If you arrive early in the day and some of the party want to relax whilst others are full of energy, head for the village of Bunratty. Some can relax in the various tea rooms or bars there whilst others explore the castle.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. The great square keep was built around 1450 by the MacNamaras. It then fell into the hands of the O'Briens, Princes of Thomond and later was occupied by Admiral Penn, father of William Penn the founder of Pennysylvania. The restored castle now provides a wonderful insight into the life-style of the 15th and 16th centuries. The great hall where the Earls of Thomond held court, their private chambers and the public offices are furnished with Lord Gort's magnificent medieval collection. The crafts and skills of the self-sufficient Shannon farming community have been revived in the Folk Park where a 19th century village has been created. Features of the folk park include a recreated village street, 8 farmhouses, a watermill, a blacksmith's forge, Mac's pub, a church and a display of 19th century farm machinery.The next day tour the Burren
The town of Ennis owes its origin to the O'Briens of Thomond who moved from Limerick and settled in Clonroad between 1208 and 1216. The original name of the town of Ennis was Iniscluanruadh or Inis-Cluainramh-Fhada.The word Inis, which is the Gaelic word for an island was anglicised to Ennis. The town was formed between two streams on the River Fergus. In the mid to late 1200s a member of the ruling O'Brien clan invited the Franciscans to establish a settlement within his domain. A significant portion of the Friary still remains intact. Ennis is the county town of Clare and has a population of 22,000 plus.
Visit the Cliffs of Moher, a sheer precipice 8 km long and rising to a height of 203m, one of the most impressive stretches of the coast in the West of Ireland, remarkable especially at nesting seasons for the quantity and variety of seabirds there. Lisdoonvarna is a spa town with an excellent salmon smoke house. September was, and still is, the peak month of the matchmaking season here and with the harvest safely in bachelor farmers flock to Lisdoonvarna in search of wives. The Spa Well also continues to attract the crowds. The Doolin Craft Gallery, where Matt O'Connel and Mary Gray pursue silver-smithing and batik work as well as selling treasures from all around Ireland is also worth visiting for its scrumptious food and stunning gardens - a plantsman's paradise. You will pass Lahinch Golf Course, famous for its impenetrable rough and its goats. South of Lahinch, just beyond Miltown Malbay is Doonbeg, the newest challenging championship links course in Ireland, designed by Greg Norman.The Burren - Words simply cannot do justice to this eerie, peculiar 193-square mile area of ancient seabed that suffered glacial activity during its long history. The Burren, is a bare lunar like landscape of a limestone plateau dotted with stone age forts and megalithic tombs. In the narrow crevices that criss-cross this pavement flourish orchids, gentians and other rare flora, an amazing mix of arctic, alpine, temperate, and tropical vegetation growing side by side. Twenty-two varieties of orchids thrive here, nourished by underground rivers and rich soil. Today we see treeless meadows of limestone karst that forms natural pavement interspersed with lush flora. Scholars of history can scour the Burren for tombs, chambers, and dolmens (two stones that support a horizontal slab), traces of Stone Age inhabitants. . To the north the Burren is bounded by Galway Bay with the fishing port of Ballyvaughan, a noted centre for oysters, while to the west the Aran Islands stand out against the broad expanse of the Atlantic Ocean
Not far West of Gort is the site of an old monastic settlement, Kilmacduagh. The 7th century saint, Saint Colman, son of Duagh, established a monastery on land given him by his cousin King Guaire. It is well worth a visit not only for its ruined churches and well preserved round tower, but also for the views of the local area
Coole Park, North of Gort, was the home of Lady Gregory, dramatist and co-founder of the Abbey Theatre. The area is also a National Nature Reserve due to its great wildlife importance - its native woodlands and turloughs. The visitor centre uses multimedia presentations, models, exhibitions and audio visual to inform the visitor of both the natural and literary heritage of the area. Though the main house was demolished by the State in the 1960s, the walled garden remains with its autograph tree, signed by all the great and the good of 19th and 20th Century Irish literature.Nearby is Thoor Ballylee which is the poet W. B. Yeats's monument and symbol. The tower is a 16th Century Norman castle built by the Burke family. It is of four floors with one room on each, connected by a spiral stone stairway built into the seven-foot thickness of the massive outer wall. Each floor has a window overlooking the river, which flows alongside.
