Exploring Hidden Gems in Ireland with Scenic Coach Tours

Summary:

Ireland is filled with remarkable settings some of which have also been used as shooting sites for some of your favourite television shows or movies. To discover these, you will have to travel outside of the city and explore the countryside, forests, and coastlines. Are you an adventurer in search of all the hidden gems of Ireland? Then this list of Ireland's most picturesque locations is exactly what you need!

Kinsale

County Cork

How to get there: You can hop on to a flight to Cork. It is a 20-minute drive from Ireland.Where to stay: Kinsale's Trident Hotel is situated on the waterfront.This vibrant village resembles the fishing village of Mellieha in Malta, where the movie "Popeye" was filmed. But Kinsale is an actual Irish village, not a set for a film. Seafarers own the colourful dwellings. They would paint their houses and boats with bright hues so that people could recognise them even in the fog from a distance. 

Benbulbin Mountain

County Sligo

How to get there: Plan your flights to Derry (two hours), Dublin (three hours), Belfast (two hours), or Knock (one hour by vehicle).Where to stay: The "Sligo Southern Hotel," which boasts an inviting bar with open fireplaces and a restaurant serving regional cuisine.Ireland is heaven on earth for tourists who are on the lookout for breathtaking landscapes. This mountain is quite close to the Northern Ireland border. County Sligo, where the flat mountain is situated, is also known as the Land of Yeats. This is more or less a tribute to the Irish poet William Butler Yeats. He wrote numerous poems about this area, the most well-known of which is "Under Ben Bulden."

Dark Hedges

Stranocum - Country Antrim - Northern Ireland

How to get there: Book your flights to Belfast or Derry (1 hour by car in both cases).Where to stay: “Causeway Coast Haven” is located near Dark Edges and only 15 km from Giant's Causeway.Dark Hedges will make you feel like you are part of a fantasy world! Located on the Bregagh Road in County Antrim, you will find here, trees with twisting branches that form a spellbinding tunnel. It is said to have inspired the directors of the Game of Thrones series. These trees are more than a hundred years old. It was a wealthy local, James Stuart, who planted them on his driveway for his house in the 18th century. Legend has it that the trees grew normally for a long time. But ever since the day of the tragic death of James Stuart's daughter, they have started to twist.

Downpatrick Head

Ballycastle - County Mayo

How to get there: Book your flights to Knock Airport and drive an hour to Ballycastle. Where to stay: “Diamond Coast Hotel” is a 4-star hotel that overlooks golden beaches and dune lands.Every nature lover must see Downpatrick Head at least once in their lives: the Dunn Bruiste rock does indeed look like a large slice of cake. You can even notice the chocolate streaks as well as layers of crèmes fraiche. A statue of Saint Patrick marks the start of this walk that leads you to one of Ireland's best-hidden gems.

Giant's Causeway

Bushmills - County Antrim

How to get there: You can book your flight to Belfast. Bushmill is an hour's drive from there.  Where to stay: “Portrush Atlantic Hotel” overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.Many wonders of Northern Ireland must be at the top of your travel wishlist. Giant's Causeway is surely one of them. This volcanic formation is unique: large basalt columns form more or less circular steps of different sizes that seem to sink into the Irish Sea.

Set off on the road less travelled!

Once you've ticked off your bucket list with Ireland's popular and best-known destinations, it's time to explore the lesser-known gems hidden in Ireland with Scenic Coach Tours. As you begin to discover areas that are usually not included in the 'greatest hits' catalogue of Irish travel, you'll also begin to wonder why. Most of these destinations won't have queues or activity like the Guinness Storehouse or Blarney Castle, but they certainly have no lack of character or charm. For more information or to book a tour, contact Scenic Coach Tours today! Just don't tell the locals we gave up their secret!

Author Bio:

The writer is passionate about travel and lifestyles and loves to write about different off-track adventures. Countryside and natural landscapes have carved a niche in her heart. She has developed an interest in Irish tourist companies that arrange off-route drives to lesser-known places. She shares her ideas on how we all can travel the whole of Ireland the native way!