Rugged coastlines, rolling hills, historic castles and raucous pubs… Ireland is a country that’s just begging to be explored – and a road trip is the best way to see everything this gem of a country has to offer.
If you’re looking to buy property in Ireland but you’re not sure where’s best to buy, keep reading. In this article, I’ll reveal the best places to live in Ireland, based on a road trip I took around the country with my partner last year.
Road trip highlights: Ireland’s top property hotspots
Here are some of the best places we stopped at during our two-week campervan trip around Ireland:
Wexford
We began our road trip in Wexford, having caught the ferry from Fishguard in Wales to Rosslare Harbour in southeast Ireland.
Wexford is a charming waterfront town with a good selection of shops, pubs and restaurants. The town’s surrounding landscape is beautiful, consisting of lush countryside and sandy beaches like Curracloe Beach and Rosslare Strand, making it a great place to live if you enjoy outdoor activities like walking, cycling and water sports.
Property prices in Wexford range from around €195,000 to €200,000 for a two-bedroom flat and €335,000 to €565,000 for a four-bedroom house.
Cork
Next, we headed west along Ireland’s south cost, driving for two-and-a-half hours until we hit Cork – the country’s second-largest city after Dublin.
The city, which is built on the River Lee, is home to several historical buildings, including Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork City Gaol and the English Market – a covered food market dating back to the late 18th century. Cork also hosts multiple film and folk festivals, such as Cork Folk Festival and Cork International Film Festival – Ireland’s largest film festival.
For a four-bedroom house, you can expect to pay between €325,000 and €495,000 depending on whether you’re buying a semi-detached house or a more luxurious detached property. Prices for a two-bedroom apartment typically range from around €225,000 to €425,000, depending on the location and property features.
Cork: Ireland’s second-largest city
Image: Riekelt Hakvoort via Shutterstock
Dingle
Our route out of Cork took us to the coastal town of Kinsale – the start of the Wild Atlantic Way, a spectacular coastal road stretching 1,600 miles along Ireland’s west coast up to Donegal. We decided to skip the first part of the route, instead heading straight to Ballydonegan Beach where we spent a lazy morning in the sun.
A three-hour drive north later and we were in Dingle, a small yet lively port town with some of the most beautiful views in Ireland. The landscape around the town consists of dramatic cliffs, mountains and valleys, making it a popular spot with hikers and cyclists. The Dingle Peninsula also boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, such as Coumeenoole Beach, a 30-minute drive out of town.
Property prices in Dingle range from around €360,000 for a two-bedroom flat and around €680,000 for a four-bedroom house.
Limerick
After a couple of days hiking around Dingle and picnicking on beaches, we headed just over two hours north to the city of Limerick to stock up on supplies.
As well as all the amenities and entertainment options you’d expect from a major city, Limerick is home to the Milk Market – an undercover weekend market selling a wide range of local produce and artisan foods, as well as clothing and jewellery.
Limerick is another great spot for hikers, with the Cliffs of Moher just over an hour’s drive away. The Cliffs of Moher walking trail is a four-hour round trip that offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, and – if you’re lucky – you may even spot puffins nesting on the cliff faces.
In Limerick, the average price for a two-bedroom flat is around €210,000 and €335,000 for a four-bedroom house.
Limerick is just an hour away from the Cliffs of Moher walking trail
Galway
After a well-deserved pub lunch, we drove an hour-and-a-half to Galway – a city renowned for its lively nightlife, with a wide range of pubs, clubs and live music venues.
Dubbed ‘Ireland’s Cultural Heart’, Galway has a vibrant art and festival scene and is also famous for its seafood restaurants, like the Seafood Bar at Kirwan’s and Hooked.
Again, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy living in Galway, as it is just over an hour’s drive from Connemara National Park and a short ferry ride to the Aran Islands.
In Galway, you can get a two-bed flat for around €300,000. The average price for a four-bed house is around €428,000.
Achill Island
Just over two hours north of Galway is Achill Island – where we spent the best two days of our trip. Located off the coast of County Mayo, Achill is Ireland’s largest island and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.
