The idea of spending a few hours exploring an old mill and admiring its waterwheel will either fill you with excited anticipation or weary resignation. If you fall into the first camp, the Newmills Corn and Flax Mill won’t disappoint – it may even convert the less enthusiastic into fans of historic industrial infrastructure.
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Dunamase Castle, built on a high limestone outcrop overlooking a flat plain, has been a ruin for almost 700 years, but is still worth seeing.
There is a magical atmosphere about the place, and magnificent views over the surrounding countryside.
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The house that once stood here is now gone, lost to fire in 1951, only the impressive entrance gates hinting at previous grandeur.
Thankfully the gardens survived. Designed by Edward Lutyens, and considered among his best gardens, they are surrounded by an earlier planned parkland.
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This mountain in Mayo is closely associated with St Patrick, and is the scene of an annual pilgrimage that can trace its origins to pre-Christian Ireland.
Pilgrims traditionally walk barefoot to the top of the mountain, over sharp and unstable stone tracks, in the process gaining penitence.
Read MoreMitchellstown varies from most of Ireland’s other show caves in being a very low key place, still owned and run by the same family on whose land it was discovered in 1833. You buy your ticket at the family’s home, there are basic amenities like toilets and picnic tables available, but no shop, cafe or other facilities.
This is in my book a very wonderful thing, a great break from the normal highly commercialised tourist experience.
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Known as the ‘dead zoo’ to Dubliners this is an amazing collection of animals, insects and birds in a beautiful and historic museum building. Sadly it is closed at present for renovation, following the collapse of an old staircase, but it will reopen some time in 2009 – we’ll keep you posted.
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This museum is home to a remarkable collection of Irish and European art, ceramics, enamels and other artifacts almost all of which were personally collect by John and Gertrude Hunt.
There are more than 2000 items and almost every one is fascinating. It really is worth visiting Limerick just to see this remarkable collection.
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A 17th century garden little changed in 3 centuries, the gardens at Kilruddery House are of special interest to gardening historians, but you certainly don’t have to be one to enjoy them.
The house has been home to the same family for almost 4 centuries and is only open in May, June and September but it’s worth making an effort to see if you are here at the right time.
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This has always been an excellent museum to visit, especially with children who particularly love the natural history section. It was extensively refurbished in recent years and now has greatly expanded facilities and a regular programme of special events.
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You can’t travel far in Ireland without coming across statues by the side of the road in Ireland. Some are single, but many are tableaux and are set in elaborate and well maintained surroundings.
The largest number are statues of Mary, most of which were originally erected during the Marian Year in 1938.
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While the tour groups and crowds build up at Newgrange, you can slip quietly past and go instead to Loughcrew, where there are megalithic remains of equal interest without the visitor centre or the admission charges.
It’s a remarkable place, stretching over several miles of hillside, with over 40 ancient monuments dating back as far as 4000BC.
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The Barrow Valley is a quiet and unspoiled area, much loved by walkers and little visited by tourists.
The river that meanders though is popular with cruise boats but also means there are miles of riverside paths waiting to be explored.
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