Fodor's Essential Ireland 2020
Ready to experience Ireland? The experts at Fodor's are here to help. Fodor's Essential...
It's a Celtic mystery: how can a country as small as Ireland be packed with so much majestic history, natural beauty, vibrant culture, and, of course, fun? Norman castles overlook wild, empty beaches, Georgian country houses host impromptu traditional music sessions, excited theatergoers spill out into bustling Dublin pubs. Drama and spectacle lie at every turn, with a pint of Guinness to toast it all. But the real Irish secret is the people: their unique blend of warmth, humor, and irreverence will ensure your trip to the Emerald Isle is a true adventure.
Fodor's Essential Ireland 2020
Ready to experience Ireland? The experts at Fodor's are here to help. Fodor's Essential...
Top Destinations
Top Destinations
Dublin
Dublin today is very much a modern European city, with a thriving economy built on an influx of tech giants and large fincancial institutions. It...
The Southwest
Ever since Killarney was first "discovered" by William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott, visitors have been searching for superlatives to describe the deep blue lakes...
County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands
The West of Ireland is the most westerly seaboard in Europe, and the part of Ireland least influenced by its neighbor to the east, England...
County Cork
With its deep-rooted history, more than a thousand kilometers of pristine coastline dotted with pretty harbor villages, and a gently lilting up-and-down accent that flows...
The Southeast
Going to Ireland for the sunshine might sound like a joke, but not if you head to the golden beaches and blue surf of the...
Connemara and County Mayo
A landscape where the thundering Atlantic forms the pounding backbeat to the most westerly seaboard in Europe, this most distinct area of Ireland has been...
Dublin Environs
Walt Disney himself couldn't have planned it better. The small counties immediately north, south, and west of Dublin—historically known as the Pale—seem expressly designed to...
The Northwest
With its towering cliffs, secluded expanses of golden beaches, and sun-tinted waters, the Northwest is an untamed and wild part of Ireland—shaped, influenced, and tormented...
The Midlands
During the boom years of economic growth in Ireland, from the mid-1990s to 2008, newly built motorways bypassed many small Midlands towns. But for a...
Cork City
Cork's city center is in a valley that's spread over 13 islands where the River Lee splinters and meets again, while its suburbs are located...
Galway City
Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today...
The Ring of Kerry
Running along the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula, the dramatic coastal road from Kenmare to Killorglin known as the Ring of Kerry has long been...
Limerick City
Before you ask, there's no direct connection between Limerick City and the facetious five-line verse form known as a "limerick," which was first popularized by...
Killarney
One of Southwest Ireland's most attractive locales, Killarney is also the most heavily visited town in the region (its proximity to the Ring of Kerry...
Kinsale
Foodies flock to Kinsale, a picturesque port that pioneered the Irish small-town tradition of fine dining in unbelievably small restaurants. In the early 1980s, Kinsale...
Waterford City
The largest town in the Southeast and Ireland's oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and was taken over by...
Sligo Town
Sligo is the best place to begin a tour of Yeats Country. Squeezed on to a patch of land between Sligo Bay and Lough Gill...
Westport
By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands...
Kenmare
Located slightly inland without a clear view of Kenmare Bay, Kenmare is a natural stopover for Ring of Kerry buses and travelers as it is...
Kilkenny City
Dubbed "Ireland's Medieval Capital" by its tourist board, and also called "the Oasis of Ireland" for its many pubs and watering holes, Kilkenny is one...
An Daingean (Dingle Town)
Backed by mountains and facing a sheltered harbor, An Daingean, the chief town of its eponymous peninsula, has a year-round population of 1,400 that more...
Ennis
Clare’s main town, Ennis, has a medieval layout that follows the River Fergus with a network of narrow lanes and a one-way road system. Offload...
Athlone
The mighty Shannon flows majestically through the heart of Athlone, yet for years it seemed as if the town was happy to turn its back...
Wexford Town
This coastal town is most famed for the Wexford Opera Festival, usually held in October, which has been seducing the world with wonderful productions of...
Clifden
With roughly 2,600 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. Clifden's...
Portlaoise
Near the heart of County Laois, the rich farmland south and west of Portlaoise is one of Ireland's undiscovered gems. Golf, fishing, hiking, and horseback...
Clonakilty and Nearby
Clonakilty is a small market town and famous for being the hometown of statesman and revolutionary Michael Collins. His significance still resonates throughout the town...
Tralee
County Kerry's capital and its largest town, Tralee (population 24,000) is the main shopping and business destination for North and West Kerry; it's a transport...
Skibbereen
Skibbereen is the main market town in this neck of southwest Cork. The Saturday country market and the plethora of pubs, punctuated by bustling shops...
Carrick-on-Shannon
Carrick-on-Shannon grew up around the river that still plays an important role in the town's confidence. Its original Irish name, Cora Droma Rúisc, means "the...
Donegal Town
With a population of about 3,000, Donegal is Northwest Ireland's largest small village—marking the entry into the back-of-the-beyond of the wilds of County Donegal. The...
Lahinch
Lahinch's promenade is milling with a mix of locals and visitors out to inhale the fresh Atlantic air at all times of year. Its golf...
Adare
On the banks of the River Maigue, this once-upon-a-time-ified village dotted with thatched cottages is famed as one of Ireland's prettiest spots. It was given...
