The 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns In Ireland

Ireland is known for having some of the most unique and beautiful scenery in the world. People may spend most of their time in Ireland’s cities, but the smaller towns show how beautiful and charming the country can be. The 10 most beautiful towns on the Emerald Isle have a lot to offer, from castles built in the Middle Ages to unique botanical gardens.

Kinsale, County Cork

Kinsale is an old fishing town on the Bandon River that is near Kinsale Harbour. The town’s narrow streets are lined with cute shops, galleries, and pubs, making it a quiet place to get away from the busy city center of Cork. The harbor and the town of Kinsale look amazing from the old ring fort. The yacht club and marina also get a lot of annual visitors, and the inlet is always full of fishing boats. The town also has an arts festival every year that is worth going to.

Long Quay House

Long Quay House is a huge Georgian house that will make you feel like the lady or lord of the manor. Open your big wooden shutters in the morning to see the harbor while you drink your coffee. Then, it’s just a short walk to all the sights and restaurants in Kinsale’s center. Peter and Rosa, your friendly hosts, are also happy to tell you about their favorite places in the area.

Glengarriff, County Cork

Glengarriff, which means “rough glen,” is on the Beara Peninsula in Cork. It is a well-known tourist spot because it has beautiful views and landscapes. The town is surrounded by rough mountains, and Lady Bantry’s Lookout gives you a great view of the area. There are a lot of shops, galleries, pubs, and restaurants in the town itself.

The hotel and spa at Eccles

On the shore of Glengarriff Harbour, where the Eccles Hotel and Spa is, there are records of people staying there as far back as 1745. Its current form is a fascinating place to stay, and the area around it has a lot to see. After a day of sea kayaking on the bay or biking on nearby trails, you can relax with a massage in the spa and eat fresh seafood at Garinish Restaurant while looking out over the bay.

Lismore, County Waterford

Lismore is an old town in the county of Waterford. It is at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains. The town’s 800-year-old castle, which is built on the site of the old monastery, is the main place that people come to see. The impressive castle was built in the Middle Ages. It is on a steep hill and has great views of the town and the nearby Blackwater Valley. The Book of Lismore, which is now at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, and the Lismore Crozier, which is now at the National Museum of Ireland, are both important items from Lismore Castle.

Hotel Cliff House

The Cliff House Hotel looks like it’s on the edge of the world. It has a great view of the ocean and is near a number of beautiful coastal walks. The modern rooms are simple and feel like home, but they don’t skimp on important details like soft armchairs next to floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the sea. The one Michelin-star restaurant in the hotel is an experience all on its own. You can book a table on the restaurant’s huge terrace above the rocks and eat a seasonal tasting menu of fresh seafood while watching the waves roll in below.

Valentia, County Kerry

Valentia is on the Iveragh Peninsula in the southwest of Ireland. It is on Valentia Island. Both a bridge from Portmagee and a car ferry from Reenard Point lead to the island from the mainland. In 1993, fossilized footprints from 385 million years ago were found. They are some of the oldest evidence that vertebrates lived on land. Valentia is also known for the beautiful Glanleam House and its subtropical gardens, which are a major draw for tourists. These gardens have a unique microclimate because of where they are. As a result, they have a collection of rare plants. You can also get to Skellig Michael, an old monastic island, from Valentia.

The Hotel Royal Valentia

The Royal Valentia’s huge Gaelic-style rooms have four-poster beds, thick drapes, and tartan fabrics. If you choose a room with a view of the sea, you can wake up to the sound of waves and spend the evenings sipping whiskey and looking at the stars. The hotel is one of the best places in the world to look at the night sky because it is in an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Strandhill, County Sligo

Strandhill is known as a great place for surfers. The town is at the base of Knocknarea Mountain, which is west of Sligo town. It is on the coast. History buffs should check out Dolly’s Cottage, a traditional thatched cottage that is 200 years old, and the megalithic tombs of Carrowmore, which are some of the largest in the country. Strandhill also has a number of festivals, like the Warrior Festival. If you stay at the award-winning Strandhill Lodge and Suites, your trip to Strandhill will be one to remember.

The Glasshouse

Since the Glasshouse is on a river and was built to look like a ship, you might expect it to have a lot of nautical details. Here, though, it’s the other way around. Inside, the hotel is very modern and has splashes of color everywhere, from the bright orange room to the lively bar and restaurant. With two bars and a fine dining restaurant on site, there is a lot to eat and drink within the hotel’s (glass) walls. If you want to work up an appetite, there are many beautiful walks in the area.

Carlingford, County Louth

Carlingford’s name comes from Old Norse, where it means “narrow sea-inlet of the hag.” Over the years, the town has been able to keep its Viking roots. Many of the streets in the town show signs of the Middle Ages. One example is the Tholsel, which means “town gate” and is one of the few old buildings still standing in Ireland. The gate used to be taller than it is now, but there are still signs that it was used as a town jail and toll booth in the past. The history of the town, from the time of the Vikings and Normans to the present, is shown in the heritage center. The town itself is between Carlingford Lough and Slieve Foy, so it has amazing views in every direction. Carlingford is also known for its fishing, and the nearby harbor is often full of oysters and crabs. A festival called the Carlingford Oyster Festival is held every year to honor the town’s seafood.

