Irish cities may have the pulsating energy and the modern comforts of life, but the countryside promises the charm of blissfully quiet county lanes, the quaint allure of fishing villages, inspiring sceneries to be witnessed along hillsides and mountainsides, fresh air and the serenity of majestic coastlines and islands.
Hop on a bicycle and take one of the many biking tours offered all over the country. You can choose to take a spin across quiet, winding roads like the nice stretch along Loop Head and stop for pictures of azure skies and magical mist-covered mountains. The routes generally take you past small Irish villages where there are lesser cars to be seen along the roads and lazy sheep or grazing cows would oftentimes be your company. Another scenic spin would be along coasts such as the Donegal Bay where you can marvel at the glorious vista of the sun setting against the ethereally calm expanse of the wide blue seas or you can just bask on the beach and enjoy a pint or two. There is a biking route that takes you over hilly terrains north along the coast of Lahinch that leads to the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher, another must-see attraction in Ireland.
Leisurely walking is another good way to explore the richness of Ireland’s countryside. Although Ireland enjoys a mildly temperate climate, the best months to consider going on a walking tour would be between May to September. The country simply has unmatchable landscapes that any place would be good points to start your walking tour. Take a hike in wooded areas such as the Killarney lake lands, or explore parks and reserves along the coast like the Strangford Lough in Down which serves as a sanctuary for seals, geese and wildfowl. Down is also known as St. Patrick’s Country so you can get a glimpse into the life of Ireland’s patron saint as you walk through the charming county. Or you may also choose to take a walking tour just beyond Dublin to the East – an area best defined by the unspoiled beauty of the countryside. Walks along The Barrowline, The Grand Canal and the Royal Canal all provide opportunities to enjoy panoramic views as well as archaeological sites and a sampling of local history.
If you’re confident enough to navigate the roads, you can rent a car and take a driving tour. With a map or a guidebook to help you with the directions, driving gives you full control of your time as well as the places you might want to explore and where you would want to make your pit stops. You can head for the west and drive around the Dingle Peninsula where you will go past a few castle ruins and miles of grazing pastureland. The Peninsula is one of the very first inhabited places in Ireland so you can get an appreciation of ancient history and culture around – the Dunbeg Fort, Beehive Huts, the Riasc Monastery and the Gallrus Oratory are some of the living proofs that you can explore during your driving tour. From Galway and driving towards north, witness more beautiful sceneries as you pass the Connemara region which has a natural reserve for wildlife, the Kylemore Abbey, and the Lynch’s Castle. Definitely something that should be a part of your driving tour is a stop at the warm and charming bed and breakfast (B&B’s) places that you can find in the villages. A tour around the countryside would not be complete without basking in the hospitality and the friendliness of the local Irish people.