Exploring Ireland: Expert Travel Tips & Castle Stay

From windswept coastlines to hidden glens, charming villages to bustling market towns, Ireland is a country that captures the heart at every turn. Its landscapes are dramatic, its history is rich and its people are famously welcoming. Every corner holds a story, a hidden gem or a moment of magic - whether it's the shimmering lakes of Connemara, the rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Bay or the echoes of ancient landmarks.

If you’re visiting Ireland for the first time, you might be wondering the best ways to explore and discover some hidden spots along the way. We love getting out to visit our castles first-hand, and we’re always happy to share our discoveries and local experiences, offering tips and little secrets we’ve picked up on our travels to help our customers see Ireland in the most authentic way.

Roger has lived in England for many years but was born in Belfast and regularly travels back home, while Lizzy, who lives in Yorkshire in the north of England, has made several trips to visit Irish castles. Both have picked up plenty of useful tips along the way.

Roger's Tips...

Roger, our Founder and very own Castle Man, offers deep knowledge of the country.

"For me the best way to get around Ireland is on a motorbike - freedom. I have spent a lot of time in Ireland, I was born there and lived there for the first 18 years of my life; any excuse to get back on the Island and I jump at it!

The Wild Atlantic Way has been commercialised but these are some highlights: Beara Peninsula - narrow, twisting roads, less touristy than Kerry; Ring of Kerry (early morning) - iconic, but best before the traffic; Dingle Peninsula - possibly the best riding roads in Ireland; I also have a soft spot for Connemara (Galway to Clifden and beyond) - bleak, beautiful, spiritual!

County Clare is a fabulous county and it harbours The Burren, full of lunar limestone landscape, ancient sites, and deep folklore. Riding through The Burren at sunset is uplifting, knowing that a traditional Irish pub awaits! Doolin is hard to beat for traditional music done properly! Nearby, and during the day, Poulnabrone Dolmen over 5,000 years old is truly awesome.

Get up North. Belfast offers so much, not just The Crown Bar - which has become a tourism hot spot - from the Titanic Visitor Attraction to the incredible food scene. Go outside the city - the Ards Peninsula, Mourn Mountains to the South or head North along the Causeway Coastal Route. Experience the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Torr Head and Dunluce Castle, stopping for seafood chowder and soda bread along the way. While you are up in this area the ferry from Magilligan to Greencastle gives access into Donegal, which feels more like the Ireland of 50 years ago, raw and authentic."

Lizzy's Tips...

Living in Yorkshire, Lizzy has always loved the countryside. She never turns down an opportunity to explore more of Ireland’s landscape or a trip to an Irish city!

“Dublin is a bustling, vibrant city, with its infamous nightlife, and many bars and restaurants, however, twenty minutes outside of it and you can find the gorgeous beaches of Dollymount, Clontarf, and a wonderful nature reserve, Bull Island. Easy to get to by public transport with plenty of buses from the city centre.

Explore further using the DART train from Dublin to follow the coastline up to Howth or down to Greystones, taking in the gorgeous little towns en-route. Familiar names like Dun Laoghaire and Malahide bring memories of one of my favourite authors, Maeve Binchy, and exploring this coastline is one of the many joys of my visits to Ireland.

If you’re happier by car and want to explore the top coastline of Ireland, then the ‘Giant’s Causeway’ is not one to miss! We’ve all seen this on many tv programmes, but the reality and scale of this landmark truly took my breath away. Having found a wonderful little pub, The Rusty Mackrel, in Carrick for an overnight stay (proving I don’t always stay in castles!), and with a live band, the wind howling in the autumn evening, and a roaring fire, it was a great way to spend the evening.

Driving around Ireland is relatively easy, however, the transport links are amazing. From Dublin to Galway in two and a half hours, watch the countryside flash past your window while you relax and enjoy the views. The Transport City Bus network is extensive and reliable, so again, getting around and about is very easy.

One thing to remember, upon arrival in Ireland, treat yourself to a TFI Leap Card from the post office or many small outlets in whichever city you arrive in. This gives you access to travel within a certain radius from the city centre, and is a cheap and efficient way to get around. Be warned, when the Irish bus drivers say card or cash, they mean the Leap Card or cash; you can’t flash your credit card here!”

Sharing our First-hand Knowledge

At Celtic Castles, we believe the best travel advice comes from sharing first-hand experience. We love exploring the regions when visiting our castles and sharing what we have learned along the way. Roger and Lizzy’s insights are just a glimpse of the knowledge within our team, gathered through years of exploring our castles and their surroundings. Our castle experts are always happy to share more tips and local insights, helping you plan an Irish castle adventure that’s perfectly suited to you.

Create Your Own Castle Experience

You can speak to us for free, 7-day-a-week, by video call, telephone, or email. Getting started is easy: either call us on +44 (0) 1422 323 200, or fill in our short form and we’ll get right back to you. If you'd like to get a feel for what's on offer, take a look at our castle hotels in Ireland.