In the immediate region of Ardsollus
On the north side of the village of Newmarket on Fergus you will see a turn to the right just at the end of the village. When you reach the top of the hill walk up through the trees to Moohaughan Fort, the Iron Age seat of some great ruler. N.B. This is quite a steep and stiff walk.
Quinn Abbey, a well preserved ruin of an abbey built in the 15th century, surrounded by an old churchyard with many interesting high crosses;Knappogue Castle The original tower house was built by Sean Mac-Con MacNamara in 1467. During the 1641 rebellion the castle was occupied by Cromwellian forces. In the 18th and 19th centuries further additions were made to the original structure. The castle was abandoned in the 1920's and was restored by the Hon. Mark Edwin Andrews and his wife Lavonne in 1966. Today world famous Medieval Banquets are held at the castle
Craggaunowen Quin, Co. Clare You can see the early Christian answer to the microwave at Craggaunowen. The Fulacht Fiadha (ancient cooking place) uses an ingenious method for cooking meat with instant boiling water. There is a reconstruction of a crann-g or fortified lake dwelling, which shows how the Celts lived around the 6th or 7th century. Tim Severin's boat "The Brendan" a replica of the saint's 6th century vessel is on display at the centre. Craggaunowen Castle, a 16th century tower house, has been restored complete with replicas, furniture and tools of the period.
Shannon Horse Riding Establishment Quin Clare.
John L Hassett, Phone:+353 65 6825645
Limerick is a big industrial city, famous as the setting for Angela’s Ashes. Limerick Castle is a dramatic city fortress of Norman times standing guard over Limerick on the river Shannon. The castle was built in 1210 under orders from King John. It is one of the finest examples of fortified Norman architecture in Ireland With an imaginative exhibition, multi-vision show, excavations, war machines, 800 years of history unfold within its battlements. In the narrow streets that surround it are several small antique shops. Nearby is The Hunt collection, an internationally important Collection of some 2,000 original works of art and antiquity. It is a personal collection formed by John and Gertrude Hunt who selected each piece according to the quality of its design,craftsmanship and artistic merit. These criteria were applied to objects from all periods of the past - from the Stone Age to the Twentieth Century.The next day could be spent happily enjoying Adare.
Snuggled in a wooden and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland’s prettiest and most picturesque village. Situated on the river Maigue, a tributary of the Shannon river, Adare (Gaelic name: "Ath Dara" - the "ford of the oak" - from the combination of water and woodland) dates back, at least, to the early 13th century. The bridge by which you enter the village, in the shadow of the ruined Desmond Castle, was built in 1329. Two groups of world famous ornate, thatched cottages line part off the village’s broad main street, punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries and ruins. Amongst the cottage you will find Carol's Antiques who stock Georgian & Victorian furniture, silver, brass, porcelain, paintings, mirrors, objet d'art and jewellery. George Stacpoole who stock Furniture, silver books, pictures, china, prints etc. Simon Quilligan is a dealers' dealer, but opens his doors to the public on Saturdays.However if the urge to travel is too strong then head south to visit Blarney Castle.
Croom Mills This uniquely restored granary houses an award winning visitor centre, complemented by an audio visual film presentation on the history of grain milling in the town. The Granary portrays working conditions for millers and blacksmiths of the 19th century in dramatic settings, complimented by an audio-visual film on the history of grain milling locally. The Mill Race flows gently beneath the superb Restaurants, Bar and Gift Shop.
