If you managed to watch the recent Netflix rom-com An Irish wish - in which a flame-haired woman, played by Lindsay Lohan, travels to the Emerald Isle and arrives at the spectacular shores of Lough Tay, to fulfill her romantic wish for St. Brigid - it's likely that you, like me, are struggling had to understand the film's appeal.
It's molasses-saccharine nonsense of the purest kind, the kind of film that's easy to follow with the volume turned down - but there's one saving grace: the cinematic movement of rural Ireland, unquestionably the star.
And I'm not the only one who thinks this way; the film has sparked a huge interest in filming locations, and nowhere more so than Lough Tay in County Wicklow.
Since its release in mid-March, online searches for the loch have increased more than a thousand-fold, and while Lough Tay is undoubtedly a gem, it's just one of many beautiful (and often underrated) bodies of water spread across Ireland.
Without exception, they are criminally picturesque, often with ancient spiritual or early Christian connections - and definitely deserve a spot on your Ireland itinerary.
Here are seven of the most beautiful.
Lough Tay and Lough Dan
These two jewels are located in one beautiful dog-legged valley, nestled at the foot of the Djouce (700 metres) and Luggala (600 metres) mountains, about an hour south of Dublin.
The advantage of Lough Tay is that it is a small lake, surrounded by huge granite cliffs, but surrounded by a private estate, with no public access - unless you are St Brigid.
However, a short walk from the roadside offers fascinating, almost vertical views over 'Guinness Lake' - a nickname given to Lough Tay thanks to its dark waters edged with white sand, on lands that were part of the estate until very early the Guinness family. recently.
Begin your descent on a paved path towards the more easily accessible Lough Dan, which shimmers almost two miles to the south. Relax with a picnic on the beautiful shore before walking back the same way. Give yourself a good three hours: it's worth every minute.
Glenview Hotel (00 353 1 274 0000; glenviewhotel.com) has double from £79 per night.Glendalough Lake
Lynham's Hotel (00 353 404 45345; lynhamsoflaragh.ie) has a double bed from £82 per night. Glendalough Hotel (00 353 404 45135; glendaloughhotel.comThe fifth generation Gougane Barra Hotel (00 353 26 47069; gouganebarrahotel.com) has double prices from £147 per night, plus a great restaurant and bar. ) has double from £120 per night. Castlerosse Park Resort (00 353 64 6631144; castlerosse.ie) has double from £138 per night.Less than 15 miles south of Lough Tay lies internationally renowned Glendalough. Pay €5 (£4.30) to enter the visitor center and 6 e century monastery complex, before heading towards the lakes.
The upper lake, about a mile west of the complex, is the Cracker, with a tree-studded, gentle path along the shore. But if you're looking for something more rewarding, pick up a Trail Guide from the Visitor Center for several signposted routes through this beautiful valley, from gentle strolls to an 7-mile walk with quite some elevation gain, as you travel to below looks out over the valley from the ridge - the views are sublime.
Killaloe Hotel & Spa (00 353 61 622123; killaloehotel.ie), doubling from £190 per night. Emerald Star by Le Boat offers cruiser hire from Portumna, at the northern tip of the lake, from £768 per boat for seven nights (emeraldstar.ieThe five-star Lough Erne Resort (028 6632 3230; lougherneresort.com) has double prices from £208 per night, while the four-star Manor Country House Hotel (028 6862 2200; manorhousecountryhotel.com) has a double price of £151. You could also consider renting a cruiser for a few days. ).Gougane Barra Lake
Perhaps the most charmingly situated lake in Ireland. The small St. Finbar's Oratory is buried in the uplands, inland in West Cork, jutting out into the water, with a woodland park at its western terminus.
Surrounded by a sparkling mountainous basin, this small, tranquil lake is all about peace and tranquility - probably why St. Finbar founded a monastery here in the 6th century. e century. There are plenty of walking trails, from gentle lakeside strolls to more challenging terrain and distances (download the walking map here).
Muckross Lake
Right in the heart of the majestic Killarney National Park, Muckross Lake (one of Killarney's three popular lakes) lies south of Killarney town, on the Ring of Kerry.
Spend an hour or two at the regal Muckross House & Gardens, then take a lakeside walk through ancient oak woodlands. If you have more time to spare (say three or four hours), tackle the Muckross Lake Loop and Torc Waterfall - a longer route, but worth every step. It is a popular spot during the summer months, so if you are looking for solitude and tranquility, choose to visit in the early morning.
Lough Derg
Lough Derg is the lowest lake in the Shannon system (the third largest on the island) and is sandwiched between the rolling, rural counties of Clare, Galway and Tipperary.
The lake itself is long (38 kilometres) and narrow, so you will need to allow a few days for this, and the 50 hectare magical Holy Island/Inis Cealtra (where the remains of a 7 e century monastery that stands high) is also definitely worth exploring.
Because the shores of the lake are largely private farmland, the island is best visited on board a cruiser. If that doesn't appeal to you, opt for a leisurely drive through the hinterland and visit the quaint lakeside villages (Terryglass, Dromineer, Mountshannon or the beautifully named Garrykennedy).
Lough Erne
Broadly similar to Lough Derg is Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, just across the border. It is divided between the upper and lower loughs, with more than 150 islands between them. Upper Lough Erne is the narrower, southern lake, while the Lower Lough is considerably wider and larger.
On the Lower Lough, visit the Round Tower and monastic ruins of Devenish Island, founded 15 centuries ago by Saint Molaise, or hop in a kayak and take to the water. On the shores of the Upper Lough, spend at least a few hours walking through the 2,000-acre Sylvan Crom Estate.
