Ireland is one of those places you may think you know long before you’ve ever been. But beyond all the familiar sights — smouldering turf fires in cozy pubs, rolling green fields and old boys in tweed caps — there are the unexpected spots, like neolithic sites, perfect white-sand beaches and street food markets. Most visitors to Ireland follow a similar path, starting off in Dublin and then heading down to Cork before driving up to the Ring of Kerry. But while those spots shouldn’t be missed, there’s so much more to Ireland than this “emerald triangle”. The scenery in Mayo and Donegal is stunning, and neither gets a fraction of the footfall that the most popular attractions receive. The Burren, with its swathes of silvery limestone, feels like another planet, and nearby Connemara has the prettiest coastline of all. If you’re heading to Ireland and want to see as much as you can, here are a few places to add to your list.
Mayo
Mayo sure packs in a lot. You could spend a day tipping around the Neolithic site of Ceide Fields, then see the jagged seastacks at Ballycastle before stargazing at Wild Nephin National Park, a designated Dark Sky Reserve. Or you could visit the wild and rugged Erris peninsula, hiking along the headland with epic ocean views, before heading to the hipster wine bars and tiny bistros of Westport (try This Must Be The Place for a decadent, gruyère-topped onion soup, or Savoir Fare, serving Irish cheese and French wine). And that’s before you even get to the fabled “365 islands” in Clew Bay, the biggest of which, Achill, is accessible by bridge (and featured in The Banshees of Inisherin).
Make it happen
One of the finest historic properties in Ireland, Ashford Castle is decadent but down-to-earth, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and an outstanding spa.
The Burren
With giant slabs of limestone, rare orchids growing in the cracks, and mountains that look like swirled dollops of grey stone, the Burren has one of the most unique terrains in Ireland. The best way to see it is on foot, hiking one of the trails in the national park. The best is the Lough Avalla Farm loop, weaving through dense forestry and right over the limestone pavement, ending near a farmhouse where an avid hiker serves up tea, coffee, and warm apple pie from his living room. Go in the spring to make the most of peak wildflower season.
Make it happen
The Michelin key Gregans Castle Hotel is a short drive away in Ballyvaughan and has an excellent restaurant where much of the produce is grown in their gardens.
Connemara
A coastal region on the western edge of Galway, Connemara crams in a lot of beautiful scenery, from bulbous mountains and wildflower-packed bogs to white sand beaches and tiny, pristine bays. Some of the best views come from the lakes; Kylemore Abbey reflected in the still lough, for instance, or the Twelve Ben mountain range rising around the waters outside Roundstone. But alongside the natural landscapes, there is a smattering of picturesque towns and villages where you can browse in the bookstores and antique shops or cozy up by the fire in a pub with oysters and a pint of Guinness.
Make it happen
Ballynahinch Castle has one of the best views in the country, surrounded by mountains and ancient woodlands.