Causeway Coastal Route Archives - Ireland Family Vacations

Planning to visit Derry/ Londonderry?

This city in Northern Ireland is well known for its defensive city walls, murals, and the tragic Bloody Sunday history during the period known as The Troubles.

Located at the westernmost end of the Causeway Coastal Route and the northernmost tip of the Wild Atlantic Way, Derry makes a terrific base to for touring portions of these scenic drives.

This article is based on the Traveling in Ireland podcast episode 116, featuring Gleann Doherty, the owner of Derry Guided Tours. Gleann is a Derry native, raised in the city all through the conflict. He holds a B.A. Honours Degree graduate of Irish History and Politics from the Magee campus University of Ulster.
If you prefer to read the article, it continues below the podcast player.

The city's original Irish name is Doire, which translates to ‘the oak grove'. That was anglicized to Derry.

In 1613 King James I changed the name to Londonderry for the London Guild who financed the building of the city walls.

Locally the city is generally referred to as Derry.

The Derry Walls are the largest ancient monument in state care in Northern Ireland and have the longest, complete circuit of ramparts of any of the remaining 30 walled towns in Ireland. 

The walls were built during the Plantation of Ulster, a colonization of the province of Ulster by the British to populate the area with British and Scottish Protestants. The walls were the main defensive structure for the plantation of the area.

The Derry walls are massive! You could actually drive a car on top of them in many areas! And the experience of walking above the city is so unique.

The Ulster Overview itinerary takes you through the highlights of Ulster, including the Giant’s Causeway, Belfast, and Derry – while introducing you to places along the Causeway Coast that you’ve not heard of!
The itinerary is suitable for all ages and includes 3 levels of lodging recommendations.
Get the FREE Ulster Overview itinerary here.

Derry is a city known for its murals located in an area known as Bogside.

The murals began in the late 70s as a rather fluid political message, often a form of protest in the Catholic Nationalist community.

The murals that people see today were painted from the mid-90s and early 2000s, but were designed to be ‘static' and explain the modern history of Derry.

Gleann leads tours of the Derry walls, as well as the Bogside for individuals, tour groups, and schools.

Visit Derry Guided Tours website to make a booking enquiry.

Or find Gleann on Instagram and Facebook.

 Doagh Famine Village – history before, during, and after the Great Hunger

The Inishowen Peninsula – The Inishowen 100 is a spectacular ring drive

West Donegal – including the Gaeltacht and Slieve League Cliffs

These Donegal sites – and others- are shared in this article.

Waterloo Street in Derry is known for Traditional Irish Music.

Read about a tour with Gleann here (as mentioned in the podcast).

The post Derry Guided Tours appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

You've probably heard of the Causeway Coastal Route – it's one of the most scenic drives in the world. But Ulster, Ireland's northernmost province, saves some stunners for people who aren't afraid to get off the tourist path. Way, way off the tourist path.

This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Adam Stewart, the owner of Flat Cap Adventurers. If you prefer to listen to the podcast, you can find the player at the bottom of the page.

Adam Stewart, owner of Flat Cap Adventurers

Ulster is one of the four historic provinces of Ireland.

Located in the northern-most part of the country, Ulster includes the 6 counties of Northern Ireland, as well as 4 counties in the Republic of Ireland.

Get the FREE Ulster Overview itinerary.

The Giant's Causeway and entire Causeway Coastal Route are among the most popular spots in Ulster.

From the town of Ballycastle, and other spots along the coastal route, you can see Rathlan Island and, on a very clear day, Scotland.

Among the old fishing villages is Ballantoy, which became well known when the harbour was used as a setting for Game of Thrones.

The most scenic train ride in Ireland is along the Causeway Coast from Coleraine to Derry, passing underneath Mussenden Temple.

If you only want to drive the Causeway Coast and stop at a few places you need to plan a full day. But you should really plan to stay longer to fully explore this incredible area.

A terrific central base for touring the Causeway Coastal route is Bushmills. Known for its whiskey – Bushmills is the oldest continually operating distillery in Ireland – the village is an area of conservation.

