Irish charm comes no more authentically wrapped than in the country’s picture-perfect towns and villages, where you always get a true sense of what life is like now and how it was in the past.
Here are eight enchanting towns and villages around the country just ripe for exploration.
Westport
The Georgian town centre, stone bridges and tree-lined promenade on the banks of the Carrowbeg River make this scenic County Mayo town well worth dwelling in. Bustling, vibrant, colourful and cultural, it’s a fantastic base to explore the rich experiences of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Ballintoy
This old fishing village was used as a film location in the blockbuster TV show Game of Thrones, and is one of the most gorgeous spots on the celebrated Causeway Coast – named, with Belfast, as the best place in the world to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet. The harbour has hardly changed in hundreds of years, making it the perfect setting for the medieval saga.
Cushendun
This Causeway Coastal Route conservation village boasts a row of distinctive and dainty white cottages. It’s a picture-perfect seaside paradise steeped in character and folklore.
Carlingford
This nugget in County Louth is central any adventure aiming to soak up the history and heritage of Ireland’s Ancient East. The listed medieval heritage town, complete with thirteenth-century castle jutting out into the water, features a maze of laneways bustling with lively pubs, eateries and atmosphere.
Kenmare
A small town offering a wide range of gourmet award-winning food and accommodation, golf courses and an unspoiled natural environment. The unspoiled Ring of Beara lies to the south of Kenmare. Its rugged beauty is beyond compare, traffic is minimal and it abounds with spectacular views.
Gweedore
A cultural tour de force, this Irish-speaking village and townland in County Donegal is home to the world's smallest harbour and is the birthplace of famous Irish bands and musicians such as Altan, Clannad and Enya.
Glengarriff
Nestled in the renowned Bantry Bay, Glengarriff is a place of unrivalled beauty in the scenic West Cork along the Beara Peninsula. Lined with cafes, restaurants and live-music bars, as well as various hotels, this village is a haven for holiday-makers. The warming influence of the Gulf Stream allows rare plants and flowers to flourish as can be seen on Garnish Island, a short ferry-boat journey from the village itself.