Characterized by dramatic cliffs, pristine beaches, sparkling sea and vast peat bogs, it is another great place for outdoor activities, like hiking, cycling, fishing, surfing and kayaking. One of the island’s most famous spots is Keem Bay, a gorgeous beach tucked away at the bottom of a steep hill. We visited on a bank holiday, which meant it was quite busy, but we still managed to find a spot to park our campervan and stay by the beach overnight. Just on that note, if you enjoy camping, you will love exploring Ireland, as there are lots of places you can camp overnight for free.
Achill Island is a great place to live if you enjoy nature, a slower pace of life and a strong sense of community. However, it’s worth noting that while the island has basic amenities like shops, a post office, restaurants and schools, you will have to go to the mainland for some services and facilities, such as hospitals and specialist shops.
A two-bedroom flat on Achill Island costs around €195,000 and a four-bedroom houses costs around €174,000.
Keem Bay, Achill Island
Sligo
Another two-hour drive north and we were in Sligo, a town with such beautiful surroundings, it inspired many of W.B. Yeats’ poems. A great location for outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, fishing and golfing, the landscape consists of mountains like Benbulben, beautiful sandy beaches like Strandhill and Rosses Point and picturesque lakes and rivers.
The town itself has a relaxed vibe, with a good selection of shops, restaurants and pubs. There’s a strong arts scene, with numerous galleries, festivals and live music performances. The town also offers some more unusual activities, such as seaweed baths and outdoor saunas.
In Sligo, you can expect to pay around €150,000 for a two-bed flat and around €323,000 for a four-bedroom house.
Donegal
Under an hour’s drive from Sligo is Donegal – a smaller town that would suit you if you prefer a closer-knit community while still benefitting from a bustling town centre.
The town is a gateway to the southern part of County Donegal, making it a good base for exploring the beautiful coastal areas, mountains and other natural attractions in the region. It’s also a popular spot for fishing due to its location on the River Eske and Donegal Bay.
There are numerous festivals held in the town throughout the year, such as the Donegal Bay and Blue Stacks Festival, which celebrates music and the arts.
You can get a two-bedroom flat in Donegal for around €100,000 and a four-bedroom house for around €323,000.
Londonderry: Ireland’s only completely walled city
Image: Rolf G Wackenberg via Shutterstock
Londonderry
Drive another hour north and you’ll reach Londonderry – Northern Ireland’s second-largest city after Belfast.
Londonderry is the only completely walled city in Ireland. The Walls were built in the early 1600s and form a complete circuit around the old city. A walking path on top of the walls provides panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.
In 2013, Londonderry was named the UK City of Culture, thanks to its numerous festivals, thriving music scene and array of museums and art galleries.
A two-bedroom flat in Londonderry costs around £162,000, while a four-bed house costs around £226,000.
Belfast
Next, we headed for Belfast, which is about a 90-minute drive south of Londonderry.
The city has a thriving arts scene, with annual music, films and arts festivals, including the Belfast Festival at Queen’s and the Belfast Film Festival. There are many parks and open spaces in Belfast, including the Botanic Gardens in the heart of the city, as well as surrounding hills that are popular with hikers.
Northern Ireland’s capital has been undergoing significant redevelopment recently, especially along the banks of the River Lagan, where hotels, offices, shops and more than 1,500 waterfront homes are being built.
The average price for a two-bed flat in Belfast is around £161,000. A four-bed house costs around £266,000, on average.
Dublin is renowned for its lively atmosphere
Dublin
The last stop on our trip was Dublin – a two-hour drive south of Belfast.
The ideal place for both city slickers and nature lovers, it boasts one of the largest city parks in Europe (Phoenix Park) with Wicklow Mountains National Park to the south. Along the coast, spots like Howth and Dun Laoghaire, offer beautiful views over Dublin Bay.
The city itself is renowned for its lively atmosphere, owed mainly to its legendary pub culture – particularly in the popular Temple Bar area.
As with anywhere, property prices vary depending on the location and type of property, but to give you an idea, a two-bedroom flat in Dublin costs around €431,000 and a four-bedroom house costs around €490,000.
For more information about buying property in Ireland, download our free guide.
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