Get off the tourist trail and visit places most people never see.

Adam's tours will take you off road and into places where you will only see sheep – and amazing scenery.

In the Sperrin Mountains Adam will take you to visit a shepherd to learn about sheep farming.

On the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal you can experience a famine village, take a heart -pounding ride to the top of a mountain, and see seals on beaches that only a 4×4 can reach.

Learn more at FlatCapAdventurers.com and find Flat Cap Adventurers on the socials: Instagram – Facebook – message on WhatsApp.

Doagh Famine Village

The Point Bar at Magilligan for a meal at the end of the Inishowen 100

Cross Lough Foyle on the ferry from Magilligan to Greencastle.

Episode 257: Flat Cap Adventurers

Episode 147: On & Off the Tourist Path in Ulster

The post On-and-Off the Tourist Path in Ulster appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

Ireland is a country known for stunning landscapes and natural beauty. The abundant rainfall that contributes to the country's '40 shades of green' is also at least partially responsible for the lush gardens you'll find across the country.

While the majority of public gardens seem to be concentrated in the ‘sunny southeast', you can easily add a visit to a magnificent garden to any itinerary.

This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page.

While gardens may not be what most people plan their Ireland vacation around, chances are you'll visit at least one.

And you should.

The combination of nature's artistry and human design make visiting Irish gardens a truly spellbinding experience worth fitting into your itinerary.

These gardens are well-known and tend to be found on many Ireland itineraries.

Powerscourt Gardens

Nearly every day trip from Dublin to Wicklow includes the 47 acres of immaculate gardens on the Powerscourt Estate. And for good reason.

Everything you look for in a magnificent garden you'll find here. Walled garden? Check. Japanese garden? Check. Immaculate lawns. Yep. Woodland pathways. You got it. Lake with a fountain? Yes – and it even has a grand stairway leading to the house. You'll even find a tower, worthy of any fairytale, that you can climb.

Plan to spend a few hours here if you can. And before you leave grab lunch from Avoca to take to the Powerscourt Waterfall- the tallest in Ireland (separate entry fee).

Kylemore Abbey Walled Garden

It's about a 15-minute speed-walk from stunning Kylemore Abbey in County Galway to the Victorian walled gardens that are nestled beneath the Black Stack Mountains. If you have the time, I highly recommend a more leisurely stroll. If you don't want to walk a free shuttle is available.

The garden covers approximately 6 acres and is divided by a mountain stream. The eastern half of the garden is the formal flower garden, lush with blooms in all colors and sizes. Crossing the stream to the western half you enter the ‘kitchen garden' with vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees.

To fully explore Kylemore Abbey & Gardens allow 3 hours minimum. This will give you time to enjoy the tour and history of the house, walk along the lake to the miniature Gothic church, visit the gardens (where you might also see the Connemara ponies), and enjoy a well-earned treat in the Tea Rooms or the visitors centre.

Articles like this highlight a few great options — but they’re just a small part of what Ireland offers.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you understand how to combine them into a trip that feels balanced and easy to navigate.

The Gardens at Blarney Castle

The Blarney Stone may be the first thing people think of when visiting Blarney Castle in County Cork, but I think the castle ruin dims in comparison to the estate's extensive gardens.

With over 11 gardens ‘areas' spread over 60 acres you'll find plenty to explore. My personal favorites are the Poison Garden, which sits just beneath the castle's famous stone. Harry Potter fans will recognize some of the plants here. The Rock Close is the oldest ‘garden' on the estate, said to be an ancient druidic settlement.

Not far from this is a circle of nine standing stones, two of which have fallen, known as the 7 sisters. The legend tells of a chieftan with 9 children – 2 sons and 7 daughters. Taking his sons on their first battle against a cattle raider, the sons were killed. Returning home with the bodies of his sons it is said he stopped at this spot and ordered his men to knock over two of the stones.

When visiting Blarney Castle & Gardens allow yourself a minimum of 2.5 hours – though I recommend a full morning or afternoon.

The Gardens at Muckross House

You'll find Muckross House in the heart of Killarney National Park in County Kerry.

