Ireland

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TRAVEL GUIDE

Dublin

Dublin is making a comeback. The decade-long "Celtic Tiger" boom era was quickly followed by the Great Recession, but The Recovery has finally

The Southside

The River Liffey provides a useful aid of orientation, flowing as it does through the direct middle of Dublin. If you ask a native Dubliner

Cork City

Cork City received its first charter in 1185 from Prince John of Norman England, and it takes its name from the Irish word corcaigh, meaning

Galway City

Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today and the ancient capital of

The Northside

What do you call a Northsider in a suit? The accused." So went the old joke. But faded stereotypes about the Northside being Dublin's poorer

Killarney

One of Southwest Ireland's most attractive locales, Killarney is also the most heavily visited town in the region (its proximity to the Ring

Temple Bar

Locals complain about the late-night noise, and visitors sometimes say the place has the feel of a Dublin theme park, but a visit to Dublin

Kinsale

Foodies flock to Kinsale, a picturesque port that pioneered the Irish small-town tradition of fine dining in unbelievably small restaurants

Dublin West

A cornucopia of things quintessentially Dublin, this area is studded with treasures and pleasures ranging from the opulent 18th-century salons

Georgian Dublin

If there's one travel poster that signifies "Dublin" more than any other, it's the one that depicts 50 or so Georgian doorways—door after colorful

Waterford City

The largest town in the Southeast and Ireland's oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and was taken over by Strongbow

Limerick City

Before you ask, there's no direct connection between Limerick City and the facetious five-line verse form known as a limerick, which was first

Sligo Town

Sligo is the best place to begin a tour of Yeats Country. Squeezed on to a patch of land between Sligo Bay and Lough Gill, Sligo Town is clustered

Westport

By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands and framed by

Kilkenny City

Dubbed "Ireland's Medieval Capital" by its tourist board, and also called "the Oasis of Ireland" for its many pubs and watering holes, Kilkenny

An Daingean (Dingle Town)

Backed by mountains and facing a sheltered harbor, An Daingean, the chief town of its eponymous peninsula, has a year-round population of 1

Wexford Town

This coastal town is most famed for the Wexford Opera Festival, usually held in October, which has been seducing the world with wonderful productions

Kenmare

Located slightly inland without a clear view of Kenmare Bay, Kenmare is a natural stopover for Ring of Kerry buses and travelers as it is the

North County Dublin

Dublin's northern suburbs remain largely residential, but there are a few places worth the trip, such as the architectural gem Marino Casino

Athlone

The mighty Shannon flows majestically through the heart of Athlone, yet for years it seemed as if the town was happy to turn its back on one

Clifden

With roughly 2,600 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. It

Ennis

A major crossroads and a convenient stop between the West and the Southwest, Ennis is the main town of County Clare. The pleasant market town

Clonakilty and Nearby

Clonakilty is a small market town to the west of Kinsale on a scenic, largely coastal road that passes through the village of Timoleague. Many

Skibbereen

Skibbereen is the main market town in this neck of southwest Cork. The Saturday country market and the plethora of pubs, punctuated by bustling

Portlaoise

Near the heart of County Laois, the rich farmland south and west of Portlaoise is one of Ireland's undiscovered gems. Golf, fishing, hiking

Tralee

County Kerry's capital and its largest town, Tralee (population 24,000) is the main shopping and business destination for North and West Kerry

Donegal Town

With a population of about 3,000, Donegal is Northwest Ireland's largest small village—marking the entry into the back-of-the-beyond of the

Cork Harbour

Cork City's nearby harbor district has seen plenty of history. Cork Harbour's draws include Fota Island—with an arboretum, a wildlife park,

Carrick-on-Shannon

Carrick-on-Shannon grew up around the river that still plays an important role in the town's confidence. Its original Irish name, Cora Droma

Trim

The historic town of Trim, on the River Boyne, contains some of the finest medieval ruins in Ireland. In 1359, on the instructions of King Edward

Drogheda

Drogheda (pronounced dra-he-da) is one of the most enjoyable and historic towns on the east coast of Ireland—and a setting for one of the most

Glenbeigh

The road from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh is one of the Ring's highlights. To the north is Dingle Bay and the jagged peaks of the Dingle Peninsula

Adare

On the banks of the River Maigue, this once-upon-a-time-ified village dotted with thatch cottages is famed as one of Ireland's prettiest spots

Lahinch

Noted for hotels packed with people touring the nearby Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch is a busy resort village beside a long, sandy beach backed by

Wicklow Town

At the entrance to the attractive, tree-lined Main Street of Wicklow Town sprawl the extensive ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Wicklow

Bantry

The town of Bantry is at the head of Bantry Bay, between the Sheep's Head Peninsula to the southwest and the Beara Peninsula to the northwest

