THERE’S NOTHING LIKE the call of the open road to get your spirits soaring.
Hopping in the car and taking off for the day, the night or the weekend – there’s something so freeing about it.
Luckily in Ireland, it’s hard to be more than three hours drive from some beautiful spot somewhere in the country.
To celebrate the beauty of the country and your wild and free spirit, we’ve rounded up seven gorgeous getaways to give you some inspiration for where to holiday next.
Head off now. Just don’t forget to come back.
Kinsale is a lovely little town, with plenty of restaurants and shopping to keep you going, but if you’ve got more of a historical bent, then there’s not one but two forts there. Charles Fort is better known, but James Fort is a hidden ruin with stunning views and a dungeon – and it’s all virtually untouched.
You can get spectacular views of it from the Dock beach, and maybe do a spot of fishing, if the fancy strikes you.
If you haven’t taken a trip up to check out the Titanic Museum, it’s well worth a visit. From the amazing metallic facade of the ship-inspired building, to seeing the historical importance of the city of Belfast, as well as putting a human face to the tragedy of the Titanic, it will keep you occupied for close to a day.
Of course, Belfast city has plenty of its own to see and do, but if you’re just zipping up for the day, the Museum is a great way to spend it.
If you’re a golfer, then you should probably head to Adare Manor if you haven’t already been. It’s got an award-winning 18 hole championship golf course and it was voted the No. 1 Parkland Course in Ireland by Golf Digest Magazine 2007-2015, so you know it’s a bit of alright.
If you’re not a golfer there’s plenty of beautiful countryside to walk in, a spa to take advantage of, and the Best Hotel Restaurant in Ireland, 2015.
So you can eat, drink, golf and be merry all in the one place.
The Wicklow Way is one of the top (and most beautiful) self-guided walks in the world. There are various trails you can avail of, depending on your fitness level and you could make it a day-trip or something more substantial depending on how long you have.
There’s the historical and gorgeous Glendalough Hotel to stay in – you literally couldn’t find anywhere closer – or there are plenty of villages nearby with accommodation.
Recently voted the No. 1 hotel in the whole world Ashford Castle is a stunning place- so if you haven’t been there, you should put it on your travel bucket list.
If your budget doesn’t run to staying in a 5* hotel you can still have afternoon tea or dinner there, take advantage of the beautiful grounds or treat yourself to a treatment at the spa.
You could stay in the nearby lovely village of Cong, where The Quiet Man was filmed, and have a pint where John Wayne once sat.
For the shoppers in our midst, Kildare Village is an outlet mall with notions.
Featuring designer gear marked down significantly but set in a village-like complex, tastefully designed, there’s plenty of choice and bargains to be had.
Also there are coffee shops and restaurants to avail of – so you can take a break at any point, then gather your energy for the next (clothing) attack.
Kylemore Abbey has got so much going for it. Situated in the stunning landscape of Connemara, this stone-facade castle and Abbey has a fascinating history – including when an Order of Benedictine nuns whose own abbey had been bombed in Belgium in 1920 came over and set up a boarding school for girls.
There’s also the Victorian walled garden to visit and tearooms and a gift shop to grab a cup of coffee and a memento.
This September Opel want to send you and a friend to the biggest Motor Show in Europe – the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) from the 14th to 16th September 2015. This once in a lifetime VIP prize includes flights, two nights’ accommodation as well as €500 spending money. You’ll be the first to see the New Astra in the flesh, and meet top executives, designers and engineers from Opel who created the New Astra.
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