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COUNTY LIMERICK
What's on in Limerick
County Limerick has many visitor attractions worth exploring. Throughout the County there are numerous places to see and things to do. These include farm visits in Ballyhoura Country. Also, the Rivendell Rare Breeds Open Farm in Ballingarry, Buttercup Farm in Croom and Fitzgerald’s Pet Farm in Abbeyfeale. Gardens which open to the public, castles such as the Desmond Castle in Newcastle West, Glin Castle and Askeaton Castle and Franciscan Friary on the Estuary, Croom Mills Visitor Centre, De Valera Museum and Bruree Heritage Centre, and the Palatine Heritage Centre in Rathkeale, County Limerick. Limerick City is just 20 minutes drive from Shannon International Airport and make an ideal base from which to explore some of the 170 visitor attractions which the Shannon Region offers.
Main attractions:
Celtic Park and Gardens
Also on the N69, Celtic Park and Gardens are situated adjacent to Curraghchase Forest Park with its pleasant forest and lakeside walks. The Celtic Park and Gardens are located on an original Celtic settlement which features a fine example of an early surviving ring fort. The classic style gardens afford the visitor a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
The Stonehall Animal and Bird Sanctuary
The Stonehall Animal and Bird Sanctuary is also located adjacent to Curraghchase Forest Park and the Celtic Park and Gardens. Here, relaxing time may be spent among the animals and exploring forty five acres of unspoilt nature walks.
Lough Gur
In the midst of Limerick County is Lough Gur, a 3,000 BC pre-Celtic settlement on which today stands a visitor centre which recreates life as it was on this lake shore and surrounding area. The archaeology of the area provides evidence for the activities of the first farmers in the region, their dwellings, rituals and burial sites. There are some fine 'way' marked walking routes in the County, especially throughout the Ballyhoura Mountain Park area.
The Lough Derg Way
The Lough Derg Way commences in Limerick city and the West Limerick and Slieve Felim areas also offer developed walks and cycle routes. In addition to the Adare golf courses, there are also a number of other courses and driving ranges throughout the County including, the Limerick Golf and Country Club at Ballyneety. Newcastle West Golf Club and Killeine Golf and Leisure Club, both situated adjacent to Newcastle West are other examples of fine courses.
Adare
Adare, a heritage village situated 11 miles from Limerick city and 26 miles from Shannon Airport, is on the main N21 route to Kerry. An old world village with its famed thatched cottages, Adare is a favoured location for couples from all over the world for their weddings. A model estate village dating from the time of the Norman conquest of Ireland, Adare has been home to the Earls of Dunraven for over three centuries. A former winner in Ireland’s prestige Tidy Towns Competition, Adare’s heritage centre shows the development of the village from the 13th century. The village is situated in the lush countryside of Ireland’s Golden Vale. It has a rich ecclesiastical history and remains of the Augustinian Priory built in 1315, the Trinitarian Priory built in 1230, the Franciscan Friary and Desmond Castle dating from 1202, can be seen. The Adare Heritage Centre features a large model of the village as it used to be in olden times and tells the story of the village through displays and an audio-visual presentation. Adare has two golf clubs including an 18-hole championship course. For those interested in horses, Clonshire Equestrian and Polo Centre offers superb facilities.
Foynes
Foynes Flying Boat Museum
Many fine tourist attractions are situated on the banks of the Shannon estuary among them Foynes Flying Boat Museum, where Irish Coffee was first created. Foynes was the site where transatlantic flights, with empty fuel tanks from their lengthy trip would land in the estuary for refuelling. It was also the precursor to today’s Shannon International Airport on the other side of the estuary.
Hostels:
Courtbrack
Courtbrack Ave.,
Limerick City
061-302500
www.mic.ul.ie/accommodation
eMail.
Trainor's Hostel
Knight St.
Ballingarry
069-68164
eMail.
| COUNTY CLARE |  Kinvarra Castle Co. Clare |
What's on in Clare
Visitors to County Clare cannot help but be overwhelmed by how the history of the ages still lives and breathes in the rocks and rivers of this county. Clare was hewn out by the glaciers that in their wake left caves deep underground, rare plants in expansive barren plateaux and a multitude of waterways which allow Clare to be recognised as one of the best places for all kinds of outdoor activities and water sports.
Water is very much a focal point of the county; most of it being surrounded by the wild Atlantic ocean. It offers us two extremely popular seaside resorts, Kilkee and Lahinch; the country’s main river, the Shannon; and Lough Derg, one of the largest Irish lakes. Inland, Clare is renowned for the stark limestone plateaux of the Burren, a barren landscape with little vegetation, though rare flora can be found nestling between the slabs.