Ballina

Ballina, with a population of around 11,000, is a busy industrial and commercial center, and the second-largest town in Mayo after Castlebar

Cashel

Cashel is a market town on the busy Cork–Dublin road, with a lengthy history as a center of royal and religious power. From roughly AD 370 until

Ard an Ratha (Ardara)

At the head of a lovely ocean inlet, the unpretentious, old-fashioned hamlet of Ard an Rátha (Ardara) is built around the L-shaped intersection

Cavan

Like all the larger towns of the region, Cavan is growing and prosperous. It is perhaps best known for its crystal factory. But as one of the

Doolin

Once an enchanting backwater of colorful fishermen’s cottages, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and

Longford Town

Longford, the seat of County Longford and a typical, small, market-town community, is rich in literary associations, though after Oliver Goldsmith

Bray

One of Ireland's oldest seaside resorts, Bray is a trim town known for its summer cottages and sand-and-shingle beach, which stretches for 2

Dundalk

Perfectly positioned as a hub to explore the region north and south of the border, Dundalk—only 9½ km (6 miles) from Northern Ireland—is the

Kildare Town

Horse breeding is the cornerstone of County Kildare's thriving economy, and Kildare Town is the place to come if you're crazy about horses.

Killybegs

Trawlers from Spain, Portugal, and Norway are moored in the harbor at Killybegs, one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports. Though it's one of

Blarney

On Galway sands they kiss your hands, they kiss your lips at Carney, but by the Lee they drink strong tea, and kiss the stone at Blarney." This

Letterfrack

This is the gateway village to the famous Connemara National Park. It also makes a handy base for those visiting spectacular Kylemore Abbey

The Skelligs and Valentia

In the far northwestern corner of the Ring of Kerry, across Portmagee Channel, lies scenic Valentia Island, where the eastern end of the first

Phoenix Park and Environs

Far and away Dublin's largest park, Phoenix Park (the name is an anglicization of the Irish Fionn Uisce, meaning "clear water") is a vast

Waterville

Waterville, a seaside village facing Ballinskelligs Bay, is famous for its sportfishing, its 18-hole championship golf course (adopted as a

Inis Mor (Inishmore)

With a population of 900, Inis Mór is the largest of the islands and the closest to the Connemara coast. It's also the most commercialized,

Powerscourt House, Gardens, and Waterfall

One of the grandest estates and gardens in Ireland, Powerscourt is one of the main reasons that people head to Enniskerry. Within the shadow

Shanagarry

There are three reasons to come to Shanagarry, a farming village known chiefly for its Quaker connections: Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland

Kinvara

The picture-perfect village of Kinvara, just across the border in County Galway, is a growing holiday base, thanks to its gorgeous bayside locale

Glengarriff

One of the jewels of Bantry Bay is Glengarriff, the "rugged glen" much loved by the writers William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott. The drive

Mullingar

The Irish are great ones for wrapping an insult up in a lyrical turn of phrase. Rather than describe a woman as overweight they'll say with

Letterkenny

Letterkenny, like Donegal to the south, is at the gateway to the far Northwest; you're likely to come through here if you're driving west out

Enniscorthy

On the sloping banks of the River Slaney and on the main road between Dublin and Wexford to the south of the popular resort of Gorey, Enniscorthy

Lismore

Lismore is one of Ireland's grandest places to get lost in. Popular with both anglers and romantics, the enchanting little town is built on

Kilmore Quay

Noted for its fishing industry, this quiet, old-fashioned seaside village of thatched and whitewashed cottages is also popular with recreational

Straffan

Its attractive location on the banks of the River Liffey, its unique butterfly farm, and the Kildare Hotel and Country Club—where Arnold Palmer

Slane

Slane Castle is the draw at this small Georgian village, built in the 18th century around a crossroads on the north side of the River Boyne.

Birr

Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots

Cahir

Cahir (pronounce it "Care") is a busy but easygoing market town with a pleasant Georgian square at its heart. It is built on the River Suir

Dungarvan

With their covering of soft grasses, the lowlands of Wexford and eastern Waterford gradually give way to heath and moorland. The mountains

The North Mayo Coast

The North Mayo coast is one of the least frequented and most dramatic stretches of the Wild Atlantic Way. Killala, a pleasant little resort

Leenane

Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village

Sneem

The pretty little village of Sneem (from the Irish for "knot") is settled around an English-style green on the Ardsheelaun River estuary, and

Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille)

The back of beyond" at the far end of a stretch of barren moorland, the tiny hamlet of Gleann Cholm Cille clings dramatically to the rockbound

Ardmore

Historic spiritual sites, white beaches, dramatic cliff walks, local fishermen—little Ardmore is a picture-postcard Irish town that packs a

