TRALEE

Host to the renowned Rose of Tralee International Festival (end August), Tralee has made great strides in promoting its cultural and leisure facilities. Bands, processions, dancing and selection of the “Rose”. The town’s main attraction is Kerry County Museum. Its theme park, “Kerry the Kingdom”, offers a show on Kerry scenery and a display of archaeological finds. The “Geraldine Experience” brings one back to medieval times. 

The Siamsa Tíre National Folk Theatre of Ireland is a great ambassador for Irish culture. Traditional song and dance performances take place here throughout the summer. The Barn, in Bunratty Folk Park, is the setting for a traditional Irish night during the summer months. Just outside Tralee is the authentic Blennerville Wind mill. Opposite the windmill is the Lee Valley Park, where a wetlands centre and eco-park opened in 2012. The Steam Railway connects the park with Tralee along a narrow gauge track. 

WATERFORD

 Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, was founded by Vikings in 914. Set in a commanding position by the estuary of the River Suir, it became southeast Ireland’s main seaport. From the 18th century, the city’s prosperity was consolidated by local industries, including the glassworks for which Waterford is famous. The strong commercial tradition persists today and Waterford’s port is still one of Ireland’s busiest. Following extensive archaeological excavations in the city centre, a new heart and atmosphere has been put into the old city with the creation of pedestrian precincts in the historic quarter and along the quays.

 Within the city of Waterford there is an abundance of interesting places to visits which has made WATERFORD CITY a mecca for the tourist. Waterford City has fast become an attractive tourist spot for holidaymakers who wish to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Waterford's popular night life and who also enjoy travelling around the County by day savouring the many historic sites and buildings which has made Waterford so popular.

LAHINCH

 CLARE: This western county, known traditionally as Thomod, is mostly flat, and occupies the area from the River Shannon estuary, guarded by Loop Head, to the broad waters of Galway Bay. Amongst its many outstanding tourist attractions are the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, and the amazing limestone district called the Burren, with its many caves, underground streams and rare flora.
Edna O'Brien an Irish novelist, memoirist, playwright, poet and short-story writer described as "the most gifted woman writing in English" was born in County Clare.

Lahinch, fronted by a mile long sandy beach fringing Liscannor Bay is a popular resort for bathing and golf. The golf course (18 holes) is situated in the sand dunes backing the beach. There is good coastal scenery on either side of the town and inland are some pretty glens, including the glen of the Cullenagh River to Ennistymon. Across the bay is the fishing village of Liscannor where John P. Holland (1841-1914), the inventor of the submarine was born.

Visit Clare

CORK

Cork City is now the third largest city in Ireland. It derives its name from the marshy land on the banks of the River Lee – its Irish name Corcaigh means marsh –  on which St Finbarr founded a monastery around AD 650. The narrow alleys, waterways and Georgian architecture give the city a Continental feel. Since the 19th century, the city has had a reputation for political rebelliousness. Today this mood is reflected in the city’s attitude to the arts and its bohemian spirit, much in evidence at the lively October jazz festival.

 

St. Patrick's Street, Bridge and Hall, Cork City

 

One of Cork’s great attractions is that it is a city built on water. Its heart lies on an island between two arms of the River Lee and many of today’s streets were in fact once waterways lined with warehouses and merchants’ residences. Cork city offers a more cosmopolitan atmosphere, with its art galleries and craft shops.

Official tourism website for Cork, Ireland

LIMERICK

The third-largest city in the Republic, Limerick was founded by the Vikings. Catholicism and nationalism are strong in the city. Limerick has a reputation for high unemployment, crime and general neglect. However, it is fast acquiring a new image as a commercial city, revitalized by new industries and restoration projects. Even so, visitors may still have to dig a little to appreciate its charm.  The most pleasant part of Limerick in which to stroll is Newtown Pery – a grid of gracious Georgian terraces focused on O’Connell Street. It has often been said that perhaps Limerick’s biggest attraction of all is the people themselves who are warm, witty and welcoming!

1972 The city of Limerick stands on the site of an important ford of ancient times, where the Shannon River meets the sea. It is one of the most progressive of Irish cities and an important transport and industrial centre

 

Limerick City

KILLARNEY

Located in the County of Kerry, Killarney is at the heart of the very beautiful and spectacular Southwest of Ireland. Also known as ‘The Town in the Park’, Killarney town is surrounded by 26,000 acres of National Parkland, including three stunning lakes. Killarney, one of Ireland's jewels and busiest tourist towns has many beautiful sites including Torc Waterfall, Muckross House and the Killarney National Park and is often referred to as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry.

Ross Castle is situated on the edge of Lough Leane one the lower lakes of Killarney National Park, 1.5 miles south of Killarney within the Kenmare Estate. It is a square tower house with bartizans, or overhanging turrets, on two of the tower's corners and two (of the original four) round towers. The castle is surrounded by parts of a square bawn or defensive wall. The most important room of the castle is the Great Hall situated on the top floor with large windows, fireplace, kitchen and minstrels' gallery. Ross Castle Killarney was probably built in the late 15thcentury.

Postcrossing postcard received from Brian

SLEA HEAD

 The Dingle Peninsula, stretching westwards for 30 miles from the low-lying country near Tralee, is the most northerly of the hilly promontories of County Kerry. It offers some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery. Some parts of the peninsula – especially the more remote areas – are still Gaelic speaking, so many road signs are written only in Irish.

SLEA HEAD, DINGLE, CO. KERRY

 

At Slea Head the visitor reaches one of the cornerstones of the Dingle Peninsula. Off the shore are the group of seven islands and numerous rocks known as the Blaskets. The Great Blasket is the largest and the old village settlement was at the northeast end of the island. The inhabitants were moved to the mainland in 1953. Many of the islanders were adept at recounting folk-tales, and Blasket islanders have produced such well-known books as 'Twenty Years A-growing' (M. O'Sullivan) and 'The Islander' (T. Ó Crohan).