Just when you think you have seen all that Ireland has to offer. There have been those unforgettable times when you’ve been awestruck by incredible cliff walks, astounded by rocky mountain trails and chilled into a peaceful space beside secluded lakes. And yet, Ireland still offers more. There are always those hidden treasures to explore. Those just off the beaten track areas of unfrequented beauty. Sometimes these are places known only to locals and those ‘in the know’. Sometimes they are overlooked, as the more famous tourist attractions take the focus. Here is our list of seven hidden treasures that are worthy of inclusion in your Outdoor Adventures.
St. Catherine’s Demesne. Dublin and Kildare
A totally under-rated nature reserve, which
features some of the oldest woodland in Co Dublin and is so accessible to the
Capital city, that the calm solitary vibe of the trails and secluded pathways
are always a mystery and a joy. You
might imagine that this vast impressive amenity would be packed at all times,
but you can pretty much have the paths all to yourself. The River Liffey is at
its finest in these 200 acres of woodland and grassland. Cows graze, herons’ fish and while there is a
playground, a dog run, a running track and football pitches, there is still a
vast amount of unexplored habitat for the very best of Ireland’s wildlife to
live undisturbed and untroubled. The
playground is impressively big, with a maze, zip lines and swings etc. but, it
is in the wilder side of St Catherine’s that its true beauty is revealed. The primeval landscape of St Catherine
survives and welcomes season’s changes under a canopy of ash, beech and elderly
oak trees. Explore the woodland trails
by the River Liffey weirs and leave the nearby city behind as curious squirrels
and foxes peep from the undergrowth. The
OPW bought this estate, which had many previous owners, in 1996 and it remains
one of Ireland’s most wonderful hidden treasures. It can be accessed by three
Counties, Fingal, Co Dublin and Kildare, with adequate parking and is a perfect
place to stroll, picnic and rejuvenate the tired spirit.
Dursey Island
Dursey Island lies of the tip of the Beara Peninsula in West Cork. It is as off the beaten track as you are likely to find. Dursey has no shops, no pubs and no restaurants. It does, however, have a cable car. Irelands only cable car. Opened in 1969, it is the only one in Europe that traverses open seawater and is one of the great attractions of the island.
On the island itself, there is a 4 hour loop walk from the cable car exit point and the village of Ballynacallagh. The loop affords unrivalled scenery and fantastic views. Taking the hardy traveller past the ruin of an ancient church, ascending to the remains of the Signal Tower, where the spectacular views of Bull and Cow Island and the beautiful coastline of West Cork will take the breath away! Dursey Island offers quirky and novel transport and a fantastic days hiking in the best that this country has to offer. Bring your sandwiches and enjoy on one of the Ireland hidden treasures.
Benwee Head Mayo
The North Coast of Mayo is one of Ireland’s closely guarded secrets. Of course, it’s on the Wild Atlantic Way, but the outlying villages around Blacksod Bay are often bypassed as adventurers head to other more famous places on the route. This is part of its charm. The cliffs, the sea stacks and arches in the Atlantic swells near the small Irish-speaking village of Carrowteige are every bit as impressive as the Cliffs of Moher or Slieve League. The fact that you may enjoy them practically to yourself only adds to their appeal. Carrowteige village is the base and the trail head for four signposted walks, of which the Children of Lir walk is the most rewarding. A rugged and breezy 10km coastal route through a wild landscape of bog and windswept mountainside. It follows surfaced roads, grassy tracks and paths and brings you past the Children of Lir sculpture, a sweeping and striking art work overlooking the outstanding beauty of Benwee Head. This loop walk is a little known gem and one of Ireland’s great lesser travelled routes.
Caves of Kesh. Sligo
Just twenty minutes south of Sligo town, nestled in the rolling hills near the town of Ballymote, the Caves of Keash are a natural wonder. Accessible and exciting, these caves can be easily climbed to by family groups and day trippers. The effort of the clamber up the trail is rewarded with incredible views. The lush valley and Lakelands stretching to the Ox Mountains are inspiring. On a good day, the iconic Mayo Mountains of Croagh Patrick and Nephin, can be seen to the South, while Sligo’s Ben Bulben peeps into view to the North. The caves are situated on the west side of Keshcorran Hill and are part of the Brieklieve Mountain range. Sixteen caves, some interconnecting, are magical, dark, dank spaces that spark the imagination of children and peak the interest of naturists. There are a few stalagmites and stalactites. Excavations carried out in the early 20th century, showed evidence of significant animal remains. Among these, there were the bones of brown bear, arctic lemming, Irish elk, and grey wolf. These days you may disturb a few bats, but the bears will be confined to imagination. Mythology and legend link the caves to Fionn Mac Cumhaill and other Celtic mythology.
The Arigna Miner’s Way
Walk in the footsteps of the Leitrim coal miners. The 112km route from Arigna to Dowra in Co. Leitrim takes the lonely traveller through bog lands and pathways traced by the men of this region who spent their days underground. Smaller sections can be traversed, such as the 8km route from the mine itself (now a visitors centre near Ballinamore) across the panoramic Iron mountains to the opulent splendour of Kilronan Castle. Not just a scenic walk, but a history lesson too, as you walk the miner’s way and end up at ‘the big house’! Coal mining was a back breaking part of life around Arigna for over 400 years. As you hike the hills above Lough Allen, and trek down to the villages of Keadue and Lough Meelagh on this network of beaten tracks, through heather and ferns, you can contemplate on the lives of those men. To spend life working underground when all of this amazing vista was denied to them above ground seems extremely harsh. The Miner’s Way preserves the heritage of this area and is a testament to these men, but also brings us luckier souls on an amazingly beautiful journey through one of Ireland’s most incredible areas of natural beauty.
The Coumlara Loop trail in Waterford
A wilderness walk for those who like to have the trail to themselves. It is also a dog friendly trek. This is a looped hike of over six and a half kilometres which climbs to 350 meters on track and trail, roadway and mountain terrain heading towards the lower slopes of the Comeragh Mountains. Waterford is just an hour away and a whole world away. The trail crosses the Nire River, which is usually little more than a stream flowing from Coumlara . The Comeragh Mountains are a remarkably varied range, stretching from the coast near Dungarvan inland as far as Clonmel, and this loop walk is particularly beautiful and remote with scenic views and has the added attraction that most day trippers are off at the incredible Mahon Falls, leaving you to relish your outdoor adventure on less travelled paths and revealing unexplored beauty of Ireland.
Blessington Greenway and Russborough House.
Blessington was once a quiet Wicklow town but is now firmly on the Dublin commuter belt. This does not mean it has been spoilt or that access to nature and quiet walks are not still close by. The Blessington Greenway is a short enough trek that will keep all the family happy on a Sunday afternoon. There is the added bonus of the grandeur of Russborough House as an end-of -trail prize! Blessington Greenway starts in the town itself and winds around the south shores of the famous lakes, and traverses through forest and woodland. It passes an ancient ring fort and is a wonderful place for flora and fauna of every variety. Sneak previews of the stately home can be seen as you walk the trail. The house can be accessed for an admission fee and offers all the graciousness and beauty of one of Ireland’s finest stately homes. The gardens are a’maze’ ing! Yes, they have a maze. There is a 2000 metre beech hedge maze and it is its most fascinating feature. A statue of Cupid stands proudly on a column at the centre of the maze, as a beacon to help you find your way. Very popular with children, it is open every day of the week March-November. The Blessington Greenway is 6km long and is a moderate to easy trek which has the added advantage of being just 30 mins from the capital city, yet still reveals to you another of the lesser outdoor adventures of Ireland.
Photo Credit: Best of Sligo