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26th May 2025
11:43am BST
Sarah McKenna
Brought to you by DiscoverIreland.ie
The very best getaways are centred around discovery. New towns, new experiences, new people - they all work hand in hand to make our holidays even more memorable.
For your next short break, you won't have to travel far to unearth new experiences - simply plan a short break in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands.
From foraging in Offaly to tasting farmhouse cheeses in Galway, this region is home to so many unique attractions just waiting to be unearthed.
Ready for something new? Here are 10 experiences to add to the itinerary of your next short break.
Wake up to nature right on your doorstep with a stay at Kilbane Glamping in east Clare. This site is home to two luxury hand-built glamping pods, allowing you to get closer to nature without sacrificing modern comforts - heating, a luxury double bed and en suite bathroom.
During your getaway, enjoy a hike in the nearby Doon Forest and when the evening rolls around, cosy up at the Anchor Inn in Killaloe.
Situated in a 200-year old period farmhouse and surrounded by picturesque mountainside, Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese invites guests to indulge their senses. On a tour, you'll learn how this Irish cheese goes from farm to fork, before finishing off your visit with a spot of afternoon tea.
When dinnertime rolls around, cross the border into Tipperary and grab dinner in the Ferry Inn Bar and Restaurant.
For a river cruise with a difference, book a Saturday night voyage aboard the Moon River. This pleasure cruise boasts a fully operational bar, a luxury saloon and a small dance floor. Sit back, relax and enjoy some light refreshments as you cruise along the Shannon.
Before you set sail, swing by Aroma's Café for afternoon tea with some of the best views in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Make your next getaway to Lough Derg even more relaxing by booking a session at the Lakeside Sauna. Step into this wood-fired sauna and enjoy a moment of sheer bliss before making the most of the stunning lakeside surroundings. Take a stroll around the peaceful shores of Lough Derg and keep your eyes peeled for the unique flora and fauna native to this region.
As the evening draws in, stay lakeside with dinner at Larkin's Bar and Restaurant.
Challenge yourself on your next getaway by taking on the Miner's Way and Historical Trail in Arigna. The entire route takes five days to complete, but you can customise your own route, or take on a smaller section.
For a deeper understanding of this region's mining history, visit the Arigna Mining Experience and enjoy lunch at the centre's café.
Take a deep dive into the world of foraging with Wild Food Mary. During your workshop, you'll ramble through the forests of Birr on the hunt for wild food, before incorporating the found ingredients into a tasty lunch you can be proud of.
Finish your day with a visit to the Thatch Crinkill, a traditional pub with tonnes of old world charm.
Take relaxation to the next level on your next short break with the Hot Tub Boat in Athlone. As its name suggests, this boat is decked out with a hot tub, allowing you and your travel companions to soak as you peacefully sail along the Lough Ree and the River Shannon. To pack as much bliss as possible into your journey, book the Sunset Cruise where you can sit back and relax as the day melts into night.
Before you set sail, grab dinner at the Lough Ree Inn.
Browse the vast and quirky collection of artefacts and collectibles at the Old Irish Ways Museum and prepare to step back in time. Some of the highlights of this museum include an old kitchen, complete with a traditional open fire, an old-style classroom and an Irish creamery. Take a look around and you'll get an understanding of what the home-life looked like for Irish families 200 years ago.
After your visit, pop by Clancy's Bar & Istabraq Restaurant, a family-owned bar and restaurant.
An afternoon of fun on the water awaits visitors to West Lake Aqua Park, on Lough Derg. Pop on a wetsuit, challenge your mates to a race across the inflatable obstacle course and check out the park's latest addition – Thor, a giant, jumping platform.
After working up an appetite on the water, cross the county border into Tipperary for dinner in the Lakeside Hotel.
The Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna offers visitors a fascinating insight into an area of Irish history that is too often overlooked. The workhouse system was active in Ireland from the 1840s until the 1920s, and this centre does not shy away from this devastating reality. Instead, it highlights what daily life looked like inside the workhouse with care and sensitivity.
For dinner afterwards, visit Paddy's Bar & Restaurant for some hearty Irish food.
So, what are you waiting for? An abundance of unique experiences are waiting for you in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands.
Start planning your next short break at DiscoverIreland.ie
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The Leave No Trace principles help us make as little an impact as possible on the incredible Irish landscape as we explore the outdoors. Keep outdoor areas safe, clean and free from waste/hazards, and help protect the natural environment. Love this place, leave no trace.
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