When you think of highlights of Ireland, you most likely think of Dublin and the Cliffs of Moher, but guess what? There is so much more than that! You might not be attracted to Ireland because of its not-so-exotic weather, but it’s actually not as bad as everyone thinks. As a Dutchie, I can say that the weather in the Netherlands isn’t much better, except that winters are generally colder in Amsterdam than in Dublin. I went on quite a few road trips when I was living in Ireland and we actually had lovely weather most of the time.
So Ireland is a very green country with very few people, which doesn’t make it seem extremely touristy. You will find lush green hills, big lakes, adorable towns, friendly people and a rugged coastline. Trust me, you want to see more of Ireland than just Dublin!
Ring of Kerry
The ring of Kerry is one of the most scenic routes in Ireland located in the South-West of the country. It is the number one highlight of Ireland for me, as it takes you through all kinds of landscapes. From green hilly meadows filled with sheep and fairytale forests with waterfalls to rough majestic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Standing here makes you feel like you’re at the end of the world. After conquering the smallest roads you’ll find yourself in charming villages, often with colourful houses and amazing scones. Make sure you stop in Waterville, Portmagee and Dingle.
Besides beautiful nature, there is also a lot of history along the way. The Ring of Kerry surprised me in many ways and you should put it on your bucket list.
Galway
Galway is a city located at the same horizontal line as Dublin, just on the other side of the country. It’s literally one highway, almost a straight line from Dublin. The cobbled streets and colourful buildings make it a picturesque city on the Wild Atlantic Way. You can perfectly combine it with a visit to the Cliffs of Moher. The University of Galway attracts many students which also makes it a lively city. From South Park, you get a lovely view of the city and the ocean and if you walk further towards Salthill you can enjoy the promenade.
Check accommodations in Galway.
Aran Islands
Another highlight of Ireland is the Aran Islands, an island group you may not have heard of. This island group is located just a short ferry ride off the west coast. From Galway or Dooling, you can take a ferry to the Aran Islands. If you have enough time during your trip, this is a great bonus. The Aran islands consist of three islands: Inishmore, Inisheer and Inishmaan or in Gaelic: Inis Mór, Inis Oírr and Inis Meáin. I honestly didn’t know these islands existed before moving to Ireland, so I won’t blame you if you haven’t heard of them before. All three islands are small and look similar due to their spectacular landscape full of small walls made of grey stones.
We visited Inisheer, the smallest of the three, and explored the island by bike in a day. Since Inisheer is only 3km long and 2km wide, you will have enough time. There are a couple of B&Bs though, so if you are in need of some peace and quiet, stay the night and perhaps you can visit the other islands as well.
Cork
Cork is the second largest city and food capital of Ireland. It’s located on the south of the island. I only visited this city for one day, but it’s not that big, so you won’t need much more. One of the main things you should do when you’re in Cork is visit the English Market. There are lots of stalls where they sell a wide variety of culinary items. To continue your foodie journey, make sure to visit the local brewery! I mean you’re in Ireland after all.
Wicklow Mountains
Only a stone’s throw away from Dublin, you’ll find the Wicklow Mountains. The “to-go-to” place for some quality time with Mother Earth. I still regret not going here more often, as it’s a beautiful national park and it deserves more than one visit. We hiked to a viewpoint, but you can also go mountain biking, visit historical ruins and monuments or follow one of the many other walking routes. If you’re up for a challenge, the infamous “Wicklow Way” is waiting for you. This is a route of about 130 km with gorgeous scenery and landscapes.
You can either drive to Wicklow Mountains, which takes a bit over one hour or take a bus to Glendalough. Glendalough is a valley located in the national park with a visitor’s centre as well. It’s a good point to start your walk to the Lower Lake and Upper Lake eventually.
Price: € 20,- return ticket (at time of writing)
Departure: 11:30 AM from Dublin
You’ll find your tickets here: Glendalougbus
Wicklow Country accommodations
Causeway Coast
The Causeway Coast is another scenic route you don’t want to miss. The most popular highlight of this route is the UNESCO World Heritage Site The Giant’s Causeway. It’s not much of a hidden gem but it is worth the trip to the North of Ireland. We rented a car in Dublin from where we drove up to Belfast, which is a logical starting point. However, there are multiple companies organizing tours by bus as well.
If you have enough time, make sure you explore Belfast as well! We visited the Titanic museum and did a tour to see all the murals. Explore Belfast with a local.
So the story behind the name “Giant’s Causeway” goes that an Irish giant was in a fight with a Scottish Giant. He wanted to build a walking path to Scotland with the rocks, but this route was then destroyed by the Scottish Giant. It’s a unique natural wonder which looks different at each time of the day. Unfortunately, it was cloudy when we visited, making it a little less spectacular.
Besides the Giant’s Causeway, there are more epic spots to visit, such as the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and the ruins of Dunseverick Castle and Kinbane Castle. Actually, the whole route in itself is already quite an attraction. Just be aware that this is a very popular route, so you will probably not have these places to yourself.
Are you convinced about exploring the beauty of Ireland or do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments!
Travelbecks 
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