12 Enchanting Best Waterfalls in Ireland

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Chasing waterfalls in Ireland might sound like an unusual addition to your itinerary, but trust me when I tell you that this country has some of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe!

If you like hiking, spending time in nature, and picturesque waterfalls rushing down the cliffs, you’re in for a treat!

Sure, you won’t find SE Asia type of waterfalls, calling you to jump in and swim, unless you’re visiting Irish waterfalls on an unusually hot summer day.  But, you will be mesmerized and you’ll get to take fantastic photos!

If you’re ready, let’s find the best waterfalls in Ireland!

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Waterfalls in Ireland

Gleninchaquin Waterfall

Gleninchaquin Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ireland. It is located within Gleninchaquin Park in County Kerry in the south of the country. The closest city is Kenmar, about 12.5 miles from the park. 

This 459-food-high waterfall rushes down a large boulder surrounded by lush green valleys. It is quite an impressive sight!

You’ll have to go on a little hike to get to the waterfall, but it is a pretty low-intensity hike. There are a couple of routes that you can follow around the park, with the longest taking about 6 hours around the property.

However, you have many shorter options, and one of them takes you on a metal bridge over the waterfall, and it is not to be missed!

Remember that you have to pay an entrance fee to access the park, and it is cash only!

Torc Waterfall

Torc Waterfall is another stunning waterfall in the south of the country, located within the Killarney National Park. The closest city is Killarney, about 4 miles from the waterfall. 

This waterfall is easily accessible from the road, so you can see it even if you’re not in the mood for hiking. It is located about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot.

The waterfall is about 66 feet high, and it seeps down a 361-foot-long cascade through the lush green forest. The area around the waterfall is perfect for hiking, so those who like to spend time in nature have plenty of trails to choose from – from short 40-minute circuits to 5-hour-long treks.

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Asaranca Waterfall

Asaranca Waterfall is a mesmerizing cascade waterfall, rushing down into a picturesque pool before making its way to the sea.

You’ll find this waterfall in the north of the country, close to the border with Northern Ireland. The closest town is Adara, about 5 miles from the waterfall.

This waterfall is extremely easy to visit as it is located just off the side of the road and you can just drive past it. If you want to spend some time at the waterfall, there is decent-sized parking at the base of the waterfall. 

People usually just stop for a couple of minutes, so you can easily get a photo of the waterfall without other people in the frame.

Aasleagh Falls

Aasleagh Falls is a group of waterfalls located in the northwest of the country, in County Mayo. You can visit them on a day trip from Galway, as they are just over an hour’s drive north of the city.

While it is not especially high at just over 10 feet, this waterfall is one of the widest waterfalls in Ireland.  This wide cascades plunges down over a rocky edge and continues flowing towards the Killary Harbour.

The waterfall is easy to reach, as it is located just about a 5 minute walk from the parking. That makes it a perfect quick stop on your way to see more Irish landmarks. 

However, if you want to spend time in nature, there are trails to stroll around or even have a picnic!

Glenbarrow Falls

Glenbarrow Falls is the waterfall for hiking lovers, as it is more remote than most waterfalls on this list. It is located in central Ireland, about halfway from Dublin to Gallaway.

This is a popular hiking area, and you can reach the waterfall on three different trails, the shortest one is 4 miles, and the longest is 7.5 miles. It takes about an hour to reach the waterfall and get back to the car park if you’re taking the shortest route. 

Glenbarrow Falls is a small but picturesque waterfall. The water seeps down over large boulders into a small lake, making for a quite lovely scene. 

Clare Glens

Clare Glens Waterfall is located on the border of County Limerick and County Tipperary, about 12.5 miles from the city of Limerick.

A 2.5 mile loop trail leads to the waterfall from the car park. The trail is not very challenging, but it can be slippery if it was raining recently as you’ll walk rather close to the river.

The trail passes a couple of small waterfalls, with the most beautiful being the one right before the trail loops back at the bridge. 

Powerscourt Waterfall

Powerscourt Waterfall is Ireland’s highest waterfall, rushing from a 397-foot-tall cliff. It is located in County Wicklow, just outside Dublin, and you can easily visit on a day trip from the capital. 

You don’t need to hike to reach the waterfall, as you just follow a paved road from the car park to the base of the waterfall. 

The waterfall is quite impressive as it looks like it’s rushing down from the side of the mountain.

You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to access this waterfall, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. 

Glenariff Waterfall

You’ll find the Glenariff Waterfall within Glenariff Forest Park in Northern Ireland. It is located about 43 miles north of Belfast, making for a great day trip in nature.

There are 3 different rails you can take in the Park, but if you only want to see the waterfall you should go for the 2 mile Waterfall Trail. It takes less than an hour for a round journey to the waterfall and back, and you’ll get to enjoy some pretty spectacular views. 

You’ll see two waterfalls, the first is a smaller curtain cascade and the second one rushes down a steep cliff. 

If you’re an avid hiker, the scenic trail covers the Waterfall trail and continues for about 3 hour long trip through the forest. 

Tourmakeady Falls

Tourmakeady Falls is another stunning waterfall in County Mayo, about 44 miles north of Galway. It is located on the west side of Lough Mask Lake, on a popular hiking trail. The forest around the waterfall is especially gorgeous in the fall when it is surrounded by colorful yellow and red trees. 

It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the car park to the waterfall, so it is not a long hike and makes for a perfect stop if you want to see multiple attractions in one day.

The waterfall flows into a small lake at the bottom, and it is perfect to refresh on a hot summer day. But be careful, the lakes get deep quickly as you approach the waterfall, so stay close to the edge if you’re not a good swimmer!

Glencar Waterfall

Glencar Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Ireland! It is located in the north of the country, in County Leitrim.  It is quite easy to reach, just a 3 minute walk from the car park.

If you like poetry, this waterfall inspired William Butler Yeats’s poem The Stolen Child.

You can easily see the literary appeal to write about this fairytale-like waterfall, as you admire it crashing from a circular cliff into a small pool at the bottom. 

The waterfall is especially stunning after heavy rainfall, as it gets more powerful and it is quite impressive to see it rushing down. 

Glenbarrow Waterfall

Also known as the Clamp Hole Waterfall, Glenbarrow Waterfall is a stunning cascade waterfall streaming down large boulders in a steady stream into a picturesque lake. 

It is located in the central Ireland countryside, in the Glenbarrow hiking area. It is a popular spot for hiking, and you’ll need to go on a little nature walk from the car park along the river to the waterfall. 

It takes about an hour to hike to the waterfall and back, and the hike is not challenging, as long as you pay attention to slippery rocks. 

Glenevin Waterfall

If you want to visit Ireland waterfalls in the north of the country, you can’t miss Glenevin Waterfall. It is located in Donegal County, about 9 miles from Carndonagh.

This waterfall rushes down in a single stream from a 33-foot tall cliff through the trees into a small stream. 

The path leading to the waterfall is about 0.5 miles long and almost completely flat. There are several picnic tables along the path and close to the waterfall, so you can bring lunch and have it next to the waterfall. 

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Final Thoughts: Ireland Waterfalls

Ireland is a country of incredible nature, and waterfalls in Ireland are some of the best in the whole of Europe!

From Gleninchaquin Waterfall in the south to Asaranca Waterfall in the north, you’ll find incredible waterfalls throughout the country. 

Whether you like hiking or you want to see Irish waterfalls on a quick stop while exploring the countryside, there is something for you.