The island lies low in the sea off the Galway coast surrounded by reefs and flanked by uninhabited Inishark. The cliffs on its Western end are wild and windswept but the Eastern end has sheltered beaches. Its turbulent history is recalled by the ruined castle which...
Ennis’s streets were described in the 19th century as ‘ill-defined and scattered’ , but today the narrow thoroughfares add to its character. Many of the old shop fronts remain on some of the best Irish crafts and knitwear outlets. The column in the town centre commemorates...
Baltimore is a small fishing port and a good sea-angling and sailing base , which serves as a port for ferries to Sherkin Island and Cape Clear. The remains of the castle , owned by the seafaring O’Driscoll clan , overlook the harbour. The village...
Just East of Cork City , the popular town is the popular town of Cobh , pronounced ‘cove’. This popular town is dominated by St. Colman’s Cathedral , designed by Pugin and Ashlin and built of blue Dalkey granite. The harbour’s deep-water anchorage was used as...
This little island where St. Caimin founded a monastery in the 7th century. Among the remains are five churches , a round tower , a hermit’s cell and the ‘Saint’s Graveyard’ , which contains inscribed slabs dating from the 8th to the 12th century. The...
This county town is renowned for the Rose of Tralee contest , held every August. The Rose of Tralee song was written by local man William Mulchinock but the festival is much more than a beauty contest. During the 16th and 17th century the town...
This is the largest lake in Britain and Ireland and covers 153 square miles. Due to its similarity in shape to the Isle of Man legend has it that once , when enraged , the giant Finn MacCool scooped a huge lump of earth and...
This seaside town takes its name from the rock islands which lie off the coast: Red Island , now joined to the mainland , site of Ireland’s first holiday camp ; Colt Island ; and St. Patrick’s Island , where the Saint is said to...
The little village that sits just North of Galway City is famous for its Abbey , which is the only church in the English-speaking world where Mass has been continuously celebrated over 750 years , despite the suppression of religious communities by Henry VIII ,...
West of Cork City the bustling market town of Macroom is set in the picturesque Sullane River valley , a hidden gem that is a must see on your tours of Ireland. A gateway is all that remains of Macroom Castle , built by the...