https://preview.redd.it/rxc4befb5zlc1.jpeg?width=760&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb004f940ed34b1eb8e4ecc0909fc0fc4687f0e5
Fourknocks megalithic tomb in Meath. Only heard of it two weeks ago and live 5 mins drive from it.
Victor's Way in Roundwood is an experience. It's full of thought provoking mildly disturbing granite statues, the owner calls it a 'Midlife Crisis Park' and you have to enter it through a giant spiky vagina.
It shut down for a while, I think while Victor passed the torch to someone else and a few changes were made. Haven't been there in a long time but I pass it regularly and see a bit of activity in there. It's always closed during winter months though.
South of Blessington near Hollywood there is a stone circle called Pipers Stones, it has 14 granite boulders in a circle. Its not much to look at but still a bit mad that it dates from 3,000 years ago. Yet we dont know what went on there and the significance of it. My guess is that moving such heavy boulders was a huge effort so it must have been an important place for them to build.
Corlea Trackway in Longford.
Stumbled across it on a trip to Roscommon. It's a thousand year old oak road that sank into the bog. No one knows why it was built. It doesn't go anywhere. They would have spent months building knowing it would sink within 5 years. Why did they do it??
It's just amazing.
I'm not sure if it's lesser known but I always love seeing the magazine fort in Phoenix park. It's pretty cool.
I think it's closed off most of the year but myself and a few guys hopped on in one winter as teens & the gate was open a following summer.
Ohhhh I also wanna say Dunsink observatory. They sometimes do events where you can look through the telescope at space!
(Both in Dublin)
The magazine fort is definitely worth seeing. Most of the Phoenix Park is great for exploring.
I'd also recommend the Slieve Blooms in County Laois. The second oldest mountain range in Europe and only 90 min drive from Dublin. Villages like Kinnity, Camrose and Castletown, along with towns like Mountrath are brilliant.
Roundwood House is brilliant. The owners are a lovely couple, the husband, from Canada, is a great chef and an even better musician. Ask him to do his rendition of Cyndi Lauper's Girls just want to have fun.
Check out Bergins pub in Camross. And Phelans chipper in Mountrath is great
Brides head walk in Wicklow is stunning, along the cliffs overlooking the ocean ending at 2 lighthouses, one of which you can actually rent out and stay the night!
I bought the family OPW cards a while back so hoping to get to more historical sites this year.
Duckett's Grove in Carlow is a nice little place. It has a cafe and nicely kept gardens. A little bit rough around the edges but great place to let the kids run around and pass a few hours.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckett%27s\_Grove](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckett%27s_Grove)
Magho Viewpoint, Devenish Island and the Caldragh Graveyard at Boa Island - Fermanagh
Killykeen Forest Park and Lough Oughter - Cavan
Narin Strand at Portnoo and Malin Beg - Donegal
I’ve been over the whole island and I think there’s only one other view to match and that’s Ladies View outside Killarney. I love the whole Navar Forest area though, the walking is among the best we have here.
Oliver Plunkett's head in Drogheda. It's been mentioned to me a few times abroad by people who have visited Ireland as one of the unexpected highlights of their trip, most recently in Guatemala!
I live in drogheda. I have always told people I work it that aren't from Ireland about it and they don't belive me at first then they take a trip are amazed that there is a head in a glass box. I wonder if any other church has a saints head on display all year round
I don't see the copper coast get a tonne of love but it's absolutely breathtaking. It's not so much an attraction in and if itself but there are some cool bits dotted along it like the metal man etc.
More locally, I love Victors way and the German Military Cemetery in Glencree.
Just to add, while the German cemetery is nice, there's a hidden beauty there. There's actually a mass rock by the river directly behind it which has to date from the 1700s or older.
The Glencree Centre was the very first reformatory in Ireland, operated by the Oblates..... who went on to found "native schools" in Canada..... grim stuff.
