Top Things to do in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands
Top 5 Scenic Drives in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands
Discover the best top things to do in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Ireland including Burren Coastline Drive, Wild Atlantic Way, The Vee, Loop Head, The Connemara Giant.
Restaurants in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands
1. Burren Coastline Drive
2. Wild Atlantic Way
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,705 reviews
Reviewed By 2hopeless - Chichester, United Kingdom
After spending 3 days in Dublin we headed to the west stopping en route at the diner in Ballinasloe which was good for a quick lunch. We spent 3 nights in Galway, taking in the Galway Food Tour and enjoying the bars and street entertainment in the Latin Quarter. Onward for a few nights in Doolin Co. Clare visiting The Buren, Inis Oirr Aran Island, and the local hostelries. A lengthy scenic drive through Kerry, around the lakes of Killarney (unfortunately on a rainy misty day) to the Beara Peninsula for 4 days. Whilst we enjoyed all of it the change in scenery at each place captured the imagination and we all felt that it was merely an introduction for us to revisit soon. We travelled in June, however, roads are narrow and at peak holiday time it may be annoying as there are so many camper vans and huge tour buses at some of the more well known sights so cars have to move over, getting superficial scratches from the hedgerows. Be careful because there are ditches alongside the roads which are not obvious as they are covered in vegetation and may appear as solid ground.
3. The Vee
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
on the R668 between Clogheen and Glenaknockaun West
Reviewed By MT1 - Aurora, United States
We made this drive after leaving Waterford and heading to Cahir. It is a beautiful drive full of nice vistas out in the country - well worth a trip. We made several scenic drives somewhat similar to this during our 16 days in Ireland - Caha Pass, Conor Pass, etc. It's nice to take some time to get away from all the tour busses and major crowds at all the big tourist attractions and just enjoy some quieter time in the beautiful Irish countryside. Make the effort to get here - you won't be sorry ...
4. Loop Head
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By TravelBugDonegal
A lovely unspoilt part of Co Clare. Cliffs and seaviews are amazing. There is a large stack running parallel to the top of the cliff face. Much quieter than the Cliffs of Moher but equally as impressive. Many lovely wee towns on this route.
5. The Connemara Giant
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 16 reviews
The Connemara Giant is a very well preserved late 20th century antiquity. It is said to embody the God of Connemara. Known locally as ‘The Connemara Giant’ The name Connemara derives from ‘Conn Son of the Sea’ An interesting feature of the monument is the local tale that states if you touch the giants hand (the one holding the stone) you will be blessed with the knowledge of his ancient tribe This continuing tradition is colloquially known as touching the hand of knowledge. And to this day local school kids will touoch the hand to give them luck before an exam.
Reviewed By IrishLass61
On one of our previous bi-annual trips to Ireland, I saw a postcard of the Connemara Giant in a shop in Clifden and wondered how we could have missed this landmark on our previous trips to the region. We set out to find the legendary Giant and were delighted to discover this "20th Century Antiquity" on N59 near Recess. Local legend says that if you touch the hand of the Connemara Giant you will be blessed with the knowledge of his ancient tribe. We actually were blessed with the gift of laughter due to someone's remarkable sense of humor. On this (our 3rd) visit, we were fortunate enough to run into Mark Joyce, the creator of our friendly Giant, inside Joyce's Craft Shop when we stopped by to say farewell to our favorite Giant prior to leaving Connemara. When my mom excitedly discovered who Mark was, she asked for a photo with him inside the shop to avoid disrupting his business. He instead offered her the chance to be photographed with him and his creation (one of the benefits of owning the business was being able to leave whenever he wanted, he told us jokingly). The photo is lovely, the memory even better. Thanks Mark - I've included the photo of you and my 87 year old Mum (Pat Butch). You made our day and have become a legend in the Butch family!
