Travel in Ireland Guide

If you are looking for a romantic get away over the weekend or longer, or for popping that question, or either just trying to make precious memories that will last you a lifetime, Ireland is the place to be. Although not all place are easy to get to and some may be founded off by the beaten tracks, however it is all worth the effort.

Here are the best places to go to in a Romantic Setting:

1) Inistioge, Co Kilkenny

It is nestled by a streaming river amongst the rolling hills, the town of Inistoige is a place of a flavoured secret romantic hideaway for the Irish people. By the day, you can stroll along a grassy footpath that is situated on a wide peaceful river, you can walk through the woods and gardens in the gracious old Woodstock Estate or explore the ruins of the riverside castle. At the evening, you can eat at an exquisite restaurant where the owner of the restaurant himself will personally welcome you. You can also chose to relax by a roaring fire in one of the local pubs near the place.

This place is so good that there were movies that were made in this village, movies like “Circle of Friends” and “Widow’s Peak” who brought stars like Minnie Driver, Mia Farrow, Chris O’Donnell, Joan Plymouth and Adrian Dunbar to town.

Mary Tighe who was a great poet that lived in Woodstock Estate and published in 1805 had brought about a translation of the poem bated back in the 2nd century, “Cupid Psyche”, called “ Psyche or the Legend of Love”. It seems like a dull piece but it was very popular during their times that is had ran to 6 editions. To sample of this poem would be…
“Oh, who art thou who darest of Love complain?
He is a gentle spirit and injures none!
His foes are ours; from them the bitter pain, T
he keen, deep anguish, the heart-rending groan,
Which in his milder reign are never known.
His tears are softer than the April showers,
White-handed Innocence supports his throne,
His sighs are sweet as breath of earliest flowers,
Affection guides his steps, and peace protects his bowers.”

What to see and do in the place

The River Nore is streaming through the village and is surrounding the countryside as a riverside footpath. The best views of the river and the valley came from the views of Woodstock Estate that is high above a hill the village. It has over 50 acres of garden and creating a more splendid walk, where you can also see some lovely old dovecote.

St. Mary is a church that is found at the center of a village of which is dated back in the 13th century. The 14th century merchant’s house was overlooking the tree lined village square and there you’ll find a nice small garden where you can sit and view the world as clouds go by. Sitting on a rock above the river are the remains of Norman Motte and Bailey Castle.

Kilkenny is just nearby and is a good day out with its castle and round about street and lanes. However, this place is a place relaxation and not doing so much at all.

Where to stay In

You can find at the Gate Lodge Berryhill, found just outside the town, there are so many wonderful views over the fields of lands and streaming river below, you can have an open fire to curl up in front while you enjoy the evening. Also you can have an option of getting a room in Woodstock Arms in the village where there’s a nice pub of a good rooms overhead.

Eating and Drinking

In the village there’s a place called CIRCLE OF FRIEND where it is a café by day and a bar and bistro by night time. This place serves good food in a cozy dining area that is of a lovely old house. There is also a place that is called The Motte, is it a 18th century place at the edge of the village but it is more of the upscale market yet the food there is really good. While in some places like Woodstock and Lenihan’s and O’Donnell’s are nice friendly pubs.

Where is it located?

Inistoge is situated half of the way between New Ross and Kilkenny that is in South East Ireland.

2) Achill Island

Achill is found off the coast of Co Mayo where it is Ireland’s larges island and that it is connected to the mainland by a bridge. The Island is rich in history and the evidence of human settlement that is going back more than 4000 years.

The see is just near this place, and it has a long sandy shore to stroll along in, having tiny deserted coves and soaring cliffs walks and everywhere is just filled with pure and clean oceanic water. The place is peaceful with the sun reflecting on water making the place all the more bright while seeing huge waves crashing. There are a couple of dolphins and Whales that are a constant visitor in this area that you can often see them on the shore.

Achill is a name from a story that had been dated in the 20th century. There was an American by the name of Robert Henri who fell in love with a woman named Achill and that they spent several summers on the Island. At first they were renting a place, and now they are buying Boycott’s House. Robert produced around 100 paintings and mostly are picture of locals and children there.

What to see and do in Achill

Achill is filled in history that there is lot to see, do and explore in this place, you can also see ancient megalithic tombs and standing stones in this area, holy wells, a crannog, a deserted village, early Christian monastic settlements and famine ruins.

