With the Wild Atlantic Way on one side and Ireland’s Ancient East on the other, exploring the island’s Hidden Heartland is a must-do activity this summer.
Often overlooked, largely due to the popularity of the nearby Wild Atlantic Way, now is the perfect time to explore the vibrant heart of Ireland. A lesser-known realm jam-packed with castles, prehistoric monuments, and sacred places, the Hidden Heartlands combine Ireland’s rich cultural history with exquisite scenery, boasting a myriad of dense forests, peaceful lakes, and even the occasional rare ecological biosphere.
This vast interior region spans from Cavan and Leitrim down to north Cork and east Limerick, encompassing the calm pastures and waterways of Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Roscommon, and, at its southern reaches, the mystical beauty of Lough Derg shared by Galway, Clare, and Tipperary.
Galway’s contribution
Here in County Galway, the Hidden Heartlands come alive with quiet charisma. While Galway city bustles with festival energy and Atlantic culture, its eastern hinterlands tell a different story. A calm, serene cousin to the vibrant, energetic city, Galway’s part in the Hidden Heartlands reveals a world of reed-fringed peaceful lakes, ancient woodlands and tranquil walking trails where the quiet, peaceful energy of Ireland continues to shine.
At the meeting point of Galway and Tipperary lies Lough Derg, often described as the jewel of the Shannon. Spanning more than 30 kilometres, its western shore in Galway is lined with woods such as Portumna Forest Park. The medieval town of Portumna itself is an overlooked gem, home to Portumna Castle, which serves as a reminder of the region’s historic role in the battle between Gaelic and Norman lords. Also located within the town of Portumna, the Irish Workhouse Centre offers a sobering and vital insight into Ireland’s famine past, preserving the unvarnished stories of an Gorta Mór.
But Lough Derg is not only about quiet contemplation. Its waters are alive with activity, from kayaking and paddleboarding at Dromineer and Terryglass to leisurely boating journeys that evoke the Shannon’s Viking and monastic history. Cruising here means drifting past ruins and wooded islands where white-tailed eagles now nest, a testament to the resurgence of this vital ecosystem.
Further inland, Galway’s Hidden Heartlands hosts an array of recommended attractions and areas of interest. One such example is Athenry Castle, which has been standing proud since the 13th century, overlooking a town which boasts a vibrant history that is championed by its welcoming and active community. The castle overlooks Ireland’s longest stretch of medieval town walls, framing centuries-old streets.
The beating heart of Ireland
The Heartlands are equally about slow immersion: walking Ireland’s longest hiking trail, Beara Breifne Way, or cycling the Royal Canal Greenway to connect with the Old Rail Trail.
Beara Breifne Way traces the path taken by the last chief of the O’Sullivan Clan, known as O’Sullivan Beare, spanning nearly the length of the country. The route passes through the Hidden Heartlands.
Beginning in Dublin, the Royal Canal Greenway enters the Hidden Heartlands via Longford, crossing through to Westmeath where it meets the Old Rail Trail in Mullingar. Part of Ireland’s longest off-road cycle route, the Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail have a good range of options for overnight accommodation along most of the route; however, it is relatively easy to walk some sections and return to your starting point by public transport.
Home to a wide number of famous and historic sites, Clonfert Cathedral, tucked away near Lough Derg in Glebe, Co Galway, is one of Ireland’s finest hidden ecclesiastical treasures. Clonfert Cathedral’s ornately carved doorway, crafted by expert stone masons from a millennium ago, must be seen to be believed.
And then there is the allure of Ireland’s peatlands, such as those found throughout the Hidden Heartlands, which serve as ecological time capsules that preserve Bronze Age trackways and bog bodies alongside a thriving modern biodiversity of skylarks, curlews, and insect life.
Situated just 1.5km from the monastery of Clonmacnoise, in Co Offaly, Mongan Bog has been described as one of the most significant bogs in the world. Famous for its domed shape, Mongan Bog has been dazzling visitors to the area for centuries, becoming a key part of the Pilgrim Road, the route taken by visitors from continental Europe who were journeying to Clonmacnoise.
Something for every appetite
Above all, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Galway’s place within it offer a chance to explore a deeper, more unhurried Ireland.
Whether you’re drawn by history, landscapes, or outdoor activities, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands offer a compelling alternative to the coast this summer. With accessible trails, heritage sites, and quiet waterways, this central region continues to grow as a destination worth exploring for travellers seeking a deeper view of Ireland beyond its popular western edge.
