Killaloe Heritage Centre
 Regal Killaloe, once the capital of Ireland as the 11th century seat of
heroic King Brian Boru is at the south-west tip of Lough Derg. The heritage
centre comprises a tourist information office, crafts centre and an exhibition
tracing the history of Killaloe from the 10th century to the present day
including it's strong nautical links with Lough Derg, the largest of the
River Shannon Lakes.
Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan.
 Discovered by 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
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 clan 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.
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 includes music, story
telling, Irish dancing and songs.
www.shannonheritage.com
The Burren
The unique diversity of the Burren's flora has constantly attracted much attention and is at its best
about mid-May or a little later.
Its extraordinary rock formations, spreading over 500 sq km, have been refereed to by many observers
including General Ludlow, who led Cromwellian forces to Limerick and Clare in 1651 as "a lunar landscape". The Limestone pavements are a direct result of glaciation and erosion.
The area is rich in megalithic tombs and ring forts steeped in antiquity.
www.burren-tours.com
The Cliffs of Moher
The majestic Cliffs of Moher stand against the might of the Atlantic Ocean. O’Brien’s Tower is located on the highest cliff and is an exceptional viewing point. The Cliffs can be visited daily, year-round. O Brien’s tower open daily, March to October. Visitor centre open year round.
Boat trips can be taken along the cliffs.
www.mohercruises.com
Portumna Castle
The impressive castle at Portumna was the seat of the Clanricarde Burkes, for so long the most important landowners in County Galway. It was completed c. 1617 by Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde, but was accidentally destroyed by fire in 1826. The Office of Public Works has been involved in its restoration in recent times.
Craggaunowen
Craggaunowen is where Celtic life is brought to life! Ireland’s original prize-winning centre dedicated
to interpreting Ireland’s Pre-historic and early Christian eras. Exhibits range from Bronze Age
homesteads to Celtic Chieftain’s residences.
Craggaunowen houses the Brendan boat - the leather hulled boat which Tim Severin sailed across the
Atlantic to prove that Irish Monks made the journey long before Columbus.
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.
Birr Castle Demesne
and 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.
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