Travel Articles

10. Athlone Castle, Co. Roscommon

This Norman Castle straddling the shore of the River Shannon marks the traditional gateway to the West of Ireland, standing like a sentinel over the hustle and bustle of the Athlone Town. Enter the inner walls of the stronghold and wander back through nine centuries of history.

9. Kells Heritage Town, Co. Meath

The original (and some would argue rightful!) home of the magnificent Book of Kells, which was stashed here throughout most of the medieval period, braving the plundering of marauding Vikings. The Book may now be gone (housed in the Old Library of Trinity College Dublin) but much of it’s home still remains, including St. Columba’s Church, a round tower, high crosses and St. Columcille’s House.

8. Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, Co. Meath

Housed in the 1897 Bonded Warehouse, the Centre relates the story of Tullamore Dew Whiskey and Irish Mist Liqueur. Learn how to make whiskey and then knock a wee dram back before getting into garb of the day and observing the weird inner-workings of the factory such as bees collecting honey.

7. Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, Co. Roscommon

Magical and mysterious, Lough Key is an excellent place to whittle away an afternoon, exploring the hidden treasures that it holds. Burrow through the underground servants’ tunnels, climb the towering Moylurg and traverse the Tree Canopy trail, sneaking up on the local winged residents. Tackle the puzzle-ridden and bizarrely disorientating Boda Borg House before taking a boat island-hopping across the lough.

6. Trim Heritage Town, Co. Meath

Trim could have being Dublin, that is it may very well have found itself the capital of Ireland. Hard to believe when you toddle through this medieval gem snoozing it’s way though history but back in the day Elizabeth I wanted to build Trinity College here. It was a lofty place indeed, the Duke of Wellington been born in a stable nearby (though he later found it difficult to fit in!). It’s lofty lines continue to this day with Mel Gibson choosing it as the location for shooting much of Braveheart. It’s the real medieval deal alright!

5. Lockes Distillery Museum, Co. Westmeath

Established in 1757, Locke’s Distillery is the oldest pot distillery in the world. You can follow the interesting process of distilling from beginning to end, observing the creaking and groaning of the restored nineteenth century machinery.

4. Arigna Mining Experience, Co. Roscommon

Descend into the depths of the County Roscommon, as hardened ex-miners take you four hundred metres down into the heart of Ireland, illustrating a life that contained unimaginable hardships

3. Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly

Clonmacnoise majestically perched on the shores of the mighty River Shannon, Clonmacnoise is one of Ireland’s most important ancient monastic cities. Wandering this marvellous site you will be bowled over by how well preserved it is, they definitely knew how to build back in the day! St. Ciaran founded a monastery here in the sixth century, it flourished, becoming a centre of knowledge to which scholars from all across Europe gathered to study.

2. Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens, Co. Kildare

You can lose the day in this most interesting of places where one ticket gains you entrance to the National Stud, Japanese Gardens, St. Fiachra’s Garden and the Horse Museum.

1. Belvedere House & Gardens, Co. Westmeath

In a word – tremendous – best describes Belvedere House & Gardens, it is the most magnificent of houses surrounded by the most beautiful of gardens located in the most delightful of locations with the most bizarre of histories. The first earl, Lord Belfield accused his wife and younger brother of having a fling and so locked her up in a wing of the house for three decades, from which she emerged from dressed in the garb of the day and freaking everybody out and protesting her innocence! Lord Belfield wasn’t the best of family men, he fell foul of his other brother George, building a massive wall, which became known as the Jealous Wall, so he would never see George’s equally impressive house.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source Russell Shortt, http://www.exploringireland.net
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