Best Places to visit in Ireland this Autumn

Set within a beautifully managed landscaped parkland, Castle Coole is one of the finest of the grand neo-classical houses in Ireland. It was constructed for Armar Lowry-Corry the 1st Earl of Belmore, between 1789–1797, a member of the Irish House of Commons for County Tyrone. On his father’s death in 1774, Armar Lowry-Corry inherited a 1200 acre picturesque estate of old oak woods and small lakes on the outskirts of Enniskillen, and it remains a joy to explore its extensive grounds. It also makes a wonderful place to explore with all the family this autumn. Balance bikes are available free of charge, with bike hire available for adults. I also highly recommend borrowing (with a refundable deposit) a tracker packs which includes kits to go bug hunting and pond dipping.

You can find out practical information on how and when to visit Castle Coole, and discover more about the 2nd Earl of Belmore, in our free article here.

Clonmacnoise is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most iconic historical sites, and a pretty special place to visit all year round. This ancient monastery is beautifully positioned alongside the stately Shannon, and is a wonderful place to experience the changing of the seasons, while soaking up some absolutely incredible archaeology, medieval art and architecture, and history. It is such a peaceful and tranquil place, that it can be difficult for us today to get a sense of what a vibrant and bustling city it would have been in its heyday.

A short distance from the main monastic complex you will find the Nuns’ Church, which was completed for Derbforgaill, daughter of Murchad Máel Sechnaill, King of Mide,  in AD 1167. It is one of the finest examples of Hiberno-Romanesque architecture in Ireland. Serpents, plants and highly stylised animal heads are all represented, and if you have a keen eye, you might just spot a small romanesque sheela-na-gig type figure hidden in the decoration of the chancel arch. It is set in a small enclosed area surrounded by beech trees, whose leaves turn the most brilliant yellow and coppery colour in the autumn.

Find out more about Clonmacnoise and its key features in our visitor guide here.

Bantry House and its fantastic gardens make for a sophisticated stop this autumn, where you can soak up the Italianate terraces and stunning vista. The house is an elegant stately home that was originally built in around 1710 in the Queen Anne style by the Hutchison family. The house has been considerably added to over the years, particularly during the middle of the 19th century under Richard White, the 2nd Earl of Bantry. It is beautifully positioned, and enjoys stunning views over Whiddy Island and the Caha Mountains. The interior of the house has a number of important period details, such as Italian plasterwork and Venetian glass, which gives an insight into the taste and wealth of the Earls of Bantry. The striking Aubusson tapestries in the house were made for Marie Antoinette, and were acquired in the turbulent days of the French Revolution.

You can find out more about Bantry House and its inhabitants in our free visitor guide here.

Ballysaggartmore Towers appear like something from an epic fantasy. Though beautiful, they tell a compelling tale of injustice, pride and vanity. The Towers were commissioned by Arthur Kiely-Ussher in around 1835., who had inherited over 8,000 acres of land in the area. He quickly gained a reputation for being a harsh and cruel landlord.

It is said that his wife had become deeply envious of Strancally Castle, built by Arthur’s brother John Kiely, and pestered Arthur to build a residence to outshine that of his brother. Plans for an extravagant mansion were drawn and work began on the long and winding carriageway, with an ornate gate lodge. They then constructed the elaborate bridge over a small stream, with large towers flanking each side of the bridge. However their grandiose ambitions quickly outstripped their funds and they ran out of money soon after completing the bridge. Their dreams of building a huge mansion were never to come true, they spent their days living in the now demolished Ballysaggartmore House.

No doubt they must have felt some despair as they travelled along their stunning carriageway, that it would never lead to the mansion they had so desired. Kiely-Ussher’s folly has however now left us with a superbly atmospheric and unique place to go for a forest walk. Members of Tuatha can access an exclusive article on this site to learn more about its history here.

Moore Hall is located in a beautiful spot on the shore of Lough Carra in County Mayo, surrounded by a wood that just looks stunning in the autumn.  It really is a wonderful, atmospheric spot to enjoy a walk and – weather permitting! – a picnic. The house was constructed between 1792 and 1796 by George Moore. The interior of Moore Hall had 35 rooms over three storeys. It housed a fine oak-panelled dining room, an elegant drawing room decorated to neo-Classical taste with delicate Italianate plasterwork, and a summer drawing room with large windows that overlooked the calm waters of Lough Carra. The house had a nursery and private chapel, wine cellars, servants quarters and a tunnel that discreetly connected the house to the kitchen garden and farmyard. The Moores of Moore Hall also invested in an extensive library, full of rare and important books, including a manuscript copy of the Annals of the Four Masters. Sadly, all of this would be lost a little over a century later, when it was burned in 1923.

