Ireland

Fáilte! We've compiled a list of about 200 of the best pages we could find, helping you to plan your perfect summer holiday (vacation) or short break in Ireland (Eire) and Northern Ireland. Here you'll find: information about places to stay in places such as Donegal, Dublin, Belfast, Galway, and Cork.

It tooks us weeks to put this site together. We did the hard work so you don't have to. And now you've found us, don't lose us! With most web browsers, you can press CTRL and D to bookmark this page (add it to your favourites) for future reference!

Introduction

They don't call it the Emerald Isle for nothing. Trip across to Ireland by boat or plane and you'll discover a haven of beauty and peace. The long and bitter "troubles", which so dominated Ireland's recent history, seem firmly now a part of its past. There's a new confidence about the place, massive investment and economic growth, and a powerful determination to make the 21st century memorable for entirely different reasons. If you're visiting Ireland and Northern Ireland, recent history might still be uppermost in your mind. But look beyond politics and you'll find a unique and captivating destination.

There are cities here, of course—Belfast, Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick among them—but Ireland is still quintessentially a rural place. Considering its size (about 84,000 square kilometres or 32,000 square miles, about 486km or 302 miles long, and 280km or 174 miles wide), it's also a relatively unpopulated place. Fewer people live in the whole of Ireland and Northern Ireland than in London—but, as I'm sure they'd agreed, what they lack in "quantity" they more than make up for in "quality". Ireland's big-hearted folk are famous for their warm and genuine hospitality.

This land is their land: the mountains of Donegal, the lakes and rivers that make up the Erne and Shannon waterways, the surfing breaks at Bundoran, the Sligo of W.B. Yeats, the intricate, intimate bays and estuaries that make up the west coast, the mild and moist climate. But it can be your land too. Whether you want to catch salmon in Meath, marvel at the Giant's Causeway, or walk the Dublin streets of James Joyce and Samuel Beckett, Ireland has something to offer you.

It's a world away from mainland Britain—and a perfect escape' for a few days, a few weeks, or the rest of your life.

Links for further information

Northern Ireland

• General sites—covering all of Northern Ireland
• Things to do in Northern Ireland
• Belfast
• Derry
• Antrim
• Tyrone
• Fermanagh
• Armagh
• Down

Ireland (Eire)

• Donegal
• Sligo
• Leitrim
• Monaghan
• Mayo
• Roscommon
• Cavan
• Louth
• Longford
• Meath
• Westmeath
• Galway
• Offaly
• Dublin
• Kildare
• Wicklow
• Clare
• Tipperary
• Carlow
• Limerick
• Wexford
• Kerry
• Cork
• Waterford

Northern Ireland

General sites—covering all of Northern Ireland

• Discover Northern Ireland: Official website of the Northern Ireland Tourism Board. Includes guides to City of Armagh, City of Belfast, City of Derry, Causeway Coast and Glens, Mourne Mountains, Sperrin Mountains, and Fermanagh Lakelands.
• Northern Ireland Visitor Guide 2007: This is the current tourist brochure (4.9 MB PDF file—will take about half an hour to download if you have a slow dial-up connection).
• Discover Ireland: Official website covering the whole of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• Northern Ireland: The Wikipedia entry discusses the history, culture, economy, geography, and politics.

Things to do in Northern Ireland

Fishing

• A Selection of Angling Waters in Northern Ireland: Official guide from the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts, and Leisure.
• Fishing in Northern Ireland: Official guide from the Northern Ireland tourist board.
• Where to fish in Northern Ireland?: A directory from The Angling Times.
• Fishing in Meath: A website for people who want to come on fishing holidays to Meath. Includes information about different types of fishing, where to buy your tackle, local fishing guides you can hire, etc.

Walking and hiking

• Discover Northern Ireland: Walking: Official guide from the Northern Ireland tourist board. Includes a selection of popular walks.
• Walking and hiking in Northern Ireland: Official guide from the Northern Ireland tourist board. Includes a selection of popular walks.
• Magee Hillwalking Club: A walking club based at the University of Ulster.