It is not only the geography that makes this area so identifiable, the living heart of Clare is probably found in its age-old dedication to music and dance. For the reality of the Irish notion of ‘craic agus ceol’, (fun and music), the many towns and villages of Clare are a must for this experience. Places such as Killaloe, Scarif, Spanish Point, Feakle, Quilty and Lisdoonvarna, to name but a few, are well known for their impromptu ‘sessions’. The small seaside village of Doolin is one of the biggest attractions in the county for this, and music festivals are a must for anyone looking for good time. Two main ones are held annually in Ennis, The Fleadh Nua and the Guinness Traditional Festival in May and November respectively.
Clare is steeped in history; reconstructed Bronze Age dwellings, medieval abbeys and Norman castles scatter the landscape. And there are more recent ties with Irish history – this is the county from which Eamon de Valera came, who played such an important role in Irish politics. Spanish Point, a headland west of Milltown Malbay, was named after the wrecking of so many ships of the Spanish Armada in the area. Survivors of the San Esteban, which was wrecked off the fishing village of Doonbeg in 1588, were later hanged at Spanish point.
There is something for everyone in Clare. Whether your interest lies in fascinating stone sculptures like the sheela-na-gig on the ruined church door in Killinaboy; surfing in Lahinch; living it up at a medieval banquet in Knappogue or marvelling at the natural beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, the ‘Banner County’ is for you!
County Clare “must sees”
 | Cliffs of Moher The Cliffs of Moher are without doubt one of the most spectacular sights in the county. A 700ft drop of sheer cliff face of black shale and sandstone that, together with the raging Atlantic below and the wheeling, screaming birds in the sky, provides one of the most haunting images found in Ireland. |
Whatever you do in Clare, take a trip to the Cliff of Moher, but be sure not to get blown off the edge! You can walk along the cliffs from O’Brien’s Tower – from which you can see the Kerry mountains, Aran Islands and the mountains of Connemara – to Hag’s Head. Afterwards, the small fishing village of Doolin is close by, with its sandy beach and a couple of pubs which have helped Doolin establish itself as a hot spot for music lovers.
Hostels:
Aille River Hostel
Aille River, Doolin
065-7074260
www.esatclear.ie/ailleriver
eMail. ailleriver@esatclear.ie
Flanagan’s Village Hostel
Doolin
065-7074564
Rainbow Hostel
Toomullin, Doolin
065-7074415
eMail. rainbowhostel@eircom.net
Paddy’s Doolin Hostel
Fisher st, Doolin village
065-7074421
www.doolinhostel.com
eMail. doolinhostel@iol.ie
Corofin Village Hostel
Main St, Corofin
065-6837683
www.corofincamping.com
eMail. corohost@iol.ie
The Burren
The Burren is an area of unique natural beauty. Miles of limestone slabs hide a myriad of underground rivers and lakes, and above ground a huge variety of Artic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants can be found. Many of these are protected species and draw hundreds of botanical enthusiasts to the area each year.
Poulnabrone Dolmen
Dolmens are ancient burial monuments made of giant slabs of stone. There are many examples scattered throughout the Burren, and Poulnabrone is one of the most famous of these.
Aillwee Caves
One of the treasures of the area is the deep underground caves left by the last ice age. Probably the most famous in the country are the Aillwee Caves, just outside Ballyvaughan (about 25 miles from Ennis). Take a trip deep underground to see the glistening wonder of stalactites and stalagmites, stone icicles formed after thousands of years by deposits of calcite from the running waters overhead. For tour bookings call 065-7077036.
Hostels:
Clares Rock
Carron, The Burren
065-7089129
www.claresrock.com
eMail. info@claresrock.com
Killaloe
The town of Killaloe is picturesquely situated on the river Shannon, with a bridge linking it to the town of Ballina in County Tipperary. Killaloe is famous throughout Ireland for its boating marina and is a popular stop-off for cruise trips.
Main attractions:
Water Sports
Just outside the town is Two Mile Gate, an excellent centre for a wide range of water sports.
Brian Boru’s Fort
Brian Boru was one of the most famous kings of ancient Ireland, killed at the Battle of Clontarf. There are spectacular views of the lake from the fort, and the area known as Isle Vaughn is well worth a walking tour. Also to be seen from this spot is Greenaunlaghna, once the stronghold of local chieftains.
