The road less travelled

castle nearby and sites of historical interest all around. But this farm is simply a haven of peace and tranquility, perfect for all the family.

The farm has a small herd of alpacas which you can walk with in a long loop on the farm, along with rabbits, donkeys, and hens. Plus they now have two adorable rescue Shetland ponies. The Alpaca farm’s loop walk runs along a beautiful river, and you will stroll past deep pools and babbling cascades, under old oak trees and holly trees, and past the spectacular waterfall that gave the farm its name. This is ideal for a little relaxing moment. The farm also offers accommodation in a self-catering cabin, with access to the stunning riverside walk and the peace and beauty of nearby Castledonovan. Alpaca walks cost €30 per alpaca, with a minimum of two alpacas required. They only walk four of the alpacas a maximum of twice a day and it gets booked up quickly, so booking well in advance is recommended.

To make a booking, call (028) 31953 and leave a message, with details of your group and dates you would like to visit the farm. Visit westcorkalpacas.com

 Caves of

Wonder

One of the most dramatic gems on this list is The Caves of Keash, also known as the Kesh Caves or Caves of Keashcorran. This is a series of limestone caves located halfway up the Keshcorran mountain, near the village of Keash in Co Sligo. The caves appear almost like black mouths set in the white limestone rock face, high on the mountain. There are 16 chambers, some of which interconnect, which offer breathtaking views across the Sligo countryside. The Caves have long been famous in Irish mythology and folklore, and appear in many ancient stories. The High King of Ireland, Cormac mac Airt, was said to have been born at the foot of Keshcorran and raised by a wolf in one of the caves, reminiscent of the Romulus and Remus story. This cave is now known as Cormac’s Cave. With more stories of Fionn MacCumhaill and the Fianna having adventures here, these caves are filled with mythology.

The climb to the Caves shouldn’t take more than an hour to get up and down, but as you will definitely want to spend time exploring the caves and admiring the view, you should allow for around two hours in total. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and take it slow.

Check out the Visitor Centre, which

Volkswagen Snapshot Competition

includes information on both The Caves of Keash and the Carrowkeel Passage Tombs. If you want a guided tour of the caves then pre-booking is essential.

Visit keash.ie

 Far from the madding crowd

The most westerly of West Cork’s inhabited islands, Dursey Island, located at the tip of the Beara Peninsula, is one of my favourite hidden gems in Ireland. It is a getaway from the hustle and bustle of modern living. The island has very few inhabitants and no shops, pubs or restaurants, which gives you a unique experience of undisturbed tranquility. The only way to get to this remote island is by taking Ireland’s only cable car, which runs about 250m above the sea. When I took it a few years ago, the car held six people, but due to Covid precautions, it now only takes four people at a time. The 10-minute journey takes you above the dolphin-strewn Dursey Sound.

Once on the island, you can walk along the stretch of the Beara Way on the Dursey Island Loop Walk. Some highlights from your walk on the island include the rugged coastline, lofty cliffs, the ruins of O’Sullivan Beara’s castle, a 200-year-old signal tower with views stretching to the Skelligs and Mizen Head, and several standing stones. Kids will also love the sea life, such as dolphins and whales that visit the waters around the island.

There is no pre-booking system in operation for the cable car, as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The cable car operates from 9.30am-7.30pm every day, but check the timetable and Covid procedures in place.

Visit durseyisland.ie

 The climb When I visited Sligo and Leitrim last summer, I only knew of the famous Glencar Waterfall, which is a beautiful sight to behold on the Sligo/Leitrim border. But thankfully, locals led my group just a stone’s throw away to Sruth an Aghaidh an Aird, also known as The Devil’s Chimney. At 492 feet (150m), this is Ireland’s highest waterfall located on the Dartry Mountains. The climb up the mountain is clearly signposted on the steps, and while steep, most people of moderate fitness, from young to old, can easily make the approximately 45-minute trip. Wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes and possibly a rain jacket as the trail can get wet and even slippery. The pedestrian access is on a busy enough road with a small car park, so getting there early is advised. However, it was significantly less crowded at this waterfall than the more famous one down the road, so you can take your time on your walk. Once you get up to the top, not only will you get spectacular views of the waterfall, but you will also get to see the unique trajectory of the water and why it gained its nickname. When the wind blows from the South, the waterfall is blown upward and back over the cliff from which it falls!

 Back in time

A real hidden gem for any trip in Curraghboy, Co Roscommon is the awardwinning Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum. This unique museum houses a 25-year-old collection of restored, horsedrawn machinery, tradesman’s tools, household utensils, and rural artefacts exploring rural life in Ireland 250 years ago.

Holding more than 7,500 unique objects encompassing history, heritage, and folk culture, the collection is a labour of love for owners Charlie and Bridie Finneran and their family. Explore the recreated schoolroom, a farm machinery section, a cobbler and chemists’ shopfront, homewares, and an old-fashioned thatched bar and grocery. One of the highlights is the MacCormac Photography Room, which recreates a photographic premises in Athlone from 1948-2002 with old and rare cameras, and black-and-white and colour processing equipment. It will not only bring back childhood memories for older people, but children can experience the way older generations lived. Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm. Admission is €7 for adults, €4 for children and €20 for families.

