Charming coastal communities in Ireland

With the breathtakingly short summer season half over in the British Isles, the window in which one can comfortably explore charming coastal communities in Ireland is closing fast.

Which ones should you take the time to see if your travels are taking you to the Emerald Isle soon? These places have stolen our hearts, and they will do the same to you as well…!

1) Clonakilty

Located on the southern coast of Ireland, the town centre of Clonakilty sits only three kilometres away from some of the most popular beaches in the country, making it a popular destination with domestic travelers.

Those seeking to sharpen their surfing skills here will find schools suited to that purposes, while those that find the water to be a bit too cold can spend their time pondering the existence of the Drombeg Stone Circle, which is one of Ireland’s finest specimens of this megalithic artifact, which can be found all across the country in varying states of decay.

2) Portmagee

Looking for an Irish settlement with a fishing village vibe? If so, Portmagee will fit the mold perfectly, as its wild and windy location on the southwestern edge of the country will give you the raw and weathered feel that one usually associates with such a community.

Portmagee is one of the staging points for trips to Skellig Michael, an exposed and remote island eight miles off the coast where some of the first Irish Christians had established a monastery back in the 6^th century.

Uninhabited in the present day and impractical to reach during the wild weather of the winter season, these stone structures have retained their form well over the years, making a great UNESCO World Heritage Site to visit during the calmer summer months.

3) Doolin

While most of this small village is spread along a single road inland from the sea, Doolin is situated only five kilometres from the Cliffs of Moher, which is one of Ireland’s biggest natural attractions. When you aren’t marveling at the incredibly precipitous drop to the Atlantic Ocean from one of its dizzying viewpoints, some of the best folk music in Ireland awaits you back in the village centre.

It was in pubs such as O’ Connor’s and McGann’s where Irish traditional music enthralled intrepid travelers generations ago, leading to its worldwide popularity shortly thereafter. Today, the bands play on, so don’t leave without catching at least one evening of performances out at the pub!

4) Westport

Another musical hotspot on Ireland’s Atlantic coast is Westport, a town which served as a launchpad for Matt Molloy, who is considered to be one of the finest flute players in the world.

In addition to enjoying the full schedule of music at the pub bearing his name, the deep sea fishing offered by charter boats at the wharf has long been lauded by accomplished anglers, so it is well worth checking out if spending the day out on the open ocean trawling for a big catch is your idea of fun!