There are some stunning parts of our country that have managed to stay totally under the radar on popular social media platforms
If you think you’ve seen or heard of all the beautiful locations in Ireland, think again. We would bet good money that you haven’t heard of at least some of the deeply hidden diamonds in the rough on this list.
A study by Swedish electric vehicle brand Polestar has shone a light on some much lesser-known locations that are well worth a visit. The off-the-beaten path guide uncovers some of the country’s most picturesque spots – and least documented on social media – that are perfect for a memorable visit.
Of course, if you live near one of these places, you’ll know all about their natural beauty but for many us, they will be whole new worlds to discover on our next road trip!
The study harnessed data from TripAdvisor, Instagram and TikTok to reveal top-rated locations for every county in Ireland to see how popular they were. To work out if a location was truly a hidden gem, Polestar analysed the number of TikTok views and Instagram hashtags; the more tags, the lower the location ranked therefore exposing the real hidden gems.
Here are the top 5 true hidden gems of Ireland:
1. Farney Castle, Co Tipperary
2. John F Kennedy Arboretum, Co Wexford
3. Lough Muckno Park, Co Monaghan
4. Tobernalt Holy Well, Co Sligo
5. Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, Co Waterford
The top 10 was rounded out by Moone High Cross, Co Kildare; Gaelic Chieftain, Co Roscommon; Creevelea Friary, Co Leitrim; The Shannon Pot, Co Cavan; and Woodstock House and Gardens, Co Kilkenny.
