14 Top-Rated Small Towns in Ireland

For a small town, Kilkenny certainly knows how to pack in attractions. There\’s Kilkenny Castle, Medieval Mile Museum, St. Canice\’s Cathedral & Round Tower, and Black Abbey, just to name a few.

The top reason most tourists choose this pretty village, however, is for its ambience. Mix an outdoor market with live music, colorful shops, and a winding River Nore, and you\’ve set the stage for a fun and exciting getaway only an hour and a half southwest of Dublin.

A maze of streets and alleyways lead tourists on unknown adventures through the medieval town, while trendy shops entice those with a penchant for knick knacks. Known as the Kilkenny Medieval Mile, this compact area leads visitors from the cathedral to the heart of its castle. It also passes the National Design & Craft Gallery, which would give any big city museum a run for its money.

Tip: Climb the 30-meter Round Tower for the city\’s best view.

For a small town, Kilkenny certainly knows how to pack in attractions. There\’s Kilkenny Castle, Medieval Mile Museum, St. Canice\’s Cathedral & Round Tower, and Black Abbey, just to name a few.

The top reason most tourists choose this pretty village, however, is for its ambience. Mix an outdoor market with live music, colorful shops, and a winding River Nore, and you\’ve set the stage for a fun and exciting getaway only an hour and a half southwest of Dublin.

A maze of streets and alleyways lead tourists on unknown adventures through the medieval town, while trendy shops entice those with a penchant for knick knacks. Known as the Kilkenny Medieval Mile, this compact area leads visitors from the cathedral to the heart of its castle. It also passes the National Design & Craft Gallery, which would give any big city museum a run for its money.

Tip: Climb the 30-meter Round Tower for the city\’s best view.

Ooh Kinsale. What a uniquely spectacular place! Brightly painted shops, galleries, and houses bring the main streets of this medieval fishing port to life. Yachts take up much of the harbor, which is worth a walk around. Talk about eye candy!

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Kinsale is eat. This small, seaside escape is packed with high-quality restaurants. In fact, Kinsale boasts so many good eateries that it has been dubbed the \”Gourmet Capital of Ireland.\” Bastion leads the pack with a delectable five-course tasting menu, but The Supper Club offers incredibly fresh seafood delivered by uber-friendly staff.

Work off your indulgence on a walking tour, or visit Charles Fort, an impressive star-shaped fort built in the 17^th century. Overlooking both the Old Head of Kinsale and the mouth of Bandon river, Charles Fort is accessed via a drawbridge.

Bonus: Kinsale is a mere 40 minutes from Cork, the second-largest city in the Republic of Ireland.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Kinsale

This charming town is situated on the southwest coast of Ireland. It\’s located on the Dingle Peninsula and looks across Dingle Bay to the Blasket Islands. Bursting with visitors on weekends and holidays (especially in the summer), Dingle is a fantastic place for self-proclaimed beach bums. Its sandy beaches make it a hot spot for swimmers and walkers.

Most visit Dingle to spend time outdoors-surfing, biking, boating, and checking out archeological sites top the list of things to do. Coumeenoole Beach is so spectacular it will take your breath away. But don\’t jump in-the current is dangerously strong.

Driving the twisty road of Conor Pass from Dingle to Kilmore Cross (on the north side) is a highlight. The highest mountain pass in Ireland, it offers unbeatable views.

Tip: Be on the lookout for Fungie, the bottlenose dolphin that lives at the mouth of Dingle Harbour. He\’s become the town\’s mascot and has been swimming around since 1984.

The capital of County Kerry, Tralee is situated on the Atlantic coast of southwestern Ireland. It\’s famed for its rugged terrain, steep cliffs, mountains, and ocean views. It\’s impossible to avoid taking a photo of the Blennerville Windmill. This whitewashed beacon stands proudly before the mountains and behind the sea.

The Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre offers the best way to spend a day. Whether you want to relax and submit to tranquility on the nature boardwalk or try your hand at water zorbing, this expansive spot is a great place to unwind.

For utter relaxation, visit Banna Strand, a clean, peaceful beach perfect for picnics. Every August for the past 60 years, tourists flock to Tralee for the Rose Of Tralee International Festival (second only to St. Patrick\’s day in terms of popularity), during which one woman is crowned the Rose of Tralee.

Accommodation: Where to Stay in Tralee

One of Portmagee\’s best features is its location. This sweet town is situated near the Ring of Kerry (a.k.a. Iveragh Peninsula), making it a perfect jumping-off point (or overnight rest stop) for a tour of this impeccable area. The 179-kilometer circular route offers unbeatably breathtaking scenery of mountains, seascapes, and winding countryside.

Fun, bright houses speckle the seaside, and fishing boats moor immediately off the coast. Hop on a tour of the Skellig Islands, most famous due to their recent appearance as inhospitable terrain in a Star Wars film. Even better, though, are the islands\’ main inhabitants-puffins.

On your ride here, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins. And pray for good weather. If it\’s too rough or windy, boats won\’t drive to this hard-to-reach location, which is only accessible from mid-May to late September.

