Ireland
If the regular polls of departing travellers are to be believed, it's Ireland's timeless traditional side that continues to hold the key to the country’s draw as a tourist destination. At the heart of it all is the often breathtaking scenery, still gorgeous enough to make your jaw drop despite the best efforts of developers to scar some of the most beautiful bits with roundabouts, brutal suburbs and summer bungalows. From the lonely, wind-lashed wilderness of the Beara Peninsula to the awe-inspiring landscapes of County Derry, Ireland is one of the world’s most beautiful countries, and worth every effort you make to explore it. The sometimes overwhelming popularity of the scenic superstars like Connemara and Killarney National Park has seen the emergence of quieter idylls as the preferred destination of the discerning traveller, who has discovered the beauty of the lakes of County Roscommon, the villages of County Waterford and the rarely visited County Westmeath. Here you can come into contact with a more genuine Ireland, the kind removed from the slick machinery of the tourist trail. Of course, this does not mean you should miss Dublin: the pulsating capital has a soul and sociability unrivalled by any other European city.
Given the troubled nature of its recent past, combined with all of the usual problems thrown up by any modern society, Ireland is no laid-back Utopia (that'd be boring anyway). But the fact remains that the Irish warmth and welcome is the real deal, and millions of visitors testify to the sheer ease with which they made friends here. Someone will stop and help you find your way when you’re standing on a corner gawking at a map; you will strike up a conversation if you’re sitting alone in a pub; and there is a very good chance that if you’re stuck somewhere a local will volunteer a lift to wherever you need to go. The Irish love complaining about their country – about the crappy weather, the horrible traffic, the unplanned construction, the venal corruption – and will swear to you that you’re the luckiest person on earth because you don’t have to live here, but they only do it because this is the greatest country on the planet. Make sense? Well, it does here.
Places in Ireland on PropertySwap.ie!
PropertySwap.ie have many stunning Irish holiday properties for exchange and rental from beautiful destinations in 21 out of the 26 counties in Ireland. Here are just some examples of the places you could visit through PropertySwap.ie:
Achill Island, Co.Mayo
Off the coast of County Mayo, Achill Island is Ireland’s largest island. Just 20 feet from the mainland, it is 15 miles long by 12 miles wide. If you are a lover of the sea and yearn to explore far from crowds, Achill is the place for you. Painters and writers find inspiration in the historic ruins, fields of wild heather, and sea cliffs of Achill.
Anytime between April and October, the weather is warm enough to enjoy Achill’s beauty. Winter brings peat fires by the hearth along with good Irish stew and comfort. A great winter hideaway.
Achill Island is joined to land by a bridge at Achill Sound. To get to Achill from the mainland walk, ride your bike, drive or take a public bus across the bridge.
The major attraction of Achill Island is its natural beauty. Mountains tumble 2000 feet down to rugged cliffs plunging into the sea. Sandy beaches wind along pristine heathered moors, brilliant in late summer. There are walking paths throughout the mountains and cliffs.
On the northwest tip of the island, amazing views can be had from over the tall cliffs at Saddlehead. The seaside hamlet of Keel has a 3km beach with cathedral-like rock formations at the east end. Carrickdaunet Castle in Kildownet, which belonged to the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, is a worthwhile stop and can be seen on Atlantic Drive, the road that circumnavigates the island and is a popular driving tour.
Bagenalstown, Co.Carlow
Otherwise known as Muine Bheag, Bagenalstown is sited on a pleasant reach of the River Barrow and derives its name from Walter Bagenal, who founded the town in the 18th century. The towns fine neo-classical railway station is almost as impressive as the imposing Courthouse.
Fine examples of the Carlow Granite fencing are to be seen at the railway bridge on the Goresbridge Road. Nowadays, one of the finest views of the Courthouse may be had on the approach road from Leighlinbridge which includes the spire of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.
Ballinskelligs, Co.Kerry
Sitting on the attractive Ballinskelligs Bay, the village of the same name is in an Irish-speaking area with a unique history and culture. Once the land base for the monks of Skellig Michael, the surrounding area has numerous pre-historic and early Christian ruins along its shores.
