Tourism
The island of Ireland receives 8 million visitors each year, with approximately 5 million of those coming from Great Britain. Here we will link you to appropriate tourism pages related to the island of Ireland.
Interactive maps lead to photographs, descriptions and visitor information on historic sites, buildings, gardens and inland waterways.
From its rugged coastline to its inland mountains and lakes, Ireland’s Gaeltacht, where the Irish language can still be heard, offers the opportunity for a very different holiday experience.
The leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland.
"Perched on the northwest tip of Europe, this is the one place in the world where even time getting lost will be worthwhile ... With ancient myths and legends to uncover, amazing landscapes to explore and locals who will be more than happy to reveal our hidden gems, just go where the island of Ireland takes you. Guaranteed, you'll return home with memories that will last a lifetime."
Ireland’s premier cultural institution and home to the greatest collections of Irish material heritage, culture and natural history in the world.
The official site from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board includes details of tourist attractions, transport, and accommodation.
Journey through the tapestry of Irish history, cultural heritage and rich tradition. See Irish architecture at its finest, great Georgian buildings of the 18th century, Palladian-style houses, country manors, gothic revival houses of the Victorian era.
Newgrange was constructed over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.), making it older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Newgrange was built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that together with Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar†which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.
The island of Inis Mór (meaning the big island) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. Well known internationally, it is steeped in history and resembles an outdoor museum with over 50 different monuments of Christian, pre Christian and Celtic mythological heritage. There isn’t far you can go before being somewhere where there’s something of historical interest and little reason to question its importance in modern Irish Culture.
The Megalithic Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth, Fourknocks, Loughcrew and Tara are located in the present day County of Meath on the east coast of Ireland. The Boyne Valley Mounds at Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth were built around 3200BC making them older than Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
University College Dublin, home to one of the largest collections of oral and ethnological material in the world. Visitors are invited to explore the large selection of books, manuscripts, audio recordings, videos and photographs, drawings and paintings dealing with Irish life, folk history and culture.
The Old Library and the Book of Kells Exhibition – a “must see†on the itinerary of all visitors to Dublin. Located in the heart of Dublin City, a walk through the cobbled stones of Trinity College Dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, when the magnificent Old Library building was constructed. Inside is housed the Book of Kells - a 9th-century gospel manuscript famous throughout the world.
One of the most beautiful of Ireland's inland counties. Tyrone has a fine variety of scenery, mountains and gentle hills, glens and river valleys, moorland and little plains. There is some low land bordering Lough Neagh in the east, and in the river valleys in the north-west, but the rest of the county is hilly, and towards the County Derry border in the north and land piles up in the 2,000 foot peaks of the Sperrin Mountains.
The award winning National 1798 Centre offers a fascinating insight into the birth of modern democracy in Ireland.
Welcome to the Irish Heritage Trail, a guide to landmarks of Irish-American artists and heroes from the 1700s to the present here in Massachusetts. The Trail is divided into three sections: 20 sites in downtown Boston and Back Bay, covering over three miles: and over 50 other landmarks in Boston neighborhoods, cities and towns throughout the state.
Genealogy is the study of family ancestry or history. Genealogical records have existed since ancient times. Egyptian hieroglyphics provide records of pharaohs, and the Bible contains numerous genealogy lists including the genealogy of Christ.
The story of the Irish Winegeese is fascinating. Their roots lie in the flight of the "Wild Geese", the soldiers who fled from Ireland to France after the Treaty of Limerick in 1691. During the 18th and 19th centuries many thousands followed these soldiers for political and economic reasons. Sometimes they travelled on the French ships that smuggled wine into the west coast of Ireland, described on the ships' manifests as "wild geese", evoking the lonely calls of birds travelling winter skies.
Caherconnell is a large and perfect fort 140-145 feet in external diameter, nearly circular in plan.
Situated just 15 miles from the breathtaking Causeway Coast and within easy reach of the fabled Glens of Antrim, Ballymoney is one of the North East’s finest gems. Easily accessible by both road (A26) and rail, Ballymoney Town is worthy of a retail or leisure outing for local residents and visitors to the area.
