Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968) established one of the most beautiful collections of Islamic and Far Eastern art in the world. A small part of it is permanently exhibited in a building on the edge of the gardens of Dublin Castle. It includes ..

The Giant's Causeway is one of the most famous natural wonders in Ireland. The 40 000 basalt columns have inspired legend, constant wonder and curiosity, and given rise to ardent scientific debate. Nowadays, this UNESCO world heritage site attracts h..

This is one of Ireland’s finest lakes, with islands, a fine wooded shoreline and the lofty presence of mountains to the northwest. There is a fine view over the lake and islands from the summit of Dooney Rock at the heart of Dooney Rock Forest . The..

The steep slopes of Mount Eagle (516m) evoke a pre-Christian, indeed prehistoric, landscape that reamins largely unspoilt. Dry stone walls create a mosaic patchwork of little fields in which stand over 400 clocháin (hive-shaped huts), some within r..

Jutting almost 50km into the Atlantic, the rocky Beara peninsula has some of the wildest and most beautiful landscape in southwest Ireland: mountains, moorland and over 130km of coastline starting from Kenmare. Islands include Garinish , Bere (reach..

Crossing this peninsula from Skibbereen reveals spectacular landscapes and charming villages like Ballydehob , its high street lined by brightly coloured houses, Skull , a market town and fishing port and Crookhaven , a lively old fishing town whe..

Standing guard at the mouth of Galway bay, the islands of Inishmore , Inishmaan and Inisheer are limestone outcrops geologically linked to the Burren . This stone was used to build great prehistoric forts like Dún Aonghasa et Dún Conor, as well..

Measuring 5km by 2km, Inishmaan drops from a high barren rocky plateau at its northeast end down to a sandy shoreline; this is the most desolate of the islands and the least visited. A good diving site, it also has several cultural centres dedicated ..

Reached along the R 335 heading west from Wesport; after climbing Ireland’s sacred mountain, Croagh Patrick , continue to Roonagh Quay from where ferries cross to Clare Island . Surrounded by 90m-high cliffs, this rock-like island commands access t..

The Iveragh peninsula combines tall mountains, rocky bays, sandy beaches and fine sea views. One of the world’s best know tourist routes, the N 70 forms part of the famous “Ring of Kerry”, along the coast between Killorglin in the north and Kenmare i..

A track leads to the isolated heart of these mountains abounding in lakes, streams, sessile oak trees and a rich carpet of wild flowers. At the end of the glen, a farm offers parking, a tea room and a picnic area at the foot of spectacular falls, cas..

The peninsula’s name is derived from Eoghain, a 5C king and contemporary of St Patrick. From Buncrana, the road follows the Inishowen peninsula coastline, culminating at Malin Head , Ireland’s northernmost point. This is a landscape of forbidding mo..

Behind a façade of restrained, almost austere, elegance, Fota House has an impressive well-proportioned interior, as evident in the hallway with its faux- marble columns and perspectives. Similar attention to detail is apparent throughout: estate off..

The jewel of Cashel was built between 1127 and 1134 by Cormac MacCarthy. In elaborate Romanesque style, it is flanked by two towers. Inside is one of Ireland’s oldest wall paintings. Each stone here is embellished by sculpture, the finest of the peri..

The 10C-11C Reefert church is believed to be the burial site of kings and perhaps of St Kevin himself. It stands on the lower slopes rising from the lake amidst oaks and hazels. Of St Kevin’s cell , modelled on the hive-like huts on Skellig Micha..

On his lakeside estate, historian John Hunt has rebuilt several prehistoric structures: a circular fort, a togher (wooden walkway across marshland), a hearth and a crannog (artificial island). Also on show is the Brendan , a replica of the wood ..

The ideal backdrop for some 50 000 items from the national collection devoted to rural life which had hitherto languished in storage, this new museum is one of four sections of the National museum of Ireland and is sited in the restored Victorian G..

The events hall has been enlarged and adapted to serve as the local museum, and also houses an interesting exhibition on the area’s linen industry. In the Middle Ages, Irish linen was exported to England to be woven. In the 17C the Scots and English ..

This centre is remarkable in many respects, firstly on account of its architecture, which does not in any way detract from the Cliffs of Moher site. Emerging from the greenery, the restaurant’s bay window offers a breathtaking view. The “Atlantic Edg..

A touching reminder of the days of the Great Famine, this is an exact replica of the tall ship, which was initially built in Quebec in 1847. Owned by a family of timber merchants, it transported timber across the Atlantic from Canada and brought back..