Centre Travel

Visit Northern Ireland's North Coast and Escape from it all. Discover unspoilt beaches, good food, exciting events and festivals, and great family attractions. You'll also find excellent accommodation and a range of activities including golf, angling, walking, water sports and much much more. Add the spectacular scenery and it's easy to see why the North Coast is an attractive holiday base for all the family. Wb:   www.northcoastni.com

This 19th Century cottage was the scene of the last eviction in Belcarra.  Once the home of the Walshes, a family of nine who were o by the landlord's agents in October 1886, the cottage has been restored as a heritage centre and has been refurbished to how it would have looked before the eviction.  Also restored ids the 'tigin" a single room built at the time by the neighbours to house the evicted family. Eviction Cottage Elmhall, Belarra Castlebar, Co Mayo Tel:   087 6814980 / 087 9090046 Web:    www.museumsofmayo.com

Bodhran making within the walls of an old Franciscan Monastery in the quaint fishing village of Roundstone.  See a fine craftsman at work where bodhran maker, Malachy Kearns, or 'Malachy Bodhran' as he is better known, manufactures bodhrans in a traditional manner.  Alongside the workshop are a small folk museum and the quaint absorbing 'Craftsman's craft shop & coffee shop.  Bodhrans are hand painted with Celtic designs and family crests. Open:  All year   Daily  10.15 - 18.00 (Summer) Closed on Sundays from Nov-Mar Admission   Free of charge. Roundstone Music and Craft Shop TheMonastery Killeen Park Roundstone, Co Galway Tel:   095 35808 Web:    www.bodhran.com

Feed and cuddle the animals around the farm, have lots of fun in "Jungle Town" and in the "inflatable City" Enjoy all the outdoor playgrounds and the football Pitch. Open:  Summer, Mid May 31st Aug daily 10.00 - 19.00             All other months:  Weekends  13.00 - 18.00             Extra Opening  Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Turoe Farm and Leisure Park Bullaun, Loughrea, Co Galway Tel:   091 841580 Web:   www.turoepetfarm.com                          

The small restored cottage overlooking the breathtaking lakes and mountains of Connemara was once the summer home of Patrick Pearse  (1879 - 1916), nationalist, educationalist, poet and leader of the 1916 Rising Open:  Easter Weekend, Daily  10.00 - 17.00             Late May - Aug  Daily 10.00 - 18.00            First 3 weekends in Sep, 10.00 - 17.00 Information correct at time of going to print Please check our website for updates. Teach an Phiarsaigh (Pearse's Cottage) Inbhear, Rosmuc Village, Co Galway Tel:   091 574292 Web:   www.heritageireland.ie                

Oranmore Castle a hidden jewel on the shores of Galway Bay.  It is a medieval tower house restored by Anita Leslie and is now home to her surviving husband Bill King, sailor and submariner.  A cultural space of artists, writers and musicians. Oranmore Castle Oranmore Village Ireland Tel:   091 794256          086 6003160 Web:   www.oranmore.com        

Scenic and Wildlife nature tours on Ireland's only Glass-bottom boat.  Cruise Departs Letterfrack Pier on the N59 beside Avoca Handcrafts and Connemara National Park.  The Martime Museum and cfaft shop will contribute to an enjoyable day out.  Sailings Depart:  10.45, 12.00, 14.00, 15.15, 16.15 and 17.30. Open:  Mar-Nov, Daily, 10.00 - 18.00 Ocean and Country Visitor Centre Derryinver, Letterfrack Bay, Co Galway Tel:   095 43473 / 087 6461189

Leisureland is a family entertainment centre to suit all ages.  With 3 swimming pools complete with great giant water slide, kiddies' pool with water features, paddle-boats and a cool inflatable obstacle course make Leisureland a family favourite. Leisureland also have a mini golf course open throughout the year and an outdoor amusement prk, which opens seasonally. Open:   Daily, All Year, Check Leisureland website for timetable information Leisureland Salthill Co Galway Tel:   091 521445 Web:   www.leisureland.ie

Unique in Ireland for its focus on the history of sheep and wool handcraft with  daily demonstrations  in carding , spinning and weaving.  A short introductory DVD is available in European Languages. The gift shop stocks everything from knitting yarn to woolens and souvenirs.  There is a cafe ' on site serving homemade food. Open:  Daily  09.30 - 18.00 Sheep and Wool Centre Leenane Co Galway Tel:   095 42323 Web:   www.sheepandwoolcentre.com

Situated on a rocky outcrop, on the southern shores of Galway Bay, Dunguaire Castle, which overlooks the picturesque village of Kinvara, is one of the most photographed castles in Ireland. The Castle was the home of Lady Amptill until 1964. Amongst recent owners was Oliver St.John Gogarty, a contemporary of W.B.Yeats. Open:  May-Sep, 10.00-17.00 (Last admission 16.30) Opening times may be subject to change.            Please refer to www.shannonheritage.com                      Tel:   061 60788 Dunguaire Castle Kinvara Co Galway Tel:   061 360788 Web:   www.shannonheritage.com

Discover a former time with extensive exhibitors in galleries:  Farm & Nature Walks: Cafe & Gift Shop: Horse riding to suit all levels-novice to advanced: Clay Pigeon Shoot: Archery: 4x4 Off-Road Course: Connemara & Coast 6-Day Horse riding Trails Pre-booking advised. Open:   All Year   Daily, 9.30 - 17.30 Dartfield Horse Museum & Park Dartfield Kilreekil Loughrea Co Galway Tel:   091 843968 Web:   www.dartfieldhorsemuseum.com

