Name this destination: The landscape is rugged, the people are known all over the world for their hospitality, the highlight of your trip will be a unique eco-campsite, and there’s breathtaking scenery on every route. Where am I talking about? Ireland, of course.
Staycation in Ireland and experience a rural road trip. Here are my top 10 hotspots:
1. The Labyrinth and hot tub at Pure Camping
Loop Head Penninsula, Kilkee, Co Clare.
Why go? This is an organic camping experience where families can lay their heads in an apple orchard inside a bell tent. The highlight is the outdoor sauna after a compulsory cycle of the Northern part of the peninsula’s cliff road. Oh, yes. These peeps have a gold star from Ecotourism Ireland for the past two years and have weekly Yoga for guests and pregnancy and pre-natal Yoga days throughout the year. Love it.
Cool fact There is A clay oven for pizza making on site and a full-on large scale Labyrinth. The labyrinth is often described as walking meditation or a way to get in touch with the ‘inner self’. You can even camp inside.
How much? €155 for a 3-day midweek break. Includes bedding, towels and use of the on-site kitchen.
2. The Quiet Man Museum
On the banks of Lough Corrib, nestled beside majestic Ashford Castle, in Mayo – Ireland’s lake district.
Why go? Maybe I am biased but, this little bit of history from old Hollywood, set in the West of Ireland is a unique scene to behold. Irish starlet Maureen O’Hara and John “The Duke” Wayne lived and worked in the county during the 1952 filming. Visitors will experience identical replica props from the film and super storytelling from the museum guide.
Cool fact My great-grandfather was an extra in this film. Claim to fame, eh?
How much? For €15 you can try on the costumes and get a real insight into everyday living in small town Ireland. Nice.
3. Marble Arch Caves
The Geopark, 12 miles outside Enniskillen, (follow the A4 Sligo road), Fermanagh.
Why go? These caves were opened in 1985. A guided tour will expose you to an underground lair of magnificent, mangled passageways for exploring. There is access to Cuilcagh Mountain from the caves following the tour. If you fancy a little afternoon trek to the summit for fresh air, just do it. This visit is simply worth it.
Cool fact If you are a Games of Thrones fan, follow the three-eyed raven here. You will be enthralled by this spot that features in the filming of the Seven Kingdoms scenes. How cool?
How much? Families €28, adults €12, kids €9 (kids under 5 are free when accompanied), from 10am – 5pm.
4. Arigna Mining Experience
Carrick-on-Shannon, set into the Kilronan Mountains in Co Roscommon.
Why go? This 45-minute tour has won the 2015 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for visitor experience. Impressed? Yes. This spot opened the doors to coal mining in 1700 and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. A tour of Arigna sets the scene of history with lighting and sound effects, making the experience hauntingly interactive. There are a few rumours of ghosts though….
Cool fact The mine had some of the most narrow coal tunnels in Western Europe during it’s production history. Imagine.
How much? Adults €10, kids, €6.
5. Hook Head Lighthouse
At the end of R734, 50km from Wexford town.
Why go? When you are named as the “Flashiest Lighthouse in the Wold” by the Lonely Planet Guide, you know you have made it. Tourists continue to gush over the breathtaking setting at Hook Head and popular reviews keep this attraction up at the top of our destination list. You can visit the inner workings of the house, then head to the little café in the conservatory for the famed seafood chowder accompanied by the sound of crashing waves. Spotting a few whales or dolphins is also a possibility. Love it.
Cool fact This is the oldest, most intact operational lighthouse in the world, in use since 1200. The magic and mysticism of this place is a whole other issue. Picturesque.
How much? Families €18, adults €6. Open from 10am – 5.30pm, July and August.
6. Model Railway Village
Just off the Inchydoney Road, Clonakilty, West Cork.
Why go? If you are a real-life Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory like me, you will adore this miniature world of model trains. Begin an adventure through tunnels, under railway bridges and peer through Cork’s popular towns including Bandon, Dunmanway and Kinsale as they were in 1940. Following that historical tour take a time-out in the traditional tea-room-cum-train-carriage – very cool. There is an indoor play area for little screamers if it rains. One slick visit.
Cool fact Lazy peeps take note: Included in your entrance fee is a ride in the Choo Choo, the train that brings you on a trip around the village of Clonakilty.
How much? Families €20, adults €7, kids €4 – book online for a 10% discount.
7. Ireland’s only fjord in Galway
Killary Harbour, in Leenane, Co Galway.
Why go? To visit this dramatically deep fjord you need to pass through the pretty fishing village of Leenane, the location of the famous film ‘The Field’. And you also have the chance to visit the beautiful Aashleagh Falls nearby. The fjord is home to a mussel farm with striking scenery – perfect for a quick picnic pause with the fam. A must-see for the towering mountain-scape alone.
Cool fact Last year for A Guinness World Record attempt, a diver completed the longest underwater dive in Ireland here.
How much? All for free!
8. Keem Bay’s tropical sandy beach
On the scenic route along the coast of Achill Island on the Wild Atlantic Way, Mayo.
Why go? Trip Advisor has described the route to the beach as a super-scary road but, we don’t care, the beach is worth it. Drive off the mainland onto Ireland’s largest island, Achill. Follow the steep route with care to this isolated, pristine bay. Sit and let the world go by. Bliss.
Cool fact Beautiful and completely harmless Basking Sharks can be spotted off the coast here, regularly. Bring snorkelling gear on your trip here. Stunning fish varieties reside just off the shore in this idyllic spot.
How much? Free.
9. Teepee Valley eco-living
20 Shanecrackan Road, just outside Markethill in Armagh.
Why go? This would be an awesome sleepover experience for your children in a sort of ‘back-to-basics’ immersion into the wilderness. The mountain of Slieve Gullion fills your eye-line as you camp in the lush countryside or choose a teepee style home for the weekend. If you’re a newbie to the world of outdoor living or al fresco dining, this is the coolest spot to try it out.
Cool fact If you fancy a stint in a Turkish-inspired Yurt, a North American teepee, a Scandinavian log cabin, a dome-shaped home or a perfectly finished gypsy caravan, it’s all here. Your temporary living space aside the campfire is ready.
How much? Families, €356 based on a 2-night stay (Single night, midweek stay, €120).
10. Fota Island’s zoo
An island off Cork harbour, Co. Cork
Why go? This is Ireland’s most amazing destination for families. You have not seen wildlife up close and personal until you have been here. For starters, marvel at 780 acres of natural beauty flanked by an 18th Century hunting lodge. You can visit the lodge for its stunning plaster-work and painted interiors. The Wildlife park is packed with stunning animals who roam freely. Fota feed their Cheetah population by suspending their food on an unobtrusive wire so they must jump to fetch it. This exercises the notoriously lazy animals and satisfies their hunger at the same time and it is an awesome sight to see. There’s giraffes, monkeys, tropical animals – you name it, it’s there and all within feet of you and your family.
Cool fact This house has some of the most important collections of Irish Art in Ireland with animals roaming free in the back yard. Too cool.
How much? Families (2 adults and 2 children) €45.50, adults €15, kids €9.50, under 3s go free. Open from 10am – 5pm. Or you can stay in the beautiful Fota Island Hotel or one of their family-friendly lodges and visit the zoo every day!
The bevs on board?
Weekend adventures make for thirsty adventurers. Fill a picnic bag with flasks of tea and bottled water – thirst, quenched.
Kids and mums agree that Ireland is brim full of amazing beauty, even in the cold weather. Go Discover Ireland. Send on your snaps to: karen.forde@herfamily.ie