Letterfrack
This is the gateway village to the famous Connemara National Park. It also makes a handy base for those visiting spectacular Kylemore Abbey, one of...
Bantry
The town of Bantry is at the head of Bantry Bay, between the Sheep's Head Peninsula to the southwest and the Beara Peninsula to the...
Doolin
Once an enchanting backwater of colorful fishermen’s cottages, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and disappear into the...
Drogheda
Drogheda (pronounced "dra-he-da") is one of the most enjoyable and historic towns on the east coast of Ireland—and a setting for one of the most...
Bunratty Castle
Bunratty was a thriving village until its population was decimated by the great famine in the middle of the 19th century. A hundred years later...
The Burren
As you travel north toward Ballyvaughan, the landscape becomes rockier and stranger. Instead of the seemingly ubiquitous Irish green, gray becomes the prevailing color. You're...
Glenbeigh
The road from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh is one of the Ring's highlights. To the north is Dingle Bay and the jagged peaks of the Dingle...
Trim
The historic town of Trim, on the River Boyne, contains some of the finest medieval ruins in Ireland. In 1359, on the instructions of King...
Wicklow Town
At the entrance to the attractive, tree-lined Main Street of Wicklow Town sprawl the extensive ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Wicklow, from the Danish...
Tullamore
The county seat of Offaly, Tullamore is a bustling market town that thrived during Ireland's economic boom that lasted from the mid-1990s until 2008; like...
Letterkenny
Letterkenny, like Donegal to the south, is at the gateway to the far Northwest; you're likely to come through here if you're driving west out...
Killybegs
Trawlers from Spain, Portugal, and Norway are moored in the harbor at Killybegs, one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports. Though it's one of the most...
Longford Town
Longford, the seat of County Longford and a typical, small, market-town community, is rich in literary associations, though after Oliver Goldsmith, the names in the...
Ballyvaughan
A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of Galway Bay...
Dungarvan
With their covering of soft grasses, the lowlands of Wexford and eastern Waterford gradually give way to heath and moorland. The mountains responsible for the...
Cashel
Cashel is a market town on the busy Cork–Dublin road, with a lengthy history as a center of royal and religious power. From roughly AD...
Castlebar
The capital of Mayo, situated on its central limestone plain, once the biggest town for miles around, Castlebar is now a commercial and shopping hub...
Belmullet
Belmullet's unconventional streetscape skirts its waterfront and the town harbors a friendly, unpretentious attitude that harks back to an earlier time. Nestled in a quiet...
Kilkee
Kilkee is the access point to Loop Head and the only major town on the peninsula. Its faded Victorian allure is still recognizable behind the...
Ard an Ratha (Ardara)
At the head of a lovely ocean inlet, the unpretentious, old-fashioned hamlet of Ard an Rátha (Ardara) is built around the L-shape intersection of its...
Cavan
Like all the larger towns of the region, Cavan is growing and prosperous. It is perhaps best known for its crystal factory. But as one...
The Skelligs and Valentia
In the far northwestern corner of the Ring of Kerry, across Portmagee Channel, lies scenic Valentia Island, reached by leaving the Ring of Kerry on...
Kildare Town
Horse breeding is the cornerstone of County Kildare's thriving economy, and Kildare Town is the place to come if you're crazy about horses. But, in...
Dundalk
Perfectly positioned as a hub to explore the region north and south of the border, Dundalk—only 9½ km (6 miles) from Northern Ireland—is the main...
Waterville
Waterville, a seaside village facing Ballinskelligs Bay, is famous for its sportfishing, its 18-hole championship golf course (adopted as a warm-up spot for the British...
Inis Mor (Inishmore)
Dún Aengus Hillfort is the main draw to Inis Mór, the largest and most populated of Aran's three islands. Stretching more than 16 km (10...
Ballina
Ballina, with a population of around 11,000, is a busy industrial and commercial center, and the second-largest town in Mayo after Castlebar. Built on the...
Bray
One of Ireland's oldest seaside resorts, Bray is a trim town known for its summer cottages and sand-and-shingle beach, which stretches for 2 km (1...
Leenane
Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village noted for its...
Glengarriff
One of the jewels of Bantry Bay is Glengarriff, the "rugged glen" much loved by the writers William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott. The drive...
Quin
Quin Village has retained the essence of old Ireland despite the fact that it is only a 20-minute drive from Shannon Airport and less than...
Banagher
"Well, that beats Banagher!" This small Shannon-side town is best known in Ireland because of this common phrase, which dates from the 19th century when...
Powerscourt House, Gardens, and Waterfall
One of the grandest estates and gardens in Ireland, Powerscourt is one of the main reasons that people head to Enniskerry. Within the shadow of...
Enniscorthy
On the sloping banks of the River Slaney and on the main road between Dublin and Wexford to the south of the popular resort of...
Cork Harbour
On a fine day, with visitors milling along Cobh's colorful harborfront at the foot of its hilly terrain, its hard to imagine that millions of...
Maynooth
Maynooth itself is a serene university town named for a pre-Christian king of Ireland. The mighty Fitzgerald family inherited the local manor in the 12th...
Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille)
“The back of beyond" at the far end of a stretch of barren moorland, the tiny hamlet of Gleann Cholm Cille clings dramatically to the...
Inis Oirr (Inisheer)
Inis Oírr, the smallest island, can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted to linger...
