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Drombeg Stone Circle
On an exposed hillside, with fields falling away towards the coast and cattle lowing in the distance, the Drombeg stone circle is superbly atmospheric. Its 17 stones, oriented towards the winter solstice sunset, once guarded the cremated bones of an adolescent. The 9m-diameter circ
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Belvelly Smokehouse
No trip to Cork is complete without a visit to an artisan food producer, and the effervescent Frank Hederman is more than happy to show you around Belvelly, the oldest traditional smokehouse in Ireland – indeed, the only surviving one. Call ahead to arrange a visit, or stop by his
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Athassel Priory
Reached over a stile and across grassy (but sometimes muddy) fields, the atmospheric and delightful ruins of Athassel Priory sit in the shallow and verdant River Suir Valley, 7km southwest of Cashel. The original buildings date from 1205, and Athassel was once one of the richest an
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Ashford Castle Estate
Just beyond Cong Abbey, the village abruptly ends and the woodlands surrounding Ashford Castle begin. First built in 1228 as the seat of the de Burgo family, owners over the years included the Guinness family (of stout fame). Arthur Guinness turned the castle into a regal hunting a
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Boyle Abbey
Gracing the River Boyle is the finely preserved (and reputedly haunted) Boyle Abbey. Founded in 1161 by monks from Mellifont in County Louth, the abbey captures the transition from Romanesque to Gothic style, best seen in the nave, where a set of arches in each style face each othe
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National Library
Suitably sedate and elegant, the National Library was built from 1884 to 1890 by Sir Thomas Newenham Deane, at the same time and to a similar design as the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology. Its extensive collection has many valuable early manuscripts, first editions and map
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Knappogue Castle & Walled Garden
About 3km southeast of Quin is stately Knappogue Castle & Walled Garden, built in 1467 by the MacNamaras, who held sway over a large part of Clare from the 5th to mid-15th centuries and, like early fast-food franchisers, littered the region with 42 castles. Knappogues walls are
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Kerry Literary & Cultural Centre
The audiovisual Writers Exhibition in this Georgian building gives due prominence to Listowels heritage of literary observers of Irish life. Rooms are devoted to local greats such as John B Keane and Bryan MacMahon, with simple, haunting tableaux narrating their lives and recording
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Cong Abbey
An evocative reminder of ecclesiastical times past, the weathered shell of Congs 12th-century Augustinian abbey is scored by a crosshatch of lines from centuries of exposure to the elements. Nevertheless, several finely sculpted features have survived, including a carved doorway, w
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Carrickmacross Lace Gallery
In the towns former cattle yards, a local cooperative runs this thimble-sized lace gallery, where you can see lace-making demonstrations and check out exquisite designs. Carrickmacross lace makers can take commissions and you can purchase small exquisite pieces made into fridge mag
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National Craft Gallery
Contemporary Irish crafts are showcased at these imaginative galleries, set in former stables across the road from Kilkenny Castle, next to the shops of the Kilkenny Design Centre . Ceramics dominate, but exhibits often feature furniture, jewellery and weaving from the members of t
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Croke Park Experience
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) considers itself not just the governing body of a bunch of Irish games but also the stout defender of a cultural identity that is ingrained in Ireland’s sense of self. To get an idea of how important the GAA is, a visit is a must, though it wil
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Monuments & Sculptures
The town centre, the Square, features a Daniel OConnell monument . His election to the British parliament by a huge majority in 1828 forced Britain to lift its bar on Catholic MPs and led to the Act of Catholic Emancipation a year later. The Great Liberator stands on an extremely h
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Fintown Railway
Today, Donegals only operational railway is the Fintown Railway. Lovingly restored to its original condition, the red-and-white 1940s diesel railcar runs along a rebuilt 5km section of the former County Donegal Railway track along picturesque Lough Finn. The return trip, which incl
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Battle of the Boyne Site
More than 60,000 soldiers of the armies of King James II and King William III fought in 1690 on this patch of farmland on the border of Counties Meath and Louth. William ultimately prevailed and James sailed off to France.The battle site has an informative visitor centre and parkla
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Donaghmore Workhouse
The unadorned stone Donaghmore Workhouse was a last resort for the destitute in the 1850s. Conditions were intentionally grim, the idea being that if things were especially bad, the poor wouldnt stick around. They didnt, as scores died in the harsh conditions. Today the remaining b
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Church of the Apparition
The Church of the Apparition was built on the site where the 1896 apparitions were seen. Dutiful worshippers are always found praying at the chapel built to enclose the scene. Above the altar is a sculptural representation of what the miracle-spotters saw. One night in August 1879,
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Famine Memorial
Just east of Custom House is one of Dublins most thought-provoking examples of public art: the set of life-size bronze figures (1997) by Rowan Gillespie known simply as Famine. Designed to commemorate the ravages of the Great Hunger (1845–51), their haunted, harrowed look testifies
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Swiss Cottage
A gorgeous river-side path from behind the town car park meanders 2km south to Cahir Park and this thatched cottage, surrounded by roses, lavender and honeysuckle. A lavish example of Regency Picturesque, the cottage is more of a sizeable house. Built in 1810 as a retreat for Richa
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Huntington Castle
The core of Huntington Castle is a spooky, dusty old tower house built in 1625 by Sir Laurence Esmonde, now surrounded by Georgian terraces and flamboyantly castellated Victorian extensions. Related to the Esmondes by marriage, the Durdin-Robertson family still live here today and
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