Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the UK. In 1949, Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland is gradually being implemented despite some difficulties. In 2006, the Irish and British governments developed and began to implement the St. Andrews Agreement, building on the Good Friday Agreement approved in 1998.

Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) - the capital and the country's largest city. With excellent pubs, fine architecture and good shopping, Dublin is a very popular tourist destination and is the fourth most visited European capital.

National Museum of Ireland

Archaeology, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM; Su 2PM-5PM, closed Mon, Christmas Day and Good Friday. Archaeology and History. Other locations: Decorative Arts & History at Collins Barrack, Benburb Street, Dublin 7. Natural History at Merrion Street, Dublin 2. Please note, the Natural History Collection is currently closed to the public. Free entrance.

The National Gallery of Ireland

Merrion Square West & Clare Street, Dublin 2 (DART Pearse Station will get you to within five minutes from the Gallery.). Mon-Sat 9:30AM-5:30PM (till 8:30PM on Thurs) and Sun 12PM-5:30PM. Closed Good Friday and Dec 24-26. National collection of Irish and European Art. Free entrance.

Irish Museum of Modern Art

Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. Tu-Sa 10AM-5:30PM (opens 10:30AM on Wed), 12PM-5:30PM on Su and Bank Holidays. Closed on Mon. Summer Late Opening until 8.00PM on Thursdays from 5 June – 18 September.. Modern & contemporary art, formal gardens & cafe. Free entrance.. 

Old Library at Trinity College & Book of Kells

College Green, Dublin 2. M-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Sun (May-Sept) 9:30AM (12PM Oct-Apr)-5:30PM. Closed Dec 23 - Jan 1.. The gorgeously illustrated original manuscript of the Book of Kells is the main draw here, but the massive Long Hall of the Old library itself is equally if not even more impressive. Adults €9, +€2 for optional guided tour. Students & seniors €8, children under 12 free. Family admission €18.. 

Dublin Castle

Dublin 2. Mon-Fri 10AM-5:45PM. Sat, Sun & Holidays. Former seat of British rule in Ireland. Guided Tour Prices Adults: €4.50, students €3.50, children €2, alternative Tour of Chapel Royal & Undercroft €3.50.

Chester Beatty Library

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. Sa 11AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM, Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM (Closed on Mon from Oct-Apr). Contains a wide selection of early books and manuscripts, including sacred texts and manuscripts. European Museum of the Year 2002. Free entry.

The Bram Stoker Museum

Clontarf Rd, Dublin 3 (Take the DART to Clontarf station, this will leave you beside the museum. Enter via Bar Code.). Fri 4PM-10PM, Sat,Sun 12PM-10PM. A frightening tour through the life of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. €7 for adults, €4 for children and €5 for students and OAPs.

Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Place, Dublin 2. June-Aug 9AM-6PM, Sept-May 9:45 - 5 or 6PM. dating back to the 11th century, is the oldest building in Dublin, though it underwent a massive restoration in the 19th century. Particularly interesting is the crypt, which predates the cathedral. Adults €6, students €4, children with parent free.

Dublinia & the Viking World

St. Michael's Hill, Christchurch, Dublin 2. March-Sept 10am-5pm, Oct-Feb 10am-4.15pm. a heritage centre, located in central Dublin, at the heart of the medieval city. The exhibitions at Dublinia explore life as it was in the medieval city and the world of the Vikings. Discounted admission to the Christ Church Cathedral available. Adults €6.25, children €3.75, student €5.25.. 

Kilmainham Gaol

Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. Apr-Sep every day 9:30AM-6PM (last admission 5PM); Oct-Mar M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM (last admission 4PM), Su 10AM-6PM (last admission 5PM). The prison where the rebels from the 1916 Easter Rising were executed. It is located slightly outside the city centre and can be reached by local bus (78a). Access is limited to guided tours, which leave every 30 minutes and are very interesting. It is well worth a visit if you are in any way interested in history. Adults: €6, senior and groups: €4, children and students: €2, family €14.

Phoenix Park

Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. The largest enclosed urban park in Europe. Includes a polo field and Dublin Zoo. The residences of the President of Ireland and the US Ambassador are situated in the park, but are not open to the public. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the herd of wild fallow deer that inhabit the park! Free.

Glasnevin Cemetery

Finglas Road, Dublin 11 (Bus 13a 19 19a O'connell St or 40 40a 40b 40c Parnell St). Tours (Daily:March to September) (Wed and Fri:October to February) at 2:30PM. Situated just two miles from the city centre, Glasnevin Cemetery is currently running a series of walking tours. These tours give a valuable insight into the final resting place of the men and women who have helped shape Ireland's past and present. The walking tour last one and a half hours and visits the graves of Daniel O'Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, Eamonn De Valera and many other graves of architectural and cultural interest. Adults €5 U12 Free.