Ardee
The road from Mellifont Abbey to Ardee passes through Monasterboice, home to some of Ireland's finest medieval High Crosses. Near the village's Round Tower, you'll...
Cong
Set on a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border near Maam Cross, the pretty, old-fashioned village of Cong...
Mullingar
The Irish are great ones for wrapping an insult up in a lyrical turn of phrase. Rather than describe a woman as overweight they'll say...
Lismore
Lismore is one of Ireland's grandest places to get lost in. Popular with both anglers and romantics, the enchanting little town is built on the...
Rosslare
Sometimes called Ireland's sunniest spot, the village of Rosslare is a seaside getaway with an attractive beach. Many vacationers head here to hike, golf, sun...
Slane
Slane Castle is the draw at this small Georgian village, built in the 18th century around a crossroads on the north side of the River...
Kilmore Quay
Noted for its fishing industry, this quiet, old-fashioned seaside village of thatched and whitewashed cottages is also popular with recreational anglers and bird-watchers. From the...
Birr
Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots that date to the...
Glendalough
One of Ireland's best monastic sites, Glendalough also has a stunningly photogenic lakeside setting. It's a popular destination for day trips...
Blarney
"On Galway sands they kiss your hands, they kiss your lips at Carney, but by the Lee they drink strong tea, and kiss the stone...
Midleton
Midleton is famous for its school, Midleton College, founded in 1696, and its distillery, founded in 1825 and modernized in 1975, which manufactures spirits—including Irish...
Blessington
With its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, Blessington is one of the most charming villages in the...
Shanagarry
There are three reasons to come to Shanagarry, a farming village known chiefly for its Quaker connections: Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland's first and still...
Killaloe
Killaloe is separated from its sister town Ballina by an impressive 13-arch bridge across the River Shannon and a county border; a trek across the...
Straffan
Its attractive location on the banks of the River Liffey, its unique butterfly farm, and the Kildare Hotel and Country Club—where Arnold Palmer designed the...
Hill of Tara
In legends and in the popular imagination, the "seat of the High Kings of Ireland" has taken on mythic proportions. As with much of the...
Ballyshannon
The former garrison town of Ballyshannon rises gently from the banks of the River Erne and has good views of Donegal Bay and the surrounding...
Roundstone
The vibrantly colored vernacular facades that follow the hilly terrain of this ocean-harbor village, nestled in the shadows of the Twelve Bens Mountains, make for...
Sneem
The pretty little village of Sneem (from the Irish for "knot") is settled around an English-style green on the Ardsheelaun River estuary, and its streets...
Cahir
Cahir (pronounced "care") is a busy but easygoing market town with a pleasant Georgian square at its heart. It is built on the River Suir...
Oughterard
Bustling Oughterard (pronounced "ook-ter-ard") is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling resorts. Boats can be...
Ballyhack
On the upper reaches of Waterford Harbour, this pretty village with a square castle keep, thatch cottages, and a green, hilly background is admired by...
Killorglin
Killorglin is on top of a hill beside the River Laune. At the "top of the town" is a Continental-style piazza, with outdoor tables in...
Birdhill
It's no coincidence that this picturesque little village in undiscovered north Tipperary always does well in the national "Tidy Towns" competition, a village beauty contest...
Ardmore
Historic spiritual sites, white beaches, dramatic cliff walks, local fishermen—little Ardmore is a picture-postcard Irish town that packs a whole lot of wonder into a...
Kinvara
Kinvara, with its pretty harbor and iconic ocean-edge tower house, makes for a leisurely break along the busy tourist trek between the Cliffs of Moher...
Coole Park
This nature reserve attracts William Butler Yeats fans and those seeking pleasant and easy walking trails...
Bundoran
...
Abbeyleix
One of the most elegant small towns in Ireland, Abbeyleix has retained its Georgian feel and its broad main street, which is lined with well-appointed...
Dun Chaoin (Dunquin)
Once the mainland harbor for the Blasket islanders (when there were islanders, as the Blaskets are deserted now), Dún Chaoin is at the center of...
Kells
In the 9th century, a group of monks from Scotland took refuge at Kells (Ceanannus Mór), where St. Columba had founded a monastery 300 years...
Portarlington
Built on the River Barrow in the late 17th century, Portarlington was originally an English settlement. Later, a Huguenot colony developed here, and French surnames...
Cahirciveen
Cahirciveen (pronounced "cah-her-si-veen"), at the foot of Bentee Mountain, is the gateway to the western side of the Ring of Kerry and the main market...
Thomastown
Originally the seat of the kings of Ossory (an ancient Irish kingdom), Thomastown is a pretty, stone-built village on the River Nore. It takes its...
Great Blasket Island
The Great Blasket, which measures roughly 3 km by 1 km (2 miles by ½ mile), has no traffic, no pub, no hotel, and no...
Tramore
Tramore's 5-km-long (3-mile-long) beach is a popular escape for families from Waterford and other parts of the Southeast, as the many vacation homes indicate. The...
Lough Gill
Lough Gill means "lake of brightness." In fine weather, the beautiful river-fed lough and its surroundings are serenity itself: sunlight on the meadows, lough-side cottages...
Glenveagh National Park
...
The Curragh
The broad plain of the Curragh, bisected by the main N7 road, is the biggest area of common land in Ireland, encompassing about 31 square...
