Ireland outdoors
Parks, gardens & islands in Ireland
229 parks, gardens, islands and beaches from Fáilte Ireland's attractions — nature places only, without the tour operators — beyond what the EPA and Coillte cover.
Islands 35
Inhabited and uninhabited islands, and the piers that reach them.
Nature spot · Co. MayoAchill Island (Acaill)IslandWindswept hills of blanket bog slope down to towering cliffs and pristine sandy shores. Achill Island, or Oileán Acaill, is Ireland's largest offshore island and can be reached by car from Mayo's Corraun Peninsula.
Nature spot · Co. KerryAn Blascaod Mór - the Blasket IslandsIslandSail across the Blasket Sound and explore the now deserted villages on the stunning Blasket Islands off the coast of County Kerry.
Nature spot · Co. DonegalÁrainn Mhór (Arranmore Island)IslandThe largest of County Donegal's off shore Islands, Árainn Mhór is a wild and rugged place with fantastic cliff scenery, dramatic sea caves and golden sandy beaches.
Nature spot · Co. CorkBantry HarbourIslandTake in the beautiful landmarks that lie on the Beara Peninsula from Bantry Harbour in County Cork.
Nature spot · Co. GalwayCalafort Ros an Mhíl (Rossaveel Harbour)IslandRossavealWander down to Rossaveel Harbour (Calafort Ros an Mhíl) in County Galway and watch the colourful boats sail in and out.
Nature spot · Co. CorkCape Clear Island - Oileán ChléireIslandCape Clear IslandThe Gaeltacht island of Cléire, or Cape Clear, is Ireland’s southernmost island and is a paradise of solitude and inspiration. West of the island stands the iconic Fastnet Rock and to the northwest stretches Mizen Head.
Nature spot · Co. KerryCé Bhaile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs Pier)IslandBallinskelligsAdmire the sky blue waters of the Atlantic ocean from Ballinskelligs Pier (Cé Bhaile and Sceilg) on the edge of County Kerry.
Nature spot · Co. KerryCé Bhun an Bhaile (Bunavalla Pier)IslandTake a stroll down to Bunavalla Pier in County Kerry and enjoy sights of the docked fishing boats and the stunning coastline.Gardens 80
Public, historic and community gardens.
Nature spot · Co. DublinAirfield EstateGardenDublinAirfield Estate, Dundrum, is Dublin's only urban working farm open to the public all year round. It is a perfect family day out. On the estate you will find many attractions including the Overend family home, kitchen, gardens, vintage cars, play areas and farm, where you can collect eggs and see animals being milked and fed.
Nature spot · Co. CarlowAltamont GardensGardenTullowThe Altamont Gardens, regarded as the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown, lie in County Carlow. The romantic 16-hectare estate, not far from Tullow, features a mix of native and exotic plants and makes a great destination for a family outing.
Nature spot · Co. CarlowArboretum Inspirational GardensGardenLeighlinbridgeLeighlinbridge's award-winning Arboretum Lifestyle and Garden Centre is also home to the Arboretum Inspirational Gardens, which aim to show visitors that gardening is stylish, fun and can fit into their busy lifestyles.
Nature spot · Co. CorkAultaghreagh Cottage GardenGardenAultaghreagh Cottage Garden is found near Aultagh, Dunmanway, County Cork. Surrounded by the stunning scenery of West Cork, more than 1,000 varieties of flowers, shrubs, trees and bulbs can be seen in the cottage garden.
Nature spot · Co. WicklowAvoca KilmacanogeGardenAvoca Kilmacanoge is a beautiful place to visit while exploring Wicklow, the garden of Ireland. Here, you will find a wonderful retail store and food market, a garden centre and nursery, the self-service Sugar Tree Café, and the stunning table service restaurant, the Fern House.
Nature spot · Co. LimerickBallynacourty GardensGardenAskeatonAn expanse of about 1.6 hectares, Ballynacourty comprises a series of small gardens, all of which are interlinked. On the property, which is near Askeaton, County Limerick, visitors will find vegetables, fruit and flowers.
