10 Free Things to do in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands That You Shouldn't Miss

December 18, 2021 Sheron Bogner

Discover the best top things to do in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Ireland including Kilkee Cliff Walk, Wild Atlantic Way, Galway Cathedral, Salthill Promenade, Glencar Waterfall, Loop Head, Corcomroe Abbey, Ross Errily Friary, The Burren, Quay Street.
Restaurants in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands

1. Kilkee Cliff Walk

Dunlicky Road, Kilkee Ireland http://www.loophead.ie/where-to-go-in-ireland-kilkee-cliff-walk/
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 496 reviews

Kilkee Cliff Walk

Reviewed By _wilmount - Limerick, Ireland

A delightful walk along the wild Atlantic way, breathtaking scenery and the ocean is majestic, a must do when in Kilkee

2. Wild Atlantic Way

Wild Atlantic Way The Atlantic Coast of Ireland, Galway Ireland +353 91 778 778 http://www.wildatlanticway.com/home
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,705 reviews

Wild Atlantic Way

Reviewed By 2hopeless - Chichester, United Kingdom

After spending 3 days in Dublin we headed to the west stopping en route at the diner in Ballinasloe which was good for a quick lunch. We spent 3 nights in Galway, taking in the Galway Food Tour and enjoying the bars and street entertainment in the Latin Quarter. Onward for a few nights in Doolin Co. Clare visiting The Buren, Inis Oirr Aran Island, and the local hostelries. A lengthy scenic drive through Kerry, around the lakes of Killarney (unfortunately on a rainy misty day) to the Beara Peninsula for 4 days. Whilst we enjoyed all of it the change in scenery at each place captured the imagination and we all felt that it was merely an introduction for us to revisit soon. We travelled in June, however, roads are narrow and at peak holiday time it may be annoying as there are so many camper vans and huge tour buses at some of the more well known sights so cars have to move over, getting superficial scratches from the hedgerows. Be careful because there are ditches alongside the roads which are not obvious as they are covered in vegetation and may appear as solid ground.

3. Galway Cathedral

University and Gaol Rds. Cathedral Square, Galway Ireland +353 91 563 577 [email protected] http://www.galwaycathedral.ie/
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,951 reviews

Galway Cathedral

Reviewed By CarolinaNurse323 - Kernersville, United States

My husband & I were travelling with a tour group with Gate 1 Travel and Galway Cathedral was on our list of MUST SEE when we arrived in Galway. This spectacular Cathedral was built with local limestone and Connemara marble and is truly amazing. The awe inspiring sanctuary with its wooden pews, flags, marble floors, stained glass windows, altars, cupola and THAT large pipe organ are exquisite! The plaque with JFK made a lasting impression. THIS CATHEDRAL IS A MUST SEE! TRULY ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN!

4. Salthill Promenade

157/159 Upper Salthill, Galway Ireland http://www.travelsalthill.com
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,023 reviews

Salthill Promenade

Reviewed By 128annettes - Nenagh, Ireland

If I was lucky enough to live within walking distance of this lovely promenade I would indeed be a very grateful lady. Yes, it is very busy on a nice day and you do have many children, dogs, bicyclists and roller skaters to share with, bu it is a lovely walk with plenty of places to rest, breathe in that sea air and watch the world go by.

5. Glencar Waterfall

Glencar, Leitrim, Carrick-on-Shannon Ireland
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 538 reviews

Glencar Waterfall

Reviewed By 106virginiar - Fort Myers, United States

The drive through the valley is worth the eye candy with the extraordinary mountains surrounding you, then to arrive at the car park lined with welcoming sheep and a magnificent lake. You feel like you are in a dream. A very short walk and some steps you see the breathtaking waterfall.

6. Loop Head

Ireland +353 1 670 4733 http://www.clare.ie/place/loop-head-peninsula/
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 321 reviews

Loop Head

Reviewed By TravelBugDonegal

A lovely unspoilt part of Co Clare. Cliffs and seaviews are amazing. There is a large stack running parallel to the top of the cliff face. Much quieter than the Cliffs of Moher but equally as impressive. Many lovely wee towns on this route.

7. Corcomroe Abbey

County Clare, Ireland Ireland
Excellent
58%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 134 reviews

Corcomroe Abbey

Reviewed By RAyandBeau

I have visited many of the still functioning abbeys. Corcomroe Abbey, although in ruins , has retained that sense of separation from the world practiced by monks worldwide. The silence that surrounded the place as well as the silence within reminded me of the inner silence that is sought by those who enter Monasteries and Abbeys everywhere. I was fortunate to be there at a time when there was no one else around so the solitude and silence was profound. I found myself imagining myself as a monk in the 12th and 13th Centuries .. I was there on October 22, 2018 just a few days before the days of Halloween and All Saints... Could feel the Spirits of those so long departed.

8. Ross Errily Friary

Headford Ireland http://www.monastic.ie/history/ross-errilly-franciscan-friary
Excellent
70%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 100 reviews

Ross Errily Friary

9. The Burren

The Burren House Farm County Clare, Ireland Ireland +353 65 708 8030 http://www.theburrencentre.ie
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 708 reviews

The Burren

Bare limestone plateau characterized by carboniferous limestone abounding in corals, mollusks and other fossils that lived in the shallow seas over 300 million years ago.

Reviewed By davidaedwards-au - Melbourne, Australia

I have found that many parts of the West Coast of Ireland are unique and different to each other - travel a few hours north or south and the terrain changes. The Burren in one of the most unique places I have visited, due to it's unique geological features. I'd advise the coast road and stop from time to time to take in the beauty. There are some interesting sights in the Burren away from the coast, so you can loop up into the hills and back down. It is one of the quieter parts of Ireland.

10. Quay Street

Galway Ireland
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,530 reviews

Quay Street

Reviewed By LillianM751

A must if you visit Galway...it's vibrant with street entertainers of the highest calibre. .musicians with great talent all in a pedestrian area with shops selling everything from funny Irish souvenirs to musical instruments ..good pubs with live music sessions and good food.The friendly Irish know how to enjoy themselves...

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