Bansha
This prosperous little farming town at the foot of the Galtee Mountains is really of interest as a base for the beautiful Glen of Aherlow...
Newgrange
Expect to see no less than one of the most spectacular prehistoric tombs in Europe when you come to Newgrange. Built in the 4th millennium...
Roscrea
Every corner you turn in this charming town will offer reminders of its rich and sometimes turbulent past. Ancient castles, towers, and churches dot the...
Naas
The seat of County Kildare and a thriving market town in the heartland of Irish Thoroughbred country, Naas (pronounced "nace") is full of pubs with...
Navan
Navan, at the crucial juncture of the Rivers Blackwater and Boyne, is a busy market and mining town with evidence of prehistoric settlements. It took...
Inis Meain (Inishmaan)
The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and its empty beaches and breathtaking scenery can be...
Drumcliff
W. B. Yeats lies buried with his wife, Georgie, in an unpretentious grave in the cemetery of Drumcliff's simple Protestant church, where his grandfather was...
Leighlinbridge
Sitting picturesquely on the River Barrow, Leighlinbridge boasts winding little streets, castle ruins, and a 14th-century bridge...
Mullaghmore
In July and August, the sleepy fishing village of Mullaghmore becomes congested with tourists. Its main attractions: a 3-km-long (2-mile-long) sandy beach, and the turreted...
Rosses Point
It's obvious why W. B. and Jack B. Yeats often stayed at Rosses Point during their summer vacations: glorious pink-and-gold summer sunsets over a seemingly...
Corofin
...
Mount Usher Gardens
Close to both Ashford and Rathnew villages, these extensive gardens are a popular day trip from Dublin. The excellent café is run by Avoca, and...
Recess
As you continue northwest from Oughterard on N59, you'll soon pass a string of small lakes on your left; their shining blue waters reflecting the...
Annascaul
An important livestock center until the 1930s, this village near the junction of the Castlemaine and Tralee roads has a wide road, as cattle trading...
Old Leighlin
Sitting halfway between Kilkenny City and Carlow Town, this tiny farming village was built on the site of an ancient monastic settlement...
Ceann Tra (Ventry)
The next town after An Daingean along the coast, Ceann Trá has a small outcrop of pubs and small grocery stores (useful, since west of...
Baile an Fheirteaigh (Ballyferriter)
Like the other towns at this end of the Dingle Peninsula, Baile an Fheirtéaigh is a Gaeltacht village and mainly a spot for vacationers with...
The North Mayo Coast
When a modest fleet of French military ships landed in this pretty bayside village to aid the Irish in their quest for freedom back in...
Foxford
As you travel from Turlough northeast to Ballina, you have a choice of two routes. The longer and more scenic is via the tiny, wooded...
Kilbeggan
...
Fore
You've heard of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but here in the heart of the Irish Midlands is a tiny village with seven...
Clonmacnoise
Many ancient sites dot the River Shannon, but Clonmacnoise is early Christian Ireland's foremost monastic settlement and, like Chartres, a royal site. The monastery was...
Ceann Sleibhe (Slea Head)
From the top of the towering cliffs of Ceann Sléibhe (pronounced "kyeown shla-va") at the southwest extremity of the Dingle Peninsula, the view of the...
Kylemore Valley
One of the more conventionally beautiful stretches of road in Connemara passes through Kylemore Valley, which is between the Twelve Bens to the south and...
Gartan Lough
Gartan Lough and the surrounding mountainous country are astonishingly beautiful. St. Columba was supposedly born here in AD 521, and the legendary event is marked...
Turlough
Before the opening of the Museum of Country Life, Turlough was chiefly visited for its round tower (freely accessible), which marks the site of an...
Roundwood
At 800 feet above sea level, Roundwood is the highest village in Ireland. It's also surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The Sunday afternoon market in...
Tipperary Town
Tipperary Town, a dairy-farming center at the head of a fertile plain known as the Golden Vale, is a good starting point for climbing and...
Mellifont Abbey
On the eastern banks of the River Mattock, which creates a natural border between Counties Meath and Louth, lie the remains of Mellifont Abbey, the...
King William's Glen
...
Listowel
The small, sleepy market town of Listowel comes alive for its annual horse-racing festival during the third week of September. Writers' Week in June attracts...
Castlepollard
A pretty village of multi-hued 18th- and 19th-century houses laid out around a large, triangular green, Castlepollard is also home to Tullynally Castle and Gardens...
Knappogue
Knappogue is a beautiful 15th-century tower-house castle, just a short drive from Bunratty...
Louth
Louth warrants a visit, if only for the splendidly preserved oratory here. St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, was reputed to have built his first church...
Castletownshend
Castletownshend has an unusual number of large, stone houses, most of them dating from the mid-18th century, when it was an important port. The main...
Fermoy
An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin–Cork road (N8). The bridge that spans the Blackwater...
Moneygall
The village of Moneygall (population 320) is an unassuming place on the main N7 Dublin–Limerick road, but it was thrust into the spotlight in 2011...
Craggaunowen Project
This archeological open-air museum and castle is a great way to get to grips with Ireland's Celtic past...
Nenagh
...
Thoor Ballylee
...
Newmarket-on-Fergus
A small town in County Clare, Newmarket-on-Fergus is chiefly remarkable as the village nearest the famed hotel of Dromoland Castle, formerly the home of Lord...