Lough Gur, Near Grange, Co. Limerick Nestling along the peaceful lakeside shores of Lough Gur this is recognised as one of the most important archaeological centres in Ireland, and acknowledged as one of the most important concentrations of Neolithic settlement in North Western Europe. It is an archaeological gem of great international significance, which includes the remains of stone circles and standing stones, as well as ancient burial chambers and cairns erected up to five thousand years ago. At the Lough Gur Heritage Centre their meaning is brought home to visitors through interpretative panels and audio visual means, serving as a reminder of the ingenuity of "primitive" man
Killmallock Follow in the footsteps of men and women from the Middle Ages and set out on the self-guided Historic Town Trail through the narrow streets of Kilmallock. A good start is the Kilmallock Museum, housed in a 19th century town cottage, which serves as an introduction to the heritage of the mediaeval fortress town, noted for its imposing gates, as well as its fine 12th century Collegiate Church and Dominican Priory.
Blarney Castle was originally a timber hunting lodge built in the 10th century, which was replaced by a stone castle in 1210. The present day construction was completed by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster in 1446. The Castle remained the ancestral stronghold of the McCarthy family until the arrival of Oliver Cromwell with cannon guns in 1646. Fifteen years later with the arrival of King Charles II on the English throne saw the return of the McCarthys to the Castle.Following the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, all Irish chiefs were stripped of their powers and the McCarthys were again forced to leave Blarney Castle. The Castle was sold to Sir James Jefferyes, Governor of Cork in 1703.
The world famous Blarney Stone is situated high up in the battlements of the castle. Follow one of the several long, stone spiral staircases up to the top and enjoy the spectacular views of the lush green Irish countryside, Blarney House and The Village of Blarney. The stone is believed to be half of the Stone of Scone, the other part of which is in Westminster Abbey in London. The stone originally belonged to Scotland. Scottish Kings were crowned over the stone, because it was believed to have special powers. The stone was given to Cormac McCarthy by Robert the Bruce in 1314 in return for his support in the Battle of Bannockburn.
Queen Elizabeth I wanted Irish chiefs to agree to occupy their own lands under title from her. Cormac Teige McCarthy, the Lord of Blarney, handled every Royal request with subtle diplomacy, promising loyalty to the Queen without "giving in". Elizabeth proclaimed that McCarthy was giving her "a lot of Blarney", thus giving rise to the legend. You too can acquire the gift of eloquence by kissing the stone! The Rock Close is laid out on a pre-historic Druids site with the remains of huge boulders, rocks, a dolmen (a megalithic tomb with a large flat stone laid on uprights), a sacrificial altar and a witches kitchen. You will also find Japanese bamboo trees, magnolias, Siberian dogwood and weeping willows and a stream which can be crossed via a small pedestrian bridge. There are numerous woodland walks on the grounds of the Blarney Castle estate, through which winds the River Martin. In the arboretum you will find colorful displays of copper beach, ornamental pear, southern beech, nothafagus and evergreen oaks. Adjacent to the arboretum, one finds the Belgian Beds planted with hybrid azaleas, and a western red cedar tree from British Columbia.
Other places of interest in the Adare area include
Glenstal Abbey, a splendid norman revival mansion now a Benedictine private school. It has a fabulous collection of Russian Icons in a specially designed chapel.
Celtic Park & Gardens. Situated for over 2000 years on 30 acres of unspoilt territory. First owned by the ancient Celtic family of O'Donovan, also by the Norman Fitzgeralds and latterly by Cromwell's General, Sir Hardress Waller's family up to the 1930's. On display are a Stone Circle, Mass Rock, Dolmen, Wood Church, Lime Kiln, Royal Chair, Lake Dwelling, Ogham Stone, Cooking Site, Stone Church, Holy Well and Ring Fort. The classic gardens are an oasis of quiet and beauty. 1000 roses, shrubs, rockery, herbaceous beds, lily pond, colonnades and gravel paths are enjoyed by all who visit.
Curragh Chase incorporates forest walks, nature trails, gardens and the ruins of Curragh Chase House, the 18th century home of poet Aubrey deVere.
