One of the things that I enjoy the most about traveling is completely immersing myself in the landscape and culture of the places I’m visiting. Wandering the streets and hiking the hills gives me a feeling of belonging, even if only for a short while, during my globe-trotting adventures. Ireland is one of those places that stays with you long after you leave. During my brief visit this past Fall I was only able to see a small part of this beautiful Country but it left a huge impression on me; the people I met were lovely, the places I saw were unbelievably gorgeous and GREEN (it truly lives up to its nickname of the Emerald Isle), and I can’t wait to return to explore and experience more of the beauty that Ireland so plentifully offers. In putting together my photos for this post I had a difficult time choosing which ones to include. The photos I chose will show you why I was completely captivated by this charming Country and why my heart will forever long to be there. So, take a look at 18 photos that will make you want to visit Southern Ireland too:
KILLARNEY
The town of Killarney encompasses all that is wonderful about traveling to Ireland. The town is full of fantastic restaurants and shops, lively Irish music, and rolling green countryside. It’s located on the northern shore of Lough Leane and is part of Killarney National Park. There is so much to see and do in and around Killarney and the locals are warm and welcoming. It’s easy to see why Killarney is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland.
SNEEM
The town of Sneem, located in the Ring Of Kerry, can best be described as a fairytale setting. The whole town looks like it popped straight out of a storybook. The town has a collection of pyramids called “The Way the Fairies Went” that were built by local stoneworkers. The structures were inspired by the Gaelic folklore of fairies that appeared among the tops of haycocks and these fairy huts give them a place to return home to… and what a pretty home it is! Sneem has definitely not seen the last of me!
Gap Of Dunloe
On a whim, I decided to take a horse-drawn wagon tour of the Gap of Dunloe and it was one of the best decisions I made during my trip. The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass between MacGillycuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain. The terrain is rough and hilly and the views of the countryside are breathtaking. Next time I visit I plan to set aside enough time to hike the Gap so that I can explore some of the areas I didn’t get to see.
I loved my visit to this amazing part of Ireland and I’m planning on returning just as soon as I can. Have you ever traveled to Ireland? What was your favorite town or City? Leave a comment and share your recommendations!
Susan is a Travel/Lifestyle Writer & Photographer. She’s Mom to four children ranging in age from 13 to 24 and is an avid solo and family traveler. She’s always on the look-out for her next adventure and loves to share each of her journeys along the way!
I’ve only been to Dublin twice, but would love to explore more of the countryside. Especially go to Tara where they crowned the kings.
I’m planning on going back this year! I will definitely have to add that to my list of places to visit!