Why Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is the slow-travel perfection your clients have been seeking

If your clients’ dream getaway includes time in nature, chilled out water activities and historical sites, then look to Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. 

As one of the island of Ireland’s most picturesque regions, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands extends from County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland down through the Republic of Ireland’s midland counties and regions, including Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, East Clare, Westmeath, Cavan, North Tipperary, Galway and Offaly.

Each area promises incredible towns and villages with year-round appeal and immersive travel experiences. From picturesque walking trails to exploring sparkling canals and lakes, as well as visiting historic abbeys and monasteries, visitors enjoy meaningful travel experiences that take them to the heart of the destination.

Check out the new TTG Ireland Selling Guide

Exploring Fermanagh and Leitrim

With so much to choose from across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, a fantastic place to start is in the north of the region, in Fermanagh and Leitrim. While these may not be as familiar to your clients as some of Ireland’s other destinations, they offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy a laid-back holiday where visitors can stay for longer and spend time really getting to know the place.

Plenty of lesser-known treasures await them, such as exploring the spectacular lakeland landscape of Lough Erne in Fermanagh, which is home to more than a hundred islands dotted across two connected lakes. The best way to see them is to set sail, and Erne Water Taxi offers luxury guided boat trips led by experienced guides and skippers. 

Guests can visit Devenish Island, which is regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic historical sites, and is home to an impressive tower and monastery. Over in the island town of Enniskillen they can visit the 15th century Enniskillen Castle, two museums and the bustling centre, with its collection of studios, galleries, shops and cafes. 

Caves, walks and stays

From Enniskillen it’s just a 30-minute drive south-west to the Marble Arch Caves – a major tourist attraction in the region. Set in the picturesque foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain, visitors can join guided tours through the natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers, including an underground boat trip. They can even don VR headsets to explore a deeper labyrinth of cave passages.

Your customers can also enjoy above-ground exploring on the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, a 6km popular walking route offering fantastic views as it meanders through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland.

For a unique stay where clients will be immersed in nature, suggest the Finn Lough secluded retreat, located on a 75-acre private peninsula on the opposite side of Lough Erne. It offers transparent Bubble Domes in the forest, River Cabins on the edge of a rewilded waterway, private villas and suites. Activities include Yoga and a trail of private treatment cabins in the woods, as well as heading onto the water for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Day retreats are also available. 

Visiting Leitrim

Heading south-west, clients can easily explore the beauty of Leitrim, taking in the spectacular Glencar Waterfall – famed for inspiring Irish poet William Butler Yeats. 

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is a region where clients are encouraged to take their time and savour every moment, so from Leitrim Village recommend clients join the Slow Adventure Jackalope Cycle Tour. They’ll hear tales of the destination's vibrant history and heritage, natural wonders and diverse flora and fauna while exploring scenic trails on two wheels. E-bikes or standard bikes and helmets are provided, and the tour ends with a tour and tasting at The Shed Distillery, the home of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. 

Along the River Shannon

The River Shannon runs through Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, and a holiday on the water is one of the best ways to experience Ireland unrushed. Carrickcraft offers cruise boat hire on the Lower Shannon and Upper Lough Erne, where visitors can access 700km of interconnecting canals, rivers and lakes. Tutorials and demonstrations ensure guests can set sail with ease to explore the lush green countryside and rich heritage of the region.  

If they continue south on the River Shannon, visitors will find Athlone, which is one of the largest towns in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, promising culture, craic, history and heritage. Your clients can expect welcoming cafes, pubs, bookshops and boutiques set among medieval streets. 

One of the town’s famed venues is Sean’s Bar, which has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest pub in Ireland, with original 9th century walls visible beside the fireplace. Visitors are assured of a warm welcome, and can listen to nightly live music and can even sample the pub’s own whiskey. 

These are just a taster of some of the highlights waiting for your clients across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Check out more suggestions of great towns and villages that deserve a place in an itinerary to the region, and get ready to inspire your customers to take a slow journey around a laid-back land.

Check out the new TTG Ireland Selling Guide