Askeaton Underlining the status of the town for more than five centuries is the showpiece 15th-century banqueting hall within the castle of the Fitzgerald lords set on a rocky island in the river Deel. Matching the historic value of the banqueting hall is the almost perfectly preserved cloister within the ruins of the Franciscan Friary dating from 1389. Remains of a 13th century church are near the town’s Protestant church where the remains of the poet, Aubrey de Vere are buried.
Rathkeale Stepping stone in bringing the Methodist religion to America, two of the children born locally after 200 refugee families from the Rhenish Palatinate of Germany who moved to Rathkeale in 1709 included cousins Philip Embury and Barbara Ruttle. They emigrated to the New World in 1760 to establish Methodism there. They are commemorated at the Embury-Heck Memorial Church in Ballingrane where Barbara Ruttle was born and the story of the Palatines is told through the Irish Palatine Association exhibition open to visitors from June to September. Ruins of a 13th century Augustinian abbey merge into the town streetscape. Nearby is the 15th century Castle Matrix towerhouse where the explorer who brought the potato to Ireland from America, Sir Walter Raleigh is reputed to have met with the poet Edmund Spenser.
Head down to Killarney - about 70 minutes from Adare or, to extend the day, tour The Dingle Peninsula first on the way to Killarney
The Dingle Peninsula is widely regarded as having some of the most dramatic and magnificent scenery in Ireland. The combination of the Connor Pass, craggy cliffs and long sandy beaches brought David Lean here to film 'Ryan's Daughter' in 1970. More recently the Tom Cruise film 'Far and away' was made in the Slea Head area.
Killarney is a busy shopping town, but on the road out towards Kenmare, driving past the lakes a must see is Muckross House, a magnificent Victorian Mansion and one of Ireland's leading stately homes, with a good collection of antique furnishings. It is beautifully situated amidst the spectacular scenery of Killarney National Park. The elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyles of the landed Gentry, while downstairs in the basement one can experience the working conditions of the servants employed in the House. The Gardens are renowned worldwide for their beauty. In particular they are noted for their collections of azaleas and rhododendrons. Nearby are Muckross Traditional Farms where three separate working farms, complete with animals, poultry and traditional farm machinery will help you relive the past.
From Kenmare there are several interesting tours. Head South around the Beara Peninsula, visiting Dereen Gardens and negotiating the Healy pass. Head West and drive around the famed Ring of Kerry, a coastal route of 120 miles. Head North and explore Killarney. There are cruises down the Kenmare Estuary and walks galore around Kenmare, which is itself a charming little town with antiquarian book shops, a good art gallery, a couple of small antique stores, excellent pubs and restaurants, some beautiful shops, a prehistoric stone circle and a generally relaxed air.
Derrynane House is the ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell, lawyer, politician and statesman. Situated on 120 hectares of parklands on the scenic Kerry coast, the House displays many relics of O Connell s life and career.
There are stunning beaches beside the house.
stream. On the boat ride out there watch out for seals. There are several boats going to the island but the prettiest harbour is definitely the Blue Pool, particularly when the rhododendron are blooming. Pick up a picnic at Manning's Food Emporium in Ballylickey Don't miss Bantry House, an essential stop. The house, with its "staircase to heaven" gardens is a wonderful example of a landlord's home and has a stunning collection put together by the 2nd Earl of Bantry who did well at Napoleon III's bargain basement sale at Versailles. In 1796 a French invasion fleet sailed into Bantry Bay to join forces with Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen. But a storm changed the course of history, forcing the French to turn back to Brest. Richard
White must have blessed that so-called "Protestant Wind" as he watched their retreat from Bantry House. The Hutchinson family built a mansion on the shore of Bantry Bay around 1740. Richard White bought the property in 1765 and the house was enlarged by his son Richard, the 2nd Earl of Bantry. Among the many treasures are four Aubusson and Gobelin tapestries. The house is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Egerton Shelswell-White 
Clonakilty
A busy market town located near to several popular seaside resorts such as
Inchadoney and Owenahincha. Fine 19th century mill buildings have been nicely
adapted for modern use, and now house the town library and County Council
offices. Nearby, a small disused Presbyterian Church has been put to service as
the post office. Local planning authorities have encouraged the use of
traditional hand painted signs with a special emphasis on the Irish language on
business premises in the town. See also the finestatus of a pikeman. For a town
of its size, the Roman Catholic Church is impressive, with fine glass and
mosaics. The town centre is the home of the noted street theatre group Craic na
Caoillte. Children of all ages will love the impressive Model Railway
Village.