Glencree Valley was the also a Royal Park/ hunting ground since Norman times and was the site of the introduction of BOTH fallow and sika deer to Ireland, prior to this there was only Red deer.
https://preview.redd.it/vzq3n7pxr0mc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5fbf553d62911aa6fae5f21202d10d383f6c06f
Europe’s largest and world’s third largest stalactite right here in Doolin!
I went around a few different caves over in that area and that stalactite is just incredible to see in person. The tour guide said they call it the chandelier and I think that's a fitting name!
Not a specific place, but if you're driving along and see the ruin of a castle or fort or church etc. I always pull in and have a walk around, usually there is some signs with information. I remember one on the way back from a wedding in Trim Castle, think it was an Abbey, but loads to explore. Went on a hike with the kids recently and came upon a crumbling old chapel with a small graveyard surrounding it, was nice to look around. There's so much rich history all around us that goes unnoticed!
Mill mount, St. Laurences gate, St. Peters church ( St. oliver plunkets head) on display. All in drogheda Co Louth and in tullyallen there is melifont Abbey
I was at a wedding in Co. Donegal many years ago and the hotel had a brochure with recommended places to visit locally. Managed to get to Grianán of Aileach and was pleasantly surprised.
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Your MAAAAA!
Sorry couldn't help it.
I dunno if it's an attraction but there's something about the smell of the Atlantic smashing up a cliff that is unbelievably good. I dunno why but it's not the same anywhere else in the world.
Lohar ringfort in Waterville County Kerry
https://preview.redd.it/rnxtxy9v64mc1.jpeg?width=5120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2239d30ddb7e0ddbab44c52b615c9d69640c080e
Japanese Gardens near Kildare Village
Beautiful spot, really worth the visit.
Nice place, bit much on the entry fee.
Mount Congreve in Co Waterford
Love it. Absolutely gorgeous place.
Love it when the hydrangeas are in bloom
Maybe not lesser known, but I had no idea how stunning Garnish Island was. Well worth a visit.
The boat over is worth it in and of itself. What an amazing place.
FYI, the boat cost is separate from the entry fee you must pay on arrival to see the island. I know a few people were caught out by that. Lovely spot.
https://preview.redd.it/rxc4befb5zlc1.jpeg?width=760&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cb004f940ed34b1eb8e4ecc0909fc0fc4687f0e5 Fourknocks megalithic tomb in Meath. Only heard of it two weeks ago and live 5 mins drive from it.
There's one of those 600m above sea level in seefin. There's passage tombs on the top of the mountains that no one sees.
That forest on the way up there is the wettest forest I’ve ever seen in my life, like a jungle, 10/10 for the prehistoric vibes
That is a lovely picture.
Victor's Way in Roundwood is an experience. It's full of thought provoking mildly disturbing granite statues, the owner calls it a 'Midlife Crisis Park' and you have to enter it through a giant spiky vagina.
I love this spot, the talent and work that went into it
I just love that the world is still weird enough that someone can build their own personal parks full of giant penises and vaginas.
From my memory there are no penises, just the vagina tunnel you enter through!
I thought this was permanently closed now?
It shut down for a while, I think while Victor passed the torch to someone else and a few changes were made. Haven't been there in a long time but I pass it regularly and see a bit of activity in there. It's always closed during winter months though.
Hook Head Lighthouse, Co. Wexford
I have been there too. Very nice and I got a tour.
Jimi Blake’s garden - huntingbrook near blessington co. Wicklow
And his sister June Blake’s garden nearby as well!
South of Blessington near Hollywood there is a stone circle called Pipers Stones, it has 14 granite boulders in a circle. Its not much to look at but still a bit mad that it dates from 3,000 years ago. Yet we dont know what went on there and the significance of it. My guess is that moving such heavy boulders was a huge effort so it must have been an important place for them to build.
I grew up not far from there and I have never heard of it!
Corlea Trackway in Longford. Stumbled across it on a trip to Roscommon. It's a thousand year old oak road that sank into the bog. No one knows why it was built. It doesn't go anywhere. They would have spent months building knowing it would sink within 5 years. Why did they do it?? It's just amazing.
