The Midlands including Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath and Tipperary.

The Midlands is a truly beautiful region of Ireland that offers everything from sports and historical monuments to walking trips through stunning countryside. The natural beauty of the Midlands will truly astonish you and a stroll beside one of the many lakes or rivers is a breathtaking experience.

If you're a golfer, some of Ireland's finest golf courses are found in the Midlands, including the world-famous K Club, host of the 2006 Ryder Cup, The Horse Museum and National Stud is also here, and is home to some of the world's finest thoroughbreds.

One of Ireland's oldest Christian settlements, Clonmacnoise, is found in the Midlands, on the banks of the Shannon. Founded in the sixth century, it includes remains of eight churches and three high crosses.

Here are some of the attractions you may want to visit.

1.Birr Castle Demense, Offaly. Features the many pioneering achievements of the Parsons family and of the great Irish scientists in the field of astronomy, photography, engineering and horticulture. The Castle also hosts beautiful gardens with the Formal Garden and River Garden recently restored.

2. Clonmacnoise, Offaly. One of Ireland's most famous monastic sites, founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th century. Situated on the water meadows of the River Shannon.

3. Castletown House, Kildare. Ireland's largest and finest Palladian country house, begun in 1722 for William Connolly, speaker of the Irish House of Commons.

4. Irish National Stud, Japanese Gardens & St.Fiachra's Garden, Kildare. Set amid 958 acres, part of which is open to visitors, offering guided tours showing vintage crop, Danoil and the Irish Horse Museum. The Japanese Gardens are situated in the grounds of the Stud farm, St Fiachra's Garden was built to celebrate the Millennuim.

5. Old Mellifont Abbey, Louth. Founded by St. Malachy in 1142, it was the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland,. its foundation marked the introduction of the European monastic way of life.

6. Bru Na Boinne Visitor Center, Meath. Interprets the neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The extensive exhibition includes a full-scale replica of the chamber at Nwgrange as well a a full model of one of the smaller tombs at Knowth.

7. Rock of Cashel, Tipperary. A spectacular group of medieval buildings including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic Catherdral, 15th century castle and restored Hall of Vicars Choral.

8. Holycross Abbey, Tipperary. One of the most picturesque Cistercian monuments in Ireland, with a charming setting beside the banks of the River Suir.