During the 1850s the gardens underwent extensive work for the visit of Queen Victoria in 1861. In the early 20th century the Bourne Vincent family expanded the gardens with the addition of the Sunken Garden, the Rock Garden and the Stream Garden. Today the gardens are most popular in the summer months when the rhododendrons are in riotous bloom.

You can drive to Muckross House or take a jaunting car tour of the national park that can take you to Muckross House.

Some of these gardens may be a bit off the tourist trail. But that's definitely to your benefit as you may feel like you have them to yourself!

Lismore Castle Gardens

Though you can't tour Lismore Castle in County Waterford (though you can rent it if you pockets are deep enough), the idyllic gardens are open to the public. We love the ‘hidden' natural playground and the more natural trails away from the manicured formal garden.
Tip: just down the road is one of my favorite ‘hidden' spots – Ballysaggartmore Towers. Be sure to wear your walking shoes!

Vandeleur Walled Garden

The tranquil oasis of Vandeleur Walled Garden near Kilrush in County Clare is known for its stunning rose collection and relaxing garden paths. A small hedge maze and a meditation path take your mind in different directions as you explore. This is a great spot to visit if you are using the Shannon Ferry as you cross from Clare to Kerry (or vice versa).

Irish National Stud & Gardens

Located in County Kildare on the route from Dublin to most points west, these gardens should be on your list, even if you're not a ‘horsey type'. The magnificent Japanese Garden, often called the finest of their kind in Europe, is a soothing guide through the ‘Life of Man', allowing you to choose your own path and teaching you a few life lessons along the way. St Fiachra's garden named for the patron saint of gardeners has a more soothing, natural feel, a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

The Irish National Stud & Gardens feature in the free Horse Country itinerary!

The Gardens at Glenveagh Castle

Located in Glenveagh National Park in Donegal the castle gardens feature both a Victorian Garden and a walled garden. Surrounding this you have acres of ‘wild' gardens with marked trails to explore. No cars are allowed in Glenveagh National Park so you can opt to walk, rent a bicycle, or take the shuttle to the castle. You can easily spend a few hours here wandering the gardens, touring the castle, and wandering the trails.

The Gardens at Bantry House

Bantry House in West Cork is surrounded by gardens. In front of the house, leading to the bay is the terraced garden with 14 round beds. Behind the house is an ornamental garden overlooked by 100 steps. Climbing to the top of these steps offers a dramatic view of Bantry Bay and an entrance to the woodlands. Beyond this is the walled garden which is slowly being restored.
Tip: You can stay in Bantry House!

Birr Castle Demense

If you want one garden the entire family will love, choose Birr Castle Demense. Beyond the formal gardens and terraces – including the world's tallest box hedge – you'll find woodland strolls, waterfalls, river walks, and the ‘Whirlpool Spiral' of lime trees. In the middle of all of this is the world's largest telescope (until the early 1900s) and Ireland's largest treehouse. There is also a wonderful science museum. Birr Castle is still a private residence, but some summer dates do offer castle tours.

Glenarm Castle Gardens

Located along Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast, the gardens at Glenarm Castle include a formal walled garden with vibrant flower borders and more informal spots like the kitchen garden and herb garden. The walled garden is also home to seven rescued hedgehogs. While visiting you'll also want to enjoy the woodland walk.
Tip: Glenarm Castle offers a few options to stay onsite, including ocean view pods and the Barbicon Gate.

The final two gardens aren't full gardens but definitely deserve to be shared.

Garden of Remembrance

On a hill in Ringfinnan seemingly endless rows of trees overlook Kinsale, County Cork. Created by Kathleen Cait Murphy, a New York City nurse originally from Kinsale, the Garden of Remembrance is dedicated to the firefighters and their Chaplain, Father Michael Judge, who died during, and following, the attack on New York on September 11, 2001. Each tree includes information about one of the fallen heroes and many are adorned with personal items left by family and friends.

