10 Hidden Gems You’ll Fall in Love With on an Ireland Road Trip

Heading to Ireland? You’re in for a treat. I’ll admit it, I’m a little jealous. You’ve probably got the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry on your list, and maybe even a stop to kiss the Blarney Stone, right? But let’s be real, you don’t need another travel guide telling you about places everyone already knows about. You’re here for the hidden gems!

When Jacob and I road-tripped around Ireland for two weeks, we found that the real magic was hiding in the little corners: the ruins covered with ivy, coastlines that felt like they belonged in another world, and tiny spots that seemed lost in time.

If that sounds like your kind of adventure, this Ireland travel guide is for you! These ten hidden gems aren’t the places everyone stumbles on, but they’ll leave you head-over-heels for Ireland.

Ready to explore? Let’s go.

An Epic Road Trip Around Ireland

We spent two weeks road-tripping around Ireland and drove basically the entire coastline. It was a lot of hours behind the wheel, but every twisty road and beautiful view made it so worth it.

And yet we still barely scratched the surface. Ireland is packed with hidden gems and no matter how many times you visit, there’s always another secret spot waiting to be discovered.

1. Coumeenoole Beach on Slea Head Drive

If there’s one place in Ireland that totally stole my heart, it’s Coumeenoole Beach. You’ll find it along Slea Head Drive, which is one of the most jaw-dropping coastal routes in all of Ireland.

It’s really not a surprise I fell for it. Sure, it gets busy, but it still feels like a hidden gem compared to the big-name sights everyone flocks to in the big cities like Dublin or Galway.

Coumeenoole Beach is wild and windswept, and feels like it was plucked right out of a fantasy film. If you’re road-tripping the Dingle Peninsula, promise me you won’t skip this stop. You’ll be so glad you pulled over!

The biggest surprise for us was definitely the water. We weren’t expecting to see bright turquoise colours in Ireland; it looked more like the Mediterranean than the Atlantic!

And yes, of course, we actually went for a swim. The water was chilly at first, but once you’re in, you adjust pretty quickly. We didn’t go too far, though. The waves here are strong and the currents can be quite dangerous.

⚠️Parking can be a nightmare, especially on a sunny day, so be prepared to circle a bit or park further up the road. If you’re planning to swim, there’s nowhere to change, so I highly recommend bringing a PackTowl changing poncho to make it easier.

2. Moore Hall in County Mayo

Moore Hall is another great hidden gem and is hidden deep in the woodlands of County Mayo. It’s overgrown, crumbling, and wrapped in just enough eerie legends to make it really interesting.

The story goes that back in 1792, a wealthy wine and brandy merchant named George Moore decided this was the spot to build his dream home, despite the locals warning him the land was cursed by King of Connaught’s druid, Drithliu in 400 A.D. Classic bad decision in every ghost story, ever.

Whether the curse is real or not, things went downhill fast. Shortly after moving in, George suffered a stroke that left him blind. More family tragedies followed and then in 1923 the house was burned down during the Irish Civil War.

Today, all that’s left are towering stone walls and nature slowly reclaiming the mansion. You can’t go inside, but walking around the exterior is pretty cool.

And of course, it wouldn’t be an Irish ruin without a few ghost stories. Some say you can hear ghostly laughter echoing through the ruins, while others claim to have seen shadowy figures moving between the trees or have had doors mysteriously slam shut on their own. Paranormal investigators have even snapped photos of what they swear are ghosts.

Did we see anything spooky? Nope. Did we get eerie vibes? Not even a little. Honestly, we had a blast wandering through the ruins! It felt more like a secret garden than a haunted mansion. There are even adorable little wooden animal carvings hidden around the trails.

But then again, we didn’t go at night.

3. Powerscourt Waterfall at Powerscourt Estate

Powerscourt Estate is fancy and well known. It has perfectly manicured gardens, grand architecture, and Downton Abbey vibes. But tucked away just a short drive from the main house is Powerscourt Waterfall, which I think is the estate’s real showstopper.

