Many of Ireland’s attractions are connected to our rich and colourful history. Discover our castles and great houses. Explore our museums and heritage centres. Enjoy attractions that are faithful recreations of the living conditions experienced by our ancestors in both the recent and distant past.
Turning back the clock to the elegance of the Georgian era, Birr has stayed true to its 18th and 19th Century character, with tree-lined malls and avenues and wonderful Georgian Architecture
Elizabeth Fort is one of the oldest upstanding structures in Cork City which has been in use for over 400 years. This 17th century fort was built in the aftermath of the Battle of Kinsale.
The role played by Foynes in the establishment of passenger flights across the Atlantic is excitingly captured in the Museum which is located in the original Airport Terminal Building.
Through 9000 years of Irish History. Enter a special place where Ireland's heritage comes alive with sights and sounds that shaped a country and helped to shape the world.
See examples of silver, ceramics, glassware, weaponry, furniture, folklife, clothing, jewellery, coins and medals and take part in one of the many events hosted by the Museum.
Saint Mary’s Cathedral was founded in 1168 AD and stands majestically over the City of Limerick. It is open daily and is still used today for its original purpose, as a place of worship.
Visit Youghal Clock Gate Tower to learn about its diverse past as a local time-keeper, gaol and centre of trade, and explore St. Mary’s Collegiate Church.
The Kennedy Homestead, birthplace of President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy, celebrates the story of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty.
From the whitewater rush of the Shannon to the emerald peace of the countryside, from Michelin star meals to tasty treats at the local market, this is Limerick, where edge meets embrace
Offaly has a wide range of places to visit and hidden gems to explore. From water sports to pet-farms and science discoveries to tree-house adventures.
A monastery was founded in Ardfert by St. Brendan 'The Navigator' in the 6th century. There are three medieval churches, two ogham stones and a number of early Christian.
Ballyhack Castle is open to the public, having been partially restored, and displays objects relating to the Crusades, the Normans, and medieval monks.
An impressive and well preserved Cistercian Monastery which was founded in the 12th century under the patronage of the local ruling family, the MacDermotts.
Corlea Bog is built on the exact axis of the trackway and a boardwalk across the bogland follows the course of the remaining trackway buried within the bog.
Referred to as ‘The Liberator’, Daniel O’Connell was an Irish political leader in the early 19th Century. The O’Connell statue was made by sculptor John Henry Foley and unveiled in 1882.
Derrynane, the Oakwood of St Fionán, stands at the very tip of the Iveragh Peninsula in Co Kerry. Sheltered within the woodland stands Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell
West Limerick preserves many of Ireland's surviving spacious medieval halls. The Desmond Banqueting Hall is an imposing two-storey structure and was used by the Earls of Desmond for banquets
Change of focus from a county museum to depicting the story of Enniscorthy town through the eyes of the castle, and how both have developed over the centuries.
Longford is steeped in Irish mythology and history. Visit the Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre to experience a journey through time and don the clothes of our Norman ancestors.
Unveiled in 1997, this memorial commemorates the victims of the Great Famine of the mid-19th century in which 1 million died and 1 million more emigrated.
Kilkenny Castle
The Parade, Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
This impressive 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde.
Visit the magnificent medieval castle with a dramatic 800 year heritage, just minutes away from Dublin city centre. Generations of the Talbot family called Malahide Castle home.
Visit Michael Collins House in Clonakilty, a museum dedicated to revolutionary hero, Michael Collins. It brings history to life through interactive displays, artefacts and more.
The cliffs of Mizen Head rise high above the Atlantic Ocean, where the currents meet from the west and south coasts and waves from the mid-Atlantic crash into the land.
Combine a visit to the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life with a Greenway cycle for a great day out. Start your day at Lough Lannagh and pedal or hike along the 10km riverside route.
At the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Kildare Street, you'll find artefacts dating from 7000BC to the 20th Century exhibited in seven galleries.
Navan Centre & Fort is a place where myth and reality meet. It is one of Ireland’s most famous and important archaeological sites, the legendary Emain Macha.
New Ross is the gateway to the Hook Peninsula and the Hook Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in Europe, stands sentinel over one of nature’s most beautiful estuaries.
