The city is the sum of three parts. It began on an island in the Shannon and expanded onto each bank forming three distinct districts. The oldest is Englishtown that stands on the island. This was followed by Irishtown, which began life as a second walled town. The third is...
Sneem is a village spectacularly set against the mountains on the Ring of Kerry. It is actually pronounced “Shneem” It is dominated by the nearby 2245 feet high Knockmoyle mountain. The pretty cottages in the village are all different colours. This was done so that drunken residents could find their way home to...
Glendalough and its two lakes are set in the most picturesque high glens in Ireland. Try and see it on any tours of Ireland. In the 6th century Saint Kevin first built a church on the south side of the Upper Lake. But as the number of followers...
This old library building dated from 1732 and is a must-see attraction when visiting Dublin. At Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours we recommend a visit to all our clients. The collection within began in 1601. There is a new library building which dates from 1967. The whole library contains...
Built on the last squares of the alluvial plane which spread from the River Forth at Alloa, south of here, to the start of the Ochil Hills, splendidly apparent before us, Alva is a compact hillfoot town in the Devon Valley. Alva Burn feeds the...
Grace was the daughter of a Connacht chieftain. She provided the strongest opposition to foreign rule in the West of Ireland during the 16th century. When Queen Elizabeth the first launched a campaign in 1568 to finally subdue the rebellious West, most of the ruling class, including Graces...
The Dingle Peninsula is remote, romantic, and beautiful. But driving around the Peninsula is not for the faint hearted with seriously risky roads. Slea Head drive and the Conor Pass are not for novice drivers in Ireland. Best to let the experts at Ireland and Scotland Luxury Tours...
Armagh became a centre of learning when Saint Patrick chose it as the site for his main church around AD 445. It remains one of Ireland's most venerated cities. The city’s name derives from its Gaelic name – Ard Mhacha – which in turn comes from...
To the Northwest of the city of Cork is Blarney Castle. This is a 15th century castle. It is a fine stronghold built in 1446 by Cormac MacCarthy, King of Munster. There is also the famous Blarney Stone. To kiss the stone, you need to have a serious head...
Naas is the county town of Kildare. Its proximity to “the Curragh” and “Punchstown” (two famous horse racing courses) has made it a centre for horse racing. The seat of the “Kings of Leinster” once stood here on the site of the large North Mote. St Davids Church,...