Dunbrody Abbey Hedge Maze

If you find yourself in County Wexford I highly recommend a stop to complete this hedge maze created of yew trees. In the centre is a tall viewing platform – terrific for yelling hints to those who are still trying to navigate the maze.
Before leaving be sure to visit Dunbrody Abbey, just across the road. This Cistercian Monastery has been standing 850 years.

Ireland's magnificent gardens are a testament to the country's natural beauty and rich history. From the grandeur of Powerscourt to the remote wildness of Glenveagh, each garden offers a unique experience that will leave you wishing you could recreate even a bit of that magnificence at home.

Whether you're a green thumb or simply appreciate the wonders of nature, consider adding a couple of these gardens during your unforgettable trip to Ireland.

The Ireland Travel Compass brings together hundreds of places across the country and helps you turn ideas like these into a trip that fits your time and travel style.

Traveling in Ireland Podcast Episode 196

The post Enchanting Gardens in Ireland – Amazing Irish Experiences appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.

Wondering about the best places to visit in Ireland in 2024?

And, if you are planning on visiting one of these tops spots, you've probably wondered if there are any secrets to having an amazing visit – and maybe avoiding the crowds (as much as possible).

The answers to your questions are below – based on my own experiences from over 20 years of traveling through Ireland.

This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the bottom of the page.

These are the top spots to visit in Ireland, as voted on in the Reader Travel Awards at the Irish Independent.

If you're looking for more tips for visiting Ireland's tops spots – as well as some amazing alternate attractions to consider- subscribe to the Traveling in Ireland Newsletter and receive Spectacular Alternates to Ireland's ‘Must See' Sights as a bonus!

See all the winners of the 2024 Irish Independent Reader Travel Awards

These top sites are popular for a reason. They deliver a terrific visitor experience that creates lasting memories.

But popularity has a downside. At some sites it is lack of tickets, at others it is overwhelming crowds.

Here's how to have the best experience at the most popular spots in Ireland.

Guinness Storehouse

Always prebook your tickets. The wait here can be hours long – and you aren't guaranteed entry. GetYourGuide – Viator – Guinness Storehouse

I personally prefer the final tour of the evening, but if you want to experience fewer people that may linger from earlier tours, choose the first two tours of the day.

Guinness Storehouse is easily reached via one of the Hop-on Hop-off buses and pairs well with a tour of Kilmainham Gaol.

Cliffs of Moher

If you've been listening to me for any amount of time you know that I advocate for people to visit the Cliffs before 10am or after 4pm to avoid the majority of tour buses.

You can also prebook your tickets on the Cliffs of Moher website to save money on earlier or later visits. These tickets give you full access to the visitor centre and experiences there.

Another option, if you are fit for an uphill hike and don't want to explore the visitor's centre, is to park at Guerin's Path, just south of the cliffs (look for signs). This per-car parking spot is at the highest point of the Cliffs. You can walk down a bit of the cliff walk to the main Cliffs of Moher visitor's area – just know that the hike back up can be challenging if you have mobility issues.

If you love a great hike be sure to book into a cliffs hike with Ollie's Tours.

I do not – ever – recommend a day tour to the Cliffs of Moher from Dublin. This is an exceptionally long day with nearly 7.5 hours of driving (10 hours total trip on average) for a very short view of the cliffs and other locations. It's just not worth it.

Waterford Greenway

I think the best way to explore the Waterford Greenway is on bike. We rented electric bikes from Waterford Greenway Bike Hire in Waterford and cycled to Dungarvin where the rental company picked us up and shuttled us back to Waterford. If you wanted a bit of a touring on your return to Waterford contact Bob McAuliffe at About Ireland Taxi Tours – he'll arrange a great one-way tour for you.

If you have a car and want to drive the route near the greenway you can stop at trailheads along the greenway and explore on foot. A few highlights along the greenway to check out are Mount Congreve Gardens, the Durrow Viaduct, and the Copper Coast.

Dublin Zoo

Located in Dublin's sprawling Phoenix Park, this is a terrific place to visit with young kids. If you can visit in mid to late afternoon to align with animal feeding that is a great way to see the animals be active. We just followed the feeder from cage to cage.

