Ireland

4. County Limerick lies on a fertile limestone plain divided by hills
and gentle ridges. The area has long been inhabited, as witnessed
by the Neolithic remains around Lough Gur, the early Christian
ringforts (earthen embankments which were built to protect
dwellings) and over 400 Norman castles. The last pre-20th
century wave of construction resulted in the Georgian houses
built by English and Scottish planters who settled in the West of
County Limerick after the 1600.
The main city Limerick, featured in Frank McCourt's novel
Angela's Ashes, has undergone extensive development in the last
ten years and offers a number of good restaurants and bars and
the excellent Hunt Museum.

5. The City of Cork is the second city of Ireland. It boasts a
healthy art scene and the highest ratio of good restaurants per
capita in Ireland. Highlights for arts lovers are the Cork Opera
House, Crawford Art Gallery and Firkin Crane Centre.
Further afield, County Cork is offers untamed wildernesses,
long beaches and the 680 mile long coastline is dotted with
bays and harbours that are a delight to discover by sail boat.
The famous Blarney Stone at the Blarney Castle is visited by
many thousands of tourists every year.

6. County Mayo is surrounded by Clew Bay and the Atlantic
Ocean.
The beautiful landscape of high cliffs and mountains offers a
great variety of attractions, and the area is also famous for the
rich salmon fishing to be had in the River Moy.
The largest town is Ballina, which each July hosts the annual
Ballina Street festival - a local celebration of music, song,
theatre, art, and Irish heritage.

7. County Clare sports rich rolling hills and ever-so-
green fields that lead off to the rocky Atlantic Coast in
the west, or up to the unique karst limestone
landscape of the Burren in the north. The caverns
and crevices of the Burren are a major drawcard for
cavers and climbers.
Along the coast you will find the stunning Cliffs of
Moher and turning inland you'll find the charming
town of Ennis and a whole slew of ancient sites
including Bunratty Castle.