Cycling

• Cycle Northern Ireland: A complete guide to Northern Ireland cycling from Sustrans and the The Countryside Access & Activities Network. Includes a selection of downloadable maps of cycle routes.
• Discover Northern Ireland: Cycling: Official guide from the Northern Ireland tourist board. Includes a city tour of Belfast and a selection of major and minor cycle routes throughout the country.
• Sustrans Northern Ireland: Cycling: Describes the Northern Ireland cycle network.
• Cyclists Touring Club Northern Ireland: A friendly local branch of the CTC in Northern Ireland.

Places to visit in Northern Ireland

Derry/Londonderry

• <Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau: Official guide to Derry. Includes information about accommodation, travel, and conferences. Downloadable PDF brochures include a general visitor guide, PDF visitor map of Derry, walking tours, and conference guide.
• Derry: In Your Pocket: A quick guide to Derry and what you should do while you're there.
• Visit Derry: Includes accommodation, shopping, things to do, and general information about Derry City.
• Derry: A wide-ranging Wikipedia article covers history, climate, places of interest nearby, local events, famous people from Derry, and snatches of songs about the city.
• BBC 5-day weather forecast for LondonDerry: Find out whether the weather will be good when you visit.

Antrim

• Causeway coast and glens: Official guide from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
• County Antrim Northern Ireland: A short introduction with a handy clickable map of the county and links.
• Visit Antrim: A short introduction from commercial tourist guide website.
• County Antrim: A short introduction and links.
• Visit Antrim in Northern Ireland: A short photo guide and links from UK Student Life website.

Belfast

• Belfast walk: A two-hour walk around the sites of Belfast, from the BBC. Site includes photo tour and virtual 360 degree panorama.

Tyrone

• Omagh: Official website of the county town of Tyrone. Includes a culture, leisure, and tourism section with lots of information for visitors.
• Tyrone Tourist: A general commercial tourist guide to accommodation, places to visit, car hire, eating out, and transport in County Tyrone.
• County Tyrone: Short introductory articles, clickable map, and links.
• County Tyrone: Short introductory article originally from the Northern Ireland Tourism Board.
• County Tyrone: Very short introductory article from Wikipedia with a few basic facts (may expand in time).
• Todds Leap Activity Centre: Website describes it as "A purpose-built off-road activity centre set amongst 100 Acres of picturesque countryside in Ballygawley, Co.Tyrone".

Fermanagh

• Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism: Official tourist guide. Includes places to stay, things to do, and downloadable PDF tourist brochures.
• Fermanagh Lakelands: Official guide from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
• Fermanagh District Council: Includes a comprehensive guide for tourists, with latest news, events.
• Find Fermanagh: Search engine for Fermanagh accommodation, things to do, and upcoming events. Also includes links to transport and travel information.
• County Fermanagh: A short, introductory tourist guide.
• County Fermanagh: Short overview from Wikipedia explains the geography of the area, lists towns and villages in the county, discusses industry and tourism, and lists some notable local people.

Armagh

• Armagh and Down: Official guide from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
• Armagh and Down Tourism: Official regional tourism guide covers accommodation and special offers for tourists.
• County Armagh and Lough Neagh: Covers accommodation, car rental, pubs, restaurants, transport, and travel. Short introductory articles on heritage, history, environment, and wildlife.
• Armagh City: Online tourist and local community guide. Includes sports, local events, and a local directory.
• Armagh: A short, introductory guide to the city from Wikipedia.
• County Armagh: A guide to County Armagh from Wikipedia. Covers basic geography and history and has a short section on "the troubles".

Down

• Down and Armagh: Official guide from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
• Armagh and Down Tourism: Official regional tourism guide covers accommodation and special offers for tourists.
• County Down, The Mountains of Mourne and Strangford Lough: Covers accommodation in hotels, guest-houses, and B&Bs, car rental, pubs, restaurants, transport, and travel. Short introductory articles on genealogy, heritage, history, environment, and wildlife.
• Northern Ireland: County : A brief introductory article described as "Original Official Site of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board".
• County Down: Brief introductory article from Wikipedia.

