IF THE THOUGHTS of the season changing from summer (what summer, right?) to autumn are getting you down, we’ve got just the ticket.
Take yourself away from your worries and cares with a trip away. A week, a weekend or even an overnight could make all the difference. A change is as good as a rest, so they say, and you don’t have to go very far in order to find some gorgeous places in Ireland to stay.
To give you a hand, we’ve rounded up seven fabulous places you could take a break in this autumn.
Go on, enjoy yourselves.
If you’re living outside Dublin and fancy a trip to the Big Smoke (or even if you don’t) – it’s a great season to spend some time here .
The leaves are changing, there’s loads of parks and canals to walk in or beside, and you’ve more restaurants and pubs than you could shake a stick at.
If the weather’s good, the evenings are still light long enough into the day for you to really avail of all the sights around the city, and if the weather is bad, there are shops, museums, galleries and cafes to while away the hours in.
Nearest train station: Heuston, Connolly, Pearse Street, Tara Street… there’s loads here
The Japanese gardens are famous worldwide and well worth a visit. Devised by Colonel William Hall Walker, the gardens were designed and laid out by master Japanese horticulturist, Tassa Eida, and his son Maida.
Apparently the gardens trace the path of human life and represent birth, childhood, marriage, parenthood, old age and death as well as the afterlife (although we’re not quite sure how).
Safe to say, it’s a fascinating place to go visit.
Nearest train station: Kildare station
Glendalough is a spectacular part of Wicklow, and home to a round tower and two lakes as well as being part of the Wicklow Way.
So whether you’re a walker, a history buff, photographer or just fancy some beautiful scenery Glendalough should definitely be on your list of places to spend a little time.
Nearest train station: Rathdrum
Kilkenny Castle, originally built as an Anglo-Norman stone castle for William Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke, has undergone extensive extensions and reworking over the years since the 13th century.
Now, you can take tours of castle, and peruse the extensive gardens as well as wander around Kilkenny city taking in the sights there, too.
Nearest train station: Kilkenny station
If you thought Ireland had no interesting wildlife, think again.
Alright, cheetahs and giraffes may not be native to Ireland but you can still catch up with them at Fota wildlife park, in Fota, Cork.
The park is dedicated to conservation, so every penny spent there is helping the animals in some way. You can get up close and personal with peacocks and kangaroos and check out lots of other animals from a slight distance.
Nearest train station: Fota stop (on the route to Cobh, from Cork)
Connemara might just have some of the finest scenery in Ireland - although we know that kind of claim won’t go down without a fight.
Regardless, you should head over to Connemara and check it out. From Kylemore Abbey to Renvyle House, there’s plenty to see and do, and even if the weather’s bad, the views are still majestic.
Arise and go now, to the Lake Isle of Innisfree – sure, it’s on the way.
Nearest train station: Galway and Westport
Fancy visiting one of the grandest homes open to the public? And even better – it stands on the original castle of Grace O’Malley, pirate queen. You can even see some of the original castle in the ‘dungeons’.
Westport House has even more going for it than that (although, isn’t that enough?) – such as paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds of Howe Peter, who spent time in jail for bribing British seamen during war and was a friend of the poet Lord Byron, as well as Rt Hon Dennis Browne, the brother of the 1st Marquess of Sligo (don’t you know).
Nearest train station: Westport
Have we inspired you to take a break this autumn? Whether you’re heading away for the weekend or for longer, remember to leave the car at home, and hop on a train with Irish Rail. There’s a sale on right now, so choo-choo-choose those seats quickly. Head over to IrishRail.ie for more information.
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