Planning a trip to Ireland and want to explore the country beyond the famous attractions? Keep scrolling for my list of the best hidden gems in Ireland worth adding to your itinerary!
This list of the best hidden gems in Ireland was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Ireland is a fantastic place for a road trip! It’s a fairly small country, so you can see and do lots of things in just one week.
But there’s a well-worn tourist route around Ireland. Most travelers arrive in Ireland’s capital city of Dublin and check off Galway, the Ring of Kerry, and the Giant’s Causeway.
These are all beautiful, exciting places to see on the Emerald Isle! But there are lots of hidden gems in Ireland to visit too.
We’re talking remote islands, haunted ruins, cinematic locations, and so much more.
Here are just some of the best Ireland off-the-beaten-path destinations for your itinerary to make your road trip that extra bit special.
21 Most Spectacular Hidden Gems in Ireland
The Gobbins Cliff Walk in Northern Ireland
Hike along bridges and walkways built on the rocky County Antrim coastline to get up close and personal to the bird colonies and sea life teeming in the waters.
You’ll have to don hard hats and walk along the cliff for 3 miles/5 km! But the views from one of the best, hidden gems in Northern Ireland are dramatic and unique.
Kinsale’s Culinary Scene in County Cork
One of the top Ireland hidden gems has to be its culinary offerings. Very few people visit Ireland for the food.
Head to the small town of Kinsale on the south coast and you’ll find several world-class chefs behind eight Michelin-starred restaurants. Bear in mind this is a small town with approximately 6,000 residents!
Book a table at Bastion, Saint Francis Provisions, or Fishy Fishy and you won’t be disappointed.
Achill Island in County Mayo
While the Aran Islands are a popular attraction, one of the more unusual places to stay in Ireland is Achill Island.
It’s the country’s largest island and even accessible by road. It was one of the main filming locations in The Banshees of Inisherin, so visit quickly before it becomes popular!
Malin Head in County Donegal
This is one of the top hidden gems in Ireland because so few travel this far north. In fact, Malin Head is the most northerly point on the whole island of Ireland.
Enjoy views across the Atlantic Ocean and the rocky coastline.
Whitepark Bay Beach in Northern Ireland
This is a beautiful crescent-shaped, white sand beach. But that’s not what makes Whitepark Bay Beach a hidden gem.
For most of the year, dozens of cows from a local farm can be found relaxing on the beach and eating the seaweed. If you’ve never seen a cow on a beach before, now’s your chance!
The Wonderful Barn in County Kildare
Looking like something out of a fairytale, The Wonderful Barn is an 18th-century, corkscrew-shaped tower around 20 km/12 miles from Dublin.
It truly is off the beaten path in Ireland as you’ll need to park before the gate to avoid getting locked in by local farmers. Don’t worry, there are lots of accessible walking paths and you can visit the barn up close.
Drombeg Stone Circle in County Cork
Secret Ireland is filled with ancient stone circles dating back thousands of years. Drombeg Stone Circle on the south coast is one of the best-preserved ones to visit.
Also known as The Druid’s Altar, this stone circle dates back to the Bronze Age or Early Iron Age. It consists of 13 surviving stones. One of the likely reasons why people like visiting this stone circle is because of the prehistoric phallic markings on one of the stones!
The Hungry Tree in County Dublin
You might think there are no hidden gems in Dublin, Ireland left since it’s such a popular city to visit.
Head to King’s Inns Park and you’ll find an 80-year-old London plane tree at the southern end. This tree has grown so large, that it’s ‘consumed’ the back of the bench sitting in front of it!
It’s a fun photo op for your next trip to Ireland’s capital.
Keshcorran Caves in County Sligo
Most caves are dark, subterranean places but not these hidden gems of Ireland. Walk through Keshcorran Caves and you’ll be treated to huge windows at the end of your path with views overlooking the Sligo countryside.
These caves are free and open 24/7. The walk up to the caves is through a sheep field so pack your hiking boots.
Bunbeg Beach Shipwreck in County Donegal
Visit the Bunbeg Beach Shipwreck sooner rather than later. There are concerns from the local community that it won’t hold out much longer!
The wooden Cara Na Mara ship (also known as Bad Eddie’s Boat) ran aground on Bunbeg Beach in 1977. She’s been lying there ever since and you can get up close when the tide is out.
Down Cathedral in Northern Ireland
Only dating back to 1818 (young by Ireland’s standards!), Down Cathedral is a pretty nondescript church. However, there’s a pretty famous person’s grave supposedly on the grounds of the cathedral.
None other than St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, is believed to be buried here. You can visit the exact spot as it’s marked by a white Celtic cross. There’s also a visitor center nearby so you can learn all about his life.
The Hell Fire Club in County Dublin
Not quite as scary as it sounds, The Hell Fire Club is the local name of a ruined building that sits on top of Montpelier Hill. It was an old hunting lodge bought in 1735 by Richard Parsons who was known for dealing in black magic.
All sorts of stories about the goings on of this club have been told over the years. Even the devil himself supposedly made an appearance!