Miles of golden, sandy beach and turquoise water attract the modern holiday-makers with safe swimming and excellent opportunities for watersports. Horse riding, cycling and walking are also popular and each year the village hosts the annual Ballinskelligs Regatta. You can also arrange boat trips to the Skelligs. Nearby, the village of Dungegan is home to a restored thatched cottage and a pre-famine village now used as an International Artists and Writers Retreat.
Ballybunion, Co.Kerry
A mecca for those who love the bustle and excitement of a popular seaside resort, Ballybunion is endowed with a beautiful setting. The town is famous for the Ballybunion Golf Links; 2 links courses overlooking the magnificent beach and dramatic cliff scenery of the area. Take a drive along the coast road north of Kilconly Point or visit Cnoc an Oir to truly appreciate this marvellous seascape. The town is a popular destination with a wide sandy beach popular among swimmers due its warm Atlantic waters.
There is a health and leisure centre featuring a 20m X 10m pool, as well as traditional seaweed baths fuelled with seawater and local kelp. Visit the Tintean Theatre, Arts and Cultural Centre, a performance space for the best in contemporary Traditional Irish Dance, Irish Music and literature. It is overlooked by clifftop ruins of a 16th century castle where surviving walls are 6 feet thick.
Belturbet, Co.Cavan
Belturbet is a lively and bustling town on the River Erne. An excellent base for exploring the river and the Shannon-Erne Canal, cruisers can be hired in Belturbet and the marina in the town facilitates cruisers of all sizes. The area is a magnet for anglers as there is a variety of catch to be had in the local waters.
The river and numerous surrounding lakes make Belturbet a very popular destination for anglers. With several restaurants and many of the town's pubs also providing food, there are many options for eating out. Bike hire is available at Corleggy Farm and visitors to the town will also enjoy the beautiful riverside walks. Golfers will enjoy Belturbet 9 hole golf course situated on the outskirts of the town.
The Festival of the Erne is a very popular annual event taking place from at the end of July/early Aug annually. With the famed Lady of the Erne pageant, live music, talent competition, marching bands, fireworks and the most popular fancy dress party in the county, the festival is not to be missed!
Boyle, Co.Roscommon
Boyle nestles at the foot of the Curlew Mountains on the main pass connecting the plains of Connaught with the North. It is an area of great beauty and of immense historical and archaeological interest for the visitor.
Situated between the great lakes, Lough Gara and Lough Key, it is also a renowned centre for fishermen whether interested in trout or coarse fishing. There is a very scenic 9-hole golf course located about 2 km from the town. The O'Carolan Heritage Park is well worth a visit. Boyle is well known for the annual Boyle Arts Festival which takes place in July every year.
Brittas Bay, Co.Wicklow
Brittas Bay is one of the finest beaches on the East Coast and is the most popular beach for day trippers. This 4km stretch of beach and extensive areas of sand dunes has won an International Blue Flag for five consecutive years. With no headlands to interfere with the peaceful rhythm, it is ideal for bathing, sailing and walking.
Close by are golf courses, a driving range, a pub and public and private car parking. Brittas has been a summer holiday home for Dubliners since the 1950s. It brings together a mix of permanent residents and day trippers.
Carlingford, Co.Louth
An utterly delightful small harbour village on the slopes of beautiful rugged mountains, Carlingford has everything: a medieval layout of narrow streets with ancient buildings, all that is best in food and lodging, antiques and craft shops as well as adventure sports. Carlingford is more than a town – it’s an experience.
More than a thousand years ago Vikings established a trading post in the shallow, sheltered bay beneath the Cooley Mountains. They named it ‘Carling Fjord’. There are hardly any other fjords in Ireland, giving Carlingford another little bit of uniqueness. Carlingford provides a habitat for the most delicious oysters and many come to watch the seals that abound there.
Carlingford is now a listed Medieval Heritage Town – having more historical buildings than any town of the same size in the whole of Ireland. Extensive town walls have survived, together with the ruins of monasteries and, most important of all, of civic buildings – an extremely rare happening in Ireland. You may find out a great deal more about the town in the Tourist Office and arrange to be taken on a guided tour.
