A Guide to the Midlands and East of Ireland

Just to the south-west of Dublin is Kildare, reached via Naas, with its open plains and world renowned stud farms and racecourses this is an area of particular interest to horse lovers. It is also where you will find many of Ireland's peat bogs, desolate but stangely beautiful places where peat isstill cut to provide fuel.

Glendalough, Co WicklowWicklow, known as "the garden of Ireland", takes you remarkably quickly from the city to another world of mountain trails, ancient monastic settlements and small country villages. There are also quite a number of gardens open to the public in Wicklow, expecially during the annual Garden Festival in May.

The coastline around Dundalk may not be a match for the more frequented south-west but in parts, especially out on the Cooley Peninsula, it comes close, and here you will not have to deal with tour coach traffic jams or over-crowded facilities.

Between Navan and Dundalk are the remarkable megalithic sites of Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth and the less well known Lough Crew, all places very well worth making a special trip to visit. In addition to these there are many monastic settlements and castles in the area, and the Hill of Tara is a must see.

Often overlooked by tourists, the midlands areas around Longford, Mullingar, Tullamore and Port Laoise have much to offer anyone who is willing to take the time to explore rather than drive through and to look below the surface. This is truly the heart of Ireland - rich farming country with prosperous market towns, where there are abundant sites of rich historic interest and very few tourists in evidence.

Recommended Things to See & Do

Birr Castle & Demesne
Home to the Earls of Rosse, the most famous of whom was the 3rd Earl who in 1845 built what was then the largest telescope in the world. The telescope has been carefully restored to its original condition and is on display in...

Castletown House
Building of Castletown House commenced in 1722 when William Connolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Parliament, decided he needed a house of suitable style and grandeur located close to Dublin. To create this great house he...

Emo Court
Emo Court was built by the Earl of Portarlington in 1790 and is the only private house designed by James Gandon, the architect who designed the Custom House in Dublin. It is a huge neo-classical mansion, formal and symetrical...

Trim Castle
If this imposing castle, set in water meadows beside the Boyne river, looks oddly familiar, it is probably because of its appearance in the movie Braveheart, where it was used for the scene of the Scottish assault on York. Aerial...

Tullynally Castle
It's impossible not to be impressed by the elaborate Gothic revival exterior of Tullynally castle, with its castellations, turrets and battlements. It is in fact a facade, added in 1803, converting what had been a late 17th...

Glendalough
Glendalough, or 'the valley of two lakes' is a place with which almost everyone is vaguely familiar even before they visit, so famous and iconic are the images of its high round tour. But being there, walking though the ancient...

Mount Usher Gardens
The 22 acre gardens at Mount Usher were designed by the famous Irish garden designer, William Robinson, in the late 1800's. More than 5000 varieties of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants from all parts of the globe are...

Co Louth Golf Club (Baltray)
The Irish know about this great links course, not all that many visitors do. Over 100 years old the course changes with the weather - sometimes seeming straightforward but always ready to catch the unwary. There is no easing...

Glasson Golf & Country Club
A relatively new and beautifully maintained course on the shores of Lough Ree in the very centre of Ireland, Glasson provides enjoyable golf at every level. Designed by Christy O'Connor, the first half of the course is built...

Portmarnock Golf Course
A famous links course close to Dublin, Portmarnock is surrounded on three sides by water with the course set in lovely scenery. The Irish Open has been held here many times and the course while very challanging is known as a...

Royal Dublin
This is about the closest to a city centre Golf Club you could get, just 5km from the centre of Dublin and a short hop to the airport - a good place for a last morning of golf before you fly home! It is different from other links...

The Island Golf Club
Did you ever find somewhere you wanted to shout about but at the same time keep to yourself? This place is something of a cherished secret among golfers, a classic and challanging links course over 100 years old which deserves...

The K Club
Part of a very luxurious country club, this parkland course played host to the Ryder Cup in 2006. There are two championship courses, the carefully groomed Palmer Course and the wilder and more watery Smurfit Course, both designed...

