Centre Travel

Ireland's Visitor Attraction Guide is an ideal companion to anyone traveling around Ireland.   This guide features all Heritage island vsitorattrction members on the island , North and South.  The Guide is practicali that all attractions are liste regionally for convience, so whether you are heaing west or taking in a city tour you will find all the relevant information you need on visitor attractions in Ireland.   the listings provide a description, opening times, contact details and prices.  Not only is the guide a great companion it also offerstwo for ones, 20% and 10% discounts on admission prices into Heritageisland members. Visit  www.heritageisland.com to find out how you can get a coy of Ireland's Visitor Attractions Guide. Heritage Island 27 Merrion Square Dublin 2 E:   info@heritageisland.com W:   www.heritageisland.com

- Follow in the footsteps of Famine Emigrants. - Experience the horrors of the voyage to America. - Relive their struggles and triumphs in the New World. - Celebrate their success in the Irish America Hall of Fame. Open all year.  Full isabled access T:   +353 1425239 W:   www.dunbrody.com

Winner of Best Family Visitor Attraction, Westport House provides something for everyone.  Culture vultures adore this 18th century house with its roots tracing back to the Pirate Queen of Connaught, exhibitions & guided tours.  The under 12's revel in the Pirate Adventure Park with its rides, slides, trains & boats.   The older  & bolder enjoy zorbing, archery & more Open:   Westport House  (Mar - Dec)  Pirate Adventure Park during School Breaks.              Check website or phone for details.

24,000 sq feet of fantastic indoor sports entertainment. Complete 19 sports and a scorecard of 100 points in an automated, floodlit.  Astroturf arena, Sports include:  Baseball, Cricket, Basketball, Soccer, Hurling, Tennis, Rugby, Gaelic Football. Golf Chipping. It is non contact, waether independent and totally unique.  Great fun for all the family. Open:  Daily  11.00 - 21.00 Pure Skill - Fusion of Sport Knocknacarra, Co Galway Tel:   091 515510 Web:   www.pureskill.ie

Built before 1618, this Jacobean manor was the seat of the De Burgo family for over 200 years.  The castle & gardens, including the recently restored 17th Century walled kitchen garden, are surrounded by the town's main attractions - Lough Derg, the Shannon River and Portumna Forest Park.  Enjoy the space and freedom of the beautiful forest park and lakeside walks. Open:  Easter - Sep, Daily 9.30 - 18.00             October, Weekends only  9.30 - 17.00 Please check website for updates Portumna Castle and Gardens Portumna, Co Galway Tel:    090 9741658 Web:   www.heritageireland.ie

 Dun Aonghasa, on Inis Mor, is the island's most famous landmark - the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands.  Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and set on the cliff edge with a 300 ft drop to the sea, the semi-circular stone fort is a powerful site enclosed by three massive stone walls. Access for disabled to visitor centre only. Open:   Mar-Oct, Daily, 10.00-18.00 Nov-Feb, Daily 10.00-16.00 Information correct at time of going               to print. Please check our website for updates Dun Aonghasa Kilmurvey, Inis Mor Aran Islands Co Galway Tel:   099 61008 Web:   www.heritageireland.ie

The Visitor Centre located at the foot of Croagh Patrick is an ideal base camp whether one is about to climb or is just soaking up the atmosphere of Ireland's ancient holy mountain.  The centre provides information, guided tours, coffee shop, craft shop and shower facilities. Open:   Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct  (10.00 - 17.00) , Jun, Jul & Aug (9.00 - 19.00) Admission:  Free Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre Murrisk, Westport, Co Mayo Tel:   098 64114 Web:   www.croagh-patrick.com

Beautifully restored Walled Garden set among  420 acres of native woodland, featuring a life size chess board, maze and working Victorian glasshouse. Facilities include coffee/gift shop, plant sales and children's play area. Open:   All year  9.00 - 17.00 (closed weekends from Oct - Mar) Vandeleur Walled Garden Killimer Rd, Kilrush  Co Clare Tel:   065 9051760 Web:    www.vanseleurwalledgarden.ie

The Michael Cusack Centre honours the founder of the GAA.  Explore 19th Century Life in Ireland through this  unique man.  Meet the Ghost of Michael as he regales you with his story in his original thatched cottage. Open:   Apr - Oct, Daily  10.00 - 17.00 Michael Cusack Centre Paulnaphoca, Carran Co Clare Tel:   065 7080944 Web:   www.michaelcusack.ie

Loughwell Farm Park in Moycullen is fast becoming a favourite with families.  It is a children's paradise with over 12,000 sq feet of indoor entertainment, acres of outdoor fun and loads of friendly animals  so you are guaranteed a good time whatever the weather.  There is a lovely tearoom on site which serves full meals. No time restrictions.  Come early and stay all day. Open:   Jun - Aug    11.00 - 18.00              Sep - May   Say & Sun only  12.00 - 18.00 Check website for special events. Loughwell Farm Park Loughwell, Moycullen Co Galway Tel:   091 868631 Web:   www.loughwellfarmpark.ie

The Museum's collection illustrates the history of Limerick and its people. Its displays include archaeological artefacts, Limerick Silver, Limerick Lace , examples of local printing, exhibits on the struggle for independence and much more. Open:   Tue - Sat,  10.00 - 13.00 & 14,15 - 17.00 Closed  Saturday's , Sunday's & Monday's of Bank Holiday weekends Admission:  Free Limerick City Museum Nicholas Street, Limerick City (location due to change during 2012 Tel:   061 417826 Web:  www.limerickcity.ie / museum