Charles Fort Constructed in the late 17th century on the site of an earlier coastal fortification, Charles Fort is a classic example of a star-shaped fort. William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin, and Superintendent of Fortifications, is credited with designing the Fort. As one of the largest military forts in the country, Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. The most significant of which include the Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Across the estuary is James Fort, an earlier structure, which was designed by Paul Ivy in 1602. 
On the island of Fota are Fota house and gardens, a beautiful regency shooting lodge of the Earls of Barrynmore, which contains over 70 rooms. It is surrounded by both formal gardens and parkland.. Fota Arboretum is of international importance, its reputation deriving from the diversity of planting and from its collection of exotic specimens from all over the world. The rockery contains many fine fern specimens. The most notable are the Tasmanian tree ferns planted in the late 1800's. The large Walled Garden contains an exceptional rose collection, extensive borders of monocots (bulbs, grasses, etc.) and 163 varieties of Irish-bred narcissi. The walls support a climber collection from warm temperate regions of the world.
Beyond Fota Island is Cobh Island, Queenstown as it was for some decades before reverting to its old Irish name in 1922. From here hundreds of thousands of mostly hungry and penniless Irish men and women left to build a new life, especially in the Famine years of 1844-48. Many thrived and prospered, but many died on the journey in the terrible travelling conditions of the time. The Queenstown Story is based in the disused portions of the railway station at Cobh. This highly imaginative visitor attraction tells the story of emigration from Cobh in the period of the famine in 1845 up to the era of the great Liners in the 1950s. The historical role which Cobh harbour has played as a port is also illustrated.. There are sections on the sinking of the Lusitania, which brought America into the 1st World War and on the Titanic, whose final port of call was Cobh.
Barryscourt Castle, as you return to the mainland , was the seat of the Barry family from the 12th to the 17th centuries. The present castle is a fine example of a 15th century tower house with 16th century additions and alterations. The bawn wall with three corner towers is largely intact. The ground floor of the keep houses an exhibition on the history of the Barrys and Barryscourt Castle.Midleton is the home of Irish Whiskey. A distillery tour commences with an informative audio-visual presentation. Guests, accompanied by a tour guide then follow the Old Distillery Trail through the various historic and architecturally unique buildings - Mills, Malting Houses, Corn Stores, Stillhouses, old Offices and atmospheric Warehouses. The visitor can encounter superbly restored machinery and dramatic recreations of many of the steps in whiskey production. Visitors can see the largest Pot Still in the work with a capacity of 32,000 gallons and the Old Waterwheel manufactured in 1825 to provide motive power prior to the days of electricity, and still turning today. Each visit culminates in the bar with the Irish Whiskey tasting session when you may have the opportunity of becoming a qualified Irish Whiskey Taster with a presentation diploma!
The ancient town of Youghal was occupied by the Danes and Normans and was also part of the great tract of land that was granted to Sir Walter Raleigh. His home, Myrtle Grove, still stands today. Tradition has it that it was here he planted the first potatoes. The main street is spanned by the Clock Gate built in 1777. St Mary's Church is well worth a visit. Here you will find the tomb of Margaret, Countess of Desmond, who died at the age of 147 from a fall from a cherry tree. There are several other old abbeys, towers and buildings in the town, as well as excellent pub grub at Ahernes. The film Moby Dick was shot on location here.