McKevitts Village Hotel

The building of the McKevitts Village Hotel, which is a beautiful shade of fuschia, makes it hard to miss. Inside, you can hide away with a drink or a meal of locally caught seafood chowder in one of the pub’s traditional yet modern spaces or on the patio that looks like a scene from a fairy tale. The rooms are homey and comfortable while still feeling a little bit special. Breakfast is included, so you can fill up on a full Irish breakfast or traditional smoked kippers before spending the day exploring the cute town.

Gweedore, County Donegal

Gweedore is a town in Donegal in the northwest of Ireland where people speak Gaelic. Gweedore is also the largest town in Ireland where people speak Irish. Because of this, it is a place where Irish culture was born. The area is also known for its beautiful beaches, mountains, and long stretches of sand. Glenveagh National Park is a well-known place in Gweedore. It is the largest national park in Ireland. When people look out to sea, they can see many small islands, like Gola and Tory islands. On Magheraclogher Beach, the famous shipwreck “Friend of the Sea” shows how rough the weather can be in this area.

Hotel Carey’s Viking House

Carey’s Viking House Hotel, which is hidden in the trees above the crashing ocean, is a great way to enjoy the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way. Choose a room at the front of the house for a wide view of the sea. From the comfort of your bed, you can watch the waves crash against the shore. Downstairs in the bar, there is live music every night. This is a great way to get to know the locals and meet other travelers while sipping a perfectly creamy Guinness.

Westport, County Mayo

Westport is one of the few towns in Ireland that was planned from the start. It is in the southeast corner of Clew Bay. In 1780, the architect James Wyatt made plans for the town center. The town is a great example of Georgian architecture. The river was cleverly built into the town’s design, and the streets and promenades are lined with trees. Several small bridges cross the Carrowbeg River, which adds to the charm of the town. Westport House, which was once the home of the Marquess of Sligo, is also in the town. The O’Malley Castle used to be where the house is now, and the castle’s dungeons are still there. Westport is also close to Croagh Patrick, also known as “The Reek,” which is a famous pilgrimage mountain that gets a lot of visitors every year, especially on “Reek Sunday.”

The hotel and spa at Knockranny House

The Knockranny House Hotel is a stunning place to stay because it is classic, elegant, and in an amazing place. Its restaurant takes advantage of the view with large windows, and its luxurious bar, which is built around a grand piano, is the perfect place for a luxurious nightcap. The grandeur has also made its way into the rooms, which have huge four-poster beds made of mahogany, plush drapes, and art deco touches like gilded lamps and mid-century furniture.

Birr, County Offaly

Birr is one of Ireland’s most famous Georgian towns, and it has been kept in good shape over time. This town is nice to visit because it has wide streets and beautiful buildings. Georgian fanlight windows can be seen on the homes in John’s Place and on the Oxmantown Mall. Some of the oldest Georgian-style buildings in town are on Emmet Square and Emmet Street. John’s Hall, which is built in the style of a Greek temple, stands in contrast to these. St. Brendan started the monastery in the town, which is where the well-known Gospels of MacRegol were written. You can see these in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. The Seffin Stone, which is said to mark the center of Ireland, is another old artifact in Birr.

The Townsend House

Townsend House is a charming B&B in the lively town of Birr. It is in a Georgian building and is decorated in that style. It’s the perfect place to stay in a small town, with cozy rooms, friendly staff, and a tasty breakfast. If you want to stay in for the night, the hotel has a large tapas menu and a number of cocktails and wines, so you can have a delicious dinner without leaving the property.

Enniskerry, County Wicklow

The name Enniskerry means “rough crossing,” and the town is on the Glencullen River at the foot of the Wicklow Mountains. The Powerscourt Estate, which has a big house and 47-acre (19 ha) gardens, is well known in the area. The house was built in the 18th century in the Palladian style. In 1974, a fire destroyed the gardens. In 1996, both the house and the gardens were fixed up to look like they did before the fire. The Powerscourt Waterfall is also on the estate. At 121m (396ft) high, it is said to be the tallest waterfall in Ireland.

Spa at Powerscourt Hotel Resort

This is what hotel rooms should be like: huge, dreamy beds, soft duvets, and luxurious drapes in a huge room. The bathtubs are big enough for two, and most rooms have romantic terraces where you can enjoy a drink at sunset while taking in the fresh country air. There are a lot of things to do on-site, like award-winning golf courses, a fully-equipped fitness center, and a spa with an out-of-this-world lap pool. Also, don’t miss the three on-site restaurants.

Topic: The 10 Most Beautiful Small Towns In Ireland

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By: Travel Pixy