Ireland (Eire)

General sites—covering all of Ireland

• Discover Ireland: Tourism Ireland website covering the whole of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• Fáilte Ireland: Corporate site for Ireland's National Tourism Development Authority.

Donegal

• Donegal: Official home page of County Donegal Tourism. Includes events, attractions, places to eat, tourist routes and maps, and latest news. Also an online room search/booking system.
• Donegal Town: Local community website covers such things as art and culture, art galleries, cinema, hillwalking, fishing, and local business news.
• County Donegal: Introduction to the culture, geography, and politics of County Donegal from Wikipedia.
• Donegal Town: Brief introductory article from Wikipedia.
• West Donegal Sea Angling Charters: "West Donegal Sea-Angling Charters offers you the chance to sail and fish off Donegal, on Europe's most scenic and rugged coastline."
• Donegal Bay: A comprehensive guide to activities, events, and travel information for Donegal Bay, including Bundoran, Ballyshannon, Belleek, Rossnowlagh, Cashelard, Creevy, and Kinlough.

Bundoran

• Bundoran: Stunning surfing destination in Donegal Bay.
• Bundoran Surf Company: A surf school in Bundoran.

Sligo

• Sligo: Land of heart's desire: Official tourist guide, includes an interactive map, details of walking, horse riding, gold, traditional Irish music, culture, places to eat, and much more.
• County Sligo: Covers accommodation in Sligo. Also includes a county map and town guides.
• Sligo: A brief introduction to Sligo Town from Wikipedia.
• County Sligo: An even briefer introduction to County Sligo from Wikipedia. Currently just a list of towns and village in the county.
• Sligo Airport: A small airport in northwest Ireland, 5 miles from Sligo town, 44 miles from Donegal, 46 miles from Enniskillen.
• Sligo: Places to visit: A few links to places of interest in Sligo.
• The Yeats Society: Dedicated to remembering the link between Sligo and its most famous resident, poet W.B. Yeats.

Leitrim

• Leitrim Tourism: Includes maps, and guides to accommodation, boating, local towns and villages, entertainment, tours, and booking conferences.
• Leitrim: The official website for County Leitrim and its local community.
• Leitrim County Council: Guide to local services.
• County Leitrim: Basic introduction to Leitrim and links for accommodation, car rentals, pubs and restaurants.
• County Leitrim: A short introductory page from Wikipedia.

Monaghan

• Monaghan Tourism: Official tourist guide to the local area. Includes a photo gallery and virtual postcards.
• Monaghan County Council: Official guide to local community and services.
• County Monaghan: Historical information: "...a compilation of information found over many years and with the help from friends of Monaghan on the Internet. This may help those searching for ancestors in County Monaghan, and those interested in the general history of this area."
• Monaghan Town: A brief introduction from Wikipedia.
• County Monaghan: A brief introduction to County Monaghan from Wikipedia.

Mayo

• Ireland West: Official tourist guide to Galway, Roscommon, and Mayo.
• Tourism in County Mayo: Guide to Mayo and its attractions. Includes a clickable map of the region with links to accommodation.
• County Mayo: Brief overview of Mayo and Ballina, its county town.
• County Mayo: Read reviews and recommendations of hotels and B&Bs in Mayo.
• County Mayo: Brief introductory article from Wikipedia.

Roscommon

• Ireland West: Official tourist guide to Galway, Roscommon, and Mayo.
• Visit Roscommon: Official tourist guide. Available in English, French, and German. Includes details of accommodation, attractions, dining out, and touring routes.
• County Roscommon: Very brief introductory article from Wikipedia, with little more than a list of local towns and villages.
• County Roscommon: Brief overview of Roscommon Town and County Roscommon.
• County Roscommon: Read reviews and recommendations of hotels and B&Bs in Roscommon.

