Cities, Sites & Scenery

First-time travelers to the Emeald Isle who anticipate wild rugged coastlines and soft green valleys, uncommonly friendly people and lively pubs, vital urban centers and ancient Celtic momuments are in for a great suprize-Ireland, North and South, has all and much more. 

Unsure where to start amid such abundance?. The following sampling of tour highlights offers a few ideas.

Major Cities

Dublin, the starting point for many visits to Ireland, is cosmopolitian, cultured and brimming with energy. With its fine restaurants, lively pubs, Georgian architecture, museums, art galleries, theaters and literary heritage, this is a city to be savored. Among Dublin's must see attractions is historic Trinity College and its exhibit of the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript that's about 12 centuries old. Another is the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks, whose exhibits of decorative arts and about Ireland's ecomonic, social and political history are housed in Europe's oldest military barracks. Other favorite Dublin sights include Dublin Castle ( the seat of British power in Ireland for more than 700 years), Christchurch Catherdal and the Guinness Storehouse, where vistiors learn how Guinness is made. Just about every visitor spends time exploring Temple Bar, a revitalized historic neighborhood that's busy with restaurants, pubs and shops. A literary or musical pub crawl is a fun way to experience the city as is a walk along the banks of the River Liffey.

Northern Ireland's capital city of Belfast has emerged as a first class destination in its own right, replete with smart restaurants, stylish bars and clubs, a rejuvenated waterfront and a renewed vitality. Smaller than Dublin, Belfast is also a walking city, punctuated by architectural gems such as City Hall, built of white Portland stone; the Linen Hall Library, established in 1788, and St. Anne's Cathedral. The Titanic Trail is a self-guided tour that leads visitors through many of Belfast's historic buildings and attractions. Recent additions to Belfast's offering include Waterfront Hall, a premier concert and conference hall located on the River Lagan. At the brand new Odyssey Complex is the W5 science museum( W5 stands for who, what, where, when, why) which contains 130 exhibits ranging from a laser harp to a fire tornado.

In the West of Ireland,  Galway City is a vibrant, fast growing hub with lots of appeal for visitors. Narrow streets, small shops, busy pubs, an active intellectual and artistic life, and a lively nightlife make Galway City a rewarding stopover for visitors.

Simply Stunning.

No matter what draws you to Ireland, the island's natural beauty is sure to leave you breathless. A favorite drive, one that's included on our Escorted Motor coach tours, is the 110-mile Ring of Kerry. It circum-navigates County Kerry's Iveragh Peninsula, providing panoramic views of the coast and countryside. Just as beautiful and wild are neighboring Dingle Peninsula and the Conor Pass. There's more beautiful coastline in County Clare, where the dramatic Cliffs of Moher drop sharply into the Atlantic Ocean. County Clare is also home to the Burren, an unusual landscape of limestone rock that's ideal for walking or biking. Just to the North, County Galway offers tremendous scenic diversity, including the seemingly timeless Aran Islands and Connemara, a wild area of wild mountains, bogs and valleys.

Northern Ireland has its own share of scenic high points, the most famous of which are the Antrim Coast, considered one of the island's most beautiful regions, and Giant's Causeway, an unusual formation of octagonal basalt columns. Other scenic highlights include Rathlin Island, home to Europe's largest seabird colony; the spectacular Mourne Mountains which really sweep down to the sea, and the Fermanagh Lakes, popular for fishing and cruising. 

Castles & Manor Homes

Lovers of stately manor homes and ancient castles and forts will find plenty to sate their appetites in the Emerald Isle. In addition to the castles and manors mentioned below, there are many  that offer luxury accommodations for travelers-please click on Deluxe Properties for more information.  Among the most visited of Ireland's fortresses is Blarney Castle in County Cork. Every year thousands of visitors  kiss the famous blarney stone, a long standing tradition , intended to confer the gift of eloquence. They also get to see a 15th century castle with walls 18 feet thick, an 83-foot-high tower and the requisite dungeons. Another castle that ranks a top tourist attraction is Bunratty Castle, located on 26 acres overlooking the Shannon Esturay in County Clare. In additon to the 15th-century castle, there's a folk park here, and visitors can attend the medieval banquet, and experience 19th-century village life. Among other must-sees for castle lovers is Cahir Castle in County Tipperary, a 13th-century fortress that occupies a rocky islet in the River Suir; Charles Fort, the star shaped fort at the head of Kinsale Harbor in County Cork that was in use until 1921, and Kilkenny Castle, ancestral home of the Butler Family from 1391 to 1967 and site of a 50-acre park that include gardens, a riverside walk and children's play area. 

Visitors can glimpse a different slice of history by touring some of Ireland's fine manor houses, many of which are surrounded by beautiful gardens. One highlight in County Kildare is Castletown House, a magnificent 18th-century mansion that is Ireland's finest example of Paladain-style architecture. Georgian architecture is on display at  Bantry House  in West Cork. This beautiful mansion overlooking Bantry Bay is surrounded by lovely gardens and contains a fine collection of art treasures. Other favorites  for garden lovers include Powerscourt House & Gardens in County Wicklow.

Ancient Ireland.        

In addition to Ireland's many castles and manor houses, the island contains numerous other historic attractions. For instance, there are myraid pre-Christian sites including stone rings, dolmens, standing stones and megalithic monuments and tombs such those of Newgrange in County Meath, estimated to be about 5,000 years old. Also of interest are Ireland's centuries-old monasteries and its early Christian Churches. For the adventuresome, a visit to the 7th century beehive huts perched high atop the rocky island of Skellig Michael, offshore from County Kerry, is particulary rewarding. Another highlight is the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary. This group of medieval buildings includes a 12th-century round tower, 13th-century Gothic cathedral and St. Cormac's chapel.