Calliaghstown Riding Centre
This long established centre offers trekking and trail riding in the Wicklow mountains on enjoyable well schooled horses and ponies. Equestrian holidays are a speciality here, with the five day trail ride taking you on a journey...

Devil's Glen Equestrian Village
This is a modern and very well run centre with excellent facilities and very good horses and ponies. Short treks of an hours duration through the Wicklow Mountains are very popular with visitors and is available for all levels...

An Dun Transport and Heritage Museum
A privately owned Transport and Heritage Museum which displays a magnificent collection of vintage cars, trucks, tractors and other agricultural machinery. Highlights include a 1920's Bullnose Morris Cowley, a Shelvoke &...

Events Guide for the Midlands and East Region

Poetry Now Festival
Type: Literary Events | Date: April 2009
The Poetry Now Festival takes place in Dún Laoghaire and is Ireland's largest and most prestigious poetry event. No details are available yet for 2009, but the following...

Punchestown Racing Festival 2009
Type: Sport | Date: April 2009
Very much a family affair (the local schools even take a day off so students can attend) Punchestown Racing Festival is one of Ireland's most enjoyable and friendly racing...

Fairyhouse Easter Racing Festival 2009
Type: Sport | Date: 13th - 15th April
The Easter Racing festival at Fairyhouse is a big event in the Irish racing calendar and a regular annual outing for families over the Easter weekend. It takes place earlier than...

Trevor/Bowen Summer School
Type: Summer School | Date: May 2009
Celebrating the lives and work of local writers William Trevor and Elizabrth Bowen, this festival is organised by Westmeath Library. In 2008 a number of well known speakers were...

All Ireland Drama Festival
Type: Theatre | Date: May 1st - 9th
One of Europe's largest amateur theatre festivals this hotly contested battle between drama groups from all over Ireland invariably stages some terrific productions,...

Drogheda Arts Festival
Type: Arts Festival | Date: May 2009
For five days in May street theatre, comedy, film, dance, music, drama, workshops, crafts and visual arts will be at the centre of life in Drogheda, which is just a short drive...

Racing at the Curragh
Type: Sport | Date: March 2009
For many people going to the Curragh is a real excuse to dress up, and Ireland's wealthiest people will all be here this weekend, dressed to kill. It's smart, fashionable...

Bray Jazz Festival 2009
Type: Music: Jazz & Blues | Date: May 2009
Since the first festival in 2000, Bray Jazz has grown and florished to become a must for any lover of Jazz. With a growing reputation comes the ability to attract bigger names. ...

The Irish Derby Festival
Type: Sport | Date: June 2009
This is the biggest day in the Irish racing calendar, when the best 3 your old thoroughbreds in the world come to the Curragh to race for Europe's richest prize in the Irish...

Wicklow Gardens Festival
Type: Gardening | Date: May - August
The Wicklow garden festival runs throught May, June and July and into August and a total of 41 gardens will take part this year, ranging from the formal 17th century gardens of...

Goldsmith Summer School
Type: Summer School | Date: June 2009
 The details below refer to the 2008 Summer School. Taking its theme this year from a line of Goldsmith's poetry:  “Ill fares the land, to hastening ills...

The World Fleadh
Type: Music: Traditional | Date: July 31st - Aug 4th
The World Fleadh is Ireland’s biggest Irish and Celtic music festival, taking place annualy in Portlaoise and known for its large scale marquee concerts and theatre performances...

The Phoenix Festival
Type: Festival | Date: July 17th - 20th
This packed and very family friendly festival brings the streets of the midland town of Tullamore to life each July. The focus is very much on the outdoors, with lots of street...

DOD Festival
Type: Music: Rock & Pop | Date: 4th & 5th July
Originally known as the Day of Darkness, this is Ireland's only heavy metal festival and takes place in the unlikely location of an isolated rural pub near the small village...

Hopkins Summer School
Type: Summer School | Date: 19th - 25th July
A highly rated literary Summer School in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, based around the life and works of the well known poet who was born locally. Participants from more than...

Oxegen at Punchestown
Type: Music: Rock & Pop | Date: June 2009
It's the time of year parents dread, Oxegen is back! This 2 day rock/indie event has become the highlight of Summer for many, with a huge line-up of bands plus...

