Ireland’s Unique, Off-Beat, & Often-Missed Sites
The nearby dolmen holds our attention, as does the local music session.
We can’t resist haunted pubs, beloved movie locations, and shops run by colorful locals.
We’re the contributors of IrelandTravelKit.com, and we’re happy to share our favorite bits of Ireland with you.
Donagh Cross: Carndonagh, Co Donegal
Carndonagh is a town on the Inishowen 100 driving route and well worth a visit if you are at all interested in Celtic Crosses. We came across this place by accident, and I was thrilled to find the...
Break from the 21st Century on Owey Island: Co Donegal
The island off the coast of Donegal is totally untouched by 21st century life as we know it. Yes, there are fridges and cookers in the houses that are only occupied part of the year, but these...
The Entrance to Hell: Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon
I never would have thought I'd find the entrance to hell in Roscommon... although historians and locals would probably prefer we called it by its other name, Oweynagat or Cave of the Cats. The hell...
The Birthplace of James Napper Tandy: Dublin City
While exploring the medieval district of Dublin you may find yourself wandering around the grounds of St. Audeon's Church. Adjacent to this church once stood the birthplace of James Napper Tandy, a...
Read the Ogham Stone: Aghadoe, Co Kerry
Distracted by the magnificent view of the lakes and mountains near Killarney, most visitors march passed the stone embedded into a wall near a church ruin. Upon closer inspection, one will spot the...
Ring the Bells and Climb the Clock Tower at Shandon Church: Cork City, Co Cork
Dominating the Cork City skyline is the clock tower of St. Anne's church in Shandon. From a distance it may look like just another fine Irish church, but St. Anne's is a bit more special. Visitors...
The Little Ark Church on Wheels: Moneen, Co Clare
In the 1850s, Father Meehan outwitted the local landowner on Loop Head who refused to allow Catholic Mass to be said on his property. The priest ordered a tiny wooden church to be built with large...
Mass Rock from Ireland’s Penal Times: Cork, County Cork
The Mass Rock at this location commemorates one of the many places in the Irish countryside, where Catholics went to worship, during a time when religious persecution was rampant in Ireland. People...
Beehive Tomb: Reynella, Co Westmeath
It's always good to be prepared, and for Adolphus Cooke, that meant building his father's mausoleum in the shape of a beehive. He believed dad would be reincarnated as a bee and had his tomb...
McCarthy Mor Castle Ruins: Killarney, Co Kerry
Sitting on a small jut of land, at the edge of Lough Lein on the grounds of the Killarney Lake Hotel, is the 12th century McCarthy Mór castle ruins. Twice I took a walk to the ruins from the hotel,...
