Ireland - Castles and Attractions
An Irish Top Ten – What to See and Where to Go on Holiday in Ireland
Castles, battlements, designer gardens and clifftop libraries - a collection of ten places to visit on an Irish trip.
Ireland has over 5,600 kilometeres of coastline and as rugged a history to go with it. Castle and battlement ruins line the shores ready to defend their land. Oozing with history and heritage, golf courses good beaches and water sports Ireland offers something for everyone.
Dunguarie Castle - County Galway
Dunguarie Castle stands on the 7th century site of the stronghold of Guaire, King of Connaught. It has survived 12 centuries of sieges and battles until 1924 when it became a retreat for writers and poets.
Dunluce Castle – County Antrim
In a particularly violent storm, part of the castle fell into the sea and killed all the cooks and kitchen-hands.
Dunluce is believed to be the castle that inspired Cair Paravel in C.S.Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia.
Leap Castle – County Offaly
Leap Castle is supposedly the most haunted castle in Ireland - W.B. Yeats is reported to have seen its ghost. It was once the main fortress of the O’Carrolls, and today it’s a picturesque ivy-clad ruin.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens – County Down
Hillsborough is the official residence of Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom when visiting the province. Each July a Garden Festival is held in the magnificent walled gardens.
Belleek Museum – County Fermanagh
Belleek has been making fine pottery for 150 years. One of their tea-sets was given to the German Royal Family by Queen Victoria, and a “Shamrock" tea and coffee service was presented to John and Jackie Kennedy in 1961. Around 250,000-tourists visit Belleek museum, shop and tea room every year.
The World Fleadh - County Laois
Ireland’s biggest traditional and Celtic music festival starts on the first Monday in August for seven days in the custom- built festival village in Portlaoise.
Seating for 1,500 and an outdoor arena for 5,000 people are put in place to enable viewing of over 600 performers.
The Flight of the Earls Heritage Centre – County Donegal
The heritage centre has maps and models telling the story of the Earls of Ulster who left for Europe in 1607 and never returned. The Earls set sail with a band of ninety followers heading for Spain to gain support and return to oust the English; they died on their quest.
Hook Lighthouse – County Wexford
Hook is the oldest working lighthouse in Northern Europe, it was a medieval engineering feat built in the 13th century. When it became automated in 1996 it was opened for public viewing.
Mussenden Temple – County Londonderry
An unique round mausoleum inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli. It was built in 1785 on a cliff edge overlooking the Atlantic Ocean by Earl Bishop as his library.
Charles Fort – County Cork
This is one of Europe’s best-preserved star-shaped forts that dates back to 1677. The 40-foot high, 6-foot thick walls were built to protect the entrance to the Kinsale harbour in the 17th century.
For more on The Belleek Museum or The Fleadh Festival.
There are many websites with holiday cottages to rent in Ireland try imagineireland or Irishcountrycottages.