Dublin Zoo

Welington/Zoo road. M-Sa 9:30AM-4PM in winter and 6.30PM in summer. Located in Phoenix Park and dating to 1830, the Dublin Zoo is the largest in Ireland, and notable for its role in wildlife conservation efforts. Adults: €15, students €12.50, Senior Citizens €12, children €10.50, family from €43.50 for 4 to €52 for 6.

National Botanic Gardens

Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Daily Nov-Jan 9AM-4:30PM and Feb-Oct 9AM-6PM.

Leopardstown racecourse

Leopardstown, Dublin 18 (From Dublin city centre, follow the N11 south, turn right into the R113 (Leopardstown Road), the racecourse will be on your left). Located in the southern suburb of Leopardstown/Foxrock, there are regular meetings throughout the year. There is a "Pay as you Play" golf course within the racecourse grounds, as well as bars, restaurants and a nightclub (Club 92). €12.55, with reductions for students and OAPs.

Dublin Writers Museum

18 Parnell Square. Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, open until 6PM June-Aug. Sun and holidays 11AM-5PM. Located in an 18th century house, the museum is dedicated to Irish literature and the lives of individual Irish writers such as Shaw, Joyce, Yeats & Pearse. Adults €7.25, children €4.55, family tickets €21.

Cork (Corcaigh) - second largest city in the Republic of Ireland - located on the banks of the River Lee. Founded c.600 by St. Finbarre and known for good food, pubs, shopping and festivals.

Cork Vision Centre

This is in a former church in North Main Street. It has a large scale model of the city which should help your understanding. Free admission.

Elizabeth Fort

Offers a good view over the city. However, it is not easily seen from the city. From Southgate Bridge, go up Barrack Street and turn right. The Elizabeth Fort Market Festival takes place on Sundays inside the historic fort walls and features Irish-made crafts, gourmet food, and entertainment. [40] There is a police station within the fort.

St Finbarr's Cathedral

This is just a few minutes away from the Elizabeth fort and much easier to find. A fine 19th century Gothic building. Visible from the back is a golden angel high upon a tower.

Shandon Church

The tower and bells are symbols of the city, and overlook it from the north. Visitors are allowed to ring the bells. This church is situated in a conservation area.

Lewis Gluckman Gallery

This piece of modern architecture is situated within the grounds of University College Cork. Within is state of the art technology to protect and display major exhibitions of international art, along with facilities for workshops, film screenings, lectures and art classes. A café is situated on the ground floor.

Cork City Gaol

Slightly outside the city centre, this attraction is very much worth the visit. It can be reached by using the city sightseeing bus, by taxi or by a 30 minute walk. There is a small admission fee, but is worth every penny. The Gaol also provides fine views of the west of the city, including the University.

Cork Historic Walking Tours

 Offer the visitor the opportunity to understand the City's history, from its foundation by St. Finbarre right up to the 20th Century. The tour brings the visitor to the site of the ancient monastery of Cork, through the areas of Viking settlement, the medieval streets of the Norman walled city and along the waterways of the expanding 18th and 19th century city. The tour explains the history of the city in an informative and relaxed way.

University College Cork

Take a stroll through the College which is open to the public and take in the variety of architecture here, From the newly constructed extension of the Boole Library to the newly repointed limestone Honan Chapel which is popular for graduate weddings.

Páirc Ui Chaoimh

This 50,000 capacity stadium is in Ballintemple and is home of Cork GAA. It is open on matchdays and Monday and Wednesday for tours.

Galway (Gaillimh) - a city on the river Corrib on the west coast of Ireland. Famous for its festivals and its location on Galway Bay. Known as the City of Tribes, Galway's summer is filled with festivals of music, food, Gaelic language and culture. Galway hosts over fifty festivals a year, including the Galway Oyster Festival. The locals seem to give off a positive Bohemian vibe. Galway is split between two types of beautiful landscape: the gorgeous mountains to the west, and the east's farming valleys.

The pedestrian shopping area south of Eyre Square, is a pleasant place to walk around. And if the traditional Irish rain starts, just visit the Eyre Square shopping center, where they have put a roof above parts of the old town wall and so included them into the shopping centre, a beautiful combination of old and new.

At the south end of the pedestrian mall, is the Spanish Arch, one of the few remaining parts of the town's ancient defenses. The park adjacent to the arch is a popular place to sit and relax, while watching the Corrib flow out into Galway Bay.

