Top ten picturesque and historic villages in Ireland slideshow

If you want to get a sense of the Irish people and their past it’s best to get off the beaten track and head outside the major cities and towns. Immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Ireland’s villages.

Instead of falling in to the more obvious tourist traps, take a look at some of Ireland’s historic villages, many with their roots in Celtic monasteries or the Normans and the Vikings.

Here’s our pick of the top ten.