Walking is one of Ireland’s biggest attractions, and the country has miles of tailor-made walks. They include the Kerry Way, Beara Way, Ulster Way and Wicklow Way. It’s a great way to open up the country and reach its most beautiful and fascinating corners. Cycling is another good way of getting away from the hordes; although some areas are prohibitively hilly, bikes are easy to hire and it’s a grand way to slow down your sight-seeing. There are a number of excellent mountain-climbing opportunities, particularly Mt Gabriel (407m/1335ft) on the Mizen Head Peninsula, Hungry Hill (686m/2195ft) on the Beara Peninsula and Croagh Patrick (763m/2500ft) just outside Westport. (more…)

Dublin

In the wake of a remarkable economic boom, Dublin’s landscape has changed immeasurably over the past decade. These days Dublin ranks among the top tourist destinations in Europe, and this vibrant city hums with a palpable sense that it is creating a new cultural heritage.

Though most people don’t schedule too much gallery time into the pub crawl, Dublin museums offer a wealth of collectables. From the proverbial pot of Irish gold to the artistic riches of the Book of Kells to a host of quirky ‘objets d’religious’, it’s a city of archives and artefacts.

Aran Islands

The three Aran Islands - Inishmor, Inishmaan and Inisheer - are long, limestone moonscapes of bleak but rare beauty. They are home to some truly ancient Christian and pre-Christian remains in Ireland. Irish is still the native tongue, and until recently people still wore traditional Aran dress.

The massive Iron Age stone forts at Dun Aengus on Inishmor and Dun Conchuir on Inishmaan are intriguing, little is known about their builders. The islands are criss-crossed by intricate stone walls, built over thousands of years and creating tranquil avenues of much-needed shelter from the wind.

Clonmacnoise

Situated in County Offaly, this is Ireland’s most important monastic site. It consists of a walled field containing numerous early churches, high crosses, round towers and graves. Many of the remains are in remarkably good condition and give a real sense of what monasteries were like in their heyday.

The site is surrounded by low marshy ground, which is home to many wild plants and bird life. The museum at the site exhibits graveslabs, original crosses and other artefacts uncovered during excavation.

Connemara

The wild and barren region northwest of Galway City is known as Connemara. It’s a stunning patchwork of bogs, lonely valleys, mountains and lakes, with only the odd remote cottage or castle hideaway for company. The hills offer views of the sea from its rocky islands to its sparkling white beaches.

The coast road from the settlement of Spiddal meanders through the maze, but more unforgettable still is the journey through the Lough Inagh Valley and around Kylemore Lake - it would be hard to surpass the misty beauty of this mountainous landscape.

The Burren

In northern County Clare, the Burren region is an extraordinary place. Miles of polished limestone karst stretch in every direction, and settlements along the coast are few; they include the popular Irish music centre of Doolin and the attractive coastal village of Ballyvaughan.

The Burren Underground caverns, cracks, springs and chasms are the major features of the Burren, which is ringed by caves. Its Flora is a bizarre mix of Mediterranean, Arctic and Alpine plants, and the region is the last bastion of the rare pine marten. It also has a rich Stone and Iron Age history.

Aran Islands

The three Aran Islands - Inishmor, Inishmaan and Inisheer - are long, limestone moonscapes of bleak but rare beauty. They are home to some truly ancient Christian and pre-Christian remains in Ireland. Irish is still the native tongue, and until recently people still wore traditional Aran dress.

The massive Iron Age stone forts at Dun Aengus on Inishmor and Dun Conchuir on Inishmaan are intriguing, little is known about their builders. The islands are criss-crossed by intricate stone walls, built over thousands of years and creating tranquil avenues of much-needed shelter from the wind.

Clonmacnoise

Situated in County Offaly, this is Ireland’s most important monastic site. It consists of a walled field containing numerous early churches, high crosses, round towers and graves. Many of the remains are in remarkably good condition and give a real sense of what monasteries were like in their heyday.

The site is surrounded by low marshy ground, which is home to many wild plants and bird life. The museum at the site exhibits graveslabs, original crosses and other artefacts uncovered during excavation.

Connemara

The wild and barren region northwest of Galway City is known as Connemara. It’s a stunning patchwork of bogs, lonely valleys, mountains and lakes, with only the odd remote cottage or castle hideaway for company. The hills offer views of the sea from its rocky islands to its sparkling white beaches.

The coast road from the settlement of Spiddal meanders through the maze, but more unforgettable still is the journey through the Lough Inagh Valley and around Kylemore Lake - it would be hard to surpass the misty beauty of this mountainous landscape.

The Burren

In northern County Clare, the Burren region is an extraordinary place. Miles of polished limestone karst stretch in every direction, and settlements along the coast are few; they include the popular Irish music centre of Doolin and the attractive coastal village of Ballyvaughan.

The Burren Underground caverns, cracks, springs and chasms are the major features of the Burren, which is ringed by caves. Its Flora is a bizarre mix of Mediterranean, Arctic and Alpine plants, and the region is the last bastion of the rare pine marten. It also has a rich Stone and Iron Age history.

Cork

The Irish Republic’s second largest city is a surprisingly appealing place - you’ll find time passes effortlessly during the day, and by night the pub scene is lively. The town centre is uniquely situated on an island between two channels of the Lee River.

