I've always appreciated RS forums for advice and comments on where to go and where I dream of possibly going. Now it's my turn to ask a question.
My travel buddy and I are thinking of going to Ireland in late July or early August for 2 weeks. We'd fly in to Shannon and then do a hiking tour with Wilderness Ireland that was based out of either Dingle or Westport. After that we'd rent a car for a few days and stay in the general area we were based in (the Southern region or the Northern). We'd like to do some walks and just enjoy the scenery & sites rather than spending car time driving from point to point just to tick all the "must see" boxes. So my question is simply what's it like as far as tourists and crowds? I've been to Europe a number of times, but never in summer, and so many things I've read about Ireland in mid summer comment on how crowded it is. I'm not against being around people, and it's fine for places like Paris and Amsterdam, but I'd like to enjoy the beauty of Ireland without spending too much time maneuvering around crowds in the streets, parks, restaurants and pubs, as well as on the road frustration dealing with tour buses and hesitant drivers. Maybe I'm just over thinking it or have just spent too much time in the beautiful (fairly uncrowded) Pacific Northwest! What has it been like for you in Ireland in the summer months? Thanks!
Posted by
Chattanooga, TN USA
566 posts
The farther north you are on the west coast of Ireland the fewer tourists you will encounter. I would take the Westport option.
Look at Connemara/Doo Lough Valley, Croagh Patrick/County Mayo, and Slieve League, Poison Glen, and An Port in County Donegal. There is some unbelievable scenery in those three counties.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1839 posts
Counties Mayo. Sligo and Donegal see a lot fewer tourists than Kerry and Dingle . Scenically they are as good (if not better!)
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2827 posts
Connemara is our favorite part of Ireland too, so that would be my suggestion as well.
That said, if you elect to go the southern route and finish up in Dingle you could explore the area south of Killarney - in particular the very pretty Beara peninsula which is still relatively free of the tourist hordes and which features some of the country's best hiking along the Beara Way. As of our last visit (pre-Covid) the tour buses still didn't go out there, which made for a pleasant and uncrowded driving experience along the rural roads in the area.
Others here have extolled the beauty of the coastline even further to the south - beyond Bantry down to the village of Baltimore. You'll be way, way off the beaten tourist track there if that's what you're looking for.
We had good luck with the All Trails app for planning our own hikes in Ireland. Their descriptions of the various tracks were accurate and the user reviews were quite helpful in our experience.
Finally, though July and August are typically drier months, some of the trails can still be pretty wet and boggy. A good pair of waterproof boots would be a good investment.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
422 posts
I looked at Wilderness Ireland--those look like some great trips! Which one were you thinking of doing? On our Northern Ireland trip in 2015, we really enjoyed Donegal as far as solitude and quiet. That was April though so not summer. The PNW fairly uncrowded? boy--hard to find an uncrowded trail these days!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks to all of you for your help. It sounds like Connemara is calling - and being a lover of horses and ponies, I am even more certain that this is the area we should go to.
Pete - Wilderness Ireland has so many great sounding hikes; it was hard to choose! But between getting the right dates and wanting hikes that were right for us, I decided that the West Coast Island hopping or the Dingle Way seemed a good fit. They also do private tours (I have no idea of the cost), and I think that would be a great alternative if you could get a group together.
And yes, some PNW trails do get crowded, but at least there aren't many tour buses...yet :)
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
422 posts
Ha ha--Yes! Haven't arrived at a trailhead yet with a tour bus there! Is that next?
Posted by
Bend, OR
756 posts
Well, we get Backroads, so watch out, they are coming! Uncrowded is not to be found in this part of the PNW anymore.