St Flannan’s Cathedral
The doorway of the Cathedral is the most impressive part of the building with its beautiful Romanesque carvings. Nearby is ‘ Thorgrim’s Stone’, a stone cross carved with both runic and ogham characters.
Bunratty
Bunratty Folk Park
At Bunratty Folk Park visitors are invited to experience life as it was in the Ireland of old. Local women bake bread and spin wool in the reconstructed farmsteads by open fires. A fascinating journey through rural life in times gone by.
Bunratty Castle
Mediaeval banquets are one of the main attractions at the beautifully restored Bunratty Castle. Authentic food and drink, served by locals in period costume, gives guests a real taste of the past.
Knappogue Castle
Knappogue Castle is situated two miles south east of Quin and was built in 1467 by the McNamara clan. Mediaeval banquets and historical evenings are held regularly in the castle's wonderfully restored banqueting hall.
Cratloe Woods
One of the last surviving ‘Irish Longhouses' is on display at Cratloe. This seventeenth century dwelling belongs to the Brian Boru clan and houses a display of art, family portraits and antique farm machinery.
Craggaunowen Centre
The Craggaunowen Centre tells the story of life in Ireland from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. Here you can explore a crannog settlement – the ‘paradise’ island dwellings of early Ireland.
Hostels:
Jamaica Inn
Mount Levers, Sixmilebridge
061-369220
www.jamaicainn.ie
eMail. info@jamaicainn.ie
www.jamaicainn.ie
Ennis
Ennis is the county town and is often regarded as a miniature version of Galway city with its winding streets and slightly bohemian character. It is a small but busy market town with a good selection of pubs and restaurants and is a great vantage point from which to explore the county.
Main attractions:
The 13th Century ruins of Ennis Friary
Ennis Friary was founded by the O’Briens (kings of Thomand). The alabaster carvings of the MacMahon tomb are just one of the beautiful features of the ruins.
Links to historical figures
Clare’s links to politics are evident in the number of tributes in the town of Ennis - the Daniel O'Connell monument and the bronze Eamon de Valera statue. There is also the De Valera Library Museum which, although small, is an extremely interesting local history centre.
Music Festivals
The major music festivals in Ennis are the Fleadh Nua in May and The Guinness Traditional Music Festival in November. But no matter what season you visit, it is never difficult to find a good music session in Ennis, and the festivals are just a bigger celebration of the town’s love of music and 'craic'.
Hostels:
Kilkee
Kilkee is a seaside resort with something for all the family. Its beautiful sandy beaches are clean and uncrowded and popular activities include scuba diving, snorkelling and golf. There are safe swimming areas in the natural swimming pools (Pollock holes) and at the Duggerna Rocks.
Hostels:
Katie O’Connors Holiday Hostel
Frances St, Kilrush
065-9051133
eMail. katieoconnors@eircom.net
www.westclare.com
Lahinch
Lahinch is another extremely popular resort on the Atlantic coast. It has an excellent beach and is renowned for surfing when conditions are right. There is a fantastic golf course and with the music and dancing sessions in the pubs at night there is plenty of entertainment to suit all tastes.
Hostels:
Lahinch Hostel
Church St, Lahinch
065-7081040
www.visitlahinch.com
eMail. lahinchok@eircom.net
| COUNTY GALWAY |  |
What's on in Galway
Galway City
Galway City is a lively and cosmopolitan spot, attracting visitors and residents from all corners of the globe. It forms a natural gateway to Connemara, one of the most attractive areas in the west, and serves equally well as a point of departure for excursions to the Burren in County Clare.
Galway was originally a small fishing village until the de Burgos clan built a castle there in 1226. Fourteen families later established a hold over the area and were known as the 'Tribes of Galway'. It was granted the status of city in 1985.
Main attractions:
Eyre Square
Eyre Square is a small park in the centre of the city, a popular meeting point and landmark. It contains a statue of Padraig O Conaire, the short-story writer, and a sculptur by Eamonn O’Doherty evoking the sails of the traditional Galway sailing boats known as hookers.
Close by, impressive lengths of medieval walls uncovered during excavations have been integrated into the new Eyre Square shopping centre, linking the past and present.
Lynch’s Castle
This mediaeval town house, dating from the fifteenth century, has a beautifully decorated façe containing carved panels, gargoyles, and a lion devouring its prey. It now serves as a bank.
Galway Museum
A small museum which houses artifacts from the old fishing village of Claddagh, famous for the Claddagh Ring, a traditional gold wedding-ring derived from a Roman design popular throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.