Banagher

Well, that beats Banagher!" This small Shannon-side town is best known in Ireland because of this common phrase, which dates from the 19th century

Tullamore

The county seat of Offaly, Tullamore is a bustling market town that thrived during Ireland's Celtic Tiger boom that began in the mid-1990s and

Ardee

The road from Mellifont Abbey to Ardee passes through Monasterboice, home to some of Ireland's finest medieval High Crosses. Near the village

Abbeyleix

One of the most elegant small towns in Ireland, Abbeyleix has retained its Georgian feel and its broad main street, which is lined with well

Blessington

With its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, Blessington is one of the most charming villages in the

Castlebar

The capital of Mayo, situated on its central limestone plain, once the biggest town for miles around, Castlebar is now a commercial and shopping

Hill of Tara

In legends and in the popular imagination, the "seat of the High Kings of Ireland" has taken on mythic proportions. As with much of the Celtic

Ballyshannon

The former garrison town of Ballyshannon rises gently from the banks of the River Erne and has good views of Donegal Bay and the surrounding

Ballyhack

On the upper reaches of Waterford Harbour, this pretty village with a square castle keep, thatch cottages, and a green, hilly background is

Rosslare

Sometimes called Ireland's sunniest spot, the village of Rosslare is a seaside getaway with an attractive beach. Many vacationers head here

Oughterard

Bustling Oughterard (pronounced ook -ter-ard) is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling

Birdhill

It's no coincidence that this picturesque little village in undiscovered north Tipperary always does well in the national "Tidy Towns" competition

Cong

Set on a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border near Maam Cross, the pretty, old-fashioned village of

Ballyvaughan

A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of

Midleton

Midleton is famous for its school, Midleton College, founded in 1696, and its distillery, founded in 1825 and modernized in 1975, which manufactures

Portarlington

Built on the River Barrow in the late 17th century, Portarlington was originally an English settlement. Later, a Huguenot colony developed here

Dun Chaoin (Dunquin)

Once the mainland harbor for the Blasket islanders (when there were islanders, as the Blaskets are deserted now), Dún Chaoin is at the center

Killorglin

Killorglin is on top of a hill beside the River Laune. At the "top of the town" is a Continental-style piazza, with outdoor tables in good weather

Thomastown

Originally the seat of the kings of Ossory (an ancient Irish kingdom), Thomastown is a pretty, stone-built village on the River Nore. It takes

Glendalough

One of Ireland's best monastic sites, Glendalough also has a stunningly photogenic lakeside setting. It's a popular destination for day trips.

Newgrange

Expect to see no less than one of the most spectacular prehistoric tombs in Europe when you come to Newgrange. Built in the 4th millennium BC

Kells

In the 9th century, a group of monks from Scotland took refuge at Kells (Ceanannus Mór), where St. Columba had founded a monastery 300 years

Bundoran

Resting on the south coast of County Donegal, Bundoran is one of Ireland's most popular seaside resorts, a favorite haunt of holidaymakers from

Mount Usher Gardens

Close to both Ashford and Rathnew villages, these extensive gardens are a popular day trip from Dublin. The excellent café is run by Avoca,

Lough Gill

Lough Gill means simply "Lake of Brightness." In fine weather the beautiful river-fed lough and its surroundings are serenity itself: sunlight

Newmarket-on-Fergus

A small town in County Clare, Newmarket-on-Fergus is chiefly remarkable as the village nearest the famed hotel of Dromoland Castle, formerly

Bansha

This prosperous little farming town at the foot of the Galtee Mountains is really of interest as a base for the beautiful Glen of Aherlow. The

Inis Oirr (Inisheer)

The smallest and flattest of the islands, Inis Oirr can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted

Cahirciveen

Cahirciveen (pronounced cah-her-si- veen ), at the foot of Bentee Mountain, is the gateway to the western side of the Ring of Kerry and the

Maynooth

Maynooth itself is a serene university town named for a pre-Christian king of Ireland. The mighty Fitzgerald family inherited the local manor

Baile an Fheirteaigh (Ballyferriter)

Like the other towns at this end of the Dingle Peninsula, Baile an Fheirtéaigh is a Gaeltacht village and mainly a spot for vacationers with

Glenveagh National Park

Tipperary Town

Tipperary Town, a dairy-farming center at the head of a fertile plain known as the Golden Vale, is a good starting point for climbing and walking

Naas

The seat of County Kildare and a thriving market town in the heartland of Irish Thoroughbred country, Naas (pronounced "nace"), is full of pubs

Clonmacnoise

Many ancient sites dot the River Shannon, but Clonmacnoise is early Christian Ireland's foremost monastic settlement and, like Chartres, a royal

Corofin

Bunratty Castle

Rosses Point

It's obvious why W. B. and Jack B. Yeats often stayed at Rosses Point during their summer vacations: glorious pink-and-gold summer sunsets over

