The five best places to vacation in Ireland – for tranquility, activity and affordability – The Irish Times

The judges of The Irish Times Best Place to Holiday in Ireland competition have selected their final five destinations.

In May this year, The Irish Times embarked on a search for the best place to vacation in Ireland 2022, in association with Fáilte Ireland. This list is based on reader nominations, our own visits, and judges’ ratings.

[ Best Place to Holiday in Ireland 2022: The top 20 locations, across every province ]

Some 1,200 people from all 32 counties sent in entries for the competition. The final decision is now in the hands of our jury: Nadia El Ferdaoussi, travel blogger; Loop Head Peninsula County Councilor Cillian Murphy; Trevor White, director of the Little Museum in Dublin; and Irish Times journalists Rosita Boland and Mary Minihan. The best place to vacation in Ireland 2022 will be announced on the August bank holiday weekend in The Irish Times.

The Burren, County Clare

The Burren is surprisingly original, with so much to see and do. It’s greener than you might expect – not just barren rock – and below are impressive caves with fossils embedded in the rock. The area is easier to get to than many places in the west of Ireland, but stretches out to the Atlantic, with beaches such as Fanore easily accessible.

Key attractions include Aillwee Cave/Birds of Prey Centre, Cliffs of Moher and Doolin Cave. And take the free guided walking tour of Burren National Park, booking at [email protected]. Tours focus on orchids, butterflies, geology or archaeology.

There is a variety of towns: Lisdoonvarna is traditional, almost untouched by modernity; Doolin is better maintained and more prosperous. It is also a starting point for the Aran Islands.

Restaurants abound in the neighborhood. Special mention to the Monks at Ballyvaughan Pier, the Burren Perfumery takeaway coffee (you’ll need a cup) and the Wild Honey Inn, Ireland’s first Michelin-starred pub. There is a Saturday farmer’s market in Ballyvaughan – the Burren is famous for its local food producers.

You can get around by bicycle, motorbike or car, and some people even do it on foot. There are several bus routes and a public shuttle from Corofin to the national park. There is no sense that tourists/visitors are being ‘ripped off’, although hotels are hard to find at busy times of year, partly because of the initiative locals have taken to welcome refugees from Ukraine.

It is the ‘real Ireland’ that many seek, but few can find.

Achill Island, County Mayo

Stunning and basic, with soaring skies and stunning sea and mountain views, the scenery is the star of Achill (although some of the planning and accommodation leaves a bit to be desired).

The main attractions here are outdoors, and this big island is full of beaches, mountains, lakes and adventure activities. Some of its outstanding features are the ‘beach at the end of the world’ which is the Keem Blue Flag strand, as well as Keel and Dooagh, both of which offer good surfing. Keel Lake offers paddleboarding and windsurfing.

It’s a long drive from anywhere…although fit and organized souls can get there by train and bike, via Westport. It’s also a beautiful place to explore on foot or by bike, and there are plenty of rental options. The Great Western Greenway connects Achill to Westport and makes a great day trip. Retail enthusiasts can pick up excellent local bespoke produce, such as Achill lamb and local sea salt jam and honey, from the tourist and craft shops.

There’s a good range of food at all price points, from roadside food trucks to restaurants and cafes, so – in an expensive year for Irish tourism – Achill doesn’t have to be an expensive trip. Similarly, there are plenty of moderately priced accommodations, including campsites, hostels, bed and breakfasts, and B&Bs.

Achill is called Adventure Island and it certainly is. It’s a wonderful place to spend a family holiday, with plenty of outdoor activities available and it’s a destination worthy of the list of best places to holiday in Ireland.

Carlingford, County Louth

Situated near Carlingford Lough, one of only three natural fjords in Ireland, overlooking the Morne Mountains and backed by the Cooley Mountains, it is one of the most breathtaking locations on the east coast. A rare mix of medieval buildings and 20th and 21st century additions, the town itself is as beautiful as the landscape in which it sits. It attracts tourists from the North and the South.

It’s affordable for young people but offers something for all age groups except perhaps those who want a quiet vacation away from it all. Note, however, that Carlingford is a popular party town with young visitors and on weekends, stags and hens.

The adventure center in the heart of town offers all kinds of activities, from paddleboarding to ziplining to forest skills. The Greenore golf course is of a very good standard. The short ferry ride to Co Down is an experience in itself and further opens up the scope of things to do in the wider area. You will never run out of things to do here.

Most people get there by car, but you can get there using the Greenore-Greencastle ferry, or by bike if you’re feeling energetic. There are many walks in the nearby hills/mountains, including the 40km Táin Way which can be done in two days.

There are plenty of all kinds of accommodation, from the upmarket Ghan House and Four Seasons hotel to the city hostel/adventure center. There is a huge variety and number of food options, plus a supermarket to buy your own.

It is an established tourist town, offering golf, gourmet breaks and luxury accommodation all year round, as well as summer activities.

Inishbofin, County Galway

There is something special about Inisbofin: a wonderfully tranquil place to visit, with a good cultural scene if you know where to look. This beautiful 5.5km long island, off the northwest coast of Co Galway, has a rugged coastline on its western flank, beautiful sandy beaches and rich archaeology.

It’s a 35 minute ferry ride from Cleggan, Co Galway, where you’ll pay €4 a day for parking. The ferry is wheelchair accessible. There is a shop selling groceries open daily in the summer, and SuperValu in Clifden will deliver to Cleggan if you need to bring extra supplies for longer visits.

The island has no sense of elitism; it attracts people from all over Ireland and overseas visitors. Overall, prices are reasonable, both for food and accommodation. There are around 500 beds in hotels, a hostel and bed and breakfasts, and then plenty of self-catering accommodation for rent. But book early as these are usually booked in advance by returning vacationers.

There’s an arty vibe with lots of musicians and a bit of a hippie/hipster vibe too. If you like the outdoors, you will have a holiday in Inisbofin as walking or cycling are the main ways to get around. You can rent paddle boards or kayaks to explore it from the water, and the Inishbofin Blueway also has a snorkel trail.

Causeway Coast and Portrush, County Antrim

Any city would love to have a nice beach, and here there are two, which you can walk to and from within minutes. The town itself is a mix of carefully preserved storefronts, numerous gambling halls and fast food restaurants. But for all its traditional tourist atmosphere, Portrush is an attractive place.

You can rent surf gear for the day in at least two places. At Woodies, it’s £20 (€24) for a surfboard, £25 for a paddle board and £10 for a wetsuit (adult). They also offer lessons.

There is a range of accommodation – from mid-range hotels and guesthouses to hostels and AirBnBs. While prices rise here as prosperity comes to the touristy Old Town, they are still more competitive than many places in the Republic. It’s also a pet-friendly city, far ahead of the south in that regard, with plenty of dog-friendly cafes and bars. The main dining options – an important part of life in Portrush – are centered around the harbour, a complex of around six different restaurants and bars.

But perhaps Portrush’s main attraction is a base for exploring the Causeway Coast, home to not only the Giant’s Causeway but also the towns of Portstewart, Cushendall and Cushendun, and the Glens Road. ‘Antrim, surely one of the great roads of Ireland. .

This city and this region are no secret but, somewhat unfortunately, the vast majority of its visitors still come from the North. This is a place that should be on every Irish tourist’s hit list.