Spanish Arch
A sixteenth century monument used to protect ships as they unloaded their cargoes of wine and brandy. It is a reminder of a time when Galway rivaled London and Bristol as an important Continental port.
The Nora Barnacle House Museum
Once the home of Nora Barnacle, James Joyce’s wife, the museum contains copies of correspondence between the couple and documents connected with their links to Galway.
Hostels:
Barnacles Quay Street House
10 Quay Street,
Galway
Tel. 091-568644
Fax. 091-568644
www.barnacles.ie
eMail. qsh@barnacles.ie
Kinlay House Galway
Merchant’s Road,
Galway City
Tel.091-565244
Fax. 091-565245
www.kinlaygalway.ie
eMail. info@kinlaygalway.ie
Portumna
Portumna Castle is a fine example of early seventeenth century architecture. Close by is Derryhivenny Castle, built in 1653; Portumna Forest Park, and Pallas Castle.
Aughrim
Aughrim is the site of the bloodiest battle ever fought in Ireland between the forces of William of Orange and the followers of King James II in 1691. The Battle of Aughrim Interpretative Centre takes visitors through the events leading up to the battle and the site itself is well sign-posted.
Hostels:
The Auld Shillelagh
Aughrim,
Ballinasloe.
Tel. 090-9673734
Fax. 090-9673734
Connemara
| Connemara |  Kylemore Abbey, Connemara |
Connemara, a vast area west of Galway city, has some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenery in Ireland. It is a landscape of dry-stone walls, tiny fields and isolated farmsteads, dominated by two mountain ranges, the Twelve Pins and Maamturk Mountains.
Oughterard
Oughterard is a charming town situated on the river Owenriff, and is one of the first fishing centres in the country. Aughanure Castle, built in the sixteenth century, was the stronghold of the O’Flaherty's, and was considered one of the most formidable of its type when Cromwell laid siege to Galway. Open daily from mid-June to mid-September.
Hostels:
Oughterard’s Canrawer House
Station Road,
Oughterard.
Tel. 091-552388
Fax. 091-552388
eMail. canrawer@indigo.ie
Clifden
Clifden was founded at the beginning of the nineteenth century and is the largest town in Connemara. It is the centre for Connemara pony breeding.
Main attractions:
Dan O’Hara’s Homestead
About 5 miles east of Clifden, Dan O'Hara's Homestead is a pre-Famine farm and heritage centre incorporating a prehistoric lake dwelling dating back to 1500BC; a 5,000-year-old Neolithic tomb; a prehistoric tomb; and a farm homestead. Here you can watch the local people as they demonstrate traditional tilling and farming methods. Open daily from April to the end of October – www.connemaraheritage.com
Hostels:
Brookside Hostel
Fairgreen,
Clifden town,
Connemara.
Tel. 095-21812
Fax. 095-22139
eMail. brooksidehostel@eicom.net
www.brookside-hostel.com
Clifden Town Hostel
Market Street,
Clifden Town,
Connemara.
Tel. 095-21076
Fax. 095-21642
eMail. seancth@eircom.net
www.clifdentownhostel.com
Old Monastery Hostel
Letterfrack,
Connemara.
Tel. 095-41132
Fax. 095-41680
eMail. info@oldmonasteryhostel.com
www.oldmonasteryhostel.com
Letterfrack Lodge
Letterfrack,
Connemara.
Tel. 095-41222
Fax. 095-41222
www.letterfracklodge.com
eMail. letterfracklodge@iol.ie
Oceans Alive Visitor Centre
The Oceans Alive Visitor Centre is situated to the north of Letterfrack on the Renvyle Peninsula. It features an aquarium and a museum, and organised cruises are available around the area.
Cleggan Bay
Northwest of Clifden, Cleggan is a fishing village nestling at the head of Cleggan Bay on Connemara’s Atlantic coast. It is the departure point for ferry services to the islands of Inishbofin – a famous birdwatching spot – and Inishturk.
Hostels:
Inishbofin Island Hostel
Inishbofin
Tel.095-45855
Fax. 095-45855
www.inishbofin-hostel.ie
eMail. enquiries@inishbofin-hostel.ie
Aran Islands
Three islands make up the group known as the Aran Islands: Inismore (Arainn), the largest; Inismaan, (Duchathair); and Inisheer (Inis Oirr) the smallest of the three. The islands are an example of the successful preservation of a culture and language that has largely resisted the changes of the twentieth century.
Main attractions:
Turoe Stone
This white granite boulder dates back to the second or third century BC, and is carved in Celtic style. Open daily from May to September; weekends and public holidays from October to April.
