Ireland Unrushed
Welcome to Ireland, where the pace is relaxed, the attitude is easy, and there’s joy to be found in life’s simple pleasures. Here, things slow down, which means you can really appreciate your time, whether it’s a leisurely train journey along the coast, a gentle cycle on a quiet greenway or a night spent under the stars in a cosy yurt.
In Ireland, the journey is every bit as rewarding as the destination. If you're planning to visit Ireland, discover six destinations across Ireland that are perfect for slowing down and taking it all in.
Westport, County Mayo
Rugged beauty, an incredible Atlantic setting and 18th-century elegance make Westport one of the most enjoyable towns on the Wild Atlantic Way. Almost everything can be explored on foot or by bike, meaning zero travel stress and ample opportunity to tune into Ireland’s unrushed pace of life. Located just three hours by train from Dublin, the journey to Westport is a pleasure, travelling through the heart of Ireland and out towards the crashing waves of the west coast.
Once there, deciding what to do is the only hard part. Should you cycle to the wilds of Achill Island along the Great Western Greenway? Indulge in a seaweed bath? Hike up Croagh Patrick in the footsteps of Ireland’s patron saint? Explore a pirate queen’s homeland on Clare Island? Or simply settle down beside the fire in Matt Molloy’s traditional pub with some cracking tunes and a pint? It’s all for the taking.
The Dublin coast
Dublin is famous for many things: the lived-in charm of its traditional Irish pubs, cobbled streets filled with history, and its literary greats. But at its heart, Dublin is a breezy, laid-back destination that delights those who take it slow. Fringed by the Irish Sea, backed by the Dublin Mountains and set on a spectacular horseshoe-shaped bay that’s been designated a UNESCO Biosphere, Dublin boasts stunning sea cliffs, sandy beaches and pretty seaside towns.
Best of all, this coastal charm is easily accessible thanks to the DART, an electric rail system that hugs the coastline. Take a trip to the buzzing harbour town of Howth for cliff walks and food markets, travel to Dún Laoghaire for pier strolls and great pubs, stay in a 19th-century Martello tower in Sutton, or climb Killiney Hill and take in one of the most beautiful views on the east coast.
Belfast, County Antrim
Belfast is full of intrigue. Small-scale and sociable, this bastion of creativity boasts colourful street art, a diverse music scene – it’s a UNESCO City of Music – and strong literary traditions. For many visitors, the city’s Titanic history is a big draw, but Belfast deserves a longer stay, where you can dig into its past, and get to know its people. Go beyond the grand Victorian buildings and cobbled alleyways of the city centre and you’ll encounter sun-dappled parks, riverside pathways and rugged hills surrounding the city, walking and cycling trails abound.
Venture further still and the beauty of Belfast Lough unfolds with delightful villages such as Whitehead and the impressive Norman castle of Carrickfergus, while the wonders of the Causeway Coastal Route invite you onwards. With an excellent public transport system and a two-hour train connection to Dublin, exploring around Belfast is not only easy, it’s a pleasure!
Kilkenny
When it comes to lasting legacies, Kilkenny is in a league of its own. The city pulls you in with tales of cunning witches and pioneering monks, and impresses with a countryside full of storybook monuments and remarkable crafts. Take your time here, and you’ll be rewarded with sun-dappled cycling paths, a great craft scene and plenty of medieval intrigue.
Just outside the city, you’ll find a wealth of charming towns and villages, undulating landscapes and gorgeous riverside walks.
Don’t miss intriguing experiences such as an apple brandy tasting at Highbank Orchards or watching the spellbinding art of glassblowing at Jerpoint Glass Studios. All this, just a 90-minute train journey from Dublin city.
Strangford, County Down
Around an hour from Belfast lies a place of serene beauty. Bordered by rolling hills and graced with fairytale castles, story-filled abbeys and the staggeringly beautiful stately home of Mount Stewart, Strangford Lough offers a complete escape into nature. Here, days are spent rambling along pretty coastal paths, hiking around shoreside trails, exploring ancient monastic sites, or skimming through the silvery-grey water on a kayak.
Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a UNESCO Global Geopark and an Area of Special Scientific Interest, Strangford boasts over 100 miles of shoreline. Travel at your own pace through sleepy villages and along the scenic shoreline. And when the day winds down, relaxing places to stay await, from the elegant Cuan hotel in Strangford town to rustic gems, such as The Little Green Beach Hut, overlooking the lough’s languid waters.
Cork
Set on the edge of Ireland’s spectacular southern coast, just over two and a half hours by train from Dublin, Cork sways to a different beat. This easy-going city exudes confidence, charisma and creativity, and is famously beloved by its residents. Pleasantly compact, friendly and with a wry sense of humour, the city does things its own way. Enjoy a gig in a beautiful converted church, explore an eerie 19th-century gaol and go on a whirlwind tour of traditional tastes at the English Market, Cork’s foodie hotspot. Then bed down for the night in the garrison house at 17th-century Elizabeth Fort before setting your sights beyond the city.
Getting around is easy – hop on a bus or train to delve into the Titanic history of Cobh, enjoy Michelin-starred dining in Kinsale, known as the “gourmet capital of Ireland”, and discover wave-lashed peninsulas, historic lighthouses and islands filled with history.