Cavan

• County Cavan: The Lake Country: Official tourist guide. Includes accommodation, places to visit, things to do, restaurants, towns and villages, angling, events, health and wellbeing.
• County Cavan: Brief overview of Cavan Town and County Cavan.
• Cavan Tourist: Brief guide to Cavan with links for accommodation etc.
• Cavan County Museum: Aims "to collect, conserve, document and display all aspects of the culture, history and traditions of County Cavan in an informative and entertaining manner to promote an awareness of Cavan's rich heritage."
• County Cavan: Read reviews and recommendations of hotels, B&Bs, and tourist attractions in Cavan.

Louth

• Louth Holidays: Official tourist guide. Includes places to stay, places to visit, festival and events, good and drink, activities and sport.
• County Louth: Small but perfectly formed county on the east coast of Ireland. Includes a clickable map with a guide to local towns and villages
• County Louth: Brief introductory article from Wikipedia, with some basic history and a list of towns and villages.
• Louth Local Authorities: Local government site for County Louth, including community information and news (but not much information about tourism).
• Create Louth: A guide to the arts in County Louth.

Longford

• County Longford Tourism: Official tourist and community guide.
• Longford Agricultural Show: A county agricultural event held in Longford each July for over 100 years.
• County Longford: Brief introductory article from Wikipedia.
• Longford B&B: A guide to a few local B&Bs in Longford.
• County Longford: A good, short introduction to Longford, its history, and attractions.

Meath

• Meath Tourism: Official tourist and community guide to a region that describes itself as "Ireland's heritage capital". Includes downloadable brochures, brochure request form, and list of tourist offices.
• Meath: Community website maintained by Meath County Council.
• Fishing in Meath: A website for people who want to come on fishing holidays to Meath. Includes information about different types of fishing, where to buy your tackle, local fishing guides you can hire, etc.
• Visit Meath: A commercial tourism website.
• Meath Hotels and Tourism Guide: Another commercial tourism website. Includes a basic guide to local accommodation, pubs and nightlife, event calendar, etc.

Westmeath

• Westmeath Tourism: Official tourist guide.
• Westmeath: Official county council guide. Includes lots of up-to-date local and community information.
• Mullingar Arts Centre: Arts venue in Mullingar, West Meath. Website includes programme for the theatre, gallery, workshops, etc.
• Belvedere House, Gardens and Park: The Estate comprises 160 acres of parkland with 6kms of magnificent woodland and lakeshore walks. Several follies adorn the landscape including Ireland's largest folly, The Jealous Wall.
• Midlands Music Festival: A contemporary musical festival held annually at Belvedere House.
• County Westmeath: A short introduction from Wikipedia.

Galway

• Ireland West: Official tourist guide to Galway, Roscommon, and Mayo.
• Galway Tourist Guide: Lots of information from Galway Junior Chamber, including official downloadable tourist brochures.
• Galway Tourist: A short, basic introduction to Galway, including an online accommodation checking service.
• Galway Races: Famous racecourse in Galway.
• Galway City Council: Local and community information for Galway.

Offaly

• Offaly County Council: Official tourist guide, including contact details for tourist offices in Tullamore, Birr, and Clonmacnoise.
• County Offaly: A short commercial guide, includes sections on accommodation, car rentals, pubs and restaurants, places to see, etc.
• County Offaly: A very short introduction from Wikipedia.
• Places to visit near Tullamore: A guide from the Tullamore Chamber of Commerce.

Dublin

• Visit Dublin: Official tourist guide, including accommodation finder, competitions, events, things to see and do, and information on how to travel to Dublin by air, sea, bus, rail, bicycle and car.
• Dublin: A comprehensive article from Wikipedia covering Dublin's history, climate, culture, government, economy, tourist attractions, etc.
• Dublin Events: Events-oriented, commercial travel guide to Dublin.
• Dublin Footprints Guide: A short guide to planning your trip, including accommodation, arts and entertainment, bars and clubs, eating and drinking, festivals and events, gay and lesbian, shopping, sports, and tours.