Kylemore Abbey is an ideal day trip destination, Home to Benedictine ruins this 1000 acre estate has much to offer.  Experience the Victorian atmosphere of the restored rooms of the Abbey, gothic church and gardener's houses.  Discover the Victorian walled garden, woodland walks, play trail, guided mountain hikes and much more.   Enjoy home-cooked food in our restaurant and explore our craft shop. Open   All year   10.00 - 17.00  (winter)   9.00 - 18.30 (summer) Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens Kylemore, Connermara Co Galway Tel:   095 52001 W:    www.kylemoreabbeytourism.ie

Connemara Marble is one of Ireland's oldest indigenous industries. The Joyce family owners of the Streamstown marble quarry, Children opened in 1822, have quarried the Marble for generations.  Marble from the streamstown quarry adorns the floor of Galway Cathedral and the walls of the Senate Chamber of the State Capital Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U S A.  At the Connemara Marble in Moycullen you can view craftsmen at work cutting and polishing the marble. Open:   May - Oct, Mon - Sun, 9.00 - 17.00              Rest of the year, Mo - Fri  9.00  17.00 Admission:  Free of charge Connemara Marble Visitor Centre Moycullen Co Galway Tel:   091 555102

Distance 204 km (127 miles) A north to south route along Clare's Atlantic coastline is a memorable journey.  Travel south along the spectacular road that hugs the coastline around Black Head and watch the Atlantic rollers break on the beach in Fanore.  Take time to enjoy the cream of Irish traditional music in Doolin village or to visit the dramatic Doolin Cave.  Stand on the Cliffs of Moher world renowned for their scale and beauty and gaze at the ocean below.  Enjoy the panoramic views of the Aran Islands and the Atlantic Coast.  Continue south to eat ice cream on the sheltered golden sands of Lahinch and Spanish Point, named in memory of the wreck of Spanish Armada ships in 1588 and finish your journey in the lively seaside town of Kilkee.  This route can also begin and end in Ennis heading first for Ballyvaughan and returning from Kilkee The Atlantic Drive Route 19 : Ennis Lisdoonvarna "Ballyvaughan" Blackhead = Doolin Cliffs of Moher  ...

Famous for the Apparition of Our lady in 1879, Knock Shrine is an internationally recognised  Marian Shrine where over and a half million pilgrims make their way every year.  The Shrine Grounds incorporates five churches , Knock Museum and Religious Books' Centre Knock Shrine Knock Tel:   094 9388100 Web:   www.knock-shrine.ie

Achill Island is Ireland's largest offshore island and one of the few to be accessible by road.  Take the N59 from Westport to Mulranny and then the R319 to Achill.  The views on the journey to and from the island are breathtaking.  The island boasts of spectacular sea cliffs. awesome scenery, stunning drives, walks and cycle routes and beautiful beaches ( many of them Blue Flag Beaches) catering for all types of angling and water sports. Achill Island has the reputation of being an artist's retreat and has marathons, surfing, swimming, walking, cycling, scuba diving, climbing, angling and equestrian activities to mention but a few. For further information contact: Westport Tourist Office James Street, Westport Co Mayo Tel:   098 25711 Web:   www.discoverireland.ie/islands

Holy Island in Lough Derg and the river Shannon is one of the most famous monastic sites in Ireland.  Its many attractions include a well - preserved Round Tower, the ruins of sic churches, a Holy Well, a unique graveyard with slabs dating from the eight century, Bullaun Stones, a cell like structure, which is one of the most extraordinary buildings in Ireland.and a 'bargaining' stone where many a marrige was brokered.  Their secluded position has enabled them to survive in a wonderful state of preservation. Holy Island is chiefly associated with St Carmen who died in 653 AD. In his time it was a great center of learning. Like all monasteries it suffered badly from Viking attacks, the first recorded being in 836 AD, Brian Boru rebuilt the monastery and his brother Marcan was abbot there. Access - Explore Holy Island A boat trip  from the picturesque pier at Mountshannon and a guided tour of the island as part of the service East Clare Heritage provides. Tel:...

Large amenity Park with a wide variety of exotic animals, including Ostrich, Emus, Rhea, Deer, etc., indoor bouncing Castle ball pool and go karting outdoor park with adventure area. Go karting and a mini golf course.  Animal feeding daily. Open:   Apr - Oct, Daily  10.00 - 18.00 Christmas Village (check website for details) Moher Hill Open Farm Cliffs of Moher Road, Liscannor, Co Clare Tel:   065 7081071 Web:    www.moherfarm.com

The Woolen Mills Visitor Centre has welcomed over 250,000 people.  It begins with a tour of the origins of the mill in the 1800's. Visitors are taken through the working mill as it is today and the craftsmanship that goes into each Foxford product can be seen.  Visitors can also enjoy our gourmet cafe' and shop in our beautiful store.  Free multimedia tours every 40 minutes. Open:   Mon - Sat, 10 - 18,  Sun: 12 - 18.00 Admission:   Free of charge Foxford Woolen Mitts Foxford, Co Mayo Tel:   094 02560104 Web:   www.foxfordwoolenmitts.com

Heritage Centre comprising a Heritage cottage, community garden with a display of farm machinery of yesteryear, a working forge complete with all tools used by blacksmiths over the years. A tea room has recently been added. Clogher Heritage Centre Newtown, Clogher, Claremoms, Co Mayo Open:  Apr - Oct, Mon - Fri  11-00 - 14.00 (Weekends by arrangement) Tel:   094 9060891 Web:   www.discoverireland.ie