A world-leading travel guide book publisher has selected a Laois tourist attraction in its top 8 ‘incredible Irish locations’ to visit in 2021.
Lonely Planet has teamed up with Sony Mobile to reveal their choice of the top 8 unfrequented destinations across Ireland for 2021 travel inspiration.
And Laois’s Slieve Bloom Mountains has made the cut.
With offices in Dublin, Franklin, New Delhi and Beijing, Lonely Planet was founded by Australian couple Maureen and Tony Wheeler.
It publishes guidebooks, phrasebooks, maps, children’s books and inspirational pictorials but no longer prints its magazine.
Speaking about this list, Tom Hall from Lonely Planet said: “The pandemic caused us all to pause and re-evaluate how we travel, and now is the perfect time to update that bucket list with some of these under-the-radar places you might have overlooked in the past.
“From luscious green hills to quaint towns with colourful vibrance, Ireland is rich in stunning destinations.
“It’s no surprise then that with the restrictions on international travel, there was a significant rise in people staycationing; as well as an increase in search requests for places that were off the beaten track throughout 2020.
“Sony Mobile and Lonely Planet have paired up to publish a photo series revealing the top less-frequented destinations in Ireland for 2021 so travellers can escape the mundane of lockdown once measures have been lifted and reignite the sense of wonder and discovery – including the pristine sandy shores of Lackan Sands and the sub-tropical Garnish Island, home to exotic plants and foliage from around the world.
“Too often, these lesser-known tourist spots are overlooked with staycationers opting for the bigger cities to satisfy their wanderlust; they try to find places that are off the beaten track rather than opting for the bigger tourist spots, such as Dublin.
“With 2021 now underway, this photo series gives inspiration for the future to encourage us to explore our own shores; along with photography you can easily recreate yourselves.”
Top lesser-known post-lockdown destinations from around Ireland
- Mizen Head Cliffs, Co. Cork, Ireland*
- Lackan Strand, Co Mayo, Ireland
- Sky Garden, Russagh, Co. Cork, Ireland
- Birr Castle, Co Offaly, Ireland
- Garnish Island, Bantry Bay, Ireland
- Slieve Bloom Mountains, Co Laois, Ireland
- Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Cliffs, Co Donegal
- Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland
SEE ALSO – Lorries ‘hopping’ off manhole covers force family to sell their home in Laois town