Mullaghmore

In July and August, the sleepy fishing village of Mullaghmore becomes congested with tourists. Its main attractions: a 3-km-long (2-mile-long

Roscrea

Every corner you turn in this charming town will offer reminders of its rich and sometimes turbulent past. Ancient castles, towers, and churches

Drumcliff

W. B. Yeats lies buried with his wife, Georgie, in an unpretentious grave in the cemetery of Drumcliff's simple Protestant church, where his

Gartan Lough

Gartan Lough and the surrounding mountainous country are astonishingly beautiful. St. Columba was supposedly born here in AD 521, and the legendary

Navan

Navan, at the crucial juncture of the Rivers Blackwater and Boyne, is a busy market and mining town with evidence of prehistoric settlements

Leighlinbridge

Sitting picturesquely on the River Barrow, Leighlinbridge boasts winding little streets, castle ruins, and a 14th-century bridge.

Listowel

The small, sleepy market town of Listowel comes alive for its annual horse-racing festival during the third week of September. Writers' Week

Louth

Louth warrants a visit, if only for the splendidly preserved oratory here. St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, was reputed to have built his

Ceann Tra (Ventry)

The next town after An Daingean along the coast, Ceann Trá has a small outcrop of pubs and small grocery stores (useful, since west of Dingle

Mellifont Abbey

On the eastern banks of the River Mattock, which creates a natural border between Counties Meath and Louth, lie the remains of Mellifont Abbey

Foxford

As you travel from Turlough northeast to Ballina, you have a choice of two routes. The longer and more scenic is via the tiny, wooded village

Tramore

Tramore's 5-km-long (3-mile-long) beach is a popular escape for families from Waterford and other parts of the Southeast, as the many vacation

Recess

As you continue northwest from Oughterard on N59, you'll soon pass a string of small lakes on your left; their shining blue waters reflecting

Great Blasket Island

The Great Blasket, which measures roughly 3 km by 1 km (2 miles by ½ mile), has no traffic, no pub, no hotel, and no electricity. Yet this island

Old Leighlin

Sitting halfway between Kilkenny City and Carlow Town, this tiny farming village was built on the site of an ancient monastic settlement.

Turlough

Before the opening of the Museum of Country Life, Turlough was chiefly visited for its round tower (freely accessible), which marks the site

Ceann Sleibhe (Slea Head)

From the top of the towering cliffs of Ceann Sléibhe (pronounced kyeown shla- va) at the southwest extremity of the Dingle Peninsula, the view

Annascaul

An important livestock center until the 1930s, this village near the junction of the Castlemaine and Tralee roads has a wide road, as cattle

King William's Glen

Craggaunowen Project

This archeological open-air museum and castle is a great way to get to grips with Ireland's Celtic past.

Coole Park

This nature reserve attracts William Butler Yeats fans and those seeking pleasant and easy walking trails.

Inis Meain (Inishmaan)

The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and can be comfortably explored on foot.

Roundwood

At 800 feet above sea level, Roundwood is the highest village in Ireland. It's also surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The Sunday afternoon

Castletownshend

Castletownshend has an unusual number of large, stone houses, most of them dating from the mid-18th century, when it was an important port.

Antony Trollope Trail

Castlepollard

A pretty village of multihued 18th- and 19th-century houses laid out around a large, triangular green, Castlepollard is also home to Tullynally

Fore

You've heard of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but here in the heart of the Irish Midlands is a tiny village with seven wonders all

Fermoy

An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin–Cork road (N8). The bridge that spans the

Kilbeggan

Knappogue

Knappogue is a beautiful 15th-century tower-house castle, a short hop from Bunratty.

Kylemore Valley

One of the more conventionally beautiful stretches of road in Connemara passes through Kylemore Valley, which is between the Twelve Bens to

Nenagh

Moneygall

The village of Moneygall (population 320) is an unassuming place on the main N7 Dublin–Limerick road, but it was thrust into the spotlight in

Thoor Ballylee

Ballsbridge

Dublin

Dublin is making a comeback. The decade-long "Celtic Tiger" boom era was quickly followed by the Great Recession, but The Recovery has finally

Cork City

Cork City received its first charter in 1185 from Prince John of Norman England, and it takes its name from the Irish word corcaigh, meaning

Galway City

Galway is often said to be a state of mind as much as it is a specific place. The largest city in the West today and the ancient capital of

Killarney

One of Southwest Ireland's most attractive locales, Killarney is also the most heavily visited town in the region (its proximity to the Ring

Kinsale

Foodies flock to Kinsale, a picturesque port that pioneered the Irish small-town tradition of fine dining in unbelievably small restaurants