Roscommon Castle
Roscommon Castle is an Anglo-Norman fortress built in 1269, with sixteenth century mullioned windows.
Dominican Friary
Founded in 1253 by the King of Connaught.
Strokestown Park House
This great Palladian mansion was built in the 1730's. The Famine Museum contains the Strokestown archives, which tell the stories of tenants and landlords during the Great Famine of the 1840's. Open daily from April to October; and November to March by appointment.
Boyle Abbey
Boyle Abbey is a well-preseved Cistercian abbey founded in 1161. It has fine examples of the architecture of the time, including a church, cloisters, sacristy, cellers and kitchens. Open daily from April to October.
Hostels:
Bru Radharc Na Mara Hostel
Insishere,
Aran Islands
Tel. 099-75024
Fax. 099-75024
eMail.
| COUNTY MAYO |  |
What's on in Mayo
During the Great Famine of the mid-nineteenth century, County Mayo suffered most from emigration. In spite of this, strong Gaelic traditions of language and music have survived. Co. Mayo has thirteen blue-flag beaches, wonderful golf courses and is famous for sea- and river-angling.
Cong
This picturesque village on the shores of Lough Corrib straddles the border of Galway and Mayo. Stone bridges and stone-clad locks are still in place along the dry canal. Cong was the setting for the 1950’s film The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne.
Main attractions:
Cong Abbey
This Augustinian abbey was founded in the early twelfth century by Turlough O’Connor, King of Connaught and High King of Ireland, on the site of a sixth century monastery. The architecture includes doorways in a style transitional between Romanesque and Gothic, stone carvings and restored cloisters.
Ashford Castle
Rebuilt in Gothic Revival style in 1870 by Lord Ardilaun of the Guinness family.
The Quiet Man Lives On
Quiet Man Museum is a novel concept which will give the visitor a total Quiet Man experience as if they were actually "on set". The ground floor of the cottage has been designed as an exact replica of "White-o-Mornin" Cottage. The four poster bed and the tables and chairs which "Mary Kate" cherished, the thatched roof, emerald green half door and white washed front combine to charm all those who visit it.
"Quiet Man Museum" is a must for any Quiet Man enthusiasts. The Wayne Family visited "Quiet Man Museum" Cong, so can you! Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm.
Fairytale Fantasyland Miniature Golf & Golf Academy
A 9 hole miniature golf course themed on favourite fairytale and nursery rhyme characters, including Cinderella, The Three Bears, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Little Red Riding Hood. Awaken your family's love for the golfing game through this fairytale fantasyland.
Hostels:
Cong Hostel
Lislougrey,
Quay Road,
Cong.
Tel. 094-9546089
Fax. 094-9546448
www.quietman-cong.com
eMail. info@quietman-cong.com
Westport
An elegant Georgian town planned by James Wyatt.
Main attractions:
Westport House
Designed in 1732 by Richard Castle and completed by James Wyatt in 1778, the interior of Westport House features a sweeping period marble staircase and an elegant dining room with several family portraits, antique Waterford chandeliers and eighteenth-century Chinese wallpaper.
Westport Heritage Centre
Situated on Westport Quay, the heritage centre has displays of artefacts and documents relating to well-known people associated with County Mayo. There is also an exhibition devoted to the film The Quiet Man, (1956), including reproductions of the furniture and costumes used in the film.
Hostels:
Old Mill Holiday Hostel
Barrack Yard,
James Street,
Westport
Tel.098-27045
Fax.098-28640
eMail. oldmillhostel@eircom.net
www.oldmill-hostel.com
Achill Island
Achill Island is a popular spot for angling and water sports. The scenery is magnificent, with rugged cliffs and long beaches, wild moors and three great mountains. It is an Irish-speaking island and nowadays is joined to the mainland by a bridge, allowing visitors to drive over the sea.
Main attractions:
Carrickkildavnet Castle
An elegant fifteenth century tower-house.
Achill Island Crafts Centre
Situated in the northeast of the island, the centre has locally-produced crafts for sale including pottery and knitted goods.
Hostels:
Kilcommon Lodge Hostel
Pullathomas
Tel.097-84621
Fax.097-84621
eMail. kilcommonlodge@eircom.net
Ballycastle
Main attractions:
Ceide Fields Visitor Centre
The area surrounding Ballycastle includes the most extensive Stone Age Monument in the world. There are also magnificent views from the top of Ceide Hill. Open daily from mid-March to November.