40 best romantic getaways

Ireland’s West Coast

Photo: Ditte Isager

On the Waterfront
The emerald landscapes and deserted beaches of Ireland’s wild west have long attracted painters, poets, and romantics. Explore the majestic coastline of the Ring of Kerry; the Lakes of Killarney; and the flat, untamed moorlands of Connemara, then step into one of the many pubs for a pint of Guinness. Stay at Moy House, situated on a 15-acre expanse of open rippling pasture and mature woodland above Lahinch Bay. Built in the 18th century by a minor nobleman, Moy House may not be the loveliest house in County Clare from an architectural point of view, though you may find it impressive in a fort-like, defensive, Wuthering Heights sort of way. Its position on the coast and just 45 minutes from Shannon Airport makes it a perfect base for touring the region.