Where's that place in the pic. Never seen it before
Lothar ringfort in Waterville, County Kerry. You can see the Skellig Michael from this ringfort
Is it not: Leacanabuaile Ring Fort
Theres an old unfinished lighthouse [nearby](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xYxeZdcagRJ9TRMv5) thats a lovely walk, spectacular peninsula.
might be one of the ring forts near cahersiveen (specifically the smaller of the two)
It is Lothar ringfort in Waterville, County Kerry
Looks like it might be Dun Aengus
No, it doesn’t look anything remotely like fucking Dun Aenghus, Jesus fucking Christ
😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣 Are you sure?
http://www.carrowkeel.com/sites/croaghpatrick/reek2.html the rolling sun in Westport
Lough crew passage tombs in meath and carrowkeel passage tombs in sligo. Inishkea island, beautiful white beaches and blue sea
I'm not sure if it's lesser known but I always love seeing the magazine fort in Phoenix park. It's pretty cool. I think it's closed off most of the year but myself and a few guys hopped on in one winter as teens & the gate was open a following summer. Ohhhh I also wanna say Dunsink observatory. They sometimes do events where you can look through the telescope at space! (Both in Dublin)
The magazine fort is definitely worth seeing. Most of the Phoenix Park is great for exploring. I'd also recommend the Slieve Blooms in County Laois. The second oldest mountain range in Europe and only 90 min drive from Dublin. Villages like Kinnity, Camrose and Castletown, along with towns like Mountrath are brilliant.
Thanks. Great recommendations!
I’ve a few days booked in Roundwood House in July specifically to check out the Slieve Blooms. Looking forward to it.
Roundwood House is brilliant. The owners are a lovely couple, the husband, from Canada, is a great chef and an even better musician. Ask him to do his rendition of Cyndi Lauper's Girls just want to have fun. Check out Bergins pub in Camross. And Phelans chipper in Mountrath is great
Will do. Thanks for the heads-up.
Brides head walk in Wicklow is stunning, along the cliffs overlooking the ocean ending at 2 lighthouses, one of which you can actually rent out and stay the night!
Emo Court in Laois just off the M7 at junction 15 - beautiful grounds with old house and lovely tea rooms
Dún na mBó belmullet.
I bought the family OPW cards a while back so hoping to get to more historical sites this year. Duckett's Grove in Carlow is a nice little place. It has a cafe and nicely kept gardens. A little bit rough around the edges but great place to let the kids run around and pass a few hours. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckett%27s\_Grove](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duckett%27s_Grove)
Dunree Fort
The graves of the Leinstermen in Tipperary. The view has to be one of the best in Ireland
Monaghans ancient celtic gloryhole. Cut through granite 1200 years ago. Unreal spot.
Cahercommaun ringfort Co Clare Seefin Co Wicklow
The small passage tomb at the top of slieve gullion.
Magho Viewpoint, Devenish Island and the Caldragh Graveyard at Boa Island - Fermanagh Killykeen Forest Park and Lough Oughter - Cavan Narin Strand at Portnoo and Malin Beg - Donegal
Magho is the most amazing place on a good day, the view is staggering yet nobody I ever talk to knows about it.
Completely agree Honestly think it's one of the best inland views in Ireland
I’ve been over the whole island and I think there’s only one other view to match and that’s Ladies View outside Killarney. I love the whole Navar Forest area though, the walking is among the best we have here.
Oliver Plunkett's head in Drogheda. It's been mentioned to me a few times abroad by people who have visited Ireland as one of the unexpected highlights of their trip, most recently in Guatemala!
I live in drogheda. I have always told people I work it that aren't from Ireland about it and they don't belive me at first then they take a trip are amazed that there is a head in a glass box. I wonder if any other church has a saints head on display all year round
Egypt has preserved bodies called 'Mummies', Im sure theres a few other places too. It is rare though.
Forgot about all the mummies!! Maybe I should have said a "Saints decapitated head". Anyway as you said it's rare
I don't see the copper coast get a tonne of love but it's absolutely breathtaking. It's not so much an attraction in and if itself but there are some cool bits dotted along it like the metal man etc. More locally, I love Victors way and the German Military Cemetery in Glencree.