The Promenade in Salthill, is a fantastic place to people watch on rare warm, sunny days. People walk and rollerblade along the prom and kids and adults alike jump off the concrete diving board into the frigid Atlantic Ocean.

Faherty Tours 1 day tour of Connemara and the Aran Islands leaving from Galway City

Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) - attractive medieval town, known as the Marble City - home to the Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, held annually in early June.

Kilkenny Tourist Office (Shee Arms House)

Rose Inn St. Not only is this a great place to get information about Kilkenny, it is also a tourist attraction itself. It is in Shee Alms House, a Tudor building built in 1582. It was originally used by the church. before lawyer Richard Shee bought it as a home for the poor. Originally it cared for 12 homeless people, and continued in this purpose for 150 years.

Kilkenny Castle and Gardens

Parade, Kilkenny. €5.30 Adult, €2.10 Child. This stunning Norman Castle, which is the dominant feature in the city, is its principal attraction. Its huge forested gardens are beautiful to walk during the day.

Black Abbey

Abbey St, Kilkenny. Founded in 1225, this impressive Dominican Abbey has beautiful stained glass windows and is itself surrounded by the old city walls. Free Admission.

Rothe House

Parliament Street, Kilkenny. A unique merchant's house built in the 16th Century. It contains Kilkenny's History Museum. €5 Adults, €3 for groups (10+).

St. Canice's Cathedral

Irishtown, Kilkenny. Built over 800 years ago, this impressive Cathedral and round tower are one of Kilkenny's main attractions. With one of Ireland's only accessable Round Towers, on top of which one can see the most amazing view of Kilkenny, this is a must for anyone's trip to Kilkenny. The cathedral itself is wheelchair accessable.

Grace's Courthouse

Parliament Street, Kilkenny (Opposite Rothe House). Housing Kilkenny's Court House, this former fortress built in 1210 (Grace's Castle) and then converted into a prison in the 1500s is full of history.

Butler House

Butler House, Patrick Street, Kilkenny (Across the Street from the Castle, through the old stables). This stunning Chateau-like building is one of the residences of the Butler family that ruled Kilkenny for many years. During Arts week it has many exhibitions.

Kilkenny 'Slips'

Throughout Kilkenny (Running Perpendicular to High Street). These winding streets that ramble through the city are a true view of Medieval Kilkenny.

St. Francis Abbey Brewery

Parliament Street, Kilkenny. This is Ireland's OLDEST brewery, founded in 1221. Heard of Kilkenny Beer? Smithwicks? Budweiser? They have all, at one stage, been brewed in this brewery.

Letterkenny - Main town in County Donegal, designated gateway status and reputed to be the fastest growing town in Europe. Good base for traveling in Donegal.

Market Square

Market Square has a nice monument commemorating the times when "Hiring Fairs" were held there, called "The Rabble Children". These fairs were held so that farmers could hire people, including young children, to live and work on their farms, for periods of six months or more.

Letterkenny Town Park

Letterkenny Town Park is located at the Hospital Roundabout and is a nice place for a relaxing stroll away from the hubbub of the town. The park has a herb garden, flower beds, new and mature trees, an orchard area, playing areas, bowling green, walks, playgrounds and a Garden of Rememberance.

St. Eunan's Cathedral

St. Eunan's Cathedral , the only cathedral in the county, dominates the skyline and is well worth a visit. Also at Cathedral Square you can see the newly erected Celtic Cross, which is the largest in Europe.

There is also a designated signposted walk-way (Slí na Sláinte) which takes you out along the Swilly River, which runs through the town. It starts at the Station Roundabout near the bus depot and continues out the Derry road, looping around to come back into the town by Ramelton road.

Limerick (Luimneach) - a city on the river Shannon in the south-west of the country.

King John's Castle

Located on King's Island (in the heart of Limerick City), Open: 10-16.30 Jan/Feb/Nov/Dec, 9.30-17.00 Mar/Apr, 9.30-17.30 May–Oct.

Thomond Park

One of the Ireland's most famous sporting arenas, and the proud home of Munster Rugby, who are twice crowned European champions and have beaten the world's best in this stadium including the mighty All Blacks. Recently renovated to international standards, re-opened in November 2008. It has a new modern music bar and great facilities for young and old. You must experience a rugby game, even if you like sport or not, when you visit to witness its often talked about unique atmosphere.

St. John's Cathedral

This impressive church has the tallest spire in Ireland at an amazing 94m (308 ft) and is a must visit. Built in 1861 and designed by the architect Philip Charles Hardwick, it has been in continuous use since. The most recent restoration work carried out was in 2003/2004 on the roof and exterior stonework. It is a Catholic cathedral, the city's other cathedral, St. Mary's Cathedral being Anglican.