Synge Summer School
Type: Summer School | Date: June 29th - July 5th
An annual theatre and drama event held in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, which in 2008 has the theme "Irish Theatre and the World Stage". There will be lectures from leading...

Irish Harp Festival
Type: Music: Traditional | Date: June 29th - July 4th
Not just for Irish harpists, there is something here for lover and players of all styles and types of harp and harp music. The festival has grown to become on of the foremost...

Greystones Arts Festival
Type: Arts Festival | Date: August 3rd - 6th
Greystones Arts Festival, now in its 27th year,  is Wicklow’s biggest and brightest Festival and includes four days of non stop Street Theatre, Carnival, Comedy, Music...

Birr Vintage Week
Type: Festival | Date: Aug 15th - 22nd
Now in its 40th year, Birr celebrates the coming of motorised vehicles in style every year, with costumed parades and displays of vintage vehicles of every kind - from fancy Rolls...

Fleadh Cheoil 2008
Type: Music: Traditional | Date: 17th - 25th Aug
Photo by Irish TypepadFleadh Cheoil began life as a competitive event, but has evolved to include concerts, céilis, parades, pageants and street sessions. It changes location...

The Electric Picnic
Type: Music: Rock & Pop | Date: Aug 29th - 31st
Billing itself as a 'boutique music' event, there was a great athmosphere here in previous years and this year they add a third day. As always there is an eclectic...

Irish Steel Guitar Festival
Type: Music: Other | Date: 11th - 13th Oct
A real treat for afficionados of the steel guitar,  who are not that well served in Ireland generally, this festival is based in 2008 around the Bettystown Court Hotel in...

The Culchie Festival
Type: Festival | Date: October 24th-26th
A "culchie" is a country dweller and proud of it, though those who live in cities might, just might, use the term as one of abuse! This festival celebrates all things...

Midlands Music Festival
Type: Music: Rock & Pop | Date: July 2008
The Midlands Music Festival is not taking place in 2008.  Perhaps one for the more, um, mature audience this, with many of the acts that drew massive crowds to festivals...

Internationl Garden Festival
Type: Gardening | Date: June 29th - Sept 23rd
The International Garden Festival in 2007 was intended to run throughout the whole summer in the wonderful surroundings of Emo Court in Co Laois. However the terrible weather...

Parnell Summer School
Type: Summer School | Date: August 12th - 17th
Charles Stewart ParnellWith many of its events taking place in Avondale, the ancestral home of Charles Stewart Parnell, this summer school has a strong sense of the man and...

Durrow Carnival Weekend
Type: Festival | Date: August 2008
Anyone traveling between Dublin and Cork or Kerry will pass through the small town of Durrow in Co Laois, and if you are traveling this weekend it is a good place to stop...

Athlone Literary Festival
Type: Literary Events | Date: September 2008
Academics, wits, writers, poets, novelists, biographers, publishers, literary agents but most of all readers of books will descend in numbers on Athlone in September for this...

O'Carolan Harp, Cultural & Heritage Festival
Type: Music: Traditional | Date: Oct 3rd-5th
Turlough O'Carolan may have died over 250 years ago, but his legacy to Irish music lives on and is celebrated in this weekend festival in Nobber, Co Meath, the town where...

Getting There & Getting Around

By Road

For detailed road directions from anywhere else in Ireland to the Midlands and East Region please use the AA Ireland Route Planner.

By Air & Sea

Dublin is the main point of entry and Dublin Airport has regular flights from the US, Canada and most European destinations. The two main carriers are Aer Lingus and Ryanair. Visitors to the North of the region could use the two airports in Belfast, Belfast City and Belfast International, with flights from a wide range of UK and European destinations.

Ferries from Holyhead to Dublin, Liverpool to Dublin and Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire (just south of Dublin) operate all year round. 

Getting Around

Dublin Local Rail (Dart) services extend form Howth to Bray. Irish Rail trains run from Hueston Station to places South and East of Dublin and from Connolly Station to places North. Bus Eireann has routes throughout the region. Realistically though, for touring the East and Midlands it is best to drive.