8 places to visit in Ireland besides Dublin
When visiting Ireland, Dublin is an easy and obvious choice -- but there are so many other incredible destinations on the Emerald Isle. Here's a look at some of our favorite places to see outside Dublin, whether you're in the mood for a quiet village, cliffside beaches, cool castles or delightful foodie spots.
And while these destinations aren't necessarily off the beaten path, we won't be including the usual tourist traps -- no Blarney Stone here.
1. The Aran Islands
These three islands -- less than an hour's boat ride from Galway -- are truly traditional Gaelic havens, where the locals still speak Irish and bask in the mild climate and lush agriculture. The Aran Islands are home to many forts and castles dating back to the Bronze and Iron ages, so if history is your forte, they won't disappoint.
The largest island, Inishmore, is home to the prehistoric fort of Dún Aonghasa, perched on top of a high cliff. Nearby is the Worm Hole, a rectangular natural pool where you can swim -- if you're willing to brave the cold water!
2. Kinsale
A mere 15 miles south of Cork, this fishing town is the gourmet capital of Ireland, which is enough reason to immediately head there and start eating. It's awash with amazing seafood restaurants and bars and there is an annual food festival, which takes place every October. Even if you don't visit during the festival, you can still enjoy the fantastic cafes, pubs and pop-up eateries, as well as the yacht-filled harbor, charming narrow streets and a variety of boutiques and art galleries.
3. Galway City
While you may first get a modern vibe from this colorful, vibrant city where the streets are lined with boho-chic bookshops, vintage boutiques and lively pubs, there's a lengthy history in its old buildings and many castles.
The city was once inhabited by 14 tribes who helped it flourish and grow into the artsy, contemporary community it is today. Don't miss St Nicholas' Collegiate Church, one of the largest medieval churches in Ireland -- it dates back to 1320 and is still in use today. Galway City is also the perfect place to hear traditional Irish music, with many venues offering concerts and workshops where beginners can learn the basics.
4. Connemara National Park
Covering about 12 square miles, Connemara National Park boasts a variety of landscapes, including mountains, bogs, grasslands and woodlands. It's also home to a graveyard, 4,000-year-old court tombs and Kylemore Abbey, a stunning monastery located inside Kylemore Castle (pictured at the very top of this post). Don't be surprised to see sheep, rabbits, foxes, shrews, bats and Connemara ponies running around. A visit to Connemara would be a perfect day trip from Galway City, as it's only about a 90-minute drive.
5. The Cliffs of Moher
Rising 400 to 700 feet above the Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher, which run for about five miles, are a natural wonder on Ireland's west coast that shouldn't be missed. If you're not convinced by the photo below, perhaps some Hollywood glitz will win you over. The cliffs have been used as a backdrop in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", "The Princess Bride", "Ryan’s Daughter" and "The Guns of Navarone".
More than 30,000 birds from about 20 different species live on the cliffs, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers and birdwatching enthusiasts. The visitors' fee of $7 covers parking, access to the visitors' center and, most importantly, is used to help conserve the cliffs.
6. Clifden
If you want that charming Irish small-town experience, Clifden's your spot. The village, nestled along the Atlantic coast in County Galway with an expansive green countryside, often has live music, a great food and pub scene and a ton of outdoor excursions like fishing, horse riding and cycling.
Explore the rolling hills behind the village that lead up to Clifden Castle, a ruined manor house that dates back to 1818. You can also drive along the Sky Road that rises 500 feet above sea level and offers stunning views of the ocean, castle and the Irish countryside. It's also close to Connemara National Park, so you can easily visit both spots in one trip.
7. The Skellig Islands
Another area known for its birdwatching opportunities, the Skellig Islands are made up of two rocky isles -- Skellig Michael and Little Skellig -- that jut up above the Atlantic a few miles off the coast of southwest Ireland. Skellig Michael, also known as Great Skellig, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for a 6th-century monastery that teeters on a cliff about 1,500 feet above the ocean.
Visitors can hike up to see the remains (it's a steep climb, so be prepared), where monks used to go when they hoped to worship in isolation. If this scene seems mildly familiar -- it was the secret hiding place of Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Thanks to inclement weather and rough seas, access to the islands are usually limited to May through September, so plan your trip accordingly if you wish to visit.
8. Killarney National Park
A UNESCO biosphere reserve, Killarney National Park is one of the most protected parks in the country, thanks to its almost 26,000 acres of diverse flora and fauna. Home to massive natural wonders like the Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range (the highest in Ireland) and the Lakes of Killarney, the park also has some of the largest oak forests in all of Europe. Torc Waterfall is a sight worth seeing, and don't miss Ross Castle, a 15th-century edifice located at the edge of the park that's closer to town.
Bottom line
It's definitely worth doing a bit of extra research when visiting Ireland to make sure all its magical spots beside Dublin don't get overlooked. Ireland is a fairly compact country, too, so getting around isn't too difficult. But we would certainly recommend renting a car as public transport, especially in rural areas, can be a bit hit or miss. Slainte!
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.