Dublin
Dublin today is very much a modern European city, with a thriving economy built on an influx of tech giants and large fincancial institutions. It...
Cork City
Cork's city center is in a valley that's spread over 13 islands where the River Lee splinters and meets again, while its suburbs are located...
Galway City
Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today...
Limerick City
Before you ask, there's no direct connection between Limerick City and the facetious five-line verse form known as a "limerick," which was first popularized by...
Killarney
One of Southwest Ireland's most attractive locales, Killarney is also the most heavily visited town in the region (its proximity to the Ring of Kerry...
Kinsale
Foodies flock to Kinsale, a picturesque port that pioneered the Irish small-town tradition of fine dining in unbelievably small restaurants. In the early 1980s, Kinsale...
Waterford City
The largest town in the Southeast and Ireland's oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and was taken over by...
Sligo Town
Sligo is the best place to begin a tour of Yeats Country. Squeezed on to a patch of land between Sligo Bay and Lough Gill...
Westport
By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands...
Kenmare
Located slightly inland without a clear view of Kenmare Bay, Kenmare is a natural stopover for Ring of Kerry buses and travelers as it is...
Kilkenny City
Dubbed "Ireland's Medieval Capital" by its tourist board, and also called "the Oasis of Ireland" for its many pubs and watering holes, Kilkenny is one...
Ennis
Clare’s main town, Ennis, has a medieval layout that follows the River Fergus with a network of narrow lanes and a one-way road system. Offload...
An Daingean (Dingle Town)
Backed by mountains and facing a sheltered harbor, An Daingean, the chief town of its eponymous peninsula, has a year-round population of 1,400 that more...
Wexford Town
This coastal town is most famed for the Wexford Opera Festival, usually held in October, which has been seducing the world with wonderful productions of...
Athlone
The mighty Shannon flows majestically through the heart of Athlone, yet for years it seemed as if the town was happy to turn its back...
Clifden
With roughly 2,600 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. Clifden's...
Clonakilty and Nearby
Clonakilty is a small market town and famous for being the hometown of statesman and revolutionary Michael Collins. His significance still resonates throughout the town...
Portlaoise
Near the heart of County Laois, the rich farmland south and west of Portlaoise is one of Ireland's undiscovered gems. Golf, fishing, hiking, and horseback...
Tralee
County Kerry's capital and its largest town, Tralee (population 24,000) is the main shopping and business destination for North and West Kerry; it's a transport...
Skibbereen
Skibbereen is the main market town in this neck of southwest Cork. The Saturday country market and the plethora of pubs, punctuated by bustling shops...
Donegal Town
With a population of about 3,000, Donegal is Northwest Ireland's largest small village—marking the entry into the back-of-the-beyond of the wilds of County Donegal. The...
Carrick-on-Shannon
Carrick-on-Shannon grew up around the river that still plays an important role in the town's confidence. Its original Irish name, Cora Droma Rúisc, means "the...
Lahinch
Lahinch's promenade is milling with a mix of locals and visitors out to inhale the fresh Atlantic air at all times of year. Its golf...
Adare
On the banks of the River Maigue, this once-upon-a-time-ified village dotted with thatched cottages is famed as one of Ireland's prettiest spots. It was given...
Bantry
The town of Bantry is at the head of Bantry Bay, between the Sheep's Head Peninsula to the southwest and the Beara Peninsula to the...
Letterfrack
This is the gateway village to the famous Connemara National Park. It also makes a handy base for those visiting spectacular Kylemore Abbey, one of...
Doolin
Once an enchanting backwater of colorful fishermen’s cottages, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and disappear into the...
Glenbeigh
The road from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh is one of the Ring's highlights. To the north is Dingle Bay and the jagged peaks of the Dingle...
Bunratty Castle
Bunratty was a thriving village until its population was decimated by the great famine in the middle of the 19th century. A hundred years later...
Trim
The historic town of Trim, on the River Boyne, contains some of the finest medieval ruins in Ireland. In 1359, on the instructions of King...
Drogheda
Drogheda (pronounced "dra-he-da") is one of the most enjoyable and historic towns on the east coast of Ireland—and a setting for one of the most...
Wicklow Town
At the entrance to the attractive, tree-lined Main Street of Wicklow Town sprawl the extensive ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Wicklow, from the Danish...
Longford Town
Longford, the seat of County Longford and a typical, small, market-town community, is rich in literary associations, though after Oliver Goldsmith, the names in the...
Letterkenny
Letterkenny, like Donegal to the south, is at the gateway to the far Northwest; you're likely to come through here if you're driving west out...
Tullamore
The county seat of Offaly, Tullamore is a bustling market town that thrived during Ireland's economic boom that lasted from the mid-1990s until 2008; like...
Killybegs
Trawlers from Spain, Portugal, and Norway are moored in the harbor at Killybegs, one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports. Though it's one of the most...
Kildare Town
Horse breeding is the cornerstone of County Kildare's thriving economy, and Kildare Town is the place to come if you're crazy about horses. But, in...
Ballyvaughan
A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of Galway Bay...
Belmullet
Belmullet's unconventional streetscape skirts its waterfront and the town harbors a friendly, unpretentious attitude that harks back to an earlier time. Nestled in a quiet...
