Destination:
Ireland

Cosmopolitan, colourful and over a thousand years old, Dublin presents a fine starting point for visitors to Ireland. This capital city is split in two by the River Liffey, which gives form to the city and has no less than nine bridges spanning it. Easily explored on foot, central Dublin presents a wealth of historic landmarks, from ancient cathedrals to gracious Georgian buildings that pay testimony to days gone by. There are several attractions on both sides of the Liffey, ranging from gaols and castles to the birthplaces of famous poets and writers and guided literary trails.

Not far from the city in County Wicklow are the Wicklow Mountains, where hills and glens, forests and waterfalls attract weekend walkers and nature-lovers. Dublin Bay, which lies between the mouth of the River Liffey and the Dalkey headland, is the site of several small coastal towns and the ferry port of Dun Laoghaire. County Kildare is a region of rich farmland and fine reputation for the breeding of thoroughbred horses, while the similar counties of Louth and Meath have evidence of early civilisations and a wealth of castles and monasteries.

Situated on an estuary that opens onto the Atlantic Ocean, the Republic of Ireland's second largest city has been likened to Dublin without the traffic: it is crammed with cosy pubs and cultural attractions.

There is a great rivalry between Cork and Dublin, and the majority of Cork's residents see themselves as distinctly different from the rest of Ireland. Cork is vibrant and cheerful, with music, theatre and film all playing a major role in city life, while world-renowned annual festivals add to the lively atmosphere, making it the European Capital of Culture 2005. Cork is also the gastronomic capital of Ireland, with the widest variety of top class restaurants in the country, while nearby Kinsale, also known for its host of award-winning pubs and restaurants, hosts the annual Gourmet Festival.

Located in the southwest, County Cork is the largest county, noted for its maritime identity and impressive coastal scenery as well as being the site of Ireland's most famous attraction, the Blarney Stone. The city is a major seaport and is built around the waterways of the River Lee, connected by numerous bridges; Cork harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Sights include the 19th century Cork City Jail, the protestant Finbarr's Cathedral, and the Cork Museum, which is largely given over to the nationalist struggle in which Cork played an important role. Popular day trips from Cork include Kinsale and the beautiful coastal scenery of County Kerry, including the Dingle Peninsula.

Capital of the west, Galway is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, which began as a small fishing village on the River Corrib.

With its narrow streets full of vibrant pubs and old stone shop fronts, Galway is an exceptionally enjoyable, free-spirited place to spend a few days, especially if they coincide with one of the cultural festivals held during various months of the year. Galway is a very arts-oriented city, and there are many event and festivals, including the February Jazz Festival, the Easter Festival of Literature and the July Arts Festival, when the streets are alive with music and dancing and the town feasts on Guinness and oysters.

The town centre has many attractions, including the bustling Spanish Parade, Eyre Square and the nearby medieval quarter as well as the infamous Lynch's Castle. There are many picturesque churches and buildings, particularly along St Patrick's Street, a pedestrianised thoroughfare also known for its shopping.

Galway's famous bay is also a popular destination for boats with its sailing races. Situated on the periphery of the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area), Galway is an important tourist centre and makes a good base from which to explore the magnificent scenery of surrounding areas like the beautiful Connemara and Aran Islands. To the East lies picturesque, rolling farmland.

Sitting on the edge of the spectacular scenery of Killarney National Park, Killarney is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland, despite its small size. A gateway to southwestern Ireland and a great place to discover the countryside, located on the popular Ring of Kerry route, which meanders through the Iveragh Peninsula. Killarney is also a popular base to explore the scenic Dingle Peninsula, Skellig Michael Island, and Innisfallen Island.

Killarney itself has many attractions as well, including Ross Castle and Muckross House. St Mary's Cathedral is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture. It also has a small but vibrant nightlife, which buzzes seven nights a week. No visit to Killarney is complete without a ride in a jaunting car, a horse-drawn cart that operates as both taxi and tour guide.

Killarney is home to the International Rally of the Lakes, an event which draws thousands of spectators every May and sees the already lively town party even harder.

One of the larger cities in Ireland, Limerick has a picturesque location on the River Shannon, roughly halfway between Cork and Galway. A lovely blend of ancient tradition and modern vibrancy, Limerick is still an underrated travel destination often overlooked by the millions of tourists who spend their Ireland holidays in well-known destinations like Dublin and Killarney.

Originally conquered by the Vikings in the 10th century, Limerick was established as an early base for the Christian church and several structures, including St Mary's Cathedral and the Trinitarian Abbey in the Medieval Heritage Precinct, date back as far as the 12th century. King John's Castle and Cathedral are also popular sights, as well as the Treaty Stone on Thomond Bridge, commemorating a peace agreement between William of Orange and the Jacobites in 1691.

Limerick endured much economic hardship in the 20th century, and though gleaming buildings are added to the skyline every few years, the city has difficulty removing itself from the images of crime and poverty associated with the best-selling novel Angela's Ashesby Frank McCourt. Even today, the crime rate in Limerick is higher than most other Irish cities.

Even through this hardships, Limerick is a lively city with a serious love of both sport and the arts. Visitors to the city can catch a Munster Rugby match at Thomond Park, and then food and drink at any of dozens of restaurants, bars and pubs around the city. On weekends, the Milk Market and Potato Market offer the chance to buy just about anything from books and antiques to local arts and crafts and fresh food.

In contrast with the gritty image of Limerick City, the surrounding Limerick County is a rolling landscape of pretty farmland with the winding River Shannon curling around picture-postcard villages like Adare and the seaside resort of Kilkee.