6 Beautiful Hidden Places To Explore In Ireland

You’ve driven the Ring of Kerry, walked a tightrope along the Cliffs of Moher, and scampered over the Giant’s Causeway. But now that you’ve seen those top attractions in Ireland, what’s next? Leave the crowds behind at these hidden gems in Ireland and Northern Ireland where the authentic Emerald Isle still shines through.

# Skellig Michael, County Kerry, Ireland

No one goes to Skellig Michael by accident. I certainly didn't. My first encounter with this ancient monastic settlement about eight miles off the coast of County Kerry was a virtual one I saw a picture of its craggy, windswept stone steps corkscrewing up from the white-capped Atlantic, and I immediately wanted to know more. Who carved them? Why? And where did the steps lead…?

As it turns out, getting the answers about Skellig Michael in person requires both persistence and good luck. You'll need the services of a fishing trawler (there are plenty for hire from mid-April through mid-September in nearby Portmagee) and the good fortune of setting off on a clear day. Once on the island of Skellig Michael, climbing those stone steps brings you to the main attraction: a cluster of beehive-shaped stone huts dating back to the sixth century. That's right early Christian monks actually lived on this windswept outpost in the middle of nowhere.

# Torc Waterfall, Killarney National Park, Ireland

If the words "free admission," "easily accessible," and "beautiful waterfall" get you excited, you'll love Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park. Only about four miles outside Killarney, this 60-foot cataract drops in from the Torc Mountains via a river known as the Devil's Punch Bowl. It's a scenic spot thick with natural beauty, just a short walk on a wide path from the parking lot.

The adventurous and physically fit can continue on from the waterfall and climb the 220 steps up the hill to a trail that (eventually) loops back to the parking lot. The two- to three-hour walk delivers views of the area lakes and includes a series of carved steps that require the assistance of a provided rope to navigate.

# Aran Islands, County Galway, Ireland

Gaelic is still spoken on the Aran Islands—40 minutes by ferry from Rossaveel, just outside of Galway—and many residents still get around the old-fashioned way: by foot, bike, or horse and buggy. The largest and most visited of the Islands is Inis Mor (or Inishmore), which isn't exactly touristy but does offer many of the conveniences travelers appreciate, such as bike rentals, B&Bs, and a trendy youth hostel. Rent a bike to see the island on a day trip, and stop to explore the ruins of Dun Aengus, an impressive Iron Age fortress walled on three sides and open on the fourth, with nothing but a 300-foot drop separating the ruins from the open sea.

Inis Meain and Inis Oirr, the other two islands in the group, receive far fewer visitors and are truly unspoiled Ireland at its finest. If you visit on a clear day, you can see one of the top attractions in Ireland (the Cliffs of Moher) from the shores of Inis Oirr.

# Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland

Glendalough, Ireland's "Valley of Two Lakes," rests in a glacial valley in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains. Much like Skellig Michael, this "city of seven churches" was founded in the sixth century as a monastic settlement by hermits whose love of isolation appears to have been matched only by their love of fine scenery. These days, you can explore a cathedral, a distinctive round tower, decorated stone crosses, medieval churches, and other ancient stone structures.

# Beara Peninsula, Counties Cork and Kerry, Ireland

Everyone's heard of the Ring of Kerry, and for good reason. It's a lovely and scenic area, but it's also chock-full of buses and tourists year-round. And while I'm not suggesting you skip the Ring of Kerry altogether, why not supplement it with a detour to the Ring of Beara on the wild and rocky Beara Peninsula in the far southwest of Ireland? The scenery is great, and if you're a walker, so are the rambling footpaths. There's no better way to experience Ireland's wild natural landscape than with a drive or a stroll through this under-visited coastal peninsula.

# Mourne Mountains, County Down, Northern Ireland

Whether you prefer your epic fantasy stories wholesome and value-oriented (like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis) or with a dash of brutal realism (like A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin), you may find the inspiration to craft your own tales in the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland. This wild and romantic terrain is so rife with forests, rivers, grottos, caves, and follies that it's said to have stoked the imagination of Lewis as he was writing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And HBO shot on location in the Mourne Mountains while filming its Game of Thrones adaptation, making it one of the top attractions in Ireland for fans of A Song and Ice and Fire.