Kilkee
Kilkee is the access point to Loop Head and the only major town on the peninsula. Its faded Victorian allure is still recognizable behind the...
Cavan
Like all the larger towns of the region, Cavan is growing and prosperous. It is perhaps best known for its crystal factory. But as one...
Ard an Ratha (Ardara)
At the head of a lovely ocean inlet, the unpretentious, old-fashioned hamlet of Ard an Rátha (Ardara) is built around the L-shape intersection of its...
The Skelligs and Valentia
In the far northwestern corner of the Ring of Kerry, across Portmagee Channel, lies scenic Valentia Island, reached by leaving the Ring of Kerry on...
Cashel
Cashel is a market town on the busy Cork–Dublin road, with a lengthy history as a center of royal and religious power. From roughly AD...
Castlebar
The capital of Mayo, situated on its central limestone plain, once the biggest town for miles around, Castlebar is now a commercial and shopping hub...
Dungarvan
With their covering of soft grasses, the lowlands of Wexford and eastern Waterford gradually give way to heath and moorland. The mountains responsible for the...
Inis Mor (Inishmore)
Dún Aengus Hillfort is the main draw to Inis Mór, the largest and most populated of Aran's three islands. Stretching more than 16 km (10...
Waterville
Waterville, a seaside village facing Ballinskelligs Bay, is famous for its sportfishing, its 18-hole championship golf course (adopted as a warm-up spot for the British...
Dundalk
Perfectly positioned as a hub to explore the region north and south of the border, Dundalk—only 9½ km (6 miles) from Northern Ireland—is the main...
Ballina
Ballina, with a population of around 11,000, is a busy industrial and commercial center, and the second-largest town in Mayo after Castlebar. Built on the...
Maynooth
Maynooth itself is a serene university town named for a pre-Christian king of Ireland. The mighty Fitzgerald family inherited the local manor in the 12th...
Enniscorthy
On the sloping banks of the River Slaney and on the main road between Dublin and Wexford to the south of the popular resort of...
Cork Harbour
On a fine day, with visitors milling along Cobh's colorful harborfront at the foot of its hilly terrain, its hard to imagine that millions of...
Bray
One of Ireland's oldest seaside resorts, Bray is a trim town known for its summer cottages and sand-and-shingle beach, which stretches for 2 km (1...
Quin
Quin Village has retained the essence of old Ireland despite the fact that it is only a 20-minute drive from Shannon Airport and less than...
Glengarriff
One of the jewels of Bantry Bay is Glengarriff, the "rugged glen" much loved by the writers William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott. The drive...
Banagher
"Well, that beats Banagher!" This small Shannon-side town is best known in Ireland because of this common phrase, which dates from the 19th century when...
Leenane
Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village noted for its...
Ardee
The road from Mellifont Abbey to Ardee passes through Monasterboice, home to some of Ireland's finest medieval High Crosses. Near the village's Round Tower, you'll...
Cong
Set on a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border near Maam Cross, the pretty, old-fashioned village of Cong...
Lismore
Lismore is one of Ireland's grandest places to get lost in. Popular with both anglers and romantics, the enchanting little town is built on the...
Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille)
“The back of beyond" at the far end of a stretch of barren moorland, the tiny hamlet of Gleann Cholm Cille clings dramatically to the...
Schull
Teeming with the brightly painted facades of craft and book stores, galleries and pubs, this pretty village is alive with schooners in season and attracts...
Rosslare
Sometimes called Ireland's sunniest spot, the village of Rosslare is a seaside getaway with an attractive beach. Many vacationers head here to hike, golf, sun...
Kilmore Quay
Noted for its fishing industry, this quiet, old-fashioned seaside village of thatched and whitewashed cottages is also popular with recreational anglers and bird-watchers. From the...
Inis Oirr (Inisheer)
Inis Oírr, the smallest island, can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted to linger...
Mullingar
The Irish are great ones for wrapping an insult up in a lyrical turn of phrase. Rather than describe a woman as overweight they'll say...
Birr
Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots that date to the...
Slane
Slane Castle is the draw at this small Georgian village, built in the 18th century around a crossroads on the north side of the River...
Shanagarry
There are three reasons to come to Shanagarry, a farming village known chiefly for its Quaker connections: Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland's first and still...
Blarney
"On Galway sands they kiss your hands, they kiss your lips at Carney, but by the Lee they drink strong tea, and kiss the stone...
Blessington
With its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, Blessington is one of the most charming villages in the...
Castletownbere
Castletownbere is one of Ireland's busiest white fish ports and a good place to set down the anchor for touring the magnificent Beara Peninsula. The...
Straffan
Its attractive location on the banks of the River Liffey, its unique butterfly farm, and the Kildare Hotel and Country Club—where Arnold Palmer designed the...
Glendalough
One of Ireland's best monastic sites, Glendalough also has a stunningly photogenic lakeside setting. It's a popular destination for day trips...
Hill of Tara
In legends and in the popular imagination, the "seat of the High Kings of Ireland" has taken on mythic proportions. As with much of the...
Boyle
...
Cobh
...
Midleton
Midleton is famous for its school, Midleton College, founded in 1696, and its distillery, founded in 1825 and modernized in 1975, which manufactures spirits—including Irish...
Killorglin
Killorglin is on top of a hill beside the River Laune. At the "top of the town" is a Continental-style piazza, with outdoor tables in...
Killala
...