The Hunt Museum

Rutland Street, Open 10-17:00 Mon-Sat, 14:00–17:00 Sun. (Adults €7.20, Concessions €5.80, Children €3.50)

St Mary's Cathedral

Located on King's Island

Downtown Georgian Architecture

UL Arena

The UL Arena is well worth a visit, for couch potatoes and sporting enthusiasts alike.

Limerick Milk Market

The Limerick Milk Market is a hive of activity at the weekend, everything under the sun is for sale, bargains galore, art, books, clothes, antiques, fresh food and even farmers milk!

Peoples Park

The Peoples Park very central in Limerick, for those who love green romantic walks.

Daniel O'Connell

The Daniel O'Connell memorial statue.It's perched at the top of O'Connell street in the Georgian district of town.

Sligo (Town and County)- Home to W.B. Yeats, internationally renowned poet. Mountains and beaches, scenery in general are the best points of Sligo.

Sligo Abbey (Dominican Friary)

Abbey Street (From the GPO, turn left. After 40 m (44 yd), before the river, turn right onto Rockwood Parade (alongside the river). Walk 140 m (150 yd) to the second right onto Water Lane, and at the top of the lane, 90 m (98 yd) turn left onto Castle Street. Walk 200 m (220 yd) onto Abbey Street, with Abbey on the left (total distance of 455 m (498 yd)).). daily 10AM-6PM (last admission 5:15PM). Closed from mid-Dec until Feb.. founded by Maurice Fitzgerald in 1253, destroyed by fire in 1414, rebuilt in its present form; the Abbey was burned in 1642 and everything valuable in it was destroyed. Much of the structure, including the choir, carved altar and cloisters remain. Adult:€2.10, Senior:€1.30, Student:€1.10, Family:€5.80, Group Rate:€1.30.

Famine Memorial

Quay Street Car-park (From the GPO, turn right. After 40 m (44 yd), turn right. Pass the City Hall on your right, Quayside Shopping Centre on your left, enter the car-park at the riverside (total distance of 270 m (295 yd)).). open all hours. One of a suite of three sculptures commissioned by the Sligo Famine Commemoration Committee to honour the victims of the Irish Potato Famine (1845–1849), when over 30,000 people emigrated through the port of Sligo, here commemorated by this sculprute.. A plaque in the background, headed 'Letter to America, January 2, 1850' tells one family's sad story. free.

Waterford (Port Láirge) - Ireland's oldest city. In the south-east and close to the ferry port at Rosslare. Waterford is a popular visit for those who want to learn more about the most ancient history of Ireland. It is quite possibly one of the best cities in the country as it is not too large and is full of history. Many festivals take place throughout the year including ((Spraoi)). The food is good and the Granary Museum is the best for ancient Irish history in the country. Don't forget to try a blaa before you leave. (A floury bread bun peculiar to this area of Ireland).

The Waterford Treasures Museum

Located in the old Granary building on the Hanover Street junction of the Quay, holds thousands of artefacts from archaelogical digs that have uncovered Waterford's rich heritage and tell the story of Ireland's oldest city.

Reginald's Tower

Reginald's Tower named after the city's founder, Regnall, is the oldest urban civic building in Ireland, and the oldest monument to retain its Viking name. The tower now serves as a museum displaying pieces on the history of Waterford and the tower itself. Reginald's tower is hard to miss, opposite the William Vincent Wallace Plaza on the Quays.

Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre

Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre on Barrack Street is dedicated to the memory of Brother Edmund Rice, founder of the Presentation and Christian Brothers.

Wexford - Town and county in the "Sunny South-East"

Within the town, most attractions are of an ecclesiastical nature. St. Iberius Church, on North Main Street, is a must see for its romanesque influenced architecture. Also worth a look are the twin churches at Rowe Street and Bride Street. Built in 1858, and designed by a student of Pugin, both are fantastic examples of 19th century neo gothic church architecture. However, as Bride Street has undergone major alterations, Rowe Street is the more impressive. The ruins of Selskar Abbey, and the adjoining Westgate tower are also of interest. the former was where Henry II of England reputedly did penance for the murder of Thomas Beckett, archbishop of Canterbury. The latter is the only surviving gate in Wexford's town wall, dating back to the 12th century and the Norman invasion of Ireland. Other portions of the wall may be seen at Abbey Street and Mallin Street.

Almost a sight in themselves are Wexford's narrow winding Viking streets. Follow the Main Street from Selskar onwards and discover the atmospheric buzz of the town. Many lanes linking the quayfront and the Main Street still exist - most notably Keyser's Lane, which was the main thoroughfare linking the quays to the town in Viking times.