Today, you can follow a hiking path to the lodge to enjoy the views over County Dublin. Maybe visit during the day…
Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal
Ireland has six incredible national parks. While Killarney and the Wicklow Mountains get a lot of attention, Glenveagh is still a hidden gem.
Its lush forests filled with deer are just one reason to visit. The 19th-century Glenveagh Castle on Lough Beagh and the picturesque hike to Astelleen Burn Waterfall are two more!
Bective Abbey in County Meath
One of the best-preserved abbeys in Ireland, Bective Abbey dates back to the 13th century. It’s a miracle that some of the narrow tower staircases and cloister hallways are still intact.
It was a Cistercian abbey built by the King of Meath and it even featured in the movie Braveheart.
The Quiet Man Museum in County Mayo
Speaking of movies, one of the most famous films ever shot on the Emerald Isle was John Ford’s The Quiet Man starring John Wayne. Many of the filming locations still exist over 70 years later, and its popularity means there’s even a museum dedicated to the movie.
It’s filled with memorabilia and behind-the-scenes photographs. The museum is open during the warmer months and you can even join a daily walking tour!
The Wormhole on Inishmore in County Galway
Inishmore is the largest of the Aran Islands and it’s home to a small water hole that the locals call Poll na bPéist or the Serpent’s Lair.
Although the smooth, rectangular shape of this pool by the coastline looks manmade, it’s totally natural! Unfortunately, it’s far too dangerous to swim in but it is cool to look at.
Derreen Woods in County Roscommon
Located deep within one of the lesser-visited counties in Ireland, Derreen Woods might look like any other forest in Ireland for most of the year.
Pay a visit to Derreen in late April or early May and you’ll know why it is a hidden gem of Ireland. It has such a large blanket of bluebells across the entire forest floor. These flowers attract bees and butterflies and it’s a beautiful springtime scene.
The Bull Rock in County Cork
Located off the coast of Dursey Island on the southwestern tip of Ireland, Bull Rock is one of the lesser-known attractions only because it takes a lot of effort to visit. You need to take the cable car to the island and then a 90-minute sail with Dursey Boat Trips to get close.
This 305 ft/93 m-tall rock in the middle of the sea has a narrow tunnel at the bottom known as the ‘entrance to the underworld.’ Sitting on top of this rock is an 1889 lighthouse which seems like it would have been impossible to build.
Largy Waterfall in County Donegal
This waterfall in Largy is often called the Secret Waterfall, so you know it’s one of the true hidden gems in Ireland!
This 50-ft cascading waterfall is secret because it flows into a secluded cave. Surrounded by smooth pebbled and moss-covered cave walls, it looks like something out of The Lord of the Rings!
Black Head Lighthouse in County Clare
Between the city of Galway and the small town of Doolin, stop off at the Black Head Lighthouse. While the structure itself might look unimpressive (it’s possibly the shortest lighthouse you’ve ever seen), its landscape is not.
This lighthouse is completely surrounded by rocky limestone mountains that look out of this world. They form part of the Burren National Park and this grey rock stretches as far as the eye can see.
Ballycarbery Castle in County Kerry
Ireland has lots of castles – thousands! – but Ballycarbery Castle is a real hidden gem. It’s a ruined 16th-century castle which means it’s free to visit, 24/7.
This vine-covered castle is located just off the Ring of Kerry scenic route on top of a hill by the coast. It offers an incredible panorama of the coastline across the narrow inlet that you just cannot beat.
Hidden Gems in Ireland FAQs
Where is the most magical place in Ireland?
There are so many magical places in Ireland! Some hidden places in Ireland to visit that will make you believe in magic are the Drombeg Stone Circle in County Cork, The Hell Fire Club in County Dublin, and Achill Island.
Some more popular magical places in Ireland are Glendalough in County Wicklow, the Hill of Tara, and Newgrange in County Meath.
Where is the least touristy part of Ireland?
Since Ireland is an island, the most-touristed parts of the country are close to its scenic, wild coastline. Some of the least-touristed parts of the country are inland, like County Cavan, County Laois, and Offaly.
What is one thing not to miss in Ireland?
Can I give you two things not to miss in Ireland?
One thing not to miss in Ireland is the traditional folk music. It’s not difficult to find local musicians playing a session in any pub across the country.
The second thing not to miss in Ireland is the countryside. Even in a city, you’re never far from a coastal walk or a lush, green hillside stroll. Make the most of the fresh, Irish air while you can!
Hidden Gems in Ireland Wrap-Up
There are many, many more hidden gems in Ireland than you might think!
Despite the country’s popularity with tourists, there’s always a waterfall, stone circle, or cave that you can experience away from crowds.
From County Donegal to County Cork, there are countless hidden gems Ireland has to offer if you make the time to find them!
Looking for more Ireland travel resources? Check out 12 Best Day Trips From Dublin by Train, Ireland in Summer: Tips + Things to Do, How To Plan a Trip to Ireland: Step-by-Step Guide, and 10 Best Dublin Hotels for Families Worth Booking!
