Many visitors to Ireland return home with extraordinary memories and a deep-set love of this attractive country. Frequently this link with Ireland is so strong they return year after year. Here is just a short collection of favorite and special places in Ireland "they range all the way from stately homes to Irish country cottages, and from sea battered cliffs to soothing countryside.
Doolin Village
This little seaside town nestles on the Atlantic coast of County Clare and is a fabulous collection of old fashioned Irish cottages, fishing homes, bars and shops. It is a place for music lovers "Doolin is known for traditional Irish music and the craic. Its setting is stunning lying between the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands and it's the ideal place for quiet daytime walks followed by an evenings of lively traditional music and a pint of Guinness.
Bunratty Folk Museum
It is amazing to step into Ireland's past by strolling around 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 trickier times when you see the Irish cottages and crofts of the town folk bunched around the base of the castle walls. There are over 30 buildings in this living museum and there's a real sense of Ireland's history and people. A fabulous experience.
The Aran Islands
These interesting islands are nestled at the mouth of Galway Bay and taking the local boat across the bay sails you back in time. This favorite place is really made from 3 separate islands "Inis Mor, Inis Meain and Inis Thair. All of the islands provide a glimpse into an engaging past with lots of Irish cultural and heritage practices being saved. You may very well hear Gaelic being spoken by the native 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 says Kylemore Abbey isn't a medieval ruin. It was initially built as a castle in 1867 and then became an Benedictine Abbey comparatively recently in 1920. Rather than keep this beautiful building behind closed doors the nuns have shared their home, opening their doors and welcome visitors to tour the beautiful grounds, the Victorian walled garden, the gothic church, and several of the abbey's rooms.
Whether you decide to visit a 'favourite place ' or explore new places of your own, Ireland is a mystical and pretty holiday spot. Ensure your experiences are complete by staying in a cottage in Ireland. The normal Irish cottage has a thatched roof, thick stone walls, little door and windows and a cosy hearth. But if you're not ready to let go of the modern world just yet there are lots of modern Irish holiday cottages in towns, on the beach or quiet secluded country.
Doolin Village
This little seaside town nestles on the Atlantic coast of County Clare and is a fabulous collection of old fashioned Irish cottages, fishing homes, bars and shops. It is a place for music lovers "Doolin is known for traditional Irish music and the craic. Its setting is stunning lying between the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands and it's the ideal place for quiet daytime walks followed by an evenings of lively traditional music and a pint of Guinness.
Bunratty Folk Museum
It is amazing to step into Ireland's past by strolling around 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 trickier times when you see the Irish cottages and crofts of the town folk bunched around the base of the castle walls. There are over 30 buildings in this living museum and there's a real sense of Ireland's history and people. A fabulous experience.
The Aran Islands
These interesting islands are nestled at the mouth of Galway Bay and taking the local boat across the bay sails you back in time. This favorite place is really made from 3 separate islands "Inis Mor, Inis Meain and Inis Thair. All of the islands provide a glimpse into an engaging past with lots of Irish cultural and heritage practices being saved. You may very well hear Gaelic being spoken by the native 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 says Kylemore Abbey isn't a medieval ruin. It was initially built as a castle in 1867 and then became an Benedictine Abbey comparatively recently in 1920. Rather than keep this beautiful building behind closed doors the nuns have shared their home, opening their doors and welcome visitors to tour the beautiful grounds, the Victorian walled garden, the gothic church, and several of the abbey's rooms.
Whether you decide to visit a 'favourite place ' or explore new places of your own, Ireland is a mystical and pretty holiday spot. Ensure your experiences are complete by staying in a cottage in Ireland. The normal Irish cottage has a thatched roof, thick stone walls, little door and windows and a cosy hearth. But if you're not ready to let go of the modern world just yet there are lots of modern Irish holiday cottages in towns, on the beach or quiet secluded country.
About the Author:
If you want a range 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.