Carrick on Shannon, Co.Leitrim
Since the completion of the Shannon-Erne Waterway, Carrick-on-Shannon has become a major marina, and a recent influx of international business centres has seen the town’s population surge. Tourism remains Carrick’s main industry, however, and its charming village centre and riverside location make it a popular spot, so you’ll need to plan your visit well ahead.
It is the boating capital of the inland waterways and boasts a number of modern marinas and harbours. Consequently it is one of the most popular destinations for cruise holidays in Ireland.
Castlegregory, Co.Kerry
Castlegregory, which once rivalled Tralee as a busy local centre, is a quiet village. However, things change when you drive up the sandstrewn road along the Rough Point peninsula, the broad spit of land between Tralee Bay and Brandon Bay. Up here, it’s a playground. Not content with being a prime windsurfing location, the peninsula sees strange new sports like wavesailing and kitesurfing. Divers can glimpse pilot whales, orcas, sunfish and dolphins. In the pub, the many-accented babble tells of a community of people who came for a day and couldn’t face leaving the playground.
Jamie Knox Watersports, Brandon Bay, offers surf, windsurf, kitesurf, canoe and pedaloe hire and lessons. Beyond Rough Point are the seven Maharees Islands. The largest of the ‘hogs’, as the islands are known locally, is Illauntannig. The remains of a 6th-century monastic settlement there include a stone cross, a church and beehive huts. Two small adjoining islands can be reached on foot from Illauntannig at low tide, but make sure you know exactly what the tide is doing. The islands are privately owned, but trips (taking about 10 minutes) can be arranged through Castle House, or through Harbour House in conjunction with a scuba diving trip. There is great underwater visibility, making this one of Ireland’s best diving areas.
Clonmacnoise, Co.Offaly
Gloriously placed overlooking the River Shannon, Clonmacnoise is one of Ireland’s most important ancient monastic cities. The site is enclosed in a walled field and contains numerous early churches, high crosses, round towers and graves in astonishingly good condition.
The surrounding marshy area is known as the Shannon Callows, home to many wild plants and one of the last refuges of the seriously endangered corncrake (a pastel-coloured relative of the coot).
Clonmel, Co.Tipperary
Clonmel is Tipperary’s largest and most commercial town. Bordering Waterford on the River Suir, Clonmel is an excellent base for visiting a wide range of attractions. The town is nestled in the Comeragh Mountains with the Knockmealdown Mountains to the South and legendary Slievenamon to the East.
Connemara, Co.Galway
In Irish, Connemara means ‘Inlets of the Sea’, which is borne out by the region’s filigreed coastline. The coastal road west of Spiddal (R336) winds around small bays and coves. It strings together a succession of seaside hamlets, including the jewel-like fishing harbour at Roundstone, and sleepy Lennane on Killary Harbour. Clifden, Connemara’s largest town, is spectacularly sited on a hill, while offshore lies the idyllic island of Inishbofin.
Connemara’s interior is a kaleidoscope of rusty bogs, lonely valleys and shimmering black lakes. At its heart are the Maumturk Mountains and the pewter-tinged quartzite peaks of the Twelve Bens mountain range, with a network of scenic hiking and biking trails. It’s dazzling at any time of day but especially as the sun starts its descent, when the landscape glows as if filtered through a topaz-coloured lens. Galway’s tourist office has a wealth of information on the area.
Courtmacsherry, Co.Cork
This village set along the shoreline with a backdrop of attractive woodlands looks out on Courtmacsherry Bay and is a noted deep sea angling centre. It also provides the base for a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Lifeboat. The village of Courtmacsherry has many fine pubs and restaurants with local entertainment nightly.
Shore and river fishing, wind surfing, golf, walking and horse riding opportunities abound in this attractive area. The village hosts a number of festivals & events every year, including the Courtmacsherry Sandbank Races and Courtmacsherry Storytelling Carnival.
