The lovely and quiet village of Avoca, or Ballykissang, is renowned for The Avoca Hand Weavers, known as the oldest weaving mill in the whole of Ireland. You can observe weavers at work and pay a visit to the famous Hand Weavers’ craft shop. For a drink drop in Fitzgerald’s Bar, the best known pub in Avoca.

The beautiful steep-sided valley of Glendalough was formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. Glendalough truly is a stunning location in County Wicklow, which was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Its name translates to „The valley of the two lakes”. Here you will find the often-photographed round tower that measures 34m high. But most of all, Glendalough is a site of the ancient monastic settlement which has been a subject of fascination for pilgrims and visitors alike and now consists of the ruins of seven stone churches (one of them is called St. Kevin’s Kitchen) as well as decorated crosses.

Ireland’s second largest city, Cork, offers some sight-seeing attractions, such as the Gothic-style St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral with marvellous statues decorating the front and St. Anne’s Church in Shandon, famous for its eight bells you can play a tune on for just a small fee. Another point of interest is Cork City Gaol, a restored prison erected in 1824. Behind its grim bars many of Ireland’s chief patriots were held imprisoned. You can also simply stroll the streets of Cork to see attractive houses and quays. Just outside Cork, the village of Blarney beckons visitors to see the Blarney Castle which was built around 1446, and to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone. Tradition holds that those who touch the Stone with their lips will get the gift of eloquence or „the gift of the gab”. The village and the Castle itself are in Tudor style.

In the town of Cobh, half an hour’s drive from Cork, the „Queenstown Story” Heritage Centre is located in the restored Victorian Railway Station. Inside, a multi media exhibition dramatically presents the story of 2.5 million Irish emigrants who boarded for their voyage to the „New World” following the Irish potatoe famine. Also, Queenstown happens to be the last point at which the ill-fated Titanic picked up passengers from on its first and final cruise.

The three beautiful world-famous lakes, The Lower Lake, the Middle Lake and the Upper Lake, are central to Killarney National Park. They constitute one of Ireland’s best tourist attractions. To explore the coastal scenery, get on an open boat and trip through the lakes.