Find out more about its history and how to visit in our free article here.

There is more than 5,000 years of history waiting to be discovered at Rossmore Forest Park, with evidence of at least two megalithic tombs, as well as the remains of the once grand Rossmore Castle. Like many grand houses in the 20th century, Rossmore Castle fell into decline, and it was demolished by the Army in 1974 due to health and safety concerns. All that remains of Rossmore Castle itself is the grand flight of steps that leads up to the area where the castle once stood.

Today the forest park has become a popular recreational amenity for the people of nearby Monaghan Town, its paths and trails frequented by dog walkers and families. It has a fantastic playground – complete with a giant’s head – to keep the little ones occupied, and the walking trails through the forest park are a highly rewarding experience in any season, but they are particularly lovely in the autumn. Find out more about what is hidden at Rossmore Forest Park in our article here.

Set high in the hills with expansive views over Lough Colgagh, this tomb is part of an extensive series of megalithic monuments in County Sligo. Deerpark is also very unusual amongst Irish court tombs, as the court is in the centre of the monument, rather than being positioned at the front. It has been suggested that the tomb originally only had one gallery on the western side, and that the eastern gallery was added at a later time. Does this tell a tale of an expanding tribe? Or perhaps a conjoining of two families?

Although a lot of the wood that surrounds the tomb is made up of sitka plantation, there is a good amount of native species too, plus some lovely rowan trees with their bright red berries growing next to the tomb. Tuatha Members can discover more about its archaeology and how to visit the site in our exclusive article here.

Glendalough is one of Ireland’s most popular historic sites, but as the autumn begins the visitor numbers can begin to ease, and in my opinion, when the leaves begin to change colour there are few places that can match it.

The early monastery at Glendalough was founded by St Kevin in the late 6th century, and it became one of Ireland’s most significant centres of Christianity. Many of the structures from this monastic period are clustered near to the Lower Lake, a very short stroll from the car park (and bus stop). But a particularly lovely spot at this time of year is Reefert Church situated in a wooded hollow near to the Upper Lake. It is one of the most atmospheric features of Glendalough and it is particularly beautiful when the autumn colour sets in. The name Reefert derives from the Irish ‘Ríogh Fheart’ which translates as ‘the Burial Place of Kings’, and is traditionally believed to be the resting place of the powerful O’Toole family and other leading dynasties of the region.

Find out more about Glendalough and it many features to visit, in our free article here.

The story of Kilkenny Castle begins with an earthen fort, before the famous medieval magnate William Marshal constructed the first stone fortress. Kilkenny Castle has had many roles throughout its history. It has been at the centre of Irish government when it temporarily became the capital of the Irish Confederacy, it has been besieged, and it has been an elegant and grand home to one of Ireland’s leading families. Today visitors to Kilkenny Castle can enjoy a walk through the lovely castle park, and a guided tour, that gives you a great sense of the history of the castle and the Butler family that lived there for over 600 years. With the mature trees in the park beginning to come into colour, Kilkenny Castle is one of the best places to visit in Ireland this autumn. Read more about its story in our free article here.

I couldn’t compile a list of autumn places to visit without including our own local hidden gem, St Patrick’s Well, a short distance from our hometown of Clonmel. Legend has it that St Patrick visited this valley on his journey through South Tipperary and Waterford, where he reputedly converted the King of Munster to Christianity at the Rock of Cashel. Traditional says that St Patrick stopped here at this spot to bathe and baptise local people. Like many holy wells around the country, St Patrick’s Well is said to have many curative properties in local belief and folklore. There are also some very interesting tales recorded in the Schools’ Folklore Collection about what happens to people who do not respect the site!

It is situated in a tranquil valley close to the village of Marlfield, and is a wonderfully peaceful spot to spend time, listening to the flowing waters of the well. Find out more about this site, its archaeology and folklore, in our free article here.