Co.Kildare
Once a backwater from Dublin, County Kildare is now prime suburbia. Geographically, the county has some of the best farmland in Ireland, as well as a vast swathe of bog to the northwest and the sweeping grasslands of the Curragh to the south.
Ireland's premier golf course, the Michael Smurfit owned K Club, situated on the River Liffey near Straffan played host to the 2006 Ryder Cup. Other prominent courses are located at Knockanally, Carton Estate, and Clane.
The Curragh horse-racing course the home to all five Irish classics is also located in County Kildare along with two other courses Punchestown Racecourse home of the National Hunt Festival of Ireland and Naas Racecourse. The county is known for the quality of horses bred in the many horse stud farms to which it is home to. Kildare is also home to the Irish National Stud and many other top farms such as Moyglare Stud and Kildagan Stud.
Dingle & Dingle Peninsula, Co.Kerry
Dingle, the peninsula’s pretty capital is a very special place indeed. It’s one of Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht towns and a friendly dolphin called Fungie has lived in the bay for 25 years. Many pubs double as shops, so you can enjoy Guinness and a sing-along among screws and nails, wellies and horseshoes. These charms have long drawn runaways from across the world, making the port town a surprisingly cosmopolitan, creative place. It’s a popular stomping ground for stag and hen parties, as well as the Fungie-hunting hordes.
The northern-most promontory in Kerry and Cork’s proud collection, the Dingle Peninsula also has the subtlest charms. Its mellow landscape is one of green hills and golden sands, and culminates in Europe’s most westerly point, gazing across the sound at the ghost town on Great Blasket Island. Of course, the friendly hills have their mountainous areas, such as Mt Brandon and the Connor Pass, but, on the whole, this is calming country.
The peninsula has a high concentration of ring forts and other ancient ruins. Activities on offer range from diving to playing the bodhrán. There’s an alternative way of life here in the craft shops and cultural centres, trad sessions and folkloric festivals found in the Dingle’s tiny settlements.
Dublin
Definition of a great city: a place that makes virtue out of vice and knows exactly where to find fun. Welcome to Dublin, the greatest city in Europe. At first glance, it’s kind of difficult to see why. Dublin isn’t as sexy or as sultry as other European capitals, the architecture is a bit of a jumble and it seems everyone has something to complain about. Dubs can be brutally unsentimental about their city, but their warts-and-all attachment is born out of a genuine love of a place that oozes personality, a city whose soul and sociability makes it the most charismatic of capitals.
Sure, the almost mythical economic growth of the last 15 years and the explosion of multiculturalism, have given the city a cosmopolitan strut and swagger it never had before – not to mention a whole new world of distractions and delights to rival those of any other city of comparable size. Visit it's treasure trove of historic sites such as Trinity College, Christchurch and the GPO.
You should visit the excellent museums, amble through the landscaped parks and engage with Dublin’s myriad cultural offerings, but make enough time for socialising, the beating heart that makes this city thrive. Garrulous, amiable and witty, Dubliners at their ease are the greatest hosts of all, providing a life-affirming experience that will restore your faith in human nature. How many other places can you say that about?
Dunmore East, Co.Waterford
Strung out along a coastline of red sandstone cliffs and discreet coves, Dunmore East is a special spot. The views across to Hook Head lighthouse in County Wexford are magnificent; the main street is lined with thatched cottages; and the working harbour is overlooked by an unusual Doric lighthouse and cliffs full of screaming kittiwakes.
Dunmore’s most popular beaches are the south-facing Counsellor’s Beach, among the cliffs, and Ladies Cove in the village. They can get busy with day-trippers from Waterford, 20km northwest.
Sea Safari offers one-hour trips in a high-powered 10m ‘rib’ around caves, shipwrecks, fishermen and seals. Dunmore East Adventure Centre hires out equipment for windsurfing, canoeing, surfing and snorkelling. Two-hour tasters to week-long activity packages are available in these sports and others, including archery and rock climbing. If you fancy shark fishing or exploring wrecks off the coast contact Dunmore East Angling Charters. There are great views of town from the 18-hole golf course.