Waterford City

The largest town in the Southeast and Ireland's oldest city, Waterford was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and was taken over by Strongbow

Limerick City

Before you ask, there's no direct connection between Limerick City and the facetious five-line verse form known as a limerick, which was first

Sligo Town

Sligo is the best place to begin a tour of Yeats Country. Squeezed on to a patch of land between Sligo Bay and Lough Gill, Sligo Town is clustered

Westport

By far the most attractive town in County Mayo, Westport is on an inlet of Clew Bay, a wide expanse of sea dotted with islands and framed by

Kilkenny City

Dubbed "Ireland's Medieval Capital" by its tourist board, and also called "the Oasis of Ireland" for its many pubs and watering holes, Kilkenny

An Daingean (Dingle Town)

Backed by mountains and facing a sheltered harbor, An Daingean, the chief town of its eponymous peninsula, has a year-round population of 1

Wexford Town

This coastal town is most famed for the Wexford Opera Festival, usually held in October, which has been seducing the world with wonderful productions

Kenmare

Located slightly inland without a clear view of Kenmare Bay, Kenmare is a natural stopover for Ring of Kerry buses and travelers as it is the

Athlone

The mighty Shannon flows majestically through the heart of Athlone, yet for years it seemed as if the town was happy to turn its back on one

Clifden

With roughly 2,600 residents, Clifden would be called a village by most, but in these parts it's looked on as something of a metropolis. It

Ennis

A major crossroads and a convenient stop between the West and the Southwest, Ennis is the main town of County Clare. The pleasant market town

Clonakilty and Nearby

Clonakilty is a small market town to the west of Kinsale on a scenic, largely coastal road that passes through the village of Timoleague. Many

Skibbereen

Skibbereen is the main market town in this neck of southwest Cork. The Saturday country market and the plethora of pubs, punctuated by bustling

Portlaoise

Near the heart of County Laois, the rich farmland south and west of Portlaoise is one of Ireland's undiscovered gems. Golf, fishing, hiking

Tralee

County Kerry's capital and its largest town, Tralee (population 24,000) is the main shopping and business destination for North and West Kerry

Donegal Town

With a population of about 3,000, Donegal is Northwest Ireland's largest small village—marking the entry into the back-of-the-beyond of the

Cork Harbour

Cork City's nearby harbor district has seen plenty of history. Cork Harbour's draws include Fota Island—with an arboretum, a wildlife park,

Carrick-on-Shannon

Carrick-on-Shannon grew up around the river that still plays an important role in the town's confidence. Its original Irish name, Cora Droma

Drogheda

Drogheda (pronounced dra-he-da) is one of the most enjoyable and historic towns on the east coast of Ireland—and a setting for one of the most

Trim

The historic town of Trim, on the River Boyne, contains some of the finest medieval ruins in Ireland. In 1359, on the instructions of King Edward

Lahinch

Noted for hotels packed with people touring the nearby Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch is a busy resort village beside a long, sandy beach backed by

Glenbeigh

The road from Cahirciveen to Glenbeigh is one of the Ring's highlights. To the north is Dingle Bay and the jagged peaks of the Dingle Peninsula

Adare

On the banks of the River Maigue, this once-upon-a-time-ified village dotted with thatch cottages is famed as one of Ireland's prettiest spots

Bantry

The town of Bantry is at the head of Bantry Bay, between the Sheep's Head Peninsula to the southwest and the Beara Peninsula to the northwest

Cavan

Like all the larger towns of the region, Cavan is growing and prosperous. It is perhaps best known for its crystal factory. But as one of the

Ard an Ratha (Ardara)

At the head of a lovely ocean inlet, the unpretentious, old-fashioned hamlet of Ard an Rátha (Ardara) is built around the L-shaped intersection

Cashel

Cashel is a market town on the busy Cork–Dublin road, with a lengthy history as a center of royal and religious power. From roughly AD 370 until

Ballina

Ballina, with a population of around 11,000, is a busy industrial and commercial center, and the second-largest town in Mayo after Castlebar

Wicklow Town

At the entrance to the attractive, tree-lined Main Street of Wicklow Town sprawl the extensive ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan friary. Wicklow

Bray

One of Ireland's oldest seaside resorts, Bray is a trim town known for its summer cottages and sand-and-shingle beach, which stretches for 2

Longford Town

Longford, the seat of County Longford and a typical, small, market-town community, is rich in literary associations, though after Oliver Goldsmith

Dundalk

Perfectly positioned as a hub to explore the region north and south of the border, Dundalk—only 9½ km (6 miles) from Northern Ireland—is the

Doolin

Once an enchanting backwater of colorful fishermen’s cottages, this tiny village—set at the point where the Cliffs of Moher flatten out and

Inis Mor (Inishmore)