You won\’t want to miss the sunset in Doolin. Fractured light bounces softly off the water, landscape, and old stone walls, inducing an overarching sense of calm. This small village boasts the most adorable and colorful buildings, some with thatched roofs.

Locals make visitors feel at home in their dramatic landscape, playing traditional Irish music throughout the night. Located in a majestic Burren on the Atlantic coast, Doolin\’s evocative scenery is hard to beat. Take Doolin\’s Cave for example, which is home to The Great Stalactite, the longest free-hanging stalactite in Europe.

When hunger pangs hit, head to The Ivy Cottage. They make the freshest, most delectable fish and chips. Don\’t skimp on dessert-the honeycomb cheesecake and Banoffee Pie make each extra calorie worth it.

Most visit Doolin on their way to (or from) the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, these immense cliffs ascend more than 200 meters above the sea and stretch all the way to Hags Head (about eight kilometers away). For a more educational experience, sign up for a guided tour led by local farmer, Pat Sweeney.

Tip: The Cliffs of Moher are hugely popular with tourists. For a quieter visit, head off on one of the numerous Cliffs of Moher Hiking Trails. From here, you\’ll be able to spot waterfalls, the Aran Islands, and Galway Bay.

A mere 36-minute drive northeast of Dublin, Malahide is the perfect small town for a day (or night) away. While Malahide Beach is a favorite place to relax and enjoy the sea view, Malahide Castle and Gardens is the main tourist draw.

Delve into its fascinating history, explore private rooms, and hear stories of life as a Talbot-the family that lived here for almost 800 years. One of the most well-loved features is the garden-250 acres of parkland beckon nature lovers from near and far. Don\’t miss the botanical walled garden, one of only four in Ireland.

Malahide village is a true gem, and spending time here delights the senses, especially when the shops are adorned with fresh, overflowing hanging baskets. The calming strum of halyards beating against their masts soothes the soul, while the gentle caress and scent of the sea breeze replenishes energy lost in the hustle and bustle of big city adventures.

Want to know how it felt to live in the 1800s? Head to Adare. Designated as a Heritage Town, this adorable village sits beside the River Maigue, just 20 minutes by car from Limerick City.

In strict contrast to Limerick\’s bright lights and busy streets, Adare is charming and peaceful. The local park (Adare Park) is so serene, in fact, that you won\’t want to leave. With impeccably manicured lawns, perfectly pruned trees, and inviting benches, you\’ll be hard-pressed to find a place with a more relaxing and laid-back vibe.

The village\’s thatched-roof cottages are as delightful as the Holy Trinity Abbey Church is beautiful. You\’ll also want to spend time wandering in and out of the small shops and cafés.

Castle lovers are in for a real treat-Adare Desmond Castle sits on the edge of the village, and King John\’s Castle is only 30 minutes away.

Bonus: Adare is home to two 18-hole golf courses, both of which are within walking distance of the village.

Less than an hour east of Cork, Youghal is a wonderful place to unwind. Stroll the boardwalk, visit the Youghal Gate Clock Tower, or while away a sunny afternoon at the beach. This quaint seaside resort town sits on the estuary of the River Blackwater. The Raleigh Quarter is where you\’ll find most of the action-and an insight into the town\’s history. Set in the town\’s center, this well restored quarter transports visitors back in time.

While a tour of St. Mary\’s Collegiate Church is worth your time, Youghal\’s selling feature is its ancient Town Wall. Built around the bustling trading center during the mid-13^th century, the wall offers an enjoyable walk with stunning views.

For a self-guided journey back in time, head to the Visitor\’s Centre to pick up a map of the Youghal Heritage Trail. It will take you past the church and through Raleigh Quarter, pointing out other interesting spots along the way.

Tip: Time your visit for August\’s Youghal Medieval Festival. A fun experience for the whole family, this event includes medieval re-enactors, birds of prey exhibitions, concerts, artisan food stands, tours, storytelling, and an archaeological dig, to name a few.

Designated as an Irish Heritage Town, this well-preserved Georgian village sits on the River Camcor. Built in the early to mid-1700s, the tree-lined streets are spacious and well-planned, making walking through them a pleasure.

Birr Castle is the town\’s main draw. Home to 14 generations of the Parsons family (also known as the Earls of Rosse) the castle also boasts an incredible, restored Great Telescope-once the world\’s largest. Also unmissable are the giant box hedges found in the castle gardens.

Pay close attention as you wander through the grounds. There, you\’ll find evidence of numerous landscaping changes throughout the centuries-like the waterfall and winter garden from the 19^th century and the arboretum and river garden from the 20^th century.

The Earls of Rosse were massive fans of science and astronomy. You can find their historic instruments, cameras, and photographs (dating back to the mid 1800s) at the Birr Castle Demesne, a science museum located on the castle grounds.

Fun fact: In 1888, Birr was the first venue for the All-Ireland Hurling final. Also, each September, Birr plays host to the Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championships.