Coole nature reserve is 450 hectares (1000 acres) of woodland, bare limestone, furlough and Coole lake.  It was once the home of Lady Gregory who with WB Yeats was a co-founder of the Abbey Theatre.  The autograph tree still stands in the walled garden.  There are marked trails through the woodland, a visitor centre, tearooms and picnic area in the walled garden. Open:  Reserve:  Daily, All Year             Visitor Centre & tearooms:  Easter - September Admission:  Free of charge Coole Nature Reserve Coole, Gort, Co Galway Tel:  091 631804 Web:   www.coolepark.ie

High quality hand prepared traditional Irish smoked and marinated seafood, with emphasis on freshness, seasonality and sustainability.  Wild and Organic Irish Salmon and line caught Smoked Irish Tuna.  Multi -Award Winning Smokehouse since  1979 and one of Rick Stein's Super Food Heroes. Smokehouse Tours available contact for more details. Connemara Smokehouse and Visitor Centre Bunowen Pier Allebrack Ballyconneely, Co Galway Tel:   095 23739 Web:   www.smokehouse.ie

Connemara National Park, located in the village of Letterfrack on the main Clifden to Westport Road (N59). The Park offers an exhibition on Connemara's landscape, an audio visual, playground, indoor and outdoor picnic areas.  Connemara ponies, Diamond Hill Trails.   Trails ranging in length from 15 minutes to 3 hours. Tearoom serving home baking, light lunches, teas & coffees. Connemara National Park Letterfrack, Co Galway Tel:   095 41323/41054 Web:   www.connemaranationalpark.ie Open:   Visitor Centre:   Mar - Oct, 9.00 - 17.30 Park grounds  All Year Round Admission:  Free of charge

Take a trip through Connemara's colourful past.  Audio visual on Connemara through the ages.  History display & artefacts. Visit reconstructions of a crannog, ringfort & clochaun. Learn the story of the 'broken-hearted farmer' Dan O'Hara and visit his restored cottage where a turf fire burns in the hearth.  Guided tours by appointment for groups. Restaurant, Craft & B&B onsite. Open:  Daily, 10.00 - 18.00 (Last admission 17.00)             1st April - 31st Oct (off season by request for groups) Dan O'Hara Homestead Lettershea, Clifden, Co Galway Tel:   095 21246 Web:   www.connermaraheritage.com

This multi award-winning family-owned Connemara hill-village, in magnificent wilderness, half-hour from Galway, offers a unique cultural immersion.  Authentic, vibrant, interactive, educational and fun.  Traditional music, song & story, Gaelic language & poetry.  Experience Connemara 's ancient bogland, nature & landscape. Bog body stories.  The Thatched Cottage-Customs & Irish soda bread-making, learn a celli dance  View video at www.Cnocuain.com. All weather experience. Access by coach only. Self-drive visitors :  coach pick-up at designated places.  Travel +Leisure 'Global Vision Awards' Winner / The Guardian Green Travel List.  The Guardian 2009 World Ethical Travel Award/2010 Green Travel List. Open:   Mar - Oct, Fri & Sat. Depart Galway Coach Park at 10.00, Return at 13.00              Booking at  www.GalwayTourCompany.com   Tel:   091 566566 ...

The visitor will find ten craft workers designing, creating, making and selling their work.  This unique and very accessible craft village,"Ceardlann" as it is called in Irish, is a 'must stop' for visitors interested in Irish culture and craft.  An added attraction is our award-winning cafe' Builin Blasta- The Hungry Loaf. Open:  All year, Mon - Sat   9.30 - 17.30 & Sun  14.00 - 18.00 Admission Free Ceardlann Spiddal Craft and Design Studios Spiddal Co Galway Tel:   091 553376 Web:   www.spiddalcrafts.com

10.    Leenane is nestled snugly beneath the Maamturk Mountains on the southern inner shore of          Killary Harbour - Ireland's only fjord.  The village enjoys wonderfully scenic views of Mayo's               Mweelrea Mountains across the dark blue waters of the harbour.  The film 'The Field' was shot          here and Leenane is also known for its outdoor pursuit's centres. 11.    Letterfrack is a delightful village 13km from Children.  Today the village 's old Victorian school          buildings house a number of enterprises that form the nucleus of what is now Connemara                       National Park. A Furniture College linked to the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology is a                   thriving centre of a...

Galway is a county, an experience to be savoured and remembered. Galway towns and villages. Galway City:  is the 4th largest City in Ireland  (population circa 80,000) . It began as a small fishing                             village centered on the estuary of the River Corrib, a river traditionally called Abhainn                        Na Gaillimhe (The Galway River)  after Galvia, a mythological princess said to have                        drowned in its waters.  There is vibrancy to the friendly University City, which many                        delight in, and few forget.  Music, festivals, horse racing, pubs, restaurants, shops,                    ...

Located in a tranquil & rural setting near Adare Co Limerick.  Stonehall farm allows the visitors to experience first hand the  enjoyment of a wide variety of animals in a secure and pleasant setting. Open:  Apr - Jun  & Sepi - Oct  Sat & Sun only, 11.00 - 18.00,                                Jul & Aug  Daily  11.00 - 18.00 Stonehall Visitor Farm Curraghchase, Kilcoman Co Limerick T:   061 393940 W:   www.stonehallvisitorfarm.ie