Sneem
The pretty little village of Sneem (from the Irish for "knot") is settled around an English-style green on the Ardsheelaun River estuary, and its streets...
Birdhill
It's no coincidence that this picturesque little village in undiscovered north Tipperary always does well in the national "Tidy Towns" competition, a village beauty contest...
Ardmore
Historic spiritual sites, white beaches, dramatic cliff walks, local fishermen—little Ardmore is a picture-postcard Irish town that packs a whole lot of wonder into a...
Cahir
Cahir (pronounced "care") is a busy but easygoing market town with a pleasant Georgian square at its heart. It is built on the River Suir...
Killaloe
Killaloe is separated from its sister town Ballina by an impressive 13-arch bridge across the River Shannon and a county border; a trek across the...
Ballyshannon
The former garrison town of Ballyshannon rises gently from the banks of the River Erne and has good views of Donegal Bay and the surrounding...
Roundstone
The vibrantly colored vernacular facades that follow the hilly terrain of this ocean-harbor village, nestled in the shadows of the Twelve Bens Mountains, make for...
Ballyhack
On the upper reaches of Waterford Harbour, this pretty village with a square castle keep, thatch cottages, and a green, hilly background is admired by...
Oughterard
Bustling Oughterard (pronounced "ook-ter-ard") is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling resorts. Boats can be...
Abbeyleix
One of the most elegant small towns in Ireland, Abbeyleix has retained its Georgian feel and its broad main street, which is lined with well-appointed...
Coole Park
This nature reserve attracts William Butler Yeats fans and those seeking pleasant and easy walking trails...
Bundoran
...
Thomastown
Originally the seat of the kings of Ossory (an ancient Irish kingdom), Thomastown is a pretty, stone-built village on the River Nore. It takes its...
Portarlington
Built on the River Barrow in the late 17th century, Portarlington was originally an English settlement. Later, a Huguenot colony developed here, and French surnames...
Kells
In the 9th century, a group of monks from Scotland took refuge at Kells (Ceanannus Mór), where St. Columba had founded a monastery 300 years...
Cahirciveen
Cahirciveen (pronounced "cah-her-si-veen"), at the foot of Bentee Mountain, is the gateway to the western side of the Ring of Kerry and the main market...
Dun Chaoin (Dunquin)
Once the mainland harbor for the Blasket islanders (when there were islanders, as the Blaskets are deserted now), Dún Chaoin is at the center of...
Kinvara
Kinvara, with its pretty harbor and iconic ocean-edge tower house, makes for a leisurely break along the busy tourist trek between the Cliffs of Moher...
Ballycotton
Perched on a rocky spur over the Atlantic, this pretty bayfront village with its famous lighthouse has a cliffside track that connects it to a...
Lough Gill
Lough Gill means "lake of brightness." In fine weather, the beautiful river-fed lough and its surroundings are serenity itself: sunlight on the meadows, lough-side cottages...
Bansha
This prosperous little farming town at the foot of the Galtee Mountains is really of interest as a base for the beautiful Glen of Aherlow...
Tramore
Tramore's 5-km-long (3-mile-long) beach is a popular escape for families from Waterford and other parts of the Southeast, as the many vacation homes indicate. The...
Foxford
As you travel from Turlough northeast to Ballina, you have a choice of two routes. The longer and more scenic is via the tiny, wooded...
Inis Meain (Inishmaan)
The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and its empty beaches and breathtaking scenery can be...
Rosses Point
It's obvious why W. B. and Jack B. Yeats often stayed at Rosses Point during their summer vacations: glorious pink-and-gold summer sunsets over a seemingly...
Mullaghmore
In July and August, the sleepy fishing village of Mullaghmore becomes congested with tourists. Its main attractions: a 3-km-long (2-mile-long) sandy beach, and the turreted...
Drumcliff
W. B. Yeats lies buried with his wife, Georgie, in an unpretentious grave in the cemetery of Drumcliff's simple Protestant church, where his grandfather was...
Naas
The seat of County Kildare and a thriving market town in the heartland of Irish Thoroughbred country, Naas (pronounced "nace") is full of pubs with...
Newgrange
Expect to see no less than one of the most spectacular prehistoric tombs in Europe when you come to Newgrange. Built in the 4th millennium...
Roscrea
Every corner you turn in this charming town will offer reminders of its rich and sometimes turbulent past. Ancient castles, towers, and churches dot the...
Baile an Fheirteaigh (Ballyferriter)
Like the other towns at this end of the Dingle Peninsula, Baile an Fheirtéaigh is a Gaeltacht village and mainly a spot for vacationers with...
The North Mayo Coast
When a modest fleet of French military ships landed in this pretty bayside village to aid the Irish in their quest for freedom back in...
Ceann Tra (Ventry)
The next town after An Daingean along the coast, Ceann Trá has a small outcrop of pubs and small grocery stores (useful, since west of...
Old Leighlin
Sitting halfway between Kilkenny City and Carlow Town, this tiny farming village was built on the site of an ancient monastic settlement...
Leighlinbridge
Sitting picturesquely on the River Barrow, Leighlinbridge boasts winding little streets, castle ruins, and a 14th-century bridge...
Navan
Navan, at the crucial juncture of the Rivers Blackwater and Boyne, is a busy market and mining town with evidence of prehistoric settlements. It took...
Corofin
...
