Dublin

Dublin has all the attractions of a modern city, combined with the beauty and heritage of the past. Even though it has shown recent signs of slowing town, "the Celtic Tiger" - the nickname given to the roaring Irish economy - has turned Dublin into a boomtown. Elegant shops, hotels, galleries, art-house cinemas, coffee houses and a stunning variety of restaurants have sprung up on almost every street in the capital. Roughly half of the Irish Republic 's population of 3.6 million people live in Dublin and it's suburbs.

Ask any Dubliner what's happening and you may hear echoes of one of W. B. Yeats's most-quoted lines: "All changed, changed utterly." You can practically hear the roar as this old city on the western shore of the Irish Sea transform itself into Western Europe's fastest-growing urban tourist destination -- a center of new construction and restoration. Dublin has all the attractions of a modern city, combined with the beauty and heritage of the past. Even though it has shown recent signs of slowing down, "the Celtic Tiger" -- the nickname given to the roaring Irish economy -- has turned Dublin into a boomtown. Elegant shops and hotels, galleries, art-house cinemas, theatres, coffeehouses, and a stunning variety of restaurants have sprung up on almost every street in the capital.

The reasons why people come to this wonderful city are endless and the possibilities for enjoying oneself here are many. The city was founded in 988 AD and has accommodated many diverse nationalities from the Vikings to the English invaders to sailors, traders and writers who settled and lived here over the centuries. Dublin offers its visitors a wealth of attractions to explore which include churches, historical buildings, museums and galleries, parks and gardens, as well as some of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the World. Of course no visit to Dublin’s fair city is complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse where you will be introduced to the world of Guinness and can sip a pint of the black stuff in the Gravity Bar while enjoying a panoramic view of the entire city!

Cork

Cork City is known for being the shopping, festival, commercial, and cultural centre of Southern Ireland. Although a small city, it manages to squeeze in lots of attractions for visitors and locals alike. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and as the hilly streets go up and down, so do the voices of the citizens. They have a characteristic sing-song cadence, beloved of national comedians, and Corkonians are regarded as the most talkative of all the Irish.

The way to really experience the city is to walk through it - only then can you fully appreciate the culture, music and food. The sheer standard and choice of restaurants, cafes and bistros make Cork a paradise for food lovers.

There is an abundance of things to do in the city - there are theatres, cinemas and art galleries as well as all kinds of music concerts taking place at various points in time.
Not only is there lots to see and do in Cork, but if it all gets too much for you or you fancy a change there are mountains, forests, seaside a countryside only a short trip away.

Cork is proud to be European Capital of Culture 2005. See www.cork2005.ie for further information.

Belfast

Belfast offers the buzz and vibrancy of a capital city whilst being a gateway to the rural retreat of Northern Ireland.

At the head of Belfast Lough, the city is compact and easy to get around, whether by car or on foot. Like all capital cities, Belfast offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all pockets, from cosy B&Bs around the university, to well appointed riverside self-catering establishments, to city centre boutique hotels.

Belfast is teeming with a multitude of stylish bars, gourmet restaurants, trendy clubs and some of the best shopping in the UK. Visitors can enjoy traditional Irish music in a local pub or dance the night away to the latest vibes – the choice is yours!

The birthplace of the Titanic, Belfast’s industrial heritage has shaped a city steeped in culture, portrayed at its best at the Ulster Museum, City Hall, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the many buildings still standing. The many parks, gardens and galleries offer a perfect haven to relax.

Within a couple of hours of Belfast, visitors can marvel at the Giant’s Causeway, walk the Mountains of Mourne, fish in Fermanagh or visit the many picturesque villages in Northern Ireland - a perfect location to discover the rest of Northern Ireland!

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval city of 24,000 people acclaimed internationally as a centre for craft and design. Each year Kilkenny hosts a number of international festivals and the city is a very popular tourist destination.

This medieval city is characterised by many beautifully restored buildings and winding slipways - it is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating historical buildings and contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants.

The ancient city of Kilkenny was named after a 6th century monk, St Canice. His memory lives on in the beautifully restored St Canice’s Cathedral, built overlooking the city in the thirteenth century.
Kilkenny Castle , one of the most magnificent castle's in Ireland was built by the Normans who arrived in the city during the 12th century. In 1967, the castle was given to the Irish government to be restored to period splendor as an enduring national monument. From its sturdy corner towers to its battlements, Kilkenny Castle retains the imposing lines of an authentic fortress and sets the tone for the entire city. The exquisitely restored interior includes a fine collection of Butler family portraits, some from as far back as the 14th century. The 20-hectare (50-acre) grounds include a riverside walk, extensive gardens and parkland.

Galway

Galway is a city and an experience to be savoured and remembered. The historic city of the tribes dances to a beat uniquely it's own. There is certain chemistry and vibrancy to this friendly University City , which many delight in, and few forget. Music, festivals, horse racing, pubs, restaurants, shops, theatres and most of all Galway people, combine to create this atmospheric medieval city of culture.

Killarney

This is Ireland 's beauty spot and holiday centre, described sometimes as 'Heaven's Reflex". Poets, painters and writers have never fully succeeded in conveying the varied beauty of this wonderland of mountains and lakes.

Renowned for its beauty, famed for the splendour of its scenery, Killarney is one of the world's best-loved tourist spots and no one knows it better than Moloney & Kelly Travel. Killarney (Cill Airne - The Church of Sloes) became a magnificent town about 1750 when the local magnate, Lord Kenmare, developed the tourist business and four major roads were built to the outside world. The area still bears the marks of a group of houses huddled outside the demesne walls.

The three main lakes of Killarney occupy a broad valley stretching south between the mountains. The three lakes and the mountains that surround them are all within the Killarney National Park. Nearest the town is the Lower Lake (Lough Leane) studded with islands and having on its eastern shore the historic Muckross Abbey and Ross Castle. The wooded peninsula of Muckross separates the Lower from the Middle Lake sometimes called Muckross Lake.

 

Waterford

Waterford City is the main seaport of the southeast. Only 11km from the Atlantic , Waterford is Ireland 's oldest city, founded by Viking invaders in the 9th century. In fact, Waterford is older than any of the major Nordic capitals of modern Europe , including Oslo , Stockholm , and Copenhagen . In recent years, a major archaeological endeavor has excavated nearly a fourth of the ancient Viking city. Although the historic district around Reginald's Tower is quite intriguing, the city is primarily a commercial center, dominated by its busy port.