North of the river, in the Shandon area, is an interesting historic part of the city, although it’s a bit run down today. Sights to the south include the Protestant St Finbarr’s Cathedral, the Cork Museum (largely given over to the nationalist struggle, in which Cork played an important role), the 19th century Cork Jail, the City Hall and numerous churches, breweries and chapels.

Derry

The River Foyle curves picturesquely around the old walled town of Derry, creating a cosy setting that jars horribly with the reality of this city’s recent troubled history. The old centre of Derry is the small walled city on the west bank of the river, with Diamond Square at its heart.

Barbed-wire barriers mar the magnificence of the city walls while giving resonance to their history. From the top there are good views of the Bogside and its defiant murals (’No Surrender!’) and the Free Derry monument. The Tower Museum descibes Derry from the days of St Columcille to today.

Galway

Galway (Gaillimh) is the administrative capital of County Galway. Its university attracts a notable bohemian crowd, and its boisterous nightlife and festivals fill the streets to bursting. Galway is also a departure point for the rugged Aran Islands.

Its tightly packed town centre lies on both sides of the fast flowing River Corrib; most of the main shopping areas are east of the river. Its many fine cultural festivals include the February Jazz Festival, the Easter Festival of Literature and the Galway Arts Festival in July.

Waterford

Waterford has a decidedly medieval feel, with city walls, narrow alleyways and a Norman tower. Georgian times also left a legacy of fine buildings, in particular those on the Mall, a spacious 18th-century street. Important buildings include the City Hall and the Bishop’s Palace.

The city’s many churches are also noteworthy, especially the sumptuous interior of Holy Trinity Cathedral. Waterford is first and foremost a busy commercial port city, situated on the River Suir, whose estuary is deep enough to allow large ships to berth at the city’s quays.

Dublin

In the wake of a remarkable economic boom, Dublin’s landscape has changed immeasurably over the past decade. These days Dublin ranks among the top tourist destinations in Europe, and this vibrant city hums with a palpable sense that it is creating a new cultural heritage.

Though most people don’t schedule too much gallery time into the pub crawl, Dublin museums offer a wealth of collectables. From the proverbial pot of Irish gold to the artistic riches of the Book of Kells to a host of quirky ‘objets d’religious’, it’s a city of archives and artefacts.

Cork

The Irish Republic’s second largest city is a surprisingly appealing place - you’ll find time passes effortlessly during the day, and by night the pub scene is lively. The town centre is uniquely situated on an island between two channels of the Lee River.

North of the river, in the Shandon area, is an interesting historic part of the city, although it’s a bit run down today. Sights to the south include the Protestant St Finbarr’s Cathedral, the Cork Museum (largely given over to the nationalist struggle, in which Cork played an important role), the 19th century Cork Jail, the City Hall and numerous churches, breweries and chapels.

Derry

The River Foyle curves picturesquely around the old walled town of Derry, creating a cosy setting that jars horribly with the reality of this city’s recent troubled history. The old centre of Derry is the small walled city on the west bank of the river, with Diamond Square at its heart.

Barbed-wire barriers mar the magnificence of the city walls while giving resonance to their history. From the top there are good views of the Bogside and its defiant murals (’No Surrender!’) and the Free Derry monument. The Tower Museum descibes Derry from the days of St Columcille to today.

Galway

Galway (Gaillimh) is the administrative capital of County Galway. Its university attracts a notable bohemian crowd, and its boisterous nightlife and festivals fill the streets to bursting. Galway is also a departure point for the rugged Aran Islands.

Its tightly packed town centre lies on both sides of the fast flowing River Corrib; most of the main shopping areas are east of the river. Its many fine cultural festivals include the February Jazz Festival, the Easter Festival of Literature and the Galway Arts Festival in July.

Waterford

Waterford has a decidedly medieval feel, with city walls, narrow alleyways and a Norman tower. Georgian times also left a legacy of fine buildings, in particular those on the Mall, a spacious 18th-century street. Important buildings include the City Hall and the Bishop’s Palace.

The city’s many churches are also noteworthy, especially the sumptuous interior of Holy Trinity Cathedral. Waterford is first and foremost a busy commercial port city, situated on the River Suir, whose estuary is deep enough to allow large ships to berth at the city’s quays.

Many diverse events and festivals take place around the country over the year. February sees the Dublin International Film Festival. At Easter many small towns hold parades and townsfolk gorge themselves on chocolate eggs. June 16 is Bloomsday in Dublin, with re-enactments of Ulysses and readings throughout the city. Listowel in County Kerry holds a Writers’ Week literary festival during June, and there’s a Jazz & Blues Festival in Belfast. July is when marching really gets into its stride in Northern Ireland, and every Orangeman hits the streets on the Glorious 12th to celebrate the Protestant victory at the Battle of the Boyne. (more…)

If you go to Ireland in July or August, you can expect reasonably warm weather, longer days and a lively menu of festivals. However, this is peak season, which presents some challenges if you’re wanting a bit of solitude.

Spring and autumn can also be delightful seasons, with smaller crowds of tourists. Winter weather can be downright inhospitable, but Ireland (the west coast in particular) does look beautiful in the rain, and there’s nearly always a pub nearby to duck into. However, in many Irish towns restaurants and B&Bs close down around October and don’t reopen until Easter. With a few advance phone calls you can avoid getting stranded somewhere with no place to sleep or eat.

Visas: For citizens of the EU and most Western countries no visa is required. UK nationals born in Great Britain or Northern Ireland do not require a passport to visit the Republic.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC 0
Dialling Code: 353
Electricity: 230V ,50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric