Best kept secrets?

An Port in County Donegal. An Australian couple we met while exploring Dunlewy Chapel told us about it. https://www.welovedonegal.com/port-ghost-village.html

In Donegal, hiking out to Horn Head in the Bloody Foreland. Lakeside Trail in Glenveagh National Park, Donegal. Walking Killahoey Beach outside Dunfanaghy in Donegal. Researching the Northern Irish branch of my family at the public library in Derry. Walking across the Peace Bridge in Derry (not exactly a secret). Walking the Derry City Walls in the evening with no one around. Belfast train station bake sale! (We just stumbled upon that one).

Interesting both of these are for Donegal, which is probably the least visited part of Ireland but is scenically the equal of elsewhere... we explored with a map and found some delightful small towns and villages well off the tourist itinerary. Cloghaneely springs to mind. There was also Doe castle

We found Carrowkeel Passage Tombs (Roscommon) and Carey Castle (near Clonmel) to be particularly satisfying because we were the only people there. We also had secluded experiences on Horn Head. I'm noticing a theme to our favorites...

We visited Cahir Castle in the town of Cahir (near Clonmel) at our BnB hosts recommendation. It was not crowded at all and we thought it was delightful.
Of course, it’s not well known, but we thought it made it more interesting.
The day before we had been to Rock of Cashel ruins which is also amazing.

I enjoy wandering through ruins, especially in a beautiful setting, and imagining life lived there in that time.

I thoroughly enjoyed Cahir castle. We also enjoyed visiting the woolen mill in Avoca. It was only after our trip we found out the town was the filming location of the UK TV series Ballykissangel.

Not a secret, but my wife and I were in Kyteler Bar in Kilkenny eating dinner and chatting with a local couple. My wife looked down and noticed the gentleman had placed his jacket too close to the fireplace and it was on fire. Another pint and something else to talk about.

Not sure any of these are secrets but I certainly didn't find many others at any of these.

13th C ruins of Bridgetown Priory (between Fermoy and Mallow). Had these to ourselves for breakfast and exploring.

The quiet but scenic drive on the Caherconree Scenic Route between Aughills Bridge and Camp on the Dingle Peninsula.
Also enjoyed the quieter beeches around Camp and Derrymore. Weather is often better on this side of the Peninsula. Great cloud formations are common too.

Hiking Dunmore Head on the Dingle Peninsula. Well known but we had wild weather so no company.

The Vee Pass drive between Cahir and Lismore, some great views.

Kilcooley Abbey ruins and the low key but delightful nearby Grange walking trails. Great views from Wellington Tower.

We had a great night at a small Tipperary village pub with all the local musos jamming away. We were the only non locals. Not going to name the village or pub.
Try finding something similar by having a drink and chat at small village pubs.

I think the most unusual thing we found was the Tirkane sweat house and plunge pool near Maghera in Northern Ireland. It could be described as a sort of sauna and were popular in the C18 and early C19th. This is the only one that seems to have survived. A stone lined ‘cave’ was built into the side of the hill with a small entry that could be blocked once inside and a chimney hole in a corner of roof.

A turf or wood fire was lit inside and kept burning for several hours until the stones were really hot. As well as acting as a steam bath, they were also used to treat people suffering from aches or fevers. You removed all your clothes and crawled naked into the sweat house and the door was closed behind you. After several hours sweating inside, you were let out and allowed to cool off in the small plunge pool next to it.

Walking the 100-mile-long Dingle Way trail in 2010. It was one of the best things I ever did. Peace, green and blue for seven days.

Gap of Dunloe on a November trip. Its beauty and the lack of humans. Hiked half of it ( saw 1 trap, 4 other hikers, 1 bicyclist, a few cars and plenty of sheep.) The golden, green and reddish hues of the foliage combined with a blue sky with dark grey rain clouds looming in the distance. Memorable.

Or alternatively Claudia, if visiting in the summer, take advantage of the long nights and visit the Gap of Dunloe late evening after all the tourists and horse drawn carts have gone home!

@wasleys

most of the time I’m not a Summer traveler so have been blessed in November, December and January to experience less crowds in my travels.

Have photos of my 2 friends and I at Stonehenge. No one else around. December visit 20 years ago

Also photos of no one but me in the gardens of Hampton Court. November visit

The Gap of Dunloe trek. November visit.

After decades of living in the Land of La I always enjoy getting to wear a coat, gloves and scarf in the UK or Ireland.