Tucked into the rugged landscape of Southwest Donegal, Gleann Cholm Cille (or Glencolmcille) has been a symbol of hope and success to other emigration-drained areas since the 1950s. Here, by valuing both tradition and innovation, a small community has maintained its cultural vitality.
Ballycastle is a small rural seaside town placed on the most north-easterly tip of county Antrim, Northern Ireland surrounded with breath-taking beauty and steeped in cultural history. Ballycastle is best known for the 'Ould Lammas Fair', probably the largest of its kind in Ireland with its 'dulse' and 'yellowman'. Ballycastle is the perfect central location from which to organise day trips.
Have a seat at the bar, and while I pour you a pint, let me explain the purpose of this site. At the Brazen Head, you will find a ball of electronic twine to aid you in your travels through the labyrinth of Dedalus. Here you will find information and resources on Joyce and his works, links to other Joyce sites across the Web, and miscellaneous Joycean tidbits. It is my intention to create a comfortable spot where long time enthusiasts of Joyce and those just beginning to read his work may visit and kick back to enjoy exploring the world of this delightfully mad Irishman.
The James Joyce Centre, Dublin is dedicated to promoting an understanding of the life and works of James Joyce. We are also the home of Bloomsday in Dublin, and organise events throughout the year to celebrate, discuss and promote the works of Ireland's greatest Modern writer.
The Patrick Kavanagh Web site is dedicated to the Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh. This site provides information on the poet, his birth place of Inniskeen Co. Monaghan, the area today, the Patrick Kavanagh Centre, and there is an online book shop where you can buy Patrick Kavanagh's poetry and prose.
Located in the heart of the Burren, County Clare. Forty minutes from both Galway and Shannon. Perched high on its Burren terraced mountain side with what has to be one of the most spectacular views of Galway Bay.
Nature, tradition and hospitality in one of the most beautiful areas Ireland has to offer... Enjoy the many activities which are possible in the West of Clare - or just relax in a local pub and listen to the traditional music for which this area is so famous.
We unlock the door to an Ireland full of treasures in the Shannon Region. For visitors who wish to experience the best of Irish hospitality and history, we have a range of superb evening entertainments and top tourist attractions for you to enjoy. Shannon Heritage have been entertaining visitors in our castles since 1963. In that time over 4.5 million people have enjoyed evenings in four distinct and unique venues
Ennis is a truly outstanding town. Undiscovered by many visitors from abroad and other parts of Ireland. You can unwrap the secrets of Ennis by taking a short break with us, at any time of the year.
Military HeritageTours honours all traditions on the island of Ireland and anywhere that the Irish fighting man has served, no matter what uniform he wore. We provide everything that the serious student of military history and visitors with a casual interest, seeking holiday with a difference, will want. This will be an enjoyable learning experience.
This web-site presents an inventory of war memorials in Ireland. It includes photographs of each memorial, the text of all inscriptions, and details of the site of the memorial. A database of all of those named allows a search for individual persons, with links to the photographs of the memorials.
This independent website was founded in 1997 to promote the living culture of County Donegal on the Internet. Since then the site has received visitors and email enquiries from every Continent, including over 90 countries, illustrating the world wide interest in Donegal and the extent of emigration from the County over the centuries. Dún na nGall.com receives over a million hits a year. The site promotes the County and and helps the Donegal Diaspora to network around the world.
Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. (28 July 1844 – 8 June 1889) was an English poet, Roman Catholic convert, and Jesuit priest, whose posthumous 20th-century fame established him among the leading Victorian poets. His experimental explorations in prosody (especially sprung rhythm) and his use of imagery established him as a daring innovator in a period of largely traditional verse.
The dates for the 2012 festival are 10-19 August. We bring you 10 days of the very best in Irish and international visual art, classical music, theatre and dance, jazz, world & traditional Irish music, literature, film, indie music, craft, and street events.
Britain and Ireland are world-renowned for their sacred sites. Would you welcome some expert, friendly advice on planning your itinerary from a highly experienced and dedicated tour guide and spiritual writer? Jackie Queally, creator of Celtic Trails (1999) is available to help you. She can prepare you individualised audio files that are proving very useful for travelers.