Phoenix Park can be accessed via Dublin bus, Hop-on Hop-off bus, and the Luas drops off nearby.
Learn more about How to get Around in Dublin

Spend some time in the park, as well. It's a great place to wander on a nice day and you may even see the herd of deer.

Emerald Park

Emerald Park (formerly Tayto Park) is Ireland's only amusement park.

If you are an amusement park fan, the park has an area for young kids as well as larger rides.

Additionally you'll find a zoo, petting farm, fun Lemur Woods and zoo talks, a couple playgrounds and splash park, a fairy forest and a steam train.

Emerald Park is approximately 45 minutes from Dublin.

Killarney National Park

Covering over 25,000 acres of mountains, woods, moors, lakes and rivers in County Kerry, Killarney National Park is a wonderful natural playground. It also includes a stunning manor house, terrific abbey ruin, and fabulous Ross Castle.

A great way to get an overview of Killarney National Park is with a jaunting cart tour. You can queue for a jaunting cart in Killarney near the park entrance. The jarvey will entrance you with stories as you ride through the park to Ross Castle.

The national park is easy to cycle and you'll also find boat tours and walking tours.

While the pathways near Muckross House and at the entrance from Killarney town can be busy, there are plenty of remote spots where you can feel like the only person around.

Titanic Belfast

This is the most popular tourist attraction in Belfast so you want to be sure to prebook your timed tickets.

If you don't want to take the guided tour in the building you can still explore the exterior areas, including the dry dock areas of the Titanic and Olympic.

I really like to do an early tour here and follow with a Black Taxi tour of the Peace Walls and murals – the taxi can pick you up at Titanic Belfast and drop you wherever you wish.

Giant's Causeway

My favorite way to visit the Giant's Causeway is to arrive before the visitor's centre opens or after it closes to avoid the heaviest crowds. You can't park at the visitor's centre, but there are a few parking spots nearby that only cost a few pounds.

It's a steep walk down to the causeway – and back up – but if you visit during visitor's centre open hours there is a bus that is £1 or €1 per ride (up or down).

For those who enjoy a good hike you can follow the path from the famed stones along the coast for a bit, before needing to ascend steps up the side of the cliff. The views here are terrific. If you don't want to climb those steps you can also access this path near the upper bus parking.

Kilmainham Gaol

Is it a bit morbid to visit a place where so many people were treated brutally, starved, and executed?

Probably. But these stories, and the ties to the 2016 Easter Rising, draw thousands of visitors to Dublin's notorious jail each year.

While you *might* get lucky and find same-day tickets, your best option is to prebook your tickets 28 days in advance as close to midnight Irish time as possible for best availability.

Kilmainham Gaol is an OPW Heritage site, so if you plan to purchase a card when you arrive (can be purchased on site or at Dublin Castle in the city centre) be sure to scroll down the booking page and choose One Year OPW Heritage Card to place a zero cost booking.

Pair this with a visit to Guinness Storehouse (if it's on your itinerary), visiting the jail first. Give yourself at least 30 minutes after your tour to visit the museum and exhibitions.

Spike Island, Cobh

Spike Island, off the coast of Cobh in County Cork, is known as ‘Ireland's Alcatraz' but before that it was home to a 7th century monestery and a Cromwellian prison.

Construction of the star-shaped fortress began in 1779 and the famine era prison, the largest in the world in the 1850s, was built in 1847. The island retained a prison through 1985. From 1938 through 1985 the island was the Irish Army and Navy base.

The ferry to reach Spike Island takes 12 minutes and you will be met by a guide for the first 45 minutes of your visit. After that you are welcome to explore using the map you were provided with your ticket. You can also self-guide for your entire island visit.

The thing to remember about this tour is that your return boat is 3.5 hours later, so you need to be sure you have plenty of time in your itinerary. I prefer the noon sailing. It offers plenty of time to arrive and depart Cobh.

If you are staying nearby – and you like a spooky experience – see if the After Dark tour is available.

Traveling in Ireland Podcast Episode 195

The post Ireland’s Top 10 Visitor Attractions in 2024 (and expert tips for visiting) appeared first on Ireland Family Vacations.