IT'S no secret that the Emerald Isle is home to an abundance of absolutely gorgeous places to live and visit.
Charming little settlements, complimented by Ireland's stunning natural beauty make trimming a list down to just 12 quite a tough task, but the good folks at Condé Nast Traveller have managed just that.
They've cobbled together a dozen of the country's prettiest, loveliest and most characterful towns and villages, and needless to say you probably need to pay each of them a visit.
In no particular order, the 12 spots to make the list are:
- Kinsale, Co. Cork
- Roundstone, Co. Galway
- Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny
- Doolin, Co. Clare
- Adare, Co. Limerick
- Baltimore, Co. Cork
- Dalkey, Co. Dublin
- Dingle, Co. Kerry
- Cashel, Co. Tipperary
- Dunmore East, Co. Waterford
- Westport, Co. Mayo
- Birr, Co. Offaly
"Ireland's beautiful villages and small towns, with their clusters of whitewashed cottages, mossy churchyards and low-rafter pubs that still sell groceries along with a pint of stout, are living time capsules of the past," the travel company writes.
View of Kinsale from mouth of the River Bandon, Ireland
Long Exposure of the Westport Bridge in the small City Westport over the Carrowbeg River
Ireland, County Waterford, Copper Coast, Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, Dunmore East village"Some have only a single street lined with neat rows of slate roofs, rich lime render and solid sash windows, where locals gather in pubs that have had the same family names hanging over their half-doors for generations.
"As remarkable for their setting as their character, they are often discovered around the bend of a road over a high plain or at the foot of a hilly lane, shimmering against the ocean after a summer shower or in the folds of a valley."
With the Covid-19 pandemic still raging, salivating readers may have to wait a while, but no doubt a few bucket lists have just grown in size!
The see the list in full, click here.
See More: Adare, Baltimore, Birr, Cashel, Co. Dublin, Co. Galway, Co. Kilkenny, Co. Mayo, Co. Tipperary, Co Clare, Co Cork, Co Kerry, Co Limerick, Co Offaly, Co Waterford, Conde Nast Traveller, Dalkey, Dingle, Doolin, Dunmore East, Inistioge, Irish Towns, Irish Villages, Kinsale, Roundstone, Westport
