Many visitors to the island of Ireland come home with amazing memories and a deep-set love of this beautiful country. Often this connection with Ireland is so powerful they return year by year. Here is simply a short collection of favourite and special places in Ireland "they range from stately houses to Irish country cottages, and from sea pounded cliffs to tranquil countryside.
Doolin Village
This small seaside town nestles on the Atlantic coast of County Clare and is a wonderful collection of traditional Irish cottages, fishing houses, pubs and shops. It's a place for music aficionados "Doolin is famous for conventional Irish music and the craic. Its setting is striking lying between the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands and it is the perfect place for quiet daytime walks followed by an evenings of energetic conventional music and a pint of Guinness.
Bunratty Folk Museum
It is great to step back into Ireland's past simply by walking round Bunratty Castle and Folk Museum. The castle was built in 1425 and is the most complete medieval castle in Ireland, furnished with 15th and 16th furniture and artefacts. Today the castle stands peacefully in formal gardens but you get a glimpse of more difficult times when you see the Irish cottages and crofts of the town folk gathered around the base of the castle walls. There are over 30 buildings in this living museum and there is a real sense of Ireland's history and people. A wonderful experience.
The Aran Islands
These engaging islands are nestled at the mouth of Galway Bay and taking the local boat across the bay sails you back in time. This favourite place is essentially made of 3 separate islands "Inis Mor, Inis Meain and Inis Thair. All the islands supply a glimpse into a fascinating past with numerous Irish cultural and heritage traditions being preserved. You may well hear Gaelic being spoken by the local islanders.
Kinsale
This pretty and significant coastal town carries its heritage with pride. With cultural influences including French, Spanish, and English, Kinsale was a port of consequence for more than 300 years, and still has much of its Victorian and Georgian design. But recently Kinsale has developed a world wide name for fantastic food. There's fine dining, haute cuisine, great bar grub and caf cuisine.
Kylemore Abbey
Unlike the name suggests Kylemore Abbey is not a medieval ruin. It was originally built as a castle in 1867 and then became an Benedictine Abbey relatively recently in 1920. Instead of keep this lovely building in private the nuns have shared their home, opening their doors and welcome visitors to tour the lovely grounds, the Victorian walled garden, the gothic church, and one or two of the abbey's rooms.
Whether you opt to visit a 'favourite place ' or explore new places of your own, Ireland is a magical and beautiful holiday destination. Make sure your experiences are complete by staying in a cottage in Ireland. The traditional Irish cottage has a thatched roof, thick stone walls, small door and windows and a cosy hearth. But if you aren't prepared to let go of today's world just yet there are plenty of modern Irish holiday cottages in towns, on the beach or quiet secluded countryside.
Doolin Village
This small seaside town nestles on the Atlantic coast of County Clare and is a wonderful collection of traditional Irish cottages, fishing houses, pubs and shops. It's a place for music aficionados "Doolin is famous for conventional Irish music and the craic. Its setting is striking lying between the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands and it is the perfect place for quiet daytime walks followed by an evenings of energetic conventional music and a pint of Guinness.
Bunratty Folk Museum
It is great to step back into Ireland's past simply by walking round Bunratty Castle and Folk Museum. The castle was built in 1425 and is the most complete medieval castle in Ireland, furnished with 15th and 16th furniture and artefacts. Today the castle stands peacefully in formal gardens but you get a glimpse of more difficult times when you see the Irish cottages and crofts of the town folk gathered around the base of the castle walls. There are over 30 buildings in this living museum and there is a real sense of Ireland's history and people. A wonderful experience.
The Aran Islands
These engaging islands are nestled at the mouth of Galway Bay and taking the local boat across the bay sails you back in time. This favourite place is essentially made of 3 separate islands "Inis Mor, Inis Meain and Inis Thair. All the islands supply a glimpse into a fascinating past with numerous Irish cultural and heritage traditions being preserved. You may well hear Gaelic being spoken by the local islanders.
Kinsale
This pretty and significant coastal town carries its heritage with pride. With cultural influences including French, Spanish, and English, Kinsale was a port of consequence for more than 300 years, and still has much of its Victorian and Georgian design. But recently Kinsale has developed a world wide name for fantastic food. There's fine dining, haute cuisine, great bar grub and caf cuisine.
Kylemore Abbey
Unlike the name suggests Kylemore Abbey is not a medieval ruin. It was originally built as a castle in 1867 and then became an Benedictine Abbey relatively recently in 1920. Instead of keep this lovely building in private the nuns have shared their home, opening their doors and welcome visitors to tour the lovely grounds, the Victorian walled garden, the gothic church, and one or two of the abbey's rooms.
Whether you opt to visit a 'favourite place ' or explore new places of your own, Ireland is a magical and beautiful holiday destination. Make sure your experiences are complete by staying in a cottage in Ireland. The traditional Irish cottage has a thatched roof, thick stone walls, small door and windows and a cosy hearth. But if you aren't prepared to let go of today's world just yet there are plenty of modern Irish holiday cottages in towns, on the beach or quiet secluded countryside.
About the Author:
If you want a choice of over 1500 self-catering Irish Holiday Cottages Imagine Ireland offers the widest choice. Visit our site to see more on my favourite places in Ireland. Ian works with ImagineIreland.com in the United Kingdom - helping build sales for their web site.
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