Dublin

With its mix of urban cool, lush parkland, sweeping coastline and hip designer boutiques, Dublin pulsates with energy while still retaining a warm, laid-back atmosphere. 

    One of Europe’s most thrilling capitals, it offers all you could want from a city break with history, culture, entertainment, excellent shopping and an endless choice of pubs and restaurants.

    Thankfully, seeing all of Dublin’s sights needn’t cost the earth, either, as you can save money at over 30 attractions around the city by purchasing your Dublin Pass before you go. www.visitdublin.com 

Cork

    Its reign as European Capital of Culture 2005 may have come to a close, but Cork is still without a doubt one of the hottest city break destinations in Ireland within the Cork/Kerry region.

    Delve into this perfectly sized urban hub, and you’ll be rewarded with an astonishing array of excellent restaurants, chic bars and lively pubs, a strong local flavour and seriously good summertime festivals.
www.discoverireland.ie/southwest

Limerick

    Limerick is the Republic of Ireland’s third largest city and has a beautiful location on one of Ireland’s most picturesque rivers, the Shannon. 

Conquered by the Vikings in the ninth century, this bustling modern city has a rich medieval past, which resounds around its ancient streets. 

As well as the internationally renowned Hunt Museum with its exceptional art collection including works from Picasso, da Vinci and Renoir, Limerick also boasts a wonderful medieval precinct with the famous 800-year-old King John’s Castle. 

A bustling, vibrant and exciting destination, Limerick is packed with excellent shops, wonderful restaurants and some enjoyably indulgent accommodation and makes a great base for exploring the excellent surrounding sights. 
www.discoverireland.ie/shannonregion

Waterford

Waterford City boasts a commanding presence next to the meandering River Suir. A hotbed of history and heritage, this strikingly beautiful city was founded by the Vikings in 853AD and experienced a further exciting architectural overhaul during its 18th Century expansion. 

Despite it being one of Ireland’s oldest, Waterford City is a fabulous blend of ultra-modern shopping centres, pedestrianised walkways, lively traditional pubs and highly acclaimed gourmet restaurants. And the city promises to delight and impress the senses without relinquishing its unique local spirit.

It’s not without its world-renowned attractions, too. Home to the exquisite Waterford Crystal, not many visitors return home without acquiring some hand-blown glass perfection.

Additionally, Waterford City has a long theatrical and musical tradition. The Waterford Light Opera Festival, Waterford Spraoi Festival and the Hullabaloo International Children’s Festival are sure to put a spring in the step of people of all ages, making this one of the most vibrant cities in the country to sojourn for a few days or more.

Armagh

    In the historic City of Armagh, lies some of Ireland’s most fascinating sights. The ancient capital of Ulster, Armagh is also known as the City of St. Patrick.

Modern Armagh City now offers the visitor a whole host of attractions from historical sites to contemporary and very lively pubs. Nestled in the heart of the Orchard County the city itself blossoms throughout the year and is packed full of National Trust Properties, kids’ attractions, museums and fun-filled cultural events.

One of Ireland’s oldest cities, Armagh has a rich and unique heritage, with wonderful archaeological sites reflecting over 6,500 years of the island’s history. A glorious place to discover, Armagh will delight and inspire visitors of all ages.
http://www.visitarmagh.com

Lisburn

    The city of Lisburn has a natural beauty thanks to its setting in the beautiful Lagan Valley. Scenery is a mix of gentle drumlins in the open countryside to picturesque towns and villages surrounding the hub of the city centre.

A place of pure enjoyment for young and old, the Lagan Valley Regional Park boasts many beautiful heritage sites, as well as relics from the Linen industry and the Lagan Canal. Brimming over with intricate and elegant architecture that ranges from the 18th century to modern classics, you’ll find everything from designer shops and bustling pubs to top notch restaurants and captivating heritage centres.
www.visitlisburn.com

Belfast

With its compact size, picturesque location between mountain and coast and fascinating history, Belfast, in Northern Ireland, is a defiant city that has emerged from decades of strife into a vibrant, buzzing destination. 

This beautiful Victorian city has plenty to offer ­– you can check out where great ships like the Titanic were built, marvel at the architecturally impressive City Hall and Queen’s University, or immerse yourself in Belfast’s sparkling city life with hip boutiques and smart stores. 

Cool and comfortable new design hotels mean Belfast is now a stylish and affordable place to stay, while a glut of excellent gastro delights have placed the city firmly on the culinary map of Europe. 

Best of all, Belfast’s charming old pubs make an atmospheric spot to wile away an hour, or two.  www.gotobelfast.com

Galway

Galway is one of the most chilled out spots in Western Europe. Despite being a city, it feels like a big town with its easy attitude and cool bohemian vibe. 

Known as the City of the Tribes, after the 14 affluent tribes who ruled during the middle ages, this thriving city is the most westerly in Europe and enjoys a strong artistic heritage and a flourishing arts, music, theatre and film scene. 

Summer in Galway is a never-ending stream of excellent festivals and eating, drinking and entertainment all taking place outdoors in the balmy air of this warm-hearted city. 

Enjoy the atmospheric pubs in this Westof Ireland city, the beautiful location at the edge of Galway Bay, the pretty medieval streets and the lively weekend markets with a city break you’ll never forget. 
www.discoverireland.ie/west

Kilkenny

A vibrant, flourishing city with a fascinating medieval history and a thriving crafts industry, Kilkenny City is one of the country’s most appealing cities to visit. 

With an 800-year-old Norman castle looking over the ancient streets, Kilkenny City has transformed itself into a hip, cosmopolitan destination with a diverse range of restaurants, lively pubs and bars. 

The city also hosts one of the world’s top comedy festivals, The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, with acts from all over the globe offering excellent entertainment.  Additionally, the city is firmly established as one of the great bastions of arts and crafts, being home to the National Crafts Council and the ultimate in stylish stores; Kilkenny Design. 

Londonderry

A historic city with a modern outlook, Londonderry is one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting destinations. 

Delightfully compact with a whole host of attractions contained within the historic city walls, this multi-layered city is full of surprises. 

From the award-winning Tower Museum that gives a wonderful insight into the city’s history, to the astonishing array of excellent restaurants, lively pubs and great shops, to the haunting ancient city walls and scenic views across the River Foyle, Londonderry is a remarkable destination that never, ever disappoints.
www.derryvisitor.com

Newry

Right in the centre of two areas of outstanding beauty – the mountains of Mourne and The Ring of Guillon – Newry, Country Down, Northern Ireland is a feast for the eyes surrounded by nature at its very best.

The distinguished history of Newry has resulted in a fine array of both civic and religious buildings. Known as the Gateway to the North, the area has a history of continuous settlement dating back to 4000BC and enjoys wonderful architecture, including beautiful Georgian houses, a cathedral that dates back to the 1830s and a unique town hall built over the Clanyre River.

With such splendid landscapes surrounding the city limits, it’s easy to know why there is such a vast scope for exhilarating outdoor activities. But for those with a more leisurely visit in mind, within the city you can find plenty of retail therapy, fabulous bars and restaurants, all mixed in with the wonderful charm of the Newry people.
www.armaghanddown.com