On the West Coast of Ireland lies the residential and previous seafaring and farming village of Rosses Point on the entrance to Sligo Bay, watched by The Metal Man Beacon on Perch Rock, beside Sligo Town, the Islands Coney and Oyster, and overlooked by the Ox Mountains. Merging with the Atlantic Ocean, eclipsed by the Warrior Queen on Knocknarea the village and surroundings are full of scenic, literary and sporty surprises - an 18-hole championship golf course, yacht club, the Sligo Bay Lifeboat Station and magnificent blue flag beaches.
he home of the very best small-group, off the beaten track tours of Ireland. Operated by Vagabond (the well established, multi award-winning, high-quality Irish tour company with a great reputation) our tours offer the discerning traveller a fun, contemporary and flexible look at the world's favourite country. We have developed two fantastic ways for you to discover Ireland's diverse and breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history, haunting castles and ancient archaeological sites, not to mention the cozy pubs and the legendary humour and welcome of Irish people.
Welcome to the website of Kilkenny Castle. We hope you find your visit here informative and interesting. Should you have any queries on any aspect of this site or Kilkenny Castle please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you on your next visit to the Castle.
Look Around Ireland is website dedicated to give users from both at home and abroad a virtual tour of Ireland using the latest technology such as interactive 360 degree images. The website has taken a number of years to create and is always an ongoing project of improvement.
County Monaghan is one of Ireland's best keep secrets! Unspoiled landscape, wildlife, beautiful scenery, and lots to do for both local and visitor alike.
Ballyhugh House B&B, Arts & Cultural Centre is situated in West Cavan and is dedicated to the promotion and sharing of the rich cultural heritage of that region.
With a unique and vibrant character, Co. Cavan is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets.
With a population of 469, Killeshandra is situated in the heart of Ireland's lakeland region. It is a thriving little village most of whose industry and commerce is centred around the dairy industry and tourism.
The official site of the Boston Irish Tourism Association promotes the state’s vibrant culture and hospitality to tourists as well as to local residents.
Ballaghaderreen is a busy Cathedral town of approximately 2000 population situated on the Mayo/Roscommon border close to the Lung River.
This site provides valuable information on the island of Ireland including details on Irish festivals, visitor attractions, forest parks and much more.
Sligo will enchant you. It is a county that celebrates its independent spirit. A place steeped in history and mythology, with a creative tradition that lives in the music, art, poetry and expression of its people.
Based in County Wexford, Montague Heritage Services "brings history to life" with historical reenactment specialists.
From undulating countryside to rolling waves, Wexford has it all. Rolling rich green fields that blanket the peaceful idyll of rural Wexford slope gently downwards to a golden coast where the soft sand is in a timeless dance with the Irish Sea.
Bunclody is a picturesque town in the Southeast of Ireland with accommodation, businesses and services to suit most needs.
Arklow & District Chamber is an organisation that supports and promotes business in the area.
Waterford City is the capital of the Sunny South East of Ireland and Ireland's oldest city.
Athlone is a thriving business and shopping town centrally located in the Midlands of Ireland on the banks of the River Shannon.
Exhibition now open at Keel, Achill Island. The Art gallery at Keel is open daily all year.
The National 1798 Visitor Centre in Enniscorthy, County Wexford provides a good history of the 1798 Rebellion.
The National Trust maintains a number of properties in Northern Ireland that are open to the public. This site provides a very organised description of each and would certainly help in planning an interesting outing, perhaps to the Crown Liquor Saloon or the Wellbrook Beetling Mill.
Muckross House, set in the midst of Killarney National Park, County Kerry, is a wonderful outing. A manor home, lovely gardens, craft workshops, traditional farming exhibits, and jaunting car rides through gorgeous scenery.
Strokestown Park is a unique visitor attraction in Strokestown. Co Roscommon in The West of Ireland comprising of Strokestown Park House, a Georgian Palladian mansion preserved with its original furnishings and fabrics, which can be seen daily by guided tour.
Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park is a family day visitor attraction located on a mineral island in the Bog of Allen, just 4 miles outside Rathangan, Kildare.
The Kennedy Homestead, birthplace of President John F. Kennedy's great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy, celebrates the story of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty and is still today farmed by his descendants.
Visit the restored farmhouse and dine in the 'olde worlde' surroundings of Granny's Kitchen, with its authentic open fire.
Our Carlow brochures give you all the information you need to get the most of your holiday with us.
