Ireland is a country in which most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside. Of course, its capital city, Dublin, is suave and cosmopolitan and offers its own brand of Irishness to visitors, as well as some of the country’s top sightseeing spots.
But many tourists imagine Ireland as a place of rolling green hills, thatched roof cottages and roving sheep, and while this simplistic imagery could perhaps be considered a trifle cliché, there is a lot to draw the visitor to Ireland’s small towns, including these top five sweet spots that no visitor should miss.
Adare
This pretty little village in County Limerick has been designated as an “Irish Heritage Village” for its historic architecture, as it boasts a wonderful collection of thatched roof cottages. These traditional Irish homes utilize bound reeds for roofing and have unmistakable white-washed walls. Adare is also home to Adare Manor, a 19th century mansion that is now an upscale hotel.
Westport
The sweet little town of Westport is County Mayo’s crown jewel and a popular destination among domestic and international tourists for its upmarket shops, tidy streets and colorful shop fronts. Westport’s proximity to nearby Crough Patrick, one of Ireland’s highest mountains, as well as several lakes and blue flag beaches further enhance is draw as a base for holidaygoers. And famed 19th century travel writer, William Makepeace Thackeray wrote that it was the “most beautiful view” he ever saw.
Killarney
County Kerry is arguably Ireland’s most popular tourist destination, and heading the verdant Ring of Kerry is Killarney, the county’s capital city and one of the most charming, vibrant little towns in Ireland. It has been said that Killarney has more pubs per capita than any other town on the island, and I’d well believe it, with dozens of pubs, bars and restaurants to cater to just about every drinking desire. Killarney is upmarket yet sweet and unpretentious, has a lovely cathedral and is located at the edge of a national park that offers days of hiking, fishing and boating.
Kinsale
County Cork’s Kinsale is a town of gourmet foods and colored doors. For a small town, it has a hearty number of upmarket restaurants and bistros, as well as playing host to an annual gourmet foods festival. On the southeast coast or Ireland, Kinsale is a coastal town with a huge yachting marina, making it an ideal destination for those interested in sea tourism and activities.
Clifden
Clifden is to County Galway what Kinsale is to Cork, except instead of a sweet bay, Clifden has sweeping sea vistas from atop rocky bluffs. Set out on the tip of a peninsula in the surreal and rugged landscape of Connemara, Clifden is a charming town of B&Bs, cute cafes and shops where you go to buy wool sweaters… not as souvenirs, but because you need them. Thought perhaps not as easily charming as a town like Westport, Clifden is the type of place you go when all you want is a perfectly peaceful and amazingly scenic escape.
