The North West of Ireland boasts some great waterfalls, with high annual rainfall these waterfalls in Ireland often run wild and offer great views – and the perfect photo opportunities.

Often paired with great hiking trails, these waterfalls in Ireland give a great insight into the Irish countryside at its best and offer the best views.

Irish attractions like these often have well-maintained and paved footpaths. We’ve seen a few ourselves and have to share our best waterfalls in the North West of Ireland. We hope you will visit one or two.

See also: Walks in Ireland’s Midwest

Some of the best waterfalls in North West Ireland

If you are visiting the North West of Ireland you should definitely visit some of these waterfalls.

See also: Exploring Belfast and the Northern Ireland coast

Glencar waterfall

Right on Glencar Lough and just a short walk through the trees you will find Glencar Waterfall. This waterfall is 50 feet high and always flowing. Fall has viewing platforms to get up close to the fall and have photo opportunities.

The waterfall also has a short 0.48 km hiking trail through trees and lush greenery, looping around the waterfall and back to the start.

At the end of the trail you will find a café for all your refreshment needs with a children’s playground and a small shop.

You can also enjoy the sights of Glencar Lough. Nestled between the hills, the lough offers fantastic views and is also home to many water sports including stand up paddle boarding and canoeing.

Glencar Waterfall is also known as the inspiration for Irish poet William Butler Yeats and features in his poem “The stolen child‘.

The Devil’s Chimney

The Devils Chimney is Ireland’s tallest waterfall at 492 feet. Located just a few minutes drive along Glencar Lough just before Glencar Waterfall, this waterfall has a more difficult route than its neighbor with a 30 minute moderate hike to reach it.

The name Devil’s Chimney means current against height, which means that in certain weather conditions the waterfall will be blown up and back over the cliff from which it falls.

There are fantastic views of the hills on the way up and views across Glencar Lough on the way down.

Fowley’s Falls

Fowley’s Falls is a unique looking waterfall as it is not a one drop waterfall. Instead, the waterfall cascades into numerous smaller cascades above the exposed bedrock, providing a must-see scenic sight.

The name comes from the apparent original owner of the land in great homage to him and his family.

Survey To Easa

Poll An Easa Waterfall is a waterfall in the Ballinamore region of County Leitrim, unknown to many due to its rural location and access by winding country roads.

The waterfall has access to its own little stream where you can stroll and enjoy the Irish countryside. There is also a picnic area on site and even a couple of local donkeys grace the land opposite for photos.

Assaranca waterfall

Assaranca Waterfall is a stunning waterfall in the northern regions of Donegal set amongst lush Irish greenery making this waterfall even more beautiful. The waterfall starts at the top of the hill in small streams, meanders down and comes together in a nice wide powerful water and ends up in a small pool at the foot.

The waterfall is easy to find as it can be seen from the roadside parking lot, although walking up close is still a better option to admire this spectacular waterfall – you’ll hear the rush of the water and feel the power itself .

respect the country

As mentioned, these attractions are kept in good condition and we hope people will keep them as they are. There are people who wander to find the best photo or some other reason, but the country should be respected. It’s also worth noting that many fields adjacent to, or sometimes within, these areas are private. Live cattle can often roam free and can be unpredictable, especially during lambing season, so pay attention to all trails and signs.

More waterfalls in Ireland

If you’re traveling around Ireland and want to see even more waterfalls, we recommend checking out a few of the most popular ones.

First, and probably Ireland’s most popular, is Powerscourt in County Wicklow. Set in the stunning Wicklow Mountains, a drive to this 121-metre waterfall is well worth a visit.

Secondly, Torc Waterfall in County Kerry is a mesmerizing 20 meter high but 110 meter cascading waterfall.

See also: Top things to do in Ireland

When is the best time to see waterfalls in Ireland?

With a high average rainfall in Ireland, most of the year is great for seeing waterfalls. But we prefer spring as the winter chills are gone but the summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, so it’s not as crowded – giving you time to see and explore more of the falls. Spring is also a great time to camp in Ireland!