One Of Ireland's Best Kept Secrets Is This Mesmerizing Countryside Escape Of An Island

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a tourist in Ireland is to stick to the most touristy cities and towns. If you spend your entire trip in Dublin, you will be missing out on some of Ireland's wonderful hidden gems. And one of the best kept secrets in Ireland is a mesmerizing island countryside that oozes scenery, culture and history: Valentia Island.

Located on the southwestern coast of County Kerry, Valentia Island is a relatively small stretch of land dotted with hills, beaches, fields, and villages. Connected to the mainland via a car ferry from the town of Cahersiveen, and via bridge at Portmagee, Valentia is easier to access than most of the other islands that dot Ireland's coast. However, despite its proximity to the mainland, visiting Valentia does make you feel like you are on the edge of the world.

This incredible slice of scenery is also part of two of Ireland's most iconic driving routes: the stunningly beautiful Wild Atlantic Way, and the popular Ring of Kerry. As such, it makes for a great destination if you plan on doing an Irish road trip. If you're planning on making Valentia the center of your Ireland operations, know that driving there takes three hours from Shannon International Airport, and five hours from Dublin International. Therefore, we'd advise making Valentia part of a larger trip so you won't miss anything awesome while traveling across the Emerald Isle.

There are so many things for nature lovers to enjoy about Valentia Island. Part of what's called the Skellig Coast, which stretches across Kerry's Iveragh Peninsula, Valentia serves as a gateway for anyone hoping to see the famed Skellig Islands. You can take a boat tour from Valentia to see these impressive towers of stone, one of which served as a primary filming location for the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy.

Back on land, Valentia Island is just as dramatic as the stoney Skellig Islands to the west. Hikers will love the presence of Geokaun Mountain, which is the highest point on the island. Open year-round, Geokuan is an incredibly steep hike. It's only recommended for hikers in moderate to good physical shape. Fortunately, those who cannot climb can drive a car to the summit. From there, gaze off across the North Atlantic, over the nearby Dingle Peninsula, or back into the rolling hills of County Kerry. The dramatic, 600-foot Fogher Cliffs, which are part of Geokaun, are best viewed from lower vantages in order to be properly appreciated. 

Part of the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, Valentia is an excellent place to visit for anyone who loves to stargaze. Numerous beaches throughout the island are excellent for swimming (be warned: it's cold), beach combing, or viewing some of the excellent wild birds, like puffins, cloughs, plovers, kestrels, wigtails, gulls, herons, and sanderlings.

If you are not already convinced to make Valentia part of your ideal Irish itinerary, here's more. Knightstown is the main hub of Valentia Island. As the largest village and port, Knightstown is the place where you can find the most pubs and restaurants. The Ring Lyne Bar and Royal Valentia Hotel are excellent pub/hotel options that allow you to go straight from evening merriment to a soft cozy bed. Knightstown is also the location of the Valentia Island Heritage Center, a historical museum that details the island's history through its residents' eyes.

Valentia's greatest historical impact can be found at the Transatlantic Cable Station. In the late 1800s, the world's first transatlantic cable was laid between Valentia and a small village in Newfoundland, Canada. In the process of applying to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cable Station offers hands-on exhibits and showcases the history of this momentous event.

No trip to Valentia Island would be complete without a visit to the Valentia Lighthouse. Constructed on the site of an old 17th century fort, this lighthouse brings you to the far western edge of Ireland. You can explore the lighthouse itself, as well as the keeper's cottage and tearoom. Or simply take in dramatic views of the ocean as you cap off your trip to this hidden gem on Ireland's western coast.