The Beara Peninsula is steeped in myths and legends. The mountains and valleys are rich in archaeological sites such as stone circles, wedge graves and other relics from the past.
Churchtown is a beautiful stone village located in the rolling countryside of the Golden Vale in the province of Munster in Ireland less than an hour's drive from Cork and Limerick cities 4km west of the N20 about 10km south of our nearest town of Charleville.
Clonakilty is located on the South West Coast of Ireland in the heartland of West Cork. It is a manufacturing base for plastic moulding, engineering, crafts, textiles, foods, etc.
Glengarriff is nestled in at the end of Bantry Bay and is one of the oldest tourist destinations in Ireland. Follow in the footsteps of Wordsworth, Thackeray and GB Shaw and discover the wonder of its natural beauty.
The medieval town of Kinsale is not just about food. it’s also about traditional bars, beautiful buildings, narrow streets, shops and galleries and lots of activities on land and sea.
Skibbereen is a vibrant, colourful and friendly town where you can sample the very best of West Cork's best artisan food and craft.
Lee Valley Enterprise Board and Macroom town council have created this website to promote all aspects of the town of Macroom and the beautiful Lee Valley in which it lies.
If you are seeking an opportunity for calm, for renewal or growth, then this ancient Sanctuary of St. Patrick might well be the place.
The Centre is an exciting interpretative exhibition which tells the fascinating story of Ireland's Patron Saint.
Dominating the Northwestern landscapes of Ireland, astride the flowing waters of the Foyle, is a 6th Century city that today resonates to the sounds of the 21st Century.
Why not pay a visit to Árainn Mhór to enjoy a place apart. The ferry runs all year from Burtonport making day trips a must and longer visits a well deserved treat.
Some of the most important historic sites and monuments are located within County Meath and virtually every important aspect of Irish history from prehistoric times is associated with the county.
Leitrim is home to the earliest recorded salmon river, the Drowes River at Tullaghan. Elsewhere in the county there are lively riverside towns and cruise bases, with friendly pubs and impromptu music sessions.
Once cited as 'the most beautiful place on earth' by the National Geographic; was voted among the top 100 destinations in the world by Trip Advisor; CNN recently recommended it as a very favourable winter destination; it is listed as one of the top 10 places to be on New Year's Eve - all of these accolades refer to County Kerry's stunningly beautiful Dingle Peninsula.
Kerry, without doubt, is Ireland's most beautiful region. The stunning landscape was formed during the ice age some 10,000 years ago.
From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you're in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone of the landscape.
The story of Kylemore - both Castle and Abbey - is a truly remarkable one. Kylemore is located in Connemara, in the west of Ireland and its greatest attraction is its location.
This Achill 24/7 Web site aims to offer information on artists and writers who have lived and worked on Achill Island, Co Mayo, in the west of Ireland.
The Story of Knock began on Thursday evening of the 21st August, 1879, Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of the church at Knock, County Mayo, Ireland.
This is a land of blue mountains and forest parks, mazy lakes and windswept moors, white Atlantic sands, an inland sea. In fact, it's a country that is just pretending to be small.
You can journey through the tapestry of Irish history, cultural heritage and rich tradition. See Irish architecture at its finest: great Georgian buildings of the 18th century; Palladian mansions; country manors and Gothic Revival houses of the Victorian era.
The governing body for men's golf throughout Ireland. Includes a directory of golf clubs affiliated to the organization.
A site with lots of well laid-out and useful information for planning your next, or first, trip to Ireland.
When planning an Ireland vacation or holiday you’ll find that, as a destination, Ireland has something for everyone.
A spectacular group of Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral.
The question of why the Burren has such a profusion of monuments has no simple answer but there are a number of pointers.
Birr Castle Demesne in County Offaly is home to a magnificent 72 inch antique telescope, now operated on a daily basis. Exhibits on astronomy and photography indoors, and beautiful gardens outdoors, all in the grounds of the old castle.
The Armagh Planetarium site provides lots of information on observatory exhibits, public telescopes, star shows and more.
The Ulster Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club (UHPC) is the only hang gliding and paragliding club in Northern Ireland.
Millions of Irish people emigrated to North America, Australia and New Zealand in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The ancestral farmsteads and cottages of some of those Ulstermen who rose to positions of power in the new state have been preserved.
