These ten places are far from the main tourist routes but easy to visit if you plan ahead. We chose them because each has something specific to see or do, a verifiable way to get there and an official page to check before you travel. Opening times and prices below come from the official or tourism-board pages we checked in November 2026 and can change, so confirm before you set out.
Each entry has a photo of the place, a short description and a Know before you go list, with links to the official page and, where we have one, our own guide.
Quick-pick table
| Place | County | Why go | Key fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Carrigaholt | County Clare | Dolphin boat trips from a quiet Shannon Estuary pier, beside a 15th-century tower house. | Boat trips c. 2 hrs, seasonal |
| 2. Glencolmcille | County Donegal | A Gaeltacht glen with a thatched folk village, prehistoric stones and Slieve League nearby. | Folk village open Easter to autumn |
| 3. Carlingford | County Louth | Medieval lanes and a castle around 1200, with oysters and views of the Mourne Mountains. | Castle tours May to October |
| 4. Lismore | County Waterford | A small Blackwater valley town with an ancient monastic past, a cathedral and Lismore Castle Gardens. | Gardens open mid-March to late October |
| 5. Inishbofin | County Galway | A car-free-feeling Connemara island reached by a 30-minute ferry, with a 17th-century fort ruin. | Ferry from Cleggan, c. 30 mins |
| 6. Ballyvaughan | County Clare | A harbour village on Galway Bay at the foot of the Burren, close to Aillwee Cave. | Aillwee Cave c. 3 km away |
| 7. Cloghane | County Kerry | A small Dingle peninsula village under Mount Brandon, on Brandon Bay. | Faha route about 9 km, 4 to 5 hrs |
| 8. Portumna | County Galway | A Lough Derg town with an early 17th-century castle and a medieval friary ruin. | Castle open to 12 Nov 2026 |
| 9. Ennistymon | County Clare | A market town with a waterfall in its centre, a short drive from the Cliffs of Moher. | Cascades free, 10 to 20 min from the Cliffs |
| 10. Rosscarbery | County Cork | A small West Cork town with a monastic history, a tidal estuary and Blue Flag beaches. | Warren Beach c. 1 mile away |
1. Carrigaholt, County Clare
Carrigaholt sits on the Shannon Estuary side of the Loop Head peninsula. The reason to come is the water: the estuary holds a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, and Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt runs boat trips from the pier. Behind the pier stands Carrigaholt Castle, a five-storey tower house dating from around 1480. It is a national monument that can be viewed from outside only, with no access inside.
Know before you go
- Dolphin trips: roughly two hours, run from the pier in the season (listed as April to October), depending on weather and tide. Book through Dolphinwatch; the last adult price we found was about €50, so confirm before you go.
- Castle: external viewing only, in state care (OPW).
- Getting there: the peninsula is thinly served by public transport, so plan on driving.
Links: Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt (official) | Heritage Ireland: Carrigaholt Castle | Our guide: Is Loop Head worth visiting?
2. Glencolmcille, County Donegal
Glencolmcille (Gleann Cholm Cille) is an Irish-speaking Gaeltacht village at the head of a valley in south-west Donegal. The Folk Village is a row of thatched cottages furnished to show rural life across different eras, and the glen around it is dotted with prehistoric standing stones and tombs. It is also a good base for the sea cliffs of Slieve League.
Know before you go
- Folk Village: seasonal, opening around Easter and closing in the autumn. Sources give the last date as 30 September or 31 October, so check the website.
- Admission: about €7 adult on the most recent figures we found. Confirm before you travel.
- Getting there: a long drive from any large town; expect narrow roads in the last stretch.
Links: Glencolmcille Folk Village (official) | Our guide: Slieve League
3. Carlingford, County Louth
Carlingford is a medieval town between Slieve Foy and Carlingford Lough. King John’s Castle, built around 1200, overlooks the harbour, and the narrow streets keep several medieval buildings. Across the lough are the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland. The lough is known for its oysters, which you can try in the town’s restaurants.
Know before you go
- Castle: guided tours run from 2pm between May and October, according to Heritage Ireland (adult price listed at €8.50; other sources differ slightly).
- Getting there: by road only; there is no train station in the town.
- Nearby: Carlingford Heritage Centre and walks on Slieve Foy.
Links: Heritage Ireland: Carlingford Castle | Our guide: things to do in County Louth
4. Lismore, County Waterford
Lismore stands above the River Blackwater and grew around a monastery founded in the 7th century. The photograph shows St Carthage’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland), one of the town’s main landmarks. Lismore Castle, once owned by Sir Walter Raleigh, is a private home of the Devonshire family, so the castle itself is not open. The gardens and an arts gallery are.
Know before you go
- Gardens and gallery: the 2026 season ran from mid-March to 25 October, daily, with last entry an hour before closing. They are now closed for the winter; check the website for 2027 dates.
- Admission: €10.50 adult in 2025; the 2026 price was not confirmed.
- Nearby: Lismore Heritage Centre and riverside walks.
