Visit the most beautiful lakes and waterfalls in Ireland

Ireland is often described as the Emerald Isle – and for good reason. Most of the island is covered in endless, beautiful rolling green hills. But there ist much more: Stunning white beaches in the north, rugged cliffs around the coast and a range of mountains in the west. And, of course, many lakes and waterfalls, ranging from charming to impressive. Many of them make a great trip to enjoy nature, a motif for your travel photos or can be included in a hike. In this post, we’ll let you know about the most beautiful lakes and waterfalls in Ireland that you should definitely visit. 

Powerscourt Waterfall in Wicklow

Not too far from Dublin is County Wicklow and with it, one of the most popular waterfalls in Ireland: With its impressive 121 metres, Powerscourt Waterfall is also one of Ireland’s highest waterfalls. It is set in Powerscourt Estate, which also offers beautiful gardens to visit on a day out of the city. Powerscourt Waterfall has also been used for filming several films and TV series, like the HBO hit series Vikings. 

Lough Inagh in Connemara

Lough Inagh in Connemara is perfectly set in a wide valley between the Twelve Bens and Maumturk mountains, offering postcard-perfect, sometimes surreal views. Especially when there’s a bit of fog around the hills and trees surround the freshwater lake. Lough Inagh is a perfect stop for your road trip along the Connemara Loop. 

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Aasleagh Falls in northern Connemara, County Mayo

Much smaller than Powerscourt Falls, when it comes to their height, are Aasleagh Falls in Connemara. But what they lack in height (they’re only about 3.5 metres), they can make up by being a perfect photo opportunity. Aasleagh Falls are broader than most waterfalls you’ll find in Ireland and are also on the way for salmon travelling up the river. If you’re lucky, you might spot them here!

Lough Tay in Wicklow

This lake is also known under another, perhaps better-known name: Guinness Lake. A name it got because of its shape, its dark waters, and the white sand on one side of it, making it look like a huge pint of Guinness. The sand, resembling the creamy white foam on the beer, was added by the Guiness family – the Lough Tay Estate is still in their possession until now. You might, however, also recognize the lake from binge-watching Vikings. Big parts of the series have been filmed in Ireland and Wicklow especially. You can get the best view of the lake from the hills surrounding it while you’re on a hike or a small road trip through the Wicklow Mountains.

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The Devil’s Chimney (Sruth in Aghaidh an Aird) between Sligo and Leitrim

Don’t worry, you will not miss this waterfall when looking for it on your road trip! It is certainly an impressive and prominent landmark, flowing 150 metres down the Dartry Mountains. Visible for many miles, it marked the boundary between two counties in ancient times and still does today: Nowadays, the border and the waterfall landmark lie between Sligo and Leitrim. However, you might have to do some research before visiting, because the Devil’s Chimney only flows for about 200 days a year. The seasonal waterfall is especially strong after periods of heavy rainfall. Luckily, the absence of rain is not a real problem to get in Ireland.

Have you found your favorite lakes and waterfalls in Ireland to add to the itinerary?

Of course, this list only features a few of the many beautiful lakes and waterfalls in Ireland. There are many, many more, and even fjords can be visited here—just take a look at the stunning Connemara region. However, the mentioned locations are some of our favorites and certainly make for great adventures and stunning photo opportunities.

Header Image Source: Raychel Sanner on Unsplash