Visit derrygladfolkmuseum.com

 A magical land

On my trip to Limerick a few years ago, there was one stop that truly blew my mind – Lough Gur. This magical and enchanting place of stone circles, megalithic tombs, crannogs, ring forts and castles has stunning views and walks around the lakeshore. Based in Limerick’s Lake District, it is at the heart of an archaeological landscape that features sites from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Early Christian, Medieval, Early Modern, and Modern eras. Over six thousand years, the site has grown to be revered as a place of magic! It also has Ireland’s largest stone circle, the Grange Stone Circle which is seriously impressive as it stands 65m in diameter and comprises 113 standing stones. There are ancient burial mounds, megalithic tombs, and forts scattered around the area too. We enjoyed a self-guided tour using an audio guide while there, but there are other tours available. But check with the centre to ensure they are running.

Visit the Lough Gur Visitor Centre (Monday to Thursday: 10am-6pm, Friday to Sunday: 10am-8pm), for stories of pre-Celtic settlers who farmed and lived in the peaceful valley. And definitely make time for the audio-visual show to learn about Lough Gur’s geology, botany, zoology, and archaeology and immerse yourself in tales of local folklore and ancient Celtic festivals. Young kids can also enjoy the magical fairy trail and Solstice Playground. Child €3, adult €5, family €15, senior or student €4.

Visit loughgur.com

Images courtesy of Fáilte Ireland

The Instagram-based competition encourages photography enthusiasts to use their creativity and upload their photos to Instagram. This year sees the introduction of three new categories - #Colour #Staycation and #Sustainability as well as popular categories from previous years#Volkswagen #Water and #Animals Prizes include:

 The #Volkswagen category winner will receive the top prize – Driving the allelectric ID.4 for a whole year

 The #Staycation category winner will receive a Bluebook voucher

 The #Animal category winner will receive a pair of AirPods Pro  The #Water category winner will receive a GoPro Hero8, Black  The #Colour category winner will receive a Nintendo Switch  The #Sustainability category winner will receive a Weekend Stay for two at Iveagh Garden Hotel

Plus, 11 Volkswagen favourites will have their work featured in the Snapshot 2022 Calendar along with the overall winner and will receive a Fitbit VERSA 3. All proceeds from the sale of the calendar will be donated to Volkswagen’s Snapshot Charity Partner, Jigsaw - the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.

To enter, just upload your favourite photo to Instagram and include the hashtag #VWSnapshot along with the category hashtag of your choice before 6pm on August 31st, 2021. Check out volkswagen. ie/snapshot for more details. And remember you can enter as many times as you like! So, get snapping!

A walk on the wild side

Connemara in West Galway is known for being one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. So why not explore its rugged, natural beauty by hiking the Twelve Bens, Maamturks or Mweelrea Mountains at your own pace? Ireland Wild Escapes are local travel experts who provide packaged and customised tours. All you need is appropriate footwear, warm, weatherproof gear, and a picnic to enjoy on the way, as you appreciate the natural beauty of the area, stopping to take in the awe-inspiring views (and a photo or two!). You don’t need to be an advanced hill walker to enjoy this route, as it suits everyone from beginners to advanced walkers. Choose to be fully guided or step up the adventure by learning the art of navigation using a map and compass. The groups need a minimum of four and the tours are available all year round. Visit irelandwildescapes.ie

Aboat time

The Doolin Ferry Co has four sailing routes, with 19 cruises departing Doolin Pier on a daily basis including five daily cruises to Inis Óirr, four to Inis Mór, four to Inis Meáin and six to the Cliffs of Moher. Go for an adventure on any of the islands by scuba diving in the underwater burren, horse riding on the beaches, and snorkelling with seals. The boat journey itself is also quite the adventure and Doolin Ferry Co is offering their new Adventure Express ‘Seafari’. This experience takes place onboard its private 10-seater rib, designed to provide passengers with unrivalled views of the entire Clare coast while keeping them sheltered from the elements. All private charters allow those onboard to dictate the itinerary, so no two journeys are ever the same.

Liam O’Brien, Owner of Doolin Ferry Co says, “Seeing the boats sailing again signifies hope for the future of the tourism sector and a return to some sort of normality for those involved in the industry in Clare. Doolin and the Aran Islands are destinations not to be missed for anybody planning a staycation this year.’’

Visitors can book ferry tickets in advance by phoning (065) 707 5555 or visiting doolinferry. com in order to limit contact in the ticket offices

 Choose your adventure

If you’re looking for water-based activities along the west, then Inish Adventures, located in Moville and Buncrana, Co Donegal, is perfect for you. Choose from sea kayaking, open boating,