Nature spot · Co. GalwayBrigit's Garden (Gairdín Bhríde)GardenBrigit's Garden is a magical place located in Rosscahill, County Galway. This family friendly destination features four gardens which represent the Celtic festivals. There is also a café, nature trail, children's discovery trail, ring fort and more.
Nature spot · Co. ClareCaher Bridge GardenGardenFanoreSet in the beautiful Burren region of County Clare, Caher Bridge Garden is found near Fanore. It is based around a restored riverside cottage and blends sensitively with its surroundings.Parks 54
Town parks, demesnes and nature reserves.
Nature spot · Co. LimerickArthur's Quay ParkParkLimerick CitySit back and relax or enjoy a peaceful stroll in the park.
View the great waters of the River Shannon as it passes through the Treaty City.
Nature spot · Co. CarlowBahana ForestParkBahana Forest is an old woodland parkland that slopes down to the banks of the Barrow River in County Carlow. It hosts a diverse range of flora and fauna with a great variety of bird life and otters that are occasionally glimpsed on the riverbank.
Nature spot · Co. DonegalBallymacool Town ParkParkLetterkennyChildren’s play areas, multi-use games area, public toilets, sculptures, picnic areas, seating and walking trails situated in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Nature spot · Co. KilkennyBallyrafton WoodParkBallyfoyleBallyrafton Wood is a public wood about half way between Kilkenny and Castlecomer, in County Kilkenny. The wood boasts riverside forest walks, picnic tables, seats and a car park.
Nature spot · Co. WaterfordBallyscanlon ForestParkBallyscanlon Forest is located 6.5km west of Tramore on the road to Dungarvan in County Waterford. The site overlooks Ballyscanlon Lake and the Comeragh and Monavillagh from a distant back-drop.
Nature spot · Co. DonegalBernard McGlinchey Town ParkParkLetterkennyBernard McGlinchey Town Park, also known as Letterkenny Town Park, is a public park located in Letterkenny, County Donegal. It is at the University Hospital Roundabout, adjacent to St Conal’s Hospital. The park spans an area of just over 4 hectares.
Nature spot · Co. DublinBlackrock ParkParkBlackrockBlackrock Park is a pleasant green area overlooking Dublin Bay, in Blackrock, County Dublin, and boasts a well equipped children's playground, cycle path, sports area, picnic area, gardens and trees.
Nature spot · Co. DublinBlessington Street Basin (Dublin's Secret Garden)ParkDublin CityThe Blessington Street Basin is known as Dublin's secret garden, as it remains largely undiscovered in the city. Most of the park is water and it also includes an artificial island created as a refuge for animals.More beaches 60
Beaches the EPA does not monitor for bathing water — no water-quality record, so check locally before you swim.
Nature spot · Co. MayoAn Ceann Ramhar (Doohoma Head)BeachThe long sandy beach of An Ceann Ramhar is one of the hidden gems of Erris in north-western Mayo.
Nature spot · Co. WexfordArdamine BeachBeachMiddletownArdamine Beach is located just around the rocks from Courtown's South Beach in County Wexford. It is a long sandy beach, ideal for families.
Nature spot · Co. WicklowArklow South BeachBeachArklowArklow Beach, located on the scenic southeast coast of County Wicklow, offers a peaceful escape with its long sandy shoreline and views of the Irish Sea.
Nature spot · Co. SligoCeann EachroisAughris HeadBeachDiscover Aughris Head peninsula in Sligo and take in the scenic views of Aughris and Dunmoran beaches, Sligo Bay and Knocknarea Mountain.
Nature spot · Co. DonegalBá Bhaile Uí Thiarnáin (Ballyhiernan Bay)BeachSet along a rural stretch of northeast Donegal near the village of Rosnakill, Bá Bhaile Uí Thiarnáin (Ballyhiernan Bay) is a long, sandy beach perfect for walking and exploring.