Even though it’s right next to one of the most famous estates in Ireland and is (questionably) the tallest waterfall in the country, Powerscourt Waterfall somehow remains a hidden gem. Locals know what’s up, but tourists? Not so much. Which, if you ask me, makes it even better.

We showed up expecting to take a quick look and ended up hanging out way longer than planned. There’s just something so about waterfalls; they’re so powerful, yet so peaceful. I could’ve stayed there for hours, just soaking it all in!

Plus, you don’t have to take a giant hike to reach the falls. It’s an easy, paved walk from the parking lot which also makes it one of the most accessible waterfalls in Ireland. So if you’re heading to Wicklow, don’t sleep on this one. It’s stunning and deserves way more hype!

4. Glenevin Waterfall in Donegal

Glenevin Waterfall doesn’t get nearly as much hype as some of Ireland’s other waterfalls, but I think that makes it even better! It’s tucked away on the Inishowen Peninsula and we didn’t expect to love this 30-foot watefall as much as we did. It was the perfect place to stretch our legs and take a break from driving around Donegal.

We loved this walk! The trail to Glenevin Waterfall is about 15-20 minutes and is super easy with gravel paths and plenty to look at along the way. Wooden footbridges crisscross the stream, picnic tables are scattered around, and fairy houses line the trail, which is a fun little touch that kids (and, let’s be honest, adults) will love.

When waterfall finally comes into view, it’s a beauty! After a good rain, the water crashes down the rock face. On drier days, it’s a gentler flow, but still a stunning sight. Either way, it’s a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy some Irish magic.

If you’re road-tripping through Donegal, defintely add Glenevin Waterfall to your list! It’s an easy, quiet stop and a great excuse to slow down and enjoy Ireland’s beauty.

5. Grianan of Aileach in County Donegal

We accidentally stumbled upon Grianan of Aileach. We were just driving through County Donegal when we spotted a sign for the ancient fort and thought, sure, why not?

Turns out, this place is epic! Grianan of Aileach is 244 metres above sea level and is a massive circular stone fort with unreal 360° views over Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone. And the best part is that we were practically the only ones there. It felt like we’d discovered some secret stronghold!

Grianan of Aileach is ancient. Legends says it’s tied to the Tuatha Dé Danann (aka the Fae Folk), who are the mythical beings who ruled Ireland before the Celts arrived and that Dagda, one of their gods, built the fort as a burial site for his son.

However, most historians think it was built at the end of the Iron Age. Later, it became an early medieval royal seat for the Uí Néill clan who were one of Ireland’s most powerful ruling families.

Grianan of Aileach is free and is a must-see if you love history and epic landscapes. If you’re road-tripping through Donegal, pull over becuase you’ll love it!

PS: It’s windy. Not just a light breeze, either, this was hold-onto-your-hat, hair-whipping-everywhere kind of windy.

6. Glencar Waterfall in County Leitrim

Since Jacob loves literature and I love waterfalls, we had to stop by Glencar Waterfall; after all, W.B. Yeats wrote about it in The Stolen Child. After seeing seeing the falls in person, it’s easy to see why he was so inspired.

Tucked away near Glencar Lough, the 50-foot waterfall tumbles straight down over a layered, moss-covered cliff which gives it a really unique look. The whole place feels peaceful and untouched, like a little hidden escape from the world.

The walk to the falls is short and easy, just a quick paved path with a staircase leading up for a better view. There are a few different spots along the way to stop and enjoy the view and if you look back, you’ll get a beautiful glimpse of Glencar Lough stretching into the distance.

Glencar Waterfall is free to visit with parking, picnic spots, and even a little tea shop nearby. If you’re road-tripping through Leitrim or Sligo, this is the perfect place to stretch your legs.

7. Aillwee Cave in the Burren

We didn’t realize Ireland had cave tours, so stumbling across Aillwee Cave in the Burren was a great surprise! Turns out, this underground cave system has stalactites, stalagmites, hidden waterfalls, and even bear fossils. It’s dark, eerie, and nothing like the rolling green hills full of castles and ancient stone structures we expected from Ireland.