This is a land of blue mountains and forest parks, mazy lakes and windswept moors, white Atlantic sands, an inland sea. In fact, it's a country that is just pretending to be small.
South and west of the town of Killarney in Co. Kerry is an expanse of rugged mountainous country. This includes the McGillycuddy's Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland which rise to a height of over 1000 metres.
Below is an illustrated index of the sacred sites and religious places in Ireland profiled so far on Sacred Destinations, listed in alphabetical order by name.
This centre, which received the Overall Galway County Heritage Award in 2011, is the only centre in Ireland dedicated to telling the story of the Irish Workhouse.
The gardens at Birr are arguably the greatest gardens in the Republic of Ireland and well known internationally.
The ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise is situated at the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly and dates back almost 1,500 years.
Until your next visit, we put you in touch with the living culture of Ireland.
Located in downtown Boston, the park is sited along the city's Freedom Trail, and is visited annually by over three million people.
The Heritage Centre is located in the award winning, beautifully restored Old Gasworks Building, in Skibbereen, one of West Cork’s most picturesque towns.
These pages will give you a flavour of the rich heritage of County Kildare.
The Navan Centre & Fort helps you understand in a fun and interactive way, one of Ireland’s most importance archaeological sites, the legendary Emain Macha [Navan Fort].
The Irish countryside is unique in Europe in the number of upstanding ancient monuments that survive from past ages. These range from 6,000-year-old megalithic tombs to earthen ringforts, of early medieval date, to castles, churches and other buildings of more recent date.
The Armagh Observatory is a modern astronomical research institute with a rich heritage. Founded in 1789 by Archbishop Richard Robinson, the Observatory is one of the UK and Ireland's leading scientific research establishments. Around 25 astronomers are actively studying Stellar Astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy, and the Earth's climate.
This is the webpage of the Chairdinéil Ó Fiaich Heritage Centre in Cullyhanna. Cullyhanna is a village set in the hills in the southwest corner of South Armagh. It derives its name from the Gaelic - Coilleach Eanach - 'the marshy wood'.
The Centre is an exciting interpretative exhibition which tells the fascinating story of Ireland's Patron Saint. Through Patrick's own words a light is shone on the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and its development through his mission.
Cape Clear is Ireland’s southernmost inhabited island situated 8 miles off the coast of Baltimore in West Cork. The stunning scenery, folklore and uniqueness of the island’s flora and fauna truly make Cape Clear a place apart.
The Irish Naturalist is itself a witness to the increased interest which has of late years become manifest in the study of Natural History in Ireland, and it is encouraging to see notes from new observers in various parts of the country.
Dublin has many places of interest and attractions to make a visit to Ireland’s capital city a memorable one. For those who like to enjoy a more cultural or literary break, a trip to the Trinity College Library where the famous Book of Kells is housed, is a must.
Each year hundreds of thousands of visitors join a long line of people who have travelled to Ireland to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Many celebrities, such as singer Mick Jagger and comic duo Laurel and Hardy, have taken a trip to County Cork in order to benefit from the powers of eloquence the stone is believed to bestow on those that kiss it.
When you think of going whale watching you may think of far off countries such as Canada or Australia, however you may be surprised to learn that there is a great deal to see a lot closer to home. Most people are unaware that over a third of known whale, dolphin and porpoise species have been spotted off the coast of Ireland.
Cahersiveen (Caherciveen Cahersiveen Cahirciveen various spellings) town is half way round the renowned Ring of Kerry, the most scenically beautiful drive in western Europe and lies at the foot of Beentee mountain, on the river Fertha overlooking Valentia Harbour.
The stunning scenery of the Dingle Peninsula offers the perfect backdrop for many activities. There are two excellent links courses, shore-angling, diving, and cycle tours. There are also two long-distance walking routes.
This website is the result of on-going love and passion for Archaeology as well as our devotion to the wonderment of the many Megalithic monuments throughout Ireland. All counties of Ireland are covered, some more extensively than others, and include photos, information & co-ordinates of sites. Continuously being up-dated with some fantastic photos of these extraordinary monuments, which have stood proudly today as a durable testament to their ingenious builders.