Kildare

• Tourist Guide to County Kildare: Official tourist guide.
• Kildare Community Network: Local community guide, including information about local organizations and links to what's on.
• County Kildare: Brief overview of Kildare and Naas, its county town.
• The Irish National Stud: A major attraction in Kildate, includes the Irish National Stud, the Japanese gardens, the Saint Fiachra's Garden (with woodland and lakeside walks) and the horse museum.
• Kildare Hotels and Tourism Guide: A general commercial tourist guide, with an online accommodation guide, a list of local attractions, etc.

Wicklow

• Visit Wicklow: Official tourist guide. Covers family activities, gardens festival, golf, heritage, outdoor activities, walking, and events.
• Wicklow County Council: Local and community information.
• County Wicklow: A short article from Wikipedia basic history and local towns.
• Wicklow Today: Local newspaper.
• County Wicklow: Recommendations from Trip Advisor website.

Clare

• Clare Tourist Council: Official tourist guide.
• Visit Clare: Official tourist guide to East Clare.
• Tour Clare: Quite a good commercial tourist guide.
• County Clare: Brief overview of Clare and Ennis, its county town.
• County Clare: Recommendations for where to stay and what to do from Trip Advisor website.

Tipperary

• Tipperary: South East Ireland Tourism: Official tourist guide to the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.
• Shannon Region: North Tipperary: Official tourist website.
• County Tipperary: Brief overview of Northern Tipperary.
• County Tipperary: Recommendations for where to stay and what to do from Trip Advisor website.
• County Tipperary: A short introduction from Wikipedia, including a list of towns and villages.

Carlow

• Carlow: South East Ireland Tourism: Official tourist guide to the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.
• Carlow Local Authorities: Local government page, includes lots of useful information about the area for local people and visitors.
• County Carlow: A short introduction from Wikipedia, including a list of towns and villages and a list of famous people from the area.
• Carlow Tourist: A brief commercial guide to tourism in Carlow.
• County Carlow: Recommendations for where to stay and what to do from Trip Advisor website.

Limerick

• Limerick - Historic Riverside City, Pleasure County: Official tourist guide.
• Limerick - County Council: Lots of local community information, including an arts and culture database.
• County Limerick: Recommendations for where to stay and what to do from Trip Advisor website.
• County Limerick: A short introduction from Wikipedia, including a brief history, some notes about transport, and a list of towns, villages, and tourist attractions.
• Limerick: A great introduction to Limerick city, also from Wikipedia.

Wexford

• Wexford Tourism: Official tourist guide.
• Wexford: South East Ireland Tourism: Official tourist guide to the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.
• Courtown - Gorey - North Wexford Tourism: "County Wexford is known as the Sunny South East. It is reputed to have lowest rainfall in Ireland making it the perfect holiday destination." Ah, they all say that!
• County Wexford, Enniscorthy and Enniscorthy Castle: Brief overview of Wexford and its county town.
• Wexford Festival Opera: Annual opera festival in May/June that has taken place for over 50 years.

Waterford

• Waterford: Official tourist guide to the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.
• Waterford Tourism: Quite a comprehensive guide to everything from crafts and entertainment to scenic drives and the arts.
• Waterford: A great introduction to Waterford city from Wikipedia. Covers history, culture, transport, climate, and quite a bit more.
• Waterford County Council: A comprehensive local community website.

Kerry

• Cork and Kerry: Official tourist guide to South West Ireland.
• Kerry County Council: Local government and community guide, including an arts, culture, and events guide.
• Kerry webcam: Looking down a street in Tralee.
• County Kerry: Not a bad introduction from Wikipedia.
• Ring of Kerry Tourism: A great guide to everything from golf clubs to camping and carvanning.

Cork

• Cork and Kerry: Official tourist guide to South West Ireland.
• Cork County Council: Community information for local people and visitors.
• Cork Guide: Cheap and cheerful overview of Cork.
• County Cork: Brief introduction from Wikipedia.

A handy tip

If you're looking for accommodation, it really helps to spell it correctly. Lots of people come to this page looking for things like acomodation and accomodation. At least no-one searches for accomadashun!