The tour takes you into limestone caves where we walked through narrow tunnels, past underground waterfalls, and into huge caverns. At one point, the guide turned off all the lights and for a few seconds, we were in complete darkness (it reminded me of Ape Cave in Washington).

One of the coolest things about Aillwee Cave is that ancient bear bones were found here which proves that brown bears once lived in Ireland! It’s wild to think about how long this cave has been around and how many creatures have called it home. In fact, it’s one of the oldest caves in the Burren (and maybe even Ireland).

The tour is short and easy, only about 30 minutes, which makes it a great stop if you’re exploring the Burren or Cliffs of Moher. There’s also a bird of prey centre right next door where you can watch hawks, falcons, and owls up close.

If you’re looking for something unexpected in Ireland, Aillwee Cave is worth the stop! It’s got history and is a fun underground adventure.

8. Rossbeigh Strand along the Ring of Kerry

For a beach this beautiful, you’d think Rossbeigh Strand would be packed, but it’s not. Even though it’s a pretty popular stop along the Ring of Kerry, it somehow flies under the radar on most travel guides. Which just makes it feel even more like a hidden gem in my books.

But Rossbeigh doesn’t just have great views, it’s got plenty of adventure too! The Atlantic winds are perfect for windsurfing and kite surfing, and if horseback riding along the sand has ever been on your bucket list, this is the place to do it. In the summer, the calm waters are great for swimming and there’s even a playground for the kids.

We stayed at an Airbnb just a short walk away and completely fell in love with the area. After a long day of exploring, we stopped by Rosspoint Bar & Restaurant and grabbed a seat outside with an ocean view. The fresh mussels and clam chowder were some of the best of our trip!

If you’re road-tripping through the Ring of Kerry, don’t skip Rossbeigh Strand! Whether you’re here for the views, adventure, or just a quiet spot to unwind, this is easily one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets. It can be chilly and windy, but I found the water a lot warmer than elsewhere in Ireland (in late May).

9. Corcomroe Abbey in the Burren

We stumbled upon Corcomroe Abbey by accident, which is half the fun of exploring Ireland! Hidden in the rugged Burren landscape, this 13th-century Cistercian monastery feels like a piece of history frozen in time.

The abbey is surprisingly well-preserved and you can still see detailed stone carvings, including an effigy of King Conor O’Brien who helped fund the monastery and was later buried here. The weathered stone walls still stand strong and the whole place has a quiet, almost haunting beauty.

The dramatic hills and open countryside surrounding the ruins make it feel even more remote, like a secret piece of Ireland’s past just waiting to be explored. And as if finding a hidden abbey wasn’t cool enough, we also stumbled across a great chocolate shop nearby which made the whole detour even better.

Corcomroe Abbey is free to visit and a perfect quick stop if you’re exploring the Burren or heading to the Cliffs of Moher.

10. Fahan Beehive Huts on the Dingle Peninsula

If you’re driving Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula, keep an eye out for the Fahan Beehive Huts. They’re easy to miss but worth a stop. These mysterious stone dwellings, also known as clocháns, are believed to be over 1,000 years old!

We had so much fun exploring these huts! They’re made entirely of stacked stone, using a dry-stone technique that has kept them standing for centuries without mortar. They’re similar to the beehive huts on Skellig Michael which were famously used in Star Wars.

The site isn’t huge, but the history is interesting. The huts sit right off the main road, so they’re super easy to visit; just park, pay a small fee, and wander through these ancient structures. And with the epic coastal views in the background, it’s well worth the quick stop on your Dingle Peninsula road trip.

Ireland’s Best Hidden Gems

Ireland is full of bucket-list destinations like the Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Giant’s Causeway, but some of the best places are the ones you don’t hear about as often. Whether we stumbled upon them by accident or went out of our way to find them, these hidden gems made our trip unforgettable.

From hauntingly beautiful abbeys and ancient stone forts to quiet beaches and underground caves, each of these places had something special, whether that was no crowds, incredible history, or a little Irish magic.

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland and want to go beyond the usual stops, I highly recommend adding at least a few of these places to your itinerary. You’ll probably even find your own hidden gem along the way!