Powerscourt Waterfall, County Wicklow

Powerscourt will 100% be my favourite one in this list and if you had to pick one, I will recommend this one.

Just a stone’s throw from County Dublin, Powerscourt Estate is a wonderful place to go if you’re visiting the capital and don’t have time to venture too far. The Powerscourt Estate is made up of the impressive Powerscourt House and Gardens which are well worth a visit, Powerscourt Distillery, and Powerscourt Golf Club.

Powerscourt Waterfall is also part of the huge estate. It is surrounded by greenery and accessed through a forest of huge ancient trees, most being native to Europe like beech, oak, pine, and larch. There are some giant redwood trees in there too that were planted in the estate more than a century ago. This beautiful area has been popular with filmmakers over the years and has featured in the series ‘Vikings’ and the movie ‘Cocaine Bear’, among others.

The area offers amenities such as designated BBQ areas, a sensory nature trail, and a kiosk serving hot drinks and snacks. Powerscourt Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Ireland at 398 feet, or 121 meters.

Powerscourt can be reached from Dublin City Center by car in less than an hour, typically 30-40 minutes. If taking public transport, the journey is just over an hour long. You can take the number 133 Wicklow bus from Busaras (or any of its stops in the city along the way). Ride 16 stops to Kilmacanogue, and then catch a taxi for the last part of the journey which is less than ten minutes by car.

The Mare’s Tail Waterfall, County Cork

At 685 meters, Knockday (Cnoc Daod), or Hungry Hill, is the highest point in the Caha Mountain range on the Beara Peninsula. The Mare’s Tail waterfall is located atop this mountain. The views from the top of Hungry Hill are unsurpassed in their beauty, but getting up there is not for the faint-hearted, and should only be attempted by seasoned  hikers or climbers on a clear day. If you do go up there, the Mare’s Tail Waterfall is a must-see.

The Mares Tail is not accessible by pubic transport, but a car ride to the Beara Peninsula will take around four and a half hours from Dublin City.

Kilfane Waterfall, County Kilkenny

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall is a real hidden treasure, not too far away from the picturesque Kilkenny City in County Kilkenny. A serene romantic garden consisting of around 10 acres, developed in the 1790’s, Kilfane Glen is home to many landscaped garden areas leading to a woodland of native trees and meandering pathways. Through these a tranquil green grotto can be reached, and nestled within, across an ornate little bridge, is a beautiful cottage orné which faces a cascading waterfall.

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall, and in particular the grotto which houses the thatched cottage orné, or summerhouse, is quite surreal in a wonderful way. Upon entering you feel like you have somehow walked into an animated Disney movie. Kilfane is an oasis of peace and definitely, an Irish waterfall that is well worth a visit.

Kilfane Glen and Waterfall can be reached by car in around an hour and a half, public transport is a little bit longer. Take the Kildare/Waterford train from Heuston Station, five stops to Kilkenny MacDonagh. From there it’s a twenty-minute taxi ride.

Torc Waterfall, Killarney, County Kerry

In the Irish language the word ‘torc’ means ‘boar’. Legend has it that a local man was cursed by the devil to transform into a wild boar every night. He lived in a cave in the base of Torc Mountain. One night a farmer, searching for some missing livestock, discovered him, and revealed his secret to others. The man became so furious that he burst into a ball of fire, and disappeared into a nearby lake named the Devil’s Punchbowl. The waters of the lake burst from it, and created Torc Waterfall.

The waterfall is located in Killarney National Park in County Kerry. Kerry is one of Irelands most naturally beautiful counties, with beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers galore, and the stunning National Park is not to be missed if you are visiting Killarney. The waterfall is 66 foot, or 20 meters, high and is easily accessed, with plenty of lovely walking trails nearby if you fancy a  hike.

Torc Waterfall is a far throw from Dublin City, but if you want to stay in Killarney for a while it’s definitely worth making the trip. Take the Intercity train to Cork from Dublin Heuston, riding six stops to Mallow. Then change to the Tralee Service, riding four stops to Killarney. From there you can hire a bicycle, take a 10-minute taxi ride, or stretch your legs with a good long walk! A drive from Dublin City to Torc Waterfall will take around four hours.

Poulanass Waterfall, Glendalough, County Wicklow

Glendalough’s Poulanass Waterfall Walk has well-maintained paths and excellent signage, making it easy to find your way along the scenic forest trails to the waterfall.

Glendalough has lots to see and makes for a fantastic day out with its beautiful lakes and mountains, forest walks, and historic monastic sites. Poulanass is like something straight from a fairytale, a picturesque waterfall surrounded by idyllic woodland scenery.

Glendalough is about a one-hour drive from Dublin City, or you can take St. Kevin’s Bus, a family-run Wicklow-based bus service that runs from Dublin to Glendalough every day, and back again in the evening so you can enjoy a fantastic day out in Glendalough. The bus leaves from Stephen’s Green every morning, you can check the timetable here.

Assaranca Waterfall, County Donegal

Assaranca Waterfall, like all waterfalls, is most spectacular when it is raining, and sounds amazingly dramatic just after a downpour when the water crashes from a height into the pool below.

Assaranca Waterfall can be found in County Donegal, along the coast road between Ardara Village and Maghera Beach. The great thing about Assaranca Waterfall is that it is situated right beside the road and car parking area, so all you need to do is pull over and open your car door, and you’re there!

A journey by car to Assaranca Waterfall from Dublin City takes between 3 hours 30 mins – 4 hours 30 mins. You cannot, unfortunately, access public transport all the way to the waterfall but you can take public transport from Dublin City to Ardara Village. It is a very long journey, however.

The number 30 bus to Donegal will take you as far as Donegal Abbey Hotel – that’s 11 stops and four hours. Alternatively, take the X30 bus, it’s a little faster. Then change to the 492 bus to Dungloe, only another three stops to Ardara but almost an hour-long ride.