Dunsany, Co.Meath
Conveniently located for touring County Meath and all the riches of the Boyne Valley Area. Nowhere can you get a better cross-section of the best of Ireland's Historic monuments than in the Boyne Valley. From the splendor of Newgrange, one of Europe's most spectacular prehistoric tombs to the magic and mystery of Tara, ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland - you'll discover that the Boyne Valley resonates with history and adventure.
If sport is your passion, there are a wealth of attractions within easy reach. Dunsany is located at the heart of the Boyne Valley fisheries and the county has an abundance of attractive golf courses designed to challenge the most determined golfer. Indeed, whatever your interest, be it horse racing, shooting, swimming or pitch & putt, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Enniscrone, Co.Sligo
A charming resort with a marvellous 18 hole links on the shores of Killala Bay. The deep bay produces the wonderful sandy blue flag beach, a 5km stretch with safe bathing. There are two bathhouses with hot seawater, seaweed and steam. The Moy estuary which forms part of the bay is a popular haunt for game anglers.
Enniscrone has lots to offer a family such as a supervised playground, amusement park for the children, Crazy Golf, Pitch and Putt and Tennis Court.
Enniscrone has a good selection of shops, take aways, and restaurants. There is also a lively nightlife. Boats offer fishing trips during the summer period. Waterpoint, the swimming pool/gym is a popular spot with tourists.
Gorey & Duncannon, Co.Wexford
Gorey is a carefully planned town with a wide Main Street boulevard and street plan, much like the plantation towns of North Wexford. Gorey and its surroundings have plenty to offer the visitor. The town itself boasts fantastic Pugin and listed architecture. It is an ideal base for exploring both Wexford and Wicklow.
Duncannon has a delightful sandy beach with fishing and pleasing amenities, which makes it a very popular resort. Featuring many delightful vistas, the little seaside town is dominated by the large fortress which has played a significant part in Ireland's history. The little harbour area is a popular departure point for pleasure boats and is a source for fresh sea products.
Headford, Co.Galway
Headford, some 28 km north of Galway, is the popular angling centre for the eastern shore of Lough Corrib, and Greenfields, some 6.5 km west of the town, is its boating harbour. The town is situated next to the Black River (noted also for its trout angling) which is the county boundary with Mayo.
Headford is also the centre of an area rich in archaeological monuments, ranging from prehistoric burial cairns, Iron Age stone enclosures, early Norman and later castles, to a bewildering array of monastic sites.
Today, the modern cattle mart, although replacing the fairs and markets once held in the town's two squares, ensures the local popularity of this North Galway town.
Inistoige, Co.Kilkenny
The little village of Inistioge is picture-perfect. It has an 18th-century, 10-arch stone bridge spanning the River Nore and vintage shops facing a tranquil square. Somewhere so inviting could hardly hope to escape the attention of movie-location scouts: Inistioge’s film credits include Widow’s Peak (1993), Circle of Friends (1994) and Where the Sun is King (1996). There are picnic tables on the river.
With a scenic stretch of the South Leinster Way coursing through town, this is a good base for exploring the region. The R700 from Thomastown makes for a lovely scenic drive through the river valley. For variety, try some of the small roads that lead off this into the verdant countryside – you can’t get lost for long. Better yet, try the hiking trails that follow the river. Side trails lead up into the hills.
Approximately 1km south, on Mt Alto, is Woodstock Gardens. The hike up is well worth the effort for the panorama of the valley below, and the heavily forested park itself is a beauty, with expanses of gardens, picnic areas and trails.
Lahinch, Co.Clare
Lahinch owes its living to beach-seeking tourists pure and simple. You might find a beady-eyed greed in the eyes of the locals you won’t find at village just a mile or two inland. The town sits on protected Liscannor Bay and does have a fine beach. Free-spending mobs descend in summer, many wielding golf clubs for play at the famous Lahinch Golf Club. The tourist office, Lahinch Fáilte is off the northern end of Main St and is part of a well-stocked gift shop.
Like swells after a storm, the surfing scene keeps getting bigger, you can get lessons from about €30 an hour. Lahinch Surf Shop runs regular classes for all levels and sells gear. Lahinch Surf School offers lessons and various multiday packages.