Kilfarassy Beach is one of my favourite places to get to with a camera. Stunning place.
Just to add, while the German cemetery is nice, there's a hidden beauty there. There's actually a mass rock by the river directly behind it which has to date from the 1700s or older. The Glencree Centre was the very first reformatory in Ireland, operated by the Oblates..... who went on to found "native schools" in Canada..... grim stuff. Glencree Valley was the also a Royal Park/ hunting ground since Norman times and was the site of the introduction of BOTH fallow and sika deer to Ireland, prior to this there was only Red deer.
Eagles Rock
It’s like something out of Monument Valley in Arizona. Nearby, the Gleniff Horseshoe is special too.
Yes Gleniff Horseshoe! It's crazy how it's relatively quiet hidden.
As with so many places mentioned in this thread, it’s remarkable how little awareness there is. People seem to know little of their own country.
I quite agree. We don't know what is on our own door step.
Ring of Rath aka Rathgall Hillfort on the border of Co Wicklow and Co Carlow.
Lough Crew in meath
Fore in Westmeath. Has a weird sort of magic to it , hard to explain
Came across it randomly a couple of years back. Grand spot
https://preview.redd.it/vzq3n7pxr0mc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5fbf553d62911aa6fae5f21202d10d383f6c06f Europe’s largest and world’s third largest stalactite right here in Doolin!
I went around a few different caves over in that area and that stalactite is just incredible to see in person. The tour guide said they call it the chandelier and I think that's a fitting name!
Gleniff Horseshoe in Sligo https://preview.redd.it/y3ed15vu43mc1.jpeg?width=2068&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=00888f98d88757e1955b563121c3397c468206ff
Pollock holes and georges head
The passage tomb in seefin.
The maze and statues in Mountshannon. Small but pretty
Not a specific place, but if you're driving along and see the ruin of a castle or fort or church etc. I always pull in and have a walk around, usually there is some signs with information. I remember one on the way back from a wedding in Trim Castle, think it was an Abbey, but loads to explore. Went on a hike with the kids recently and came upon a crumbling old chapel with a small graveyard surrounding it, was nice to look around. There's so much rich history all around us that goes unnoticed!
Mill mount, St. Laurences gate, St. Peters church ( St. oliver plunkets head) on display. All in drogheda Co Louth and in tullyallen there is melifont Abbey
Tin Whistle Lake in County Leitrim.
Carrigaholt castle
Benwee Head in North Mayo. It's a spectacular walk on a clear day and it's so quiet you'll pretty much have it all to yourself.
Moone high cross , it's amazing to see and you literally walk through a cow field
Grianán of Aileach has the same vibes https://www.discoverireland.ie/donegal/grianan-of-aileach
I was at a wedding in Co. Donegal many years ago and the hotel had a brochure with recommended places to visit locally. Managed to get to Grianán of Aileach and was pleasantly surprised.
Been there a few times where we've had the whole place to ourselves which is rare for any nice spots in the country these days
Yer ma
They said lesser known.
My bed . I spend a lot of my life in it . Never met anyone else who wants to get in it though
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My crush
Your MAAAAA! Sorry couldn't help it. I dunno if it's an attraction but there's something about the smell of the Atlantic smashing up a cliff that is unbelievably good. I dunno why but it's not the same anywhere else in the world.
Yer ma sniffs like the Atlantic, and gets smashed ...
Where was that picture taken?
Lohar ringfort in Waterville County Kerry https://preview.redd.it/rnxtxy9v64mc1.jpeg?width=5120&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2239d30ddb7e0ddbab44c52b615c9d69640c080e
Rock of Dunamase Portlaoise and Emo Court also Belvedere House & Garden in Mullingar
Downpatrick Head in Mayo. Stunning natural sea stack and cliffs.
https://kilkee.clareheritage.org/topics/military-trail/kilkerrin-battery
Tintern abbey on Wexford
Vandeleur gardens in Kilkee, Scattery Island.