No vacation to Ireland would be complete without a stay in Dublin, the historic and vibrant capital city. It features a wealth of elegant Georgian architecture, a magnificent medieval castle and of course a myriad of atmospheric pubs that the city is so famous for. It is a city not to be missed for lovers of classic literature. Follow in the footsteps of famous writers such as Oscar Wilde and James Joyce on one of the ever popular Dublin literary walking tours. Other essential attractions include the fascinating Guinness Storehouse and St Patrick's cathedral and families should definitely head to picturesque Phoenix Park for funfair rides, sports and the excellent Dublin Zoo.
Cork is Ireland's second city and located in the extreme southwest, a region where ancient Celtic traditions are still strong today. The city itself has some charming architecture and historic attractions such as St Finnbarr's cathedral. It is compact and easily explored on foot and the small city center is awash with quaint Irish pubs and vibrant pavement cafes. The city is noted for its fine seafood restaurants and is the best place to enjoy traditional live Irish music. Head out into the surrounding countryside to discover Europe's most ancient Celtic standing stones and burial grounds. It is also home to historic country estates such as the famous Blarney castle. Legend has it that if you kiss the "Blarney Stone" here you will never be lost for words again.
A trip to Shannon will really soak up the true spirit of a traditional Irish lifestyle. It is specially evocative in Winter with deserted Atlantic beaches and country roads. It is also an ideal place to enjoy a little adventure outdoors on the majestic Shannon river with a spot of fishing or boating. The town of Shannon itself is small yet historic and full of character. It is also an ideal base for serious golfers or for touring the many timeless craft villages in the area. Other unmissable attractions include the towering Cliffs of Moher,which overlook the pounding surf of the Atlantic coast and the spectacular medieval castle of Bunratty.