With a population of 900, Inis Mór is the largest of the islands and the closest to the Connemara coast. It's also the most commercialized,

Letterfrack

This is the gateway village to the famous Connemara National Park. It also makes a handy base for those visiting spectacular Kylemore Abbey

Blarney

On Galway sands they kiss your hands, they kiss your lips at Carney, but by the Lee they drink strong tea, and kiss the stone at Blarney." This

Waterville

Waterville, a seaside village facing Ballinskelligs Bay, is famous for its sportfishing, its 18-hole championship golf course (adopted as a

Killybegs

Trawlers from Spain, Portugal, and Norway are moored in the harbor at Killybegs, one of Ireland's busiest fishing ports. Though it's one of

Kildare Town

Horse breeding is the cornerstone of County Kildare's thriving economy, and Kildare Town is the place to come if you're crazy about horses.

The Skelligs and Valentia

In the far northwestern corner of the Ring of Kerry, across Portmagee Channel, lies scenic Valentia Island, where the eastern end of the first

Mullingar

The Irish are great ones for wrapping an insult up in a lyrical turn of phrase. Rather than describe a woman as overweight they'll say with

Kinvara

The picture-perfect village of Kinvara, just across the border in County Galway, is a growing holiday base, thanks to its gorgeous bayside locale

Letterkenny

Letterkenny, like Donegal to the south, is at the gateway to the far Northwest; you're likely to come through here if you're driving west out

Enniscorthy

On the sloping banks of the River Slaney and on the main road between Dublin and Wexford to the south of the popular resort of Gorey, Enniscorthy

Kilmore Quay

Noted for its fishing industry, this quiet, old-fashioned seaside village of thatched and whitewashed cottages is also popular with recreational

Lismore

Lismore is one of Ireland's grandest places to get lost in. Popular with both anglers and romantics, the enchanting little town is built on

Shanagarry

There are three reasons to come to Shanagarry, a farming village known chiefly for its Quaker connections: Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland

Glengarriff

One of the jewels of Bantry Bay is Glengarriff, the "rugged glen" much loved by the writers William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott. The drive

Gleann Cholm Cille (Glencolumbkille)

The back of beyond" at the far end of a stretch of barren moorland, the tiny hamlet of Gleann Cholm Cille clings dramatically to the rockbound

Birr

Beautifully reminiscent of an English country town with its tree-lined malls and well-preserved houses, the heritage town of Birr has roots

Cahir

Cahir (pronounce it "Care") is a busy but easygoing market town with a pleasant Georgian square at its heart. It is built on the River Suir

Ardee

The road from Mellifont Abbey to Ardee passes through Monasterboice, home to some of Ireland's finest medieval High Crosses. Near the village

The North Mayo Coast

The North Mayo coast is one of the least frequented and most dramatic stretches of the Wild Atlantic Way. Killala, a pleasant little resort

Dungarvan

With their covering of soft grasses, the lowlands of Wexford and eastern Waterford gradually give way to heath and moorland. The mountains

Banagher

Well, that beats Banagher!" This small Shannon-side town is best known in Ireland because of this common phrase, which dates from the 19th century

Leenane

Nestled idyllically at the foot of the Maamturk Mountains and overlooking the tranquil waters of Killary Harbour, Leenane is a tiny village

Sneem

The pretty little village of Sneem (from the Irish for "knot") is settled around an English-style green on the Ardsheelaun River estuary, and

Straffan

Its attractive location on the banks of the River Liffey, its unique butterfly farm, and the Kildare Hotel and Country Club—where Arnold Palmer

Slane

Slane Castle is the draw at this small Georgian village, built in the 18th century around a crossroads on the north side of the River Boyne.

Tullamore

The county seat of Offaly, Tullamore is a bustling market town that thrived during Ireland's Celtic Tiger boom that began in the mid-1990s and

Ardmore

Historic spiritual sites, white beaches, dramatic cliff walks, local fishermen—little Ardmore is a picture-postcard Irish town that packs a

Castlebar

The capital of Mayo, situated on its central limestone plain, once the biggest town for miles around, Castlebar is now a commercial and shopping

Abbeyleix

One of the most elegant small towns in Ireland, Abbeyleix has retained its Georgian feel and its broad main street, which is lined with well

Blessington

With its wide main street lined on both sides by tall trees and Georgian buildings, Blessington is one of the most charming villages in the

Birdhill

It's no coincidence that this picturesque little village in undiscovered north Tipperary always does well in the national "Tidy Towns" competition

Ballyshannon

The former garrison town of Ballyshannon rises gently from the banks of the River Erne and has good views of Donegal Bay and the surrounding

Rosslare

Sometimes called Ireland's sunniest spot, the village of Rosslare is a seaside getaway with an attractive beach. Many vacationers head here

