Top Waterfalls in Ireland

Glacial cascades and mossy woodland falls across the island

Tucked into steep glacial valleys, upland corries, and lush Atlantic oak woodlands, Ireland's waterfalls are at their most dramatic after heavy rain. Many sit along classic scenic loops and forest trails in Wicklow, Kerry, and the northwest. These ten cascades are among the most rewarding to visit.

Waterfall County Sligo

The Devil's Chimney

Sruth in Aghaidh an Aird (Irish for "stream against the height"), is Ireland’s highest waterfall, with a height of 150 metres (492 ft). It is in the Dartry Mountains in the north-west of Ireland, marking part of the border between County Sligo and County Leitrim. It flows for around 200 days a year, from the southern side of the Darty Mountains plateau, into Glencar Lough. The waterfall's Irish name comes from the phenomenon where southerly winds sometimes blow the water backwards up and over the cliff edge. A public hiking trail has been established allowing access close to the base of the falls. The waterfall is a prominent landmark, visible for many miles, and it formerly marked the ancient boundary of the túath of Cairbre Drom Cliabh, now the boundary between counties Sligo and Leitrim.

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Waterfall County Wicklow

Glenmacnass Waterfall

Glenmacnass Waterfall (Irish: Gleann Log an Easa, meaning 'The glen of the hollow of the waterfall') is an 80-metre high waterfall situated at the head of the Glenmacnass Valley in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. The Glenmacnass Waterfall is a popular tourist destination and scenic viewpoint area in the Wicklow Mountains. The Waterfall is bounded to the west by Tonelagee, and to the east by Scarr mountain. The entire Glenmacnass Valley can be accessed by the R115 road (also called the Military Road), which connects the Sally Gap in the north, to the village of Laragh in the south.

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Waterfall County Wicklow

Powerscourt Waterfall

Powerscourt Waterfall (Irish: Eas Chonaill) is the second highest waterfall in Ireland at 121 metres (397 ft) high, it is located at the base of Glensoulan on the River Dargle near Enniskerry, County Wicklow. Powerscourt is overlooked by the peaks of Djouce (725 metres (2,379 ft)) and Maulin (570 metres (1,870 ft)), and flows continuously all year in a horsetail-fan pattern. The waterfall is part of the Powerscourt Estate, with tickets for the public available 363 days a year.

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Waterfall County Kerry

Torc Waterfall

Torc Waterfall (from Irish Easach Toirc, meaning 'cascade of the wild boar') is a 20 metres (66 ft) high, 110 metres (360 ft) long cascade waterfall formed by the Owengarriff River as it drains from the Devil's Punchbowl corrie lake at Mangerton Mountain. The waterfall, which lies at the base of Torc Mountain, in the Killarney National Park, is 4.3 miles (7 kilometres) from Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. The waterfall is a popular site on the Ring of Kerry and the Kerry Way tours.

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