Nature spot · Co. KerryBeale StrandBeachStroll the 3km rocky, sandy beach of Beale Strand in County Kerry around the 'dog-leg' of the Shannon estuary.
Nature spot · Co. LouthBlackrock BeachBeachBlackrockBlackrock, in County Louth, has three beaches consisting of the main beach at the south end of the village, the Priest’s Beach and Ladies Beach which are more secluded but signposted to the north.Parks, gardens & islands by county
Every county, with the places we'd suggest first. Each county page lists them all.
Carlow7Cavan1Clare8Cork25Donegal25Dublin28Galway12Kerry30Kildare2Kilkenny6Laois3Leitrim1Limerick6Louth2Mayo16Meath5Monaghan3Sligo6Tipperary4Waterford5Westmeath2Wexford20Wicklow12
County Carlow · 7
- Altamont GardensGarden · Tullow
- Arboretum Inspirational GardensGarden · Leighlinbridge
- Bahana ForestPark
- Delta Sensory GardensGarden
- Herb Garden at Kilgraney HouseGarden
- Leighlinbridge - Garden VillageGarden · Leighlinbridge
- The Garden at Hardymount HouseGarden · Tullow
County Cavan · 1
- Cuilcagh Lakelands GeoparkPark · Tuam
County Clare · 8
- Doughmore BayBeach
- Flaggy ShoreBeach · Newquay
- MurrooghtoohyBeach · Fanore
- Caher Bridge GardenGarden · Fanore
- Doon ForestPark · Broadford
- Irish Seed SaversGarden · Scarriff
- The Burren PerfumeryGarden · Carran
- Vandeleur Walled GardensGarden · Kilrush
County Cork · 25
- Bantry HarbourIsland
- Cape Clear Island - Oileán ChléireIsland · Cape Clear Island
- Colla PierIsland
- Dursey IslandIsland · Dursey Island
- Galley Head ViewBeach
- Heir IslandIsland · Heir Island
- Inch StrandBeach · Inch
- Inish Beg IslandIsland · Baltimore
- InishbegIsland · Baltimore
County Donegal · 25
- Árainn Mhór (Arranmore Island)Island
- Bá Bhaile Uí Thiarnáin (Ballyhiernan Bay)Beach
- Cionn Mhucrois (Muckros Head)Beach
- Five Fingers StrandBeach
- Gabhla (Gola Island)Beach
- Inis Bó Finne (Inishbofin Island) - DonegalBeach · Inishbofin
- Inis Fraoigh (Inishfree Island)Island
- Island Roy - Oileán RuaidhIsland
- Kinnagoe BayBeach
County Dublin · 28
- Barnageara BeachBeach
- Ireland's EyeIsland · Ireland's Eye
- Ireland's Eye FerryIsland · Dublin
- Velvet Strand, PortmarnockBeach
- Airfield EstateGarden · Dublin
- Blackrock ParkPark · Blackrock
- Blessington Street Basin (Dublin's Secret Garden)Park · Dublin City
- Brickfield ParkPark
- Bushy ParkPark · Terenure
County Galway · 12
- Bunowen BayBeach
- Calafort Ros an Mhíl (Rossaveel Harbour)Island · Rossaveal
- Droichead Charraig an Logáin (Carrickalegaun Bridge)Island · Lettermore
- Glinsk (Cé na Glinsce)Beach
- Inis Meáin (Inishmaan)Beach
- Inishbofin Island (Inis Bó Finne) - GalwayIsland · Inishbofin
- Kilmurvey BeachBeach
- Brigit's Garden (Gairdín Bhríde)Garden
- Cashel House Hotel GardensGarden · Connemara
County Kerry · 30
- An Blascaod Mór - the Blasket IslandsIsland
- Beale StrandBeach
- Camp BeachBeach · Camp
- Cé Bhaile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs Pier)Island · Ballinskelligs
- Cé Bhun an Bhaile (Bunavalla Pier)Island