Links: Lismore Castle Arts: plan your visit (official) | Our guide: Lismore Castle
5. Inishbofin, County Galway
Inishbofin (Inis Bó Finne, “island of the white cow”) lies off the Connemara coast, with fewer than 200 residents. The ferry from Cleggan takes about 30 minutes. On the island you will find sandy beaches, walking loops, and the ruined 17th-century fort known as Cromwell’s Barracks, shown above. Most visitors come for the day; staying overnight gives you the evenings in the island’s pubs.
Know before you go
- Ferry: from Cleggan with Inishbofin Island Discovery; several sailings a day in summer and about one a day in winter. Booking is advised and timetables change.
- Fare: about €25 adult return on the listing we found. Confirm when booking.
- Weather: sailings can be cancelled in rough seas, so build in a spare day if you are staying.
Links: Galway Tourism: Inishbofin ferry | Our guide: best islands in Ireland, with ferry details
6. Ballyvaughan, County Clare
Ballyvaughan sits on the north shore of the Burren, where the limestone hills meet Galway Bay. The Burren is known for rare plants: Arctic, alpine and Mediterranean species grow side by side in the limestone. The village has a harbour, a seafood pub and restaurant (Monk’s), and craft and gallery stops. Aillwee Cave, a guided show cave, is about 3 km away.
Know before you go
- Aillwee Cave: guided tours; hours and prices vary by season, so check the website first. The passages are narrow, cold and slippery, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
- Best time: late April to June for Burren flowers.
- Getting there: on the R477 coast road; a car is the easiest way to explore the Burren.
Links: Aillwee Cave (official) | Our guide: the Burren
7. Cloghane, County Kerry
Cloghane is a village on the northern side of the Dingle peninsula, on the shore of Brandon Bay with Mount Brandon (952 m) rising behind it. Brandon is linked to St Brendan the Navigator, and an old pilgrim route climbs it. The quickest route up is the Saint’s Road from the western (Ventry) side. From Cloghane, the usual approach is the Faha route (the Pilgrim’s Path), about 9 km and 4 to 5 hours, starting at the Faha Grotto car park just outside the village.
Know before you go
- Route: Faha route, about 9 km, 4 to 5 hours (other guides quote 8 to 14 km for loop variations).
- Safety: Brandon is notorious for mist. The ridge route is unsafe in bad weather or high wind, so go on a clear day with a map and proper boots.
- If you don’t climb: Brandon Bay has long, quiet beaches.
Links: Castlegregory.ie: Mount Brandon walking routes | Our guide: Saint Brendan the Navigator
8. Portumna, County Galway
Portumna stands at the northern end of Lough Derg, where the Shannon widens. Portumna Castle, a large semi-fortified house from the early 17th century, is run by the OPW and has restored gardens. The photograph shows the ruined Portumna Abbey Friary, a medieval Dominican site in the town. Portumna Forest Park runs along the lake shore, and the marina is a base for Shannon cruisers.
Know before you go
- Castle and gardens: in 2026 the season runs 5 March to 12 November: daily 10:00 to 18:00 until 21 October, then 10:00 to 17:00 (last admission one hour earlier).
- Admission: €5 adult, €3 child or student in the 2025 list; the 2026 price was not confirmed.
- Contact: 090 974 1658.
Links: Heritage Ireland: Portumna Castle and Gardens | Our guide: Portumna Castle
9. Ennistymon, County Clare
Ennistymon is a working market town in west Clare. The River Inagh drops over limestone rapids, known as the Cascades, right beside the town bridge. They are at their strongest after heavy rain. The Falls Hotel is next to the river, and the town has traditional pubs and shops. The Cliffs of Moher are a 10 to 20 minute drive away.
Know before you go
- Cascades: free to view from the bridge and riverside path.
- Best time: after rain, when the river is high.
- Getting there: on the N85 from Ennis.
Links: Cliffs of Moher: explore Ennistymon | Our guide: Ennistymon to Liscannor coast road
10. Rosscarbery, County Cork
Rosscarbery is a village on a tidal estuary in West Cork. A monastery was founded here by St Fachtna in the 6th century, and St Fachtna’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland), among the smallest cathedrals in Ireland, stands in the village. Warren Beach, about a mile away and shown above, and nearby Owenahincha are both Blue Flag beaches; you can walk between them.
Know before you go
- Beaches: Warren Beach and Owenahincha have held Blue Flag status. Check current lifeguard cover and flag status before swimming.
- Cathedral: St Fachtna’s, in the village centre.
- Food and music: the village has several pubs on and around the square.
Links: Explore West Cork: Rosscarbery | Our guide: Dunlough Castle, west Cork
Planning a trip to the lesser-known places
Most of these places are easiest by car, and several (Carrigaholt, Glencolmcille, Cloghane) involve long drives on narrow roads. The Cleggan ferry to Inishbofin and the Mount Brandon walk both depend on the weather, so keep a spare day. Several attractions here, including the Lismore gardens, Glencolmcille Folk Village and the Carrigaholt dolphin trips, are seasonal. The best months are May to September. Check each official page for current dates.
Is there a lesser-known place you think we should add? Tell us in the comments.
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