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Birr Castle Demesne and Ireland's Historical Science Centre
Birr Castle, Co. Offaly
Includes one of the most amazing gardens in the country with Formal Garden and River Garden. It is a
parkland with thousands of rare trees and plants collected all over the world, rivers,
a lake and waterfall.
In the grounds is the Great Telescope, built by the third Earl of Rosse in the 1840s. It was the
largest in the world for 70 years.
The Historic Science Centre is a superb visit. It contains astronomical
instruments, cameras, photographs and photographic equiptment used by the third and fourth Earls and Mary,
Countess of Rosse, in the middle and late 1800s.
The Rock of Cashel
One of the most spectacular archeological sites in Ireland. It sits on
the outskirts of Cashel on a large mound of limestone bristling with
ancient fortifications. Mighty stone walls encircle a complete round
tower, a roofless abbey, a 12th century Romanesque chapel, and
numerous other buildings and high crosses. The Rock of Cashel is
composed four structures which are the Hall of the Vicars Choral,
the cathedral, the round tower, and Cormac's Chapel. Hore Abbey is
about one kilometer north at the base of the rock.
Tipperary Crystal Design Centre
Situated in Birdhill, the Design Centre boasts a magnificent
display of Tipperary Crystal on the ground floor whilst in the Food Hall,
a mouth-watering array of fine preserves, chutneys, oils and hand-made chocolates are available to tempt
one and all.
The Gift Department on the first floor offers a mix of Irish made products including Eden Pottery,
Newbridge Cutlery and Jewellery, Linen, Rhynhart Bronze, Louise Kennedy Clothing, Scarves, Soaps and
Candles. THe choices are endless.
Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan.
Discovered in Jack McCann, a local farmer, in 1944, the 1000 feet long 
cave is one of the oldest of the Burren Caves having formed millions of years ago.
Guided tours, lasting 30 minutes, allow you to observe beautiful caverns,
bridged chasms, underground waterfalls, weird mineral formations and the
hibernation chambers of brown bears which have been extinct in Ireland for centuries.
Facilities include a restaurant, craft shop, information desk and outside,
'The Hazelwood' crafts village.
www.aillweecave.ie
Dún Guaire castle, Kinvara.
A 16th century castle that stands out prominently on the seashore.  Named
after the 7th century King of Connaught, Guaire whose palace had occupied
the same site, the castle was built by the O'Hynes and later passed into
the hands of the O'Shaughnessy and then the Martyn clans. It was sold to
John Gogarty a poet and writer in 1924 who subsequenty sold it to Lady
Christabel Ampthill.
The castle is open to the public and hosts medieval banquets with traditional
Irish music and story telling.
Bunratty Castle
Originally built in 1277 by Thomas de Clare, the Norman-Irish Castle was destroyed
and rebuilt more  than once in the centuries that followed.
It was captured by the O'Brien in 1355 and remained their headquarters until
1712. The MacNamara's, a sept of the O'Briens erected its present form in 1460 but
time took its toll upon the building until Viscount Gort bought it in 1954
and, with the aid of Bord Failte, had it restored by the Office of Public Works.
The Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland and
boasts one of the finest collections of 14th-17th century material in these islands.
The castle and its contents are now held in trust for the nation. The establishment
is managed by the Shannon Development Company, which arranges medieval banquets on a
year-round basis. The castle is open to visitors daily during the year. Admission charge.
Bunratty Folk Park
Features a complete reconstruction of a 19th century village street,
including craft shops, general stores and post office. There are examples
of houses representing a variety of districts from west Clare to the rich
farmlands of Limerick. Traditional crafts of an earlier age may be observed
in action basket weaving, farriery, candle making and the home-baking of bread.
A collection of early agricultural machinery is also on show. In the folk
barn country style meals are served and entertainment provided music, story telling,
Irish dancing and songs.
www.shannonheritage.com
Knappogue Castle, near Quin.
Originally a MacNamara stronghold, (built 1467). Restored in the 19th
century by Lord Dunboyne. The  castle passed to the Land Commission in the
late 1920s and was re-sold in 1966. The new owner refurbished the interior
in 15th century style. The castle is open to visitors and medieval banquets
are served from March to October. Admission charge.
Burren Smokehouse, Lisdoonvarna.
Burren Smokehouse produce oak-smoked Irish Atlantic Salmon. The ancient tradition is explained in their
new visitors centre. Gourmet and Craft Shop. Audio-visual in English, German, French and Italian.
Burren Exposure, Ballyvaughan.
 castle passed to the Land Commission in the
Located in the unique Burren, this new visitors' centre provides visitors with an overview of the area
and its unique landscape, its rich human history and its famous flora. Elaborate audio - visual
presentation synchronised large scale slide panoramas with soundscapes in 3 specially created environments.
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