- Ceann Sléibhe (Slea Head)Beach
- Clogher BeachBeach · Dingle
- CoomanaspicIsland
- Dooks BeachBeach
County Kildare · 2
- Lodge Park Walled GardenGarden · Straffan
- Oak Park Forest ParkPark
County Kilkenny · 6
- Ballyrafton WoodPark · Ballyfoyle
- Coille an Fhaltaigh Millennium ForestPark · Kilmanagh
- Gáirdín an GhortaGarden · Dunnamaggan
- Kilfane Glen and WaterfallGarden
- Kilkenny Castle ParklandGarden
- Woodstock Gardens and ArboretumGarden · Inistioge
County Laois · 3
- Clonohill GardensGarden · Portlaoise
- Fruitlawn GardenGarden · Boley
- Gash GardensGarden · Castletown
County Leitrim · 1
- The Organic CentreGarden · Rossinver
County Limerick · 6
- Arthur's Quay ParkPark · Limerick City
- Ballynacourty GardensGarden · Askeaton
- Coolwater GardenGarden · Fedamore
- Curragh Chase Forest ParkPark · Kilcornan
- Knockpatrick GardensGarden · Foynes
- People's ParkPark
County Louth · 2
- Blackrock BeachBeach · Blackrock
- Blackrock PromenadeBeach · Blackrock
County Mayo · 16
- Achill Island (Acaill)Island
- An Ceann Ramhar (Doohoma Head)Beach
- Clare IslandBeach · Clare Island
- Clare Island, LouisburghBeach · Clare Island
- Cross Strand BeachBeach · Cross
- Cross, Louisburgh BeachBeach · Cross
- Inis Bigil (Inishbiggle Island)Island
- Inishkea IslandsIsland
- Inishkea Islands ferryIsland
County Meath · 5
- Laytown BeachBeach · Laytown
- Loughcrew Historic GardensGarden · Oldcastle
- Sonairte Visitor Eco-Centre and GardensGarden · Laytown
- The Poppy GardenGarden · Oldcastle
- Townley Hall WoodsGarden · Oldbridge
County Monaghan · 3
- Hollywood Forest ParkPark · Monaghan Town
- Lough Muckno Leisure ParkPark
- Town Park, BallybayPark
County Sligo · 6
- Aughris HeadBeach
- Coney IslandIsland · Coney Island
- Inishmurray IslandIsland · Inishmurray
- Strandhill BeachBeach · Strandhill
- Doorly ParkPark
- Secret Gardens SligoGarden · Sligo Town
County Tipperary · 4
- Caher ParkPark · Cahir
- Celtic Plantarum DundrumGarden · Dundrum
- Golden Grove ForestPark · Roscrea
- GortavoherPark
County Waterford · 5
- Ballyscanlon ForestPark
- Lafcadio Hearn Japanese GardensGarden · Tramore
- Lismore Castle GardensGarden · Lismore
- Waterford Garden TrailGarden · Waterford City
- Waterford Nature ParkPark · Waterford City
County Westmeath · 2
- MullaghmeenPark · Oldcastle
- Tullynally Castle & GardensGarden · Castlepollard
County Wexford · 20
- Ardamine BeachBeach · Middletown
- Cahore Point BeachBeach · Cahore
- Dodd's Rock BeachBeach · Courtown
- Glascarrig BeachBeach · Cahore
- Kilmichael StrandBeach · Castletown
- Kilpatrick BeachBeach · Castletown
- Poulshone BeachBeach · Poulshone
- Roney Point BeachBeach · Courtown
- Rosslare StrandBeach
County Wicklow · 12
- Arklow South BeachBeach · Arklow
- Brittas Bay North BeachBeach
- Avoca KilmacanogeGarden
- Festina Lente GardensGarden
- Hunting Brook GardenGarden
- Mount Usher GardensGarden · Ashford
- National Botanic Gardens - KilmacurraghGarden
- Parnell National Memorial ParkPark · Rathdrum
- Sculpture In WoodlandPark · Ashford