Sights & Main Attractions / Discover More
Cobh
The Queenstown Story is a fascinating multi-media exhibition, which retraces the steps of the two-and-a-half million people who emigrated from the port of Cobh in Cork. Incidentally, this was also the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic and Lusitania.
http://www.cobhheritage.com/index2.html
Mourne Mountains
The Mourne Mountain area is one of outstanding beauty. The mountains themselves are distinctive and self-contained; they are tucked away in the south-east corner of Northern Ireland, with 12 shapely summits rising above 2,000 feet on the eastern side.
;www.mournemountains.com
Birr Castle
Birr Castle is in the geographical center of Ireland. The gardens are a real draw with one of the greatest displays of magnolia in the country. In addition to the wonderful gardens the castle houses a massive telescope, which is its main claim to fame – built in 1825 the telescope was the biggest in the world until 1917.
http://www.birrcastle.com/
Enniskillen Castle
Situated beside the River Erne in County Fermanagh, this castle was built almost 600 years ago by Gaelic Maguires. Guarding one of the few passes into Ulster, it was strategically important throughout its history. In the 17th century it became an English garrison fort and later served as part of a military barracks.
http://www.enniskillencastle.co.uk/
Ulster American Folk Park
The American Folk Park is an open-air museum in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The museum tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th & 19th centuries and provides visitors with a "living history" experience on its outdoor site. Costumed demonstrators go about their everyday tasks in the traditional manner in authentically furnished Old and New World buildings.
http://www.folkpark.com/
Trim Castle
Located in the town of Trim in Country Meath, Trim Castle is the largest Anglo Norman castle in Ireland and the setting for the movie Braveheart. The castle was constructed over a thirty - year period and was commenced in 1176. This magnificent site experienced a renaissance in 2000 when it opened to the public after an extensive period of excavation and restoration.
www.heritageireland.ie
Rock Of Cashel
A spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale of Cashel in County Tipperary. The site includes a 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars.
www.heritageireland.ie
The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum
Situated in Belfast this museum illustrates the way of life and the traditions of the people of the North of Ireland. The award-winning galleries of the Transport Museum display Ireland’s most comprehensive transport collections from horse-drawn carts to Irish built motor cars. http://www.uftm.org.uk/
Dunluce Castle
The spectacular castle-crowned crag, on the famous north Antrim coast, was shaped when the sea cut deep into the rock. Dunluce Castle is reputed to be the inspiration for Cair Paravel, the famous castle in CS Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia.
http://www.northantrim.com/dunlucecastle.htm
Carrickfergus Castle
Started 1180 by John de Courcy, conqueror of east Ulster, and garrisoned until 1928, this is a striking feature of the landscape. Carrickfergus Castle represents over 800 years of military might. Besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French, the Castle saw action right up to World War II.
St Partick’s Centre
The Saint Patrick Centre is an exciting interpretative exhibition which tells the fascinati ng story of Ireland's Patron Saint. Through Patrick's own words a light is shone on the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and its development through his mission. A series of interactive displays allow visitors to explore how Patrick's legacy developed in early Christian times and reveal the fabulous artwork and metalwork which was produced during this Golden Age. The exhibition also examines the major impact of Irish missionaries in Dark Age Europe - a legacy which remains to this day
http://www.saintpatrickcentre.com/
River Shannon
The River Shannon, at 386 km, is Ireland’s longest river and has long been an important waterway throughout Ireland’s history. Running through a total of 13 of Ireland’s counties, the River Shannon makes for a relaxing water highway from which to enjoy the surrounding nature and explore the large and small historic cities and towns that lie along its banks. Make the most of the various cruise and boating options that operate along the River Shannon and its many joining canals and estuaries to make the exploration of Ireland truly magical!
www.discoverireland.ie/shannon.aspx
Slieve Blooms
The beautiful Slieve Blooms loom In the south-east of Offaly offering great opportunities for walking and cycling.
Slieve Bloom is full of hidden, magic places for walking, especially perhaps along the streams and rivers that radiate from the hills in all directions. Each has its hidden waterfalls and miniature ravines, where the wild plants and animals of the mountains still find a home. Everywhere there are places you can feel you are seeing the land, as it must have been when the first people stepped into it.
www.slievebloom.ie
Powerscourt House & Gardens
One of the world’s great gardens situated 20km south of Dublin in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. It is a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. The 18th century house incorporates a terrace restaurant overlooking the garden, specialty shops, garden pavilion, interiors gallery and an exhibition on the history of the estate.
www.powerscourt.ie
