Ireland’s most awe-inspiring views
What do a holy mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the High King of Irish monuments, a glacial valley, the Stairway to Heaven and the world’s most famous sea cliffs have in common? They’re all on the island of Ireland and we’ve rounded them up into one handy bucket list guide for you. The Emerald Isle’s natural beauty has never been in doubt, but these six locations will have you wondering if it’s THE most beautiful place on Earth. Hint: it is! From west coast wonders to hidden gems in Northern Ireland, these are the views you won’t want to miss...
View of Clew Bay from Croagh Patrick, County Mayo
1. Croagh Patrick
Standing atop Croagh Patrick in County Mayo is mind-blowing. Not only is the view of Clew Bay below – featuring more than 100 islets formed during the last Ice Age – one of the most unique landscapes in Ireland, but you’re also on the spot where St Patrick fasted for 40 days and nights in the 5th-century. It’s the reason Croagh Patrick has its name! It’s also why you’ll find a small chapel built in 1905 to honour Ireland’s patron saint at the peak. This sacred location is a popular pilgrimage route throughout the year and has been dubbed “Ireland’s Holy Mountain”. The climb takes three-to-four hours up and down and it’s a steep ascent, but a recently completed stone pathway that runs from the mountain’s base to the summit makes it easier. Westport is the place to stay nearby – the lively town has some of the best restaurants and trad music pubs on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Giant’s Causeway Cliff Walk, County Antrim
2. Giant’s Causeway Cliffs
No trip to Northern Ireland is complete without a visit to the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site formed 60 million years ago during intense volcanic activity. The unusually shaped basalt columns are an iconic sight, but to see them from a different point of view, embark on the Giant’s Causeway Clifftop Experience, an 8km hike high above the waves that offers stunning views of the Causeway Coast. The fully-guided three-and-a-half-hour trek starts at the ruins of Dunseverick Castle and runs along the cliff edge before finishing at the legendary Causeway stones. On the way, your knowledgeable guide will regale you with the stories and history of this rugged region. The walking trails on the route are relatively easy to traverse and it’s a great way to stand out above the crowds (literally) at one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island of Ireland.
Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary ©Shutterstock
3. Rock of Cashel
Seeing the Rock of Cashel standing tall on a rocky limestone outcrop as you approach from the surrounding County Tipperary countryside is a wow moment you’ll never forget. Even in a land studded with castles, passage tombs and prehistoric forts, this cluster of medieval buildings is known as the “High King” of Irish monuments. From a round tower and a Romanesque church to an abbey and a tower house, there’s much to explore at this historic site, where the legendary Irish warrior Brian Boru was crowned High King in 978. The views from the Rock are just as dazzling; this area of Tipperary is called the Golden Vale for a reason, after all. So enjoy your view on approach, cherish your time at the site and remember to take one last look before it disappears beyond the horizon when you leave. Ireland’s Ancient East was named for landmarks of this quality.
Glendalough, County Wicklow ©Shutterstock
4. Glendalough
St Kevin must have appreciated a wonderful view when he saw one because he established his 6th-century monastic settlement in the gorgeous glacial valley of Glendalough in County Wicklow. Fast-forward to today, and millennia-old remnants of what was once one of Europe’s most famous religious hubs can still be perused at the site, including a striking round tower, weather-beaten gravestones and several church ruins. The name Glendalough translates as “valley of the two lakes” in Irish, and the serene Upper and Lower lakes here are a joy to gaze upon in reflection. The surrounding valley is home to numerous walking and hiking trails. To see the best of Glendalough, we’d suggest hitting The Spinc and Glenealo Valley Walk, a 10km-loop that climbs up past Poulanass Waterfall to the top of the valley for panoramic views of the Wicklow Mountains.
Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, County Fermanagh ©Shutterstock
5. Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail
When your walk ends at a viewpoint nicknamed the “Stairway to Heaven”, you know the views are going to be good. The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail in County Fermanagh is that spot. This 11km-long linear route along a wooden boardwalk traverses one of the most intact blanket bogs in western Europe. The trail is two-to-three hours out and back, with the final 1.5km stretch a steep climb up wooden steps to the heavenly view of the surrounding countryside. The boardwalk meanders along the gentle slopes of Cuilcagh Mountain, which is part of the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, a region of geological significance and natural beauty. And remember, if you get to the top of the Stairway and don’t take a snap for your socials, it never even happened! So make sure to strike a pose against that expansive Fermanagh backdrop.
Cliffs of Moher, County Clare ©Shutterstock
6. Cliffs of Moher
We couldn’t shout out Ireland’s most impressive views without a nod to possibly the best-known of them all – the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare! These sea cliffs that seem to stretch on forever into the roaring Atlantic Ocean capture visitor’s imaginations like nowhere else on the island. Why? They’re photogenic for a start, make for a bracing cliff walk on what feels like the edge of the world, and are home to a wide array of flora and fauna, from cute puffins to pretty sea pink flowers. Aside from all of that though, there’s some other intangible quality to these legendary cliffs that draws people near. The sheer rock face against the blue ocean, wind blowing through the green fields atop the cliffs as light dances upon the waves offshore. There’s a sense here – like at all of the views on this list – that you’re looking at the essence of Ireland; your trip to the island distilled into one perfect moment you’ll remember forever. What could be more awe-inspiring than that?