at the bottom of the page).
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Try out Tripiamo for yourself

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