Ireland’s Winter Landscapes
Winter in Ireland
Brisk air, dark evenings, and maybe even a bit of snow; when it comes to winter, Ireland has more to o er than you might think. e country may be renowned for its greenery, but the hills, mountains, and rivers nestled away in the Irish countryside take on a whole new life when winter falls. e temperate climate means temperature rarely falls below freezing, so these incredible winter landscapes can be easily explored. Grab a jacket and some winter clothes and try them out for yourselves.
THURLES, TIPPERARY
Thurles may not spring to the minds of most when considering Ireland’s best winter landscapes, but the lush green fields and sweeping open spaces transform when the cold comes. The Devil’s Bit, a famously strange-shaped mountain, lies just beside Thurles and provides an excellent loop trail with a family friendly walk and stunning views at the top of the mountain. A light dusting of snow turns Thurles into an amazing winter landscape.
THE PHOENIX PARK, DUBLIN
Nestled just two kilometres from Dublin’s city centre on the north side of the River Liffey lies the Phoenix Park. This park is without question one of the premier ‘hidden gems’ in all of Ireland, and possibly even Europe!
It is one of the largest parks of its kind in all of Europe and is comfortably double the size of Central Park in New York.
The park is home to a herd of wild fallow deer, who roam freely and regularly show themselves to visitors. When snow falls, the Phoenix Park becomes somewhat of a winter wonderland. The park’s many hills mean there is ample opportunity for sledding, and every snowfall sees hordes of revellers descend to enjoy the winter festivities.
THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS, DOWN
The Mourne Mountains are the highest and without question the most impressive mountain range in the North of Ireland. These mountains have inspired countless artists, writers, and musicians.
Fans of Game of Thrones will recognise these rugged mountains from the show, while C.S. Lewis, the writer of The Chronicles of Narnia, took major inspiration from the Mourne Mountains and used the mystic terrain as a base for his description of Narnia.
The mountains are a walkers’ paradise and offer hikes suitable for all levels. Snow turns these mountains into a cinematic and wintery heaven. Views of the stunning Murlough Bay and the Silent Valley are only enhanced by winter, and hikers can nestle themselves in the nearby town of Newcastle for a post-hike feed.
MOUNT ERRIGAL, DONEGAL
Mount Errigal presides over Co Donegal in all her majestic beauty and is perhaps at her most glorious in winter.
Errigal is the tallest of the Derryveagh Mountains, rising 2,464 feet into the sky. But don’t be intimidated by that snowy peak! There are several walks and hikes for outdoor adventurers of all experience levels.
Letterkenny, the nearest town, offers a range of other attractions and nice places to stay, and locals have plenty of tips and stories about Errigal to share.
STRANDHILL BEACH, SLIGO
The beloved seaside town of Strandhill is perched on Ireland’s north-west coast, just seven miles outside the town of Sligo. The beach at Strandhill is a renowned surfing spot, with schools and teachers aplenty should you wish to catch some chilly waves. It’s also a prime spot for strolling or starting a hike up to the mountain of Knocknarea, where Queen Maebh (Maeve) herself is believed to be buried in a rocky cairn atop the mountain.
Nearby attractions will especially delight those with a love of Ireland’s literature. The grave of poet W.B. Yeats is in the cemetery at Drumcliffe Church, right under Ben Bulben Mountain, as he desired. Lissadel House and Gardens are also a must – once home to the Gore-Booth sisters Eva and Constance (later the Countess Markievicz, who fought for Ireland’s freedom) and a place of frequent refuge for Yeats, who drew much of his inspiration from the Sligo landscape.