The first Cistercian monastery in Ireland founded in 1142 by St Malachy of Armagh. The Visitor Centre houses an interesting exhibition on the work of masons in the Middle Ages.
Meet the key figures of the Rebellion, participate in the state of the art 4D battle of Vinegar Hill Experience and discover how weapons from the period worked.
Russborough House, built in 1740, is often referred to as ‘the most beautiful in Ireland’ and houses one of the most impressive private art collections in Ireland
Scattery Island
OPW Visitor Centre, Scattery Island, Co. Clare, Ireland
There are the ruins of six churches and one of the highest Round Towers in Ireland, 120 feet high, with it's unusual feature of it's door at ground level.
Skibbereen Heritage Centre has two primary exhibitions – one on the Great Famine, the second on Lough Hyne, and also provides a genealogy service for the greater West Cork area.
Officially opened in October 1998 as part of the work of the congregation of Holy Cross to continue the ministry of prayer that was so near to Fr Peytons heart.
Strokestown Park is a unique historic property in Co. Roscommon in the west of Ireland and is the home of the first landlord to be assassinated during the height of the Great Famine.
The Museum was founded in 1992 by Michael and Kathleen O'Toole, with a view to preserving and protecting the traditions and skills of the local sheep and woollen industry in Connemara
Experience Athenry’s rich medieval
history with a guided tour of
the Athenry Heritage Centre. Enjoy the ‘Medieval Experience’ and dressing up in medieval costumes.
Nestled in the charming village of Blarney is one of Cork’s greatest treasures. Built nearly 600 years ago, Blarney Castle is known the world over for the famous Blarney Stone.
Blennerville Windmill was restored to working order in the 1980s and is the largest working windmill in Ireland. Learn the history of the area and take a guided tour of the Windmill.
Clare Museum
Arthur’s Row, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland
Located in the beautifully restored former Convent of Mercy building, the exhibits are uniquely displayed, using the themes of earth, power, faith and water.
Curraghmore House in Waterford is the historic home of the 9th Marquis of Waterford. His ancestors came to Ireland from Normandy after a 100-year stopover in Wales around 1170.
This 13th century Franciscan friary, founded by the O'Briens, of Thomond who once ruled much of north Munster, has numerous 15th/16th century sculptures carved in the local hard limestone.
Visit The Casino Model Railway Museum to experience the iconic model railway collection crafted by Cyril Fry, now housed in the restored Casino cottage in the heart of Malahide Village.
Step back in time in Ireland’s only intact Georgian mansion and estate, nestled among the wildflower meadows of Newbridge Demesne. Take a guided tour through three centuries of history.
The oldest surviving building here is said to be 400 years old. Indeed, the whole complex is an interesting reminder of a stage in the industrial development of this country.
There is something for everyone at Westport House: the beautiful historic Westport House, stunning grounds, the Pirate Adventure Park and the Birds of Prey centre.
In the mid-nineties a group of Allihies residents came together to discuss how they might preserve and present the local copper mining heritage of this unique area. The museum is the result.
EPIC is a modern museum in Dublins Docklands that tells the moving and unforgettable story of the 10 million Irish people who left their homeland and how they influenced and shaped the world
IMMA is home to the National Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art, now numbering over 3,000 artworks and is housed in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
Limerick Museum has over 62,000 objects in its collection. Discover the story of Limerick city and county through its objects, from Stone Age axes to 1916 Rising medals.
The Lord Mayor's residence is at the Mansion House built in 1710 by the merchant and property developer Joshua Dawson, for whom Dawson Street is named.
The National Library of Ireland (NLI) is a must-visit cultural institution for any visitors to Dublin who are interested in exploring their family tree and Ireland's rich history.
Nenagh
Nenagh Arts Centre, Banba Square, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
View or visit Nenagh's Franciscan Friary ruins, old Jailhouse block and gateway, restored Courthouse, Nenagh Castle, and the Nenagh Heritage Centre in the old Governor’s House.
The Waterworks is the best preserved of its kind in Ireland. The old buildings and machinery have been carefully restored and are now being used to tell the story of how water was supplied.
As the largest cathedral and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s has been at the heart of Dublin and Ireland’s history and culture for over 800 years.