Recess
As you continue northwest from Oughterard on N59, you'll soon pass a string of small lakes on your left; their shining blue waters reflecting the...
Annascaul
An important livestock center until the 1930s, this village near the junction of the Castlemaine and Tralee roads has a wide road, as cattle trading...
Turlough
Before the opening of the Museum of Country Life, Turlough was chiefly visited for its round tower (freely accessible), which marks the site of an...
Roundwood
At 800 feet above sea level, Roundwood is the highest village in Ireland. It's also surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The Sunday afternoon market in...
Gartan Lough
Gartan Lough and the surrounding mountainous country are astonishingly beautiful. St. Columba was supposedly born here in AD 521, and the legendary event is marked...
Clonmacnoise
Many ancient sites dot the River Shannon, but Clonmacnoise is early Christian Ireland's foremost monastic settlement and, like Chartres, a royal site. The monastery was...
Louth
Louth warrants a visit, if only for the splendidly preserved oratory here. St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, was reputed to have built his first church...
Knappogue
Knappogue is a beautiful 15th-century tower-house castle, just a short drive from Bunratty...
King William's Glen
...
Mountshannon
...
Ceann Sleibhe (Slea Head)
From the top of the towering cliffs of Ceann Sléibhe (pronounced "kyeown shla-va") at the southwest extremity of the Dingle Peninsula, the view of the...
Castletownshend
Castletownshend has an unusual number of large, stone houses, most of them dating from the mid-18th century, when it was an important port. The main...
Tipperary Town
Tipperary Town, a dairy-farming center at the head of a fertile plain known as the Golden Vale, is a good starting point for climbing and...
Fore
You've heard of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but here in the heart of the Irish Midlands is a tiny village with seven...
Fermoy
An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin–Cork road (N8). The bridge that spans the Blackwater...
Kylemore Valley
One of the more conventionally beautiful stretches of road in Connemara passes through Kylemore Valley, which is between the Twelve Bens to the south and...
Kilbeggan
...
Listowel
The small, sleepy market town of Listowel comes alive for its annual horse-racing festival during the third week of September. Writers' Week in June attracts...
Castlepollard
A pretty village of multi-hued 18th- and 19th-century houses laid out around a large, triangular green, Castlepollard is also home to Tullynally Castle and Gardens...
Gort
...
Strandhill
...
Thoor Ballylee
...
Moneygall
The village of Moneygall (population 320) is an unassuming place on the main N7 Dublin–Limerick road, but it was thrust into the spotlight in 2011...
Nenagh
...
Newmarket-on-Fergus
A small town in County Clare, Newmarket-on-Fergus is chiefly remarkable as the village nearest the famed hotel of Dromoland Castle, formerly the home of Lord...
The Southwest
Ever since Killarney was first "discovered" by William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott, visitors have been searching for superlatives to describe the deep blue lakes...
County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands
The West of Ireland is the most westerly seaboard in Europe, and the part of Ireland least influenced by its neighbor to the east, England...
County Cork
With its deep-rooted history, more than a thousand kilometers of pristine coastline dotted with pretty harbor villages, and a gently lilting up-and-down accent that flows...
The Southeast
Going to Ireland for the sunshine might sound like a joke, but not if you head to the golden beaches and blue surf of the...
Connemara and County Mayo
A landscape where the thundering Atlantic forms the pounding backbeat to the most westerly seaboard in Europe, this most distinct area of Ireland has been...
Dublin Environs
Walt Disney himself couldn't have planned it better. The small counties immediately north, south, and west of Dublin—historically known as the Pale—seem expressly designed to...
The Northwest
With its towering cliffs, secluded expanses of golden beaches, and sun-tinted waters, the Northwest is an untamed and wild part of Ireland—shaped, influenced, and tormented...
The Midlands
During the boom years of economic growth in Ireland, from the mid-1990s to 2008, newly built motorways bypassed many small Midlands towns. But for a...
The Ring of Kerry
Running along the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula, the dramatic coastal road from Kenmare to Killorglin known as the Ring of Kerry has long been...
The Burren
As you travel north toward Ballyvaughan, the landscape becomes rockier and stranger. Instead of the seemingly ubiquitous Irish green, gray becomes the prevailing color. You're...
The Cliffs of Moher
One of Ireland's most breathtaking natural sights, the majestic Cliffs of Moher rise vertically out of the sea in a wall that stretches over a...
The Curragh
The broad plain of the Curragh, bisected by the main N7 road, is the biggest area of common land in Ireland, encompassing about 31 square...
Lake Isle of Innisfree
In 1890 W. B. Yeats was walking through the West End of London when, seeing in a shop window a ball dancing on a jet...
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Guidebooks
Guidebooks
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Shop NowFodor's Essential Ireland 2020
Ready to experience Ireland? The experts at Fodor's are here to help. Fodor's Essential...
Fodor's Essential Ireland: with Belfast and Northern Ireland
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...
Fodor's Essential Ireland 2021: with Belfast and Northern Ireland
Whether you want to explore Ireland's iconic coastal scenery, visit the Cliffs of Moher or...
Fodor's Dublin 25 Best
For over 80 years, Fodor's Travel has been a trusted resource offering expert travel...
Fodor's Dublin 25 Best
Updated for 2018. Compact and affordable, Fodor's Dublin 25 Best is a great travel...
