Looking for some sights in Ireland that are off the beaten path? Here is a list of places to visit that aren’t found in most guidebooks.
After Brad graduated from university, he got a research position at the National University of Ireland. It was perfect timing for our family. Our son was only 18 months old, and I had gone back to work but wasn’t thrilled with the travel involved in my particular role. So leaving work to be a full-time nomad and SAHM was ideal.
We made the most of our time in Ireland and traveled everywhere. Of course, we kissed the Blarney stone, went to Newgrange, and Trim castle (we spent quite a bit of time at Trim since it was just a cycle ride away from where we lived).
Those sights are popular, packed with tourists, and well worth seeing. However, for anyone with a bit of extra travel time, here are some sights in Ireland that are off the beaten path.
Where to start
There are a few things to know about this list of sights:
- For anyone visiting Ireland, I recommend getting a Heritage Card. It gives you unlimited access to 45 historic sights (so many castles, churches, and passage tombs). We bought one every year that we lived in Ireland and pretty much visited all the sights. I definitely recommend them, however, this round-up doesn’t cover any of those sights. I wouldn’t consider any of them “off the beaten path”.
- We lived in Maynooth, so most of these sights are within a short drive from that town.
- Brad was part of a Sunday morning cycle group, and they made it their mission to show him everything they considered important. Often it was “there was a bombing over there,” but it also led us to Guinness’s grave, so Kieron certainly deserves some credit for this list.
- Because these sights are off the beaten path, many of them are free.
Where To Go When You’re Off The Beaten Path
In Dublin
- The Chester Beatty Library is by far our FAVORITE place to go in Dublin. Maybe it is because we’re bookish sorts, but it has an incredible collection of work from all over the world.
- The MV Cill Airne is a restaurant on a historic boat floating in the Liffey.
- Locals love Avoca. There are several locations, but if you’re in Dublin, you may want to pop in for lunch or to do some non-touristy shopping.
- The Dublin Food Coop has a good selection of locally produced foods and products.
- Sheridans Cheesemongers is good for fancier local products.
Near Dublin
- Maynooth University was an obvious favorite of ours. The seminary is quite beautiful, and you are free to explore inside the buildings. The gardens, heritage orchard, historic library, and cemetery are all worth checking out.
- Guinness’s Grave is located up on Lyons Hill in a fallen-down church near Celbridge. We never saw anyone else there, but there were always a few empty cans.
- Lyons Village is a very cute historic village that’s been turned into a fancy hotel. You don’t have to be a guest to visit the shops and restaurants.
- Dalkey Castle is a 14th-century townhouse castle that sits in a pretty cute seaside village.
- The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is a great way to learn about the importance of bogs as a natural resource and the history of burning peat.
Farther Afield
- The National Famine Museum obviously covers a serious and necessary subject for anyone wanting to understand Irish history.
- Studio Donegal is a woolen mill that has a factory outlet store (sort of…). You can visit the factory floor, but beware, the dander is probably more than you’re expecting.
- Rothe House in Kilkenny has a lovely 17th-century kitchen garden.
- The famous Sligo Asylum is now a posh hotel. You can hardly tell… but if you go into the gothic maybe read The Secret Scripture before visiting.
- Tyrrellspass Castle is a great place to stop for a meal if you’re driving from Dublin to Galway.
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