Take a walk in The Minaun Walk where it takes you to a lofty hill, opt to walk on a clear day and the views will seem to never end that you will feel a whole different world that is yours. You can also opt to walk at Achills highest mountain which is Slievemore. In Slievemore, you will see a deserted village that had been abandoned in the second half of the 19th century. Its residents are the victims of famine and eviction that mostly have eigrated to America.

In Bullsmouth there is a body of water where you can hire a local fisherman to take you by traditional local boat to a deserted island that is called Innisbiggle that is just a few minutes away across the sea.

Where to Stay

There’s an exceptional guesthouse at Keel and it is called The Bervie Guesthouse that is overlooking the sea and with a fabulous scenery of the coast of Innisboffine, Innisturk and Clare Island.

There’s a traditional Achill cottage that is up to date in comfort with wonderful views and has a very pleasant walk from Keel.

Where to Drink Dine and Unwind

In Keel you’ll see a place that’s called Beehive, it is a craft shop and a restaurant that serves superb seafood and dishes with local influences that includes a delightful nettle soup.

Out to eat in a clear sky day, you can see the overlooking views of Minuan Cliffs.

A good drinking place in Keel would be in The George, this place is a pub located in a wing of the old Landlord’s house. The place is lively and is popular with the locals. Other pubs would include McLoughin’s, Lavelle’s in Cashel and Gielty’s in Doonagh. All pubs show a traditional music session.

Where is Achill

It is located in the west of Ireland off the coast of Co Mayo where the nearest large town is Westport.

3) Yeats Country

This is where one of the most profound and renowned romantic poets have lived, William Butler Yeats. Though he has left a couple of times, this is the place where he would always go back to and is the place where he is not buried.

No wonder he became an expert in romantic poems, cause when you visit this place, it is just naturally filled with romance like seeing a place of green forest, cool gushing rivers and peaceful lakes going to a coastline that is on its way to sandy beaches with high limestone ridges. Ben Bulben was a guy who had dominated the north while in the south you will find Lough Gill and in its center you will find the lake Isle of Inisfree.

To go back to the topic of William Buttle Yeats is to know that he was buried in Drumvliffe and that one of his greatest romantic poems written is a poem entitled “Cloths of Heaven”

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet;
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly for you tread on my dreams.

There’s also a school for the writers and poets which is called Yeats Summer School. It is an annual summer school with lectures for reading and other events that are related to his life and his work. There is a big event that is usually attended by the academics, lovers of poetry and students that came from different places of Ireland, Europe and even the USA.

What to Do and See in Yeats Country

The must sees would be Lissadell House and the cemetery at Drumcliffe where Yeats is buried.

Just close to Drumscliffe you’ll see a lake and this is called Glencar Lake that is worth a visit that has a beautiful waterfall.

There is also the Parke’s Castle that is a a 17th century fortified manor that is overlooking the lovely site of Lough Gill. There’s a harbour nearby from where you can catch a boat ride to the Lake Isle of Inisfree which is the place where Yeats have written:
“And I shall have some peace there, For peace comes dropping slow, Dropping from the veils of the morning To where the cricket sings; ”
Furth from the side of Lough Gill, there are magnificent views at Dooney Rock where it overlooks the lake of Ben Bulben. This is a spot where you can do picnics with woodland walks behind you and the country side just opens its arms to embrace you.
Where to Stay In
Just near Mullaghmore there is a place called The Cottage where it is incredibly pretty, beautifully restores and idyllic with flowers blooming in a the garden and has a n open fire inside.
There is a large and elegeant country house that is called Temple House where its near Lough Gill. It has huge bedroom and great food.
Where to Drink, Dine and Unwind
Eithna’a Restaurant is in Mullaghmore and just by the harbor, in specializes in local seafood and is good in it specialty.

Yeats’ Tavern Restaurant & David’s Pub that is found in Drumscliffe where it is found to be a good lunchtime spot. Also near the place is a small tea house that has great choices of snacks, sandwhiches and cakes.
Where to find Yeats Country
Yeats’ is to be found in Co Sligo that is centered around Drumcliff which is found just north east of Sligo town.
So here it is and enjoy the hidden and best places to go in Ireland where romance is just waiting amidst its natures embrace. May you have the luxury of a blissful feel when on your way and through out the trip in the top best romantic place in Ireland.