Louisburgh, Co.Mayo
Louisburgh is a pleasant town at the mouth of Bunowen River, 22 km west of Westport and is the focal point of a region of great natural beauty, a gateway to the romantic solitudes of Glencullin and Doo Lough, and an area with fine blue-flagged sandy beaches. The area around Louisburgh is notable for game fishing, surfing, swimming, mountain climbing and nature trails of Louisbugh Pass.
Louisburgh has an interesting archaeological heritage with court-tombs, wedge-tomb, a clapper footbridge and many other monuments. There is a beautiful forest walk at Old Head. Roonagh Pier, approx 6km from the town, is the departure point for ferries to Clare Island and Inishturk. There are a number of beaches in the area renowned for their cleanliness and each year, generally in April/May. the town hosts a traditional music festival - Féile Chois Chuan - which attracts a large number of enthusiasts from many parts of Ireland and abroad.
Malin Head, Co.Donegal
If you’ve already seen Ireland’s southernmost point and its westernmost point, you’ll still be impressed when you lay eyes on Malin Head, the island’s northern extent. The head’s rocky, weather-battered slopes feel like they’re being dragged unwillingly into the sea. It’s great for wandering on foot, absorbing the stark natural setting and pondering deep subjects as the wind tries to blow the clothes off your back. There are a smattering of farm houses and few services, so pack what you’ll be needing.
On the northernmost tip, called Banba’s Crown, stands a cumbersome cliff-top tower that was built in 1805 by the British admiralty. Around it are unattractive concrete huts that were used by the Irish army in WWII as lookout posts. To the west from the fort-side car park, a path leads to Hell’s Hole, a chasm where the incoming waters crash against the rocky formations. To the east a longer headland walk leads to the Wee House of Malin, a hermit’s cave in the cliff face.
Several endangered bird species thrive here. This is one of the few places in Ireland where you can still hear the call of the endangered corncrake in summer. Other birds to look out for are choughs, snow bunting and puffins.
The Plantation village of Malin, on Trawbreaga Bay, 14km south of Malin Head, has a pretty movie-set quality. Walkers can head out from the tidy village green on a circular route that takes in Knockamany Bens, a local hill with terrific views, as well as Lagg Presbyterian Church (3km northwest from Malin), the oldest church still in use on the peninsula. The massive sand dunes at Five Fingers Strand, another 1km beyond the church, are a dog’s dream.
Waterford City, Co.Waterford
Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford, set in a commanding site on the River Suir's estuary, is first and foremost a busy port. Some parts of the city still feel almost medieval though, with narrow alleyways leading off many of the larger streets. Reginald’s Tower marks the city’s Viking heart and there are some attractive Georgian homes and warehouses. Ireland’s flashiest museum, on the quays, uses state-of-the-art computer wizardry to get Waterford’s history across; continue the sensory stimulation with a tour round the Waterford Crystal factory.
Although that seedy port-town feel is still evident in places, the city has received a face-lift in recent years. Pedestrianised streets and public artworks have improved the centre, and it’s now a more attractive place to wander.
Waterford not only boasts some of the most beautiful countryside in Ireland, particularly the splendid scenery of West Waterford's mountain passes, but you will also find a spectacular coast line with miles of safe sandy beaches, perfect for the whole family.
West Cork
The area covered in West Cork includes Kinsale, where postcard-perfect scenes of winding streets, tiny houses and yachts bobbing on the sea set the tone. A few hours southeast is Clonakilty, known for its bustling market and tourist-friendly atmosphere. The area from Clonakilty to Skibereen is peppered with picturesque villages - Skibereen itself being a salt-of-the-earth, warm-hearted place, while the coastal town of Castletownshead has a small quayside, a castle and a whole lotta peace and quiet.
Perhaps the pride and joy of the county, and not to be missed by any traveller this way passing, is the Gougane Barra Forest Park with its beautiful vistas of craggy mountains, pine forests and sparkling streams.
You can browse Irish properties for exchange on PropertySwap.ie here or for rental here
