Where to Spend a Refreshing Weekend in Ireland

1. Dingle

It’s rare to meet someone who doesn’t like Dingle. The small, vibrant fishing town in Co.Kerry attracts crowds of visitors every year. Considered the Big Smoke of the Dingle Peninsula, it’s a startlingly international and creative place. Galleries, craft shops, a health food store and an artisan cheese shop are sandwiched between traditional pubs, where musicians play in cosy corners.

One of the most popular places to spend a long weekend in Ireland, Dingle’s many restaurants are packed with people during the summer. But during the rest of the year, the Atlantic breeze whistles down much quieter streets and fires crackle in the pubs.

Beyond Dingle Town, the Peninsula shows off some of the most beautiful landscape in Ireland. It’s a refreshing place, where waves foam against black, jagged cliffs and stone cottages still overlook the sea. The area is crammed with ancient monastic sites that include beehive huts, holy wells, shrines and oratories. Mount Brandon towers over all of this, its peak often hidden by mist or cloud, but occasionally appearing in the dazzling sunshine. Whatever the weather, spending the weekend in Dingle is a treat.

Get some fresh air:

Mount Brandon –  Ireland’s second highest mountain, Mount Brandon is popular among hikers. There are two marked routes up the mountain, and it takes about four hours to complete the hike.

The Dingle Way – A long-distance walking trail, the Dingle Way is 179km in its entirety. If you don’t have 8-9 days to spend walking, just choose a section of it. The trail starts in the town of Tralee, passes through Dingle town, and takes in the spectacular Slea Head before looping back across the peninsula.  

2. The Aran Islands

There are three of them. Three wild, windswept islands at the mouth of Galway Bay. Throughout the year, passenger ferries leave for the islands from Rossaveal in Co.Galway and Doolin in Co.Clare. If you’re looking for an island escape, these ones are well within reach. Although the Aran Islands resemble each other in terms of their rocky terrain and winding roads, each one is distinctive.

Inis Mór (Inishmore) is the biggest of the islands; an absolute beauty that’s dotted with ancient sites and monuments. Most people visit Inishmore to see Dun Aonghasa Fort, a world heritage site that sits on the edge of 300-foot cliffs, facing out to the Atlantic.

Inis Meáin (Inishmaan) is the second biggest of the islands. It’s also the least visited, so staying there feels like even more of an escape from everyday life. Ideal for walkers, Inis Meáin is a hilly patchwork of fields and dry stone walls. The smallest of the islands, Inis Oírr (Inisheer), is a similarly refreshing place to explore.

There’s a white sand beach, which is a complete contrast to the island’s rugged limestone landscape. Fishing boats are pulled up on the shore, farm dogs wander the roads and a dolphin, Dusty, regularly visits the pier. Combining two of three of the islands makes for a wonderful weekend in Ireland.

Get some fresh air:

Rent a bike – Although not entirely flat, the narrow roads are so quiet that they’re great for cycling. There are bike hire shops on each of the islands.

The Ring of Aran – One of the most impressive walking routes on the islands, the Ring of Aran takes in the best sites in Inis Mór. It starts in the village of Kilronan and ends at the lighthouse, which is at the highest point of the island. You can find more information from the tourist office on Inis Mór.

3. Kinsale

A thriving port town in West Cork, Kinsale is one of the loveliest places to spend a weekend in Ireland. This is a town where you can buy enough art to fill a house, relax in a cosy pub, and eat excellent food after a stroll by the sea. Beautiful houses line Kinsale’s hilly streets and there are so many options for good coffee, it’s almost overwhelming.  During the summer, tourists tend to flock to Kinsale. But there are still lots of walks nearby if you’re after a quieter weekend.

Get some fresh air:

Scilly Walk – Known locally as the Salmon Walk, this route starts in the town of Kinsale and is a 4km return walk. If you decide to walk it, you’ll get some of the best views of Kinsale Harbour.

Charles Fort – From the end of the Scilly Walk, it’s possible to keep going until you reach Charles Fort. From the fort, a path meanders along the coast to an old boat yard. On a good day, it’s one of the loveliest walks in the area.

4. Dunmore East

Known for its white thatched cottages and expansive sea views, Dunmore East is a beautiful village in Waterford. On a sunny day, when the blue sky meets the sea and people take their drinks outdoors, it’s easy to forget that you’re spending the weekend in Ireland. Every August, Dunmore East holds a Bluegrass festival and the place becomes even livelier. Although particularly lovely during the summer, it’s a great place to visit at any time of year.

Get some fresh air:

Councillor’s Strand – There are a number of secluded coves close to the village, and some of them are suitable for swimming. At Councillors Strand, a sandy cove between red sandstone cliffs, there are lifeguards on duty throughout the summer.

The Copper Coast – Dunmore East is a short drive from Ireland’s oldest geopark, the Copper Coast. There’s a lot to see along this spectacular stretch of coastline and there plenty of walking trails.

5. Killarney

Although the town is one of the busiest tourist spots in Ireland, there’s a lot more to Killarney than souvenir shops and ice cream. The mountains, glistening lakes and sprawling woodland that surround the town are the real reason for its popularity. The scenery in and around Killarney is unquestionably stunning and it’s possible to spend days exploring the national park.

Killarney National Park is home to the Muckross House, a 19th-century mansion, and Ross Castle, a 15th-century tower house on the edge of Lough Leane. It’s also where you’ll find lots of walking trails and boat tours across the lakes.

Get some fresh air:

Gap of Dunloe – For a bit of an adventure, you can take a boat from Ross Castle through the lakes of the national park to Lord Brandon’s Cottage. From the cottage, you can walk, cycle, or take a pony and trap through the glorious Gap of Dunloe and back towards Killarney.

Torc Mountain – Hiking Torc Mountain (535m) is a very doable. The route starts by following a clear path and then over sleeper logs that lead to the summit. Bring your camera, because the views out over Killarney and the lakes are very special.

6. Allihies

Allihies, a coastal village on the Beara Peninsula in West Cork, is a beautiful place to escape to for a weekend in Ireland. It doesn’t have much more than a shop and a couple of pubs, but Allihies definitely has a lot of character. Set against a backdrop of rugged mountains, the coast just a stroll away, everything about this tiny village is welcoming.

For anyone interested in the history of the area, the Copper Mine Museum is worth a visit. Created to preserve and present the mining heritage of the area, it also has a small art gallery and café. The Buddhist retreat centre, Dzoghcen Beara, is just a short drive from Allihies. The centre’s free daily meditation classes are a great way to experience meditation in a beautiful setting. 

Get some fresh air:

The Copper Mine Trail – This is a beautiful hike that follows the coastline over varied terrain. The road will take you past Ballydonegan Beach, before winding around the old mine sites and over the springy grass of the headland. It takes about 2 hours to complete and you can pick up a detailed map from the Copper Mine Museum.