Hill of Tara

In legends and in the popular imagination, the "seat of the High Kings of Ireland" has taken on mythic proportions. As with much of the Celtic

Oughterard

Bustling Oughterard (pronounced ook -ter-ard) is the main village on the western shores of Lough Corrib and one of Ireland's leading angling

Ballyvaughan

A pretty little waterside village and a good base for exploring the Burren, Ballyvaughan attracts walkers and artists who enjoy the views of

Cong

Set on a narrow isthmus between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask on the County Mayo border near Maam Cross, the pretty, old-fashioned village of

Midleton

Midleton is famous for its school, Midleton College, founded in 1696, and its distillery, founded in 1825 and modernized in 1975, which manufactures

Ballyhack

On the upper reaches of Waterford Harbour, this pretty village with a square castle keep, thatch cottages, and a green, hilly background is

Bundoran

Resting on the south coast of County Donegal, Bundoran is one of Ireland's most popular seaside resorts, a favorite haunt of holidaymakers from

Portarlington

Built on the River Barrow in the late 17th century, Portarlington was originally an English settlement. Later, a Huguenot colony developed here

Kells

In the 9th century, a group of monks from Scotland took refuge at Kells (Ceanannus Mór), where St. Columba had founded a monastery 300 years

Newgrange

Expect to see no less than one of the most spectacular prehistoric tombs in Europe when you come to Newgrange. Built in the 4th millennium BC

Killorglin

Killorglin is on top of a hill beside the River Laune. At the "top of the town" is a Continental-style piazza, with outdoor tables in good weather

Thomastown

Originally the seat of the kings of Ossory (an ancient Irish kingdom), Thomastown is a pretty, stone-built village on the River Nore. It takes

Dun Chaoin (Dunquin)

Once the mainland harbor for the Blasket islanders (when there were islanders, as the Blaskets are deserted now), Dún Chaoin is at the center

Glendalough

One of Ireland's best monastic sites, Glendalough also has a stunningly photogenic lakeside setting. It's a popular destination for day trips.

Cahirciveen

Cahirciveen (pronounced cah-her-si- veen ), at the foot of Bentee Mountain, is the gateway to the western side of the Ring of Kerry and the

Lough Gill

Lough Gill means simply "Lake of Brightness." In fine weather the beautiful river-fed lough and its surroundings are serenity itself: sunlight

Bansha

This prosperous little farming town at the foot of the Galtee Mountains is really of interest as a base for the beautiful Glen of Aherlow. The

Baile an Fheirteaigh (Ballyferriter)

Like the other towns at this end of the Dingle Peninsula, Baile an Fheirtéaigh is a Gaeltacht village and mainly a spot for vacationers with

Tipperary Town

Tipperary Town, a dairy-farming center at the head of a fertile plain known as the Golden Vale, is a good starting point for climbing and walking

Newmarket-on-Fergus

A small town in County Clare, Newmarket-on-Fergus is chiefly remarkable as the village nearest the famed hotel of Dromoland Castle, formerly

Inis Oirr (Inisheer)

The smallest and flattest of the islands, Inis Oirr can be explored on foot in an afternoon, though if the weather is fine you may be tempted

Maynooth

Maynooth itself is a serene university town named for a pre-Christian king of Ireland. The mighty Fitzgerald family inherited the local manor

Naas

The seat of County Kildare and a thriving market town in the heartland of Irish Thoroughbred country, Naas (pronounced "nace"), is full of pubs

Leighlinbridge

Sitting picturesquely on the River Barrow, Leighlinbridge boasts winding little streets, castle ruins, and a 14th-century bridge.

Bunratty Castle

Rosses Point

It's obvious why W. B. and Jack B. Yeats often stayed at Rosses Point during their summer vacations: glorious pink-and-gold summer sunsets over

Navan

Navan, at the crucial juncture of the Rivers Blackwater and Boyne, is a busy market and mining town with evidence of prehistoric settlements

Clonmacnoise

Many ancient sites dot the River Shannon, but Clonmacnoise is early Christian Ireland's foremost monastic settlement and, like Chartres, a royal

Louth

Louth warrants a visit, if only for the splendidly preserved oratory here. St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, was reputed to have built his

Corofin

Old Leighlin

Sitting halfway between Kilkenny City and Carlow Town, this tiny farming village was built on the site of an ancient monastic settlement.

