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Courtesy of Anissa Borchardt
It’s no secret Ireland is filled with magical landscapes and breathtaking views, but let me show you seven hidden gems that are off the beaten path.
Muckross Abbey was one of our favorite hidden gems in Ireland. It is free to visit the remains of this beautiful monastery surrounded by a graveyard, but what makes this place truly magical is the yew tree found growing at the center of this church. Legend has it the tree was planted in the 1400s and continues to thrive to this day. Tip: make sure to make your way upstairs to catch views of the yew tree from below.
The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow road found just off the Ring of Kerry that provides the most spectacular views of a gap between two beautiful mountain ranges. The scenery found here is unreal and I can guarantee you will have no regrets making a stop here. One thing to keep in mind when making your way to the Gap of Dunloe: the road is very narrow and can get crowded, which makes it difficult to stop and park. You will want to get here early to beat the crowds.
Dunmore Head is considered the westernmost point in Europe and widely recognized as the setting for two important scenes from Star Wars and can be found on the Dingle Peninsula. Parking is available and free, and it takes just fifteen minutes to walk down to the beach from the parking lot. We were here in November and actually saw plenty of people swimming in the ocean! So if the cold water doesn’t bother you, feel free to take a dip.
Dunquin Pier was our FAVORITE spot on the Dingle Peninsula drive! This narrow pathway leads to a pier where you can actually find a ferry to take you to the Blasket Islands from April to September. You can even rent a self-drive “funky pink boat” here! We had a little difficulty finding Dunquin Pier, but just look for a ticket booth on the side of the road and you will notice there is no official parking lot there which means parking is limited.
The setting of this restaurant can be found inside two original train cars from the Orient Express that have been beautifully restored. Due to the unique nature of this dining experiences, prices can be a little steep: two course meal for €63.00 and a three course meal for €72.00. If you are unable to secure a reservation or would just like to tour the train you can enter the train to tour the facilities before the restaurant officially opens at 5pm.
The gardens have been ranked as the third best gardens in the world by National Geographic! The gardens are SO STUNNING! There are beautiful walkways and scenic spots that fill this garden, and you will quickly realize why National Geographic considers this one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.
Kinsale is a cute, colorful seaside village that you are going to fall in love with! I kinda have a feeling you’re not going to want to leave when you see this cozy town nestled between the hillside and sea. With a population of just over 5,000 people, this town gives the perfect amount of small town vibes.
Hi, my name is Anissa! Travel has been full-on flirting with me since I went on my first major international trip in 2014 as a student in college. I was trying so hard to play hard to get that even after making the switch to a full-time job at a nonprofit I would find myself taking every paycheck and putting it towards my next trip. Since then, I have visited 25 countries and made the switch to a remote corporate job so I can make my suitcase a part of my professional wardrobe.
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