Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Belfast City

The City of Belfast is extremely vibrant. It is a buzzing city that offers a host of activities that are intended to rejuvenate and revive visitors. Its compact size, impressive history and beautiful location situated between a mountain and a coast attracts swarms of visitors each year. It has evolved from decades of conflicts and troubles to form a dynamic, vibrant and ideal tourist destination. On visiting this city you can visit dockyards where great ships like the Titanic were built as well as check out the classic examples of architecture such as the City Hall and Queen's University. The city has an amazing collection of kid's entertainment as well as a host of cultural activities, which include cultural events, large festivals and a lavish opera house. On visiting you can also treat yourself to a number of Michelin-starred restaurants, Victorian pubs and trendy boutique hotels.

The city also has a number of shops, malls and markets that add to its reputation as an ideal tourist destination. The city also has a number of important sightseeing locations and a host of top golf clubs and horse shows that are bound to keep you enthralled all throughout your visit. Tourists can also make most of the city's picturesque countryside by organizing picnics or tours out of town. The city also has a small but active gay scene that that is considered to be extremely vibrant. The city has a number of clubs, bars and discos that arrange a number of shows and events solely for this section of the population. Important sightseeing locations in the city include:

B. Cork City

Cork City has a relaxed and laid back atmosphere and is considered to be one of Europe's cultural capitals. The city enjoys the status of being one of the hottest city break locations in Ireland within the Cork/Kerry region. It is perfectly sized and on visiting you are bound to be rewarded with an amazing assortment of excellent restaurants, trendy bars, exotic local flavors, happening pubs and a host of good summertime festivals. On visiting the city, you are bound to notice its chic and trendy appearance that gives it a cool and confident feel.

The city has a separate play zone and prison that provide immense entertainment facilities for tourists. It also has a number of top restaurants, cool bars and luxury hotels that provide immense excellent service and amenities. It is considered to be a top-shopping destination in the south and has a number of elegant departments and trendy boutiques. The city also has a number of scenic outdoor locations that provide tourists adequate sightseeing options. In case you are more of the outgoing types, you can also take part in cycling, golf, hurling, rowing or other sports related activities. There are a number of places around Cork that are well worth a visit. They include the Harbor, Desmond Castle, the Courthouse, Charles Fort and James Fort.

C. County Clare

County Clare is steeped in history and offers beautiful picturesque landscapes, seascapes, cliffs, caves and music. Tourists visiting this place have a vast multitude of options to choose from be it indoor or outdoor. It also proves to be an ultimate haven for ecologists and botanists who visit the county to have a look at the strange and unique flora that comprises of a wide range of flowers, ferns and mosses. You can also go and visit an ancient civilization on a 26-mile sign posted ‘Burren Way' that extends from Ballyvaughn to Liscannor. Tourists can also go and visit Doolin (a small port village) from where you can catch a ferry to the Aran Islands. The village is also famous for the Cliffs of Moher that are located to the south of Doolin.

Other famous attractions in the County include the Bunratty Castle, which is one of the most remarkable 15th century medieval castles present in Ireland. The architectural style used in the Bunratty castle proves to be an ideal combination of earlier Norman castles and later Gaelic tower houses. The Folk Park is another tourist destination that attracts a large number of visitors. It is a reconstructed 19th century village and has a variety of buildings that include a school, small cottages, coffee shops, pubs, and grocery shops.

D. Dublin

Dublin enjoys the status of being the capital of the Republic of Ireland. It houses the residence of President Mary McAleese and is the operational center of the Irish Government. The city is split into two by the River Liffey and has ten bridges built over it. The city has a rich and ancient history and houses the oldest pub (The Brazen Head) and the oldest university (Trinity College) in the whole of Ireland. The best way to explore the city is by taking a leisurely walk and enjoying the breathtaking views offered by the city. Places of interest to visitors include O'Connell Street, General Post Office (GPO), Dublin Writers Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, Old Jameson Distillery, National Museum of Ireland, Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoological Gardens and the Catholic Pro Cathedral.

Other important attractions to the south of the River Liffey include Temple Bar Area, Dublin's Viking Adventure, Trinity College, Grafton Street, National Museum of Natural History, National Gallery, Dublin Castle and Marsh's Library. Cathedrals that are worth a visit include St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christchurch Cathedral.

Art and Culture buffs can enjoy and explore in detail the 1000-year old history of the place. Armed with a range of chic shops, departmental stores and trendy boutiques, Dublin is considered to be one of Europe's top shopping destinations. You can also feast on and enjoy a wide range of delightful cuisines offered by the restaurants, pubs and cafes present in the city.

E. Galway

The city of Galway is also known as the City of Tribes, after fourteen business families that controlled and managed the city in the medieval times. It is a warm city and proves to be an ideal tourist destination since it is always filled with numerous festivals and merriment that include music, food, drinking and entertainment. The city is also rich in arts and has a number of theatres, museums and churches.

Sight seeing locations worth a visit include the Spanish Arc, Connemara, Glanmore, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden, Roundstone village, Aran Islands, Inishmore (Big islands), Inishmaan (Middle islands) and Insheer (Little islands).

Goods available for shopping include beautiful contemporary furniture, Irish-made pottery, glassware and modern crafts. On exploring the market place, you are also bound to find a number of shops selling glistening costume, antique jewelry, books and gift items.

F. Mayo

The city is located to the west of Ireland and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. It is a beautiful city that has beautiful valleys, picturesque beaches, mountains and cliffs. The city is famous for the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist that appeared at St. Joseph the Baptist parish church. Many miracles have taken place at the site since the apparition. As a result, the city almost witnesses around 1.5 million visitors a year who come to the shrine to pray, seek solace or request a miracle.