Gartan Lough

Gartan Lough and the surrounding mountainous country are astonishingly beautiful. St. Columba was supposedly born here in AD 521, and the legendary

Drumcliff

W. B. Yeats lies buried with his wife, Georgie, in an unpretentious grave in the cemetery of Drumcliff's simple Protestant church, where his

Mullaghmore

In July and August, the sleepy fishing village of Mullaghmore becomes congested with tourists. Its main attractions: a 3-km-long (2-mile-long

Foxford

As you travel from Turlough northeast to Ballina, you have a choice of two routes. The longer and more scenic is via the tiny, wooded village

Listowel

The small, sleepy market town of Listowel comes alive for its annual horse-racing festival during the third week of September. Writers' Week

Ceann Tra (Ventry)

The next town after An Daingean along the coast, Ceann Trá has a small outcrop of pubs and small grocery stores (useful, since west of Dingle

Recess

As you continue northwest from Oughterard on N59, you'll soon pass a string of small lakes on your left; their shining blue waters reflecting

Tramore

Tramore's 5-km-long (3-mile-long) beach is a popular escape for families from Waterford and other parts of the Southeast, as the many vacation

Roscrea

Every corner you turn in this charming town will offer reminders of its rich and sometimes turbulent past. Ancient castles, towers, and churches

Kylemore Valley

One of the more conventionally beautiful stretches of road in Connemara passes through Kylemore Valley, which is between the Twelve Bens to

Fermoy

An army town dating mainly from the mid-19th century, Fermoy was a major crossroads on the Dublin–Cork road (N8). The bridge that spans the

Roundwood

At 800 feet above sea level, Roundwood is the highest village in Ireland. It's also surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The Sunday afternoon

Coole Park

This nature reserve attracts William Butler Yeats fans and those seeking pleasant and easy walking trails.

Castlepollard

A pretty village of multihued 18th- and 19th-century houses laid out around a large, triangular green, Castlepollard is also home to Tullynally

Annascaul

An important livestock center until the 1930s, this village near the junction of the Castlemaine and Tralee roads has a wide road, as cattle

Castletownshend

Castletownshend has an unusual number of large, stone houses, most of them dating from the mid-18th century, when it was an important port.

Turlough

Before the opening of the Museum of Country Life, Turlough was chiefly visited for its round tower (freely accessible), which marks the site

Knappogue

Knappogue is a beautiful 15th-century tower-house castle, a short hop from Bunratty.

King William's Glen

Ceann Sleibhe (Slea Head)

From the top of the towering cliffs of Ceann Sléibhe (pronounced kyeown shla- va) at the southwest extremity of the Dingle Peninsula, the view

Fore

You've heard of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but here in the heart of the Irish Midlands is a tiny village with seven wonders all

Kilbeggan

Inis Meain (Inishmaan)

The middle island in both size and location, Inis Meáin has a population of about 300 and can be comfortably explored on foot.

Thoor Ballylee

Moneygall

The village of Moneygall (population 320) is an unassuming place on the main N7 Dublin–Limerick road, but it was thrust into the spotlight in

Nenagh

The Southwest

Ever since Killarney was first "discovered" by William Thackeray and Sir Walter Scott, visitors have been searching for superlatives to describe

County Cork

County Cork is the essence of what makes Ireland different. The small-scale city of Cork, with its limestone bridges and Georgian facades, is

County Clare, Galway, and the Aran Islands

The West of Ireland is the most westerly seaboard in Europe, and the part of Ireland least influenced by its neighbor to the east, England.

The Southeast

Going to Ireland for the sunshine might sound like a joke, but not if you head to the golden beaches and blue surf of the Southeast. Receiving

Dublin Environs

Walt Disney himself couldn't have planned it better. The small counties immediately north, south, and west of Dublin—historically known as the

Connemara and County Mayo

A landscape where the thundering Atlantic forms the pounding backbeat to the most westerly seaboard in Europe, this most distinct area of Ireland

The Northwest

With its towering cliffs, secluded expanses of golden beaches and sun-tinted waters, the Northwest is an untamed and wild part of Ireland, shaped

The Midlands

The Celtic Tiger–era motorways may have bypassed the alluring towns and villages of the Midlands, but for a slice of authentic Ireland—a chance

The Ring of Kerry

Running along the perimeter of the Iveragh Peninsula, the dramatic coastal road from Kenmare to Killorglin known as the Ring of Kerry has long

The Burren

As you travel north toward Ballyvaughan, the landscape becomes rockier and stranger. Instead of the seemingly ubiquitous Irish green, gray becomes

The Cliffs of Moher

One of Ireland's most breathtaking natural sights, the majestic Cliffs of Moher rise vertically out of the sea in a wall that stretches over

The Curragh

The broad plain of the Curragh, bisected by the main N7 road, is the biggest area of common land in Ireland, encompassing about 31 square km

Lake Isle of Innisfree

In 1890 W. B. Yeats was walking through the West End of London when, seeing in a shop window a ball dancing on a jet of water, he was suddenly

Glenveagh National Park

Great Blasket Island

The Great Blasket, which measures roughly 3 km by 1 km (2 miles by ½ mile), has no traffic, no pub, no hotel, and no electricity. Yet this island