Foynes Tour
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Foynes or Faing in Irish, is a small port on an attractive stretch
of the estuary of river Shannon. Faing signify a Raven or it could
also mean the Western Boundary. It is situated in the parish of
St. Senan's, the barony of Lower Connello, the county of Limerick
and the province of Munster.
It is about 4 miles from Shanagolden and near Leahy's Point
on the southern shore of the estuary. Foynes Port on the southern
shore of the Shannon Estuary is the recommended launch pad for
the Lakes of Killarney, Ireland's Prettiest Village, and A Walking
Tour of Ireland's History shore excursions.
Adare
With thatched roof cottages and Tudor style houses, beautiful
gardens and ivy clad medieval churches in beautiful surroundings
on both sides of the street beside the river Maigue, Adare is
considered by many to be Irelands most beautiful village.
For those who want to linger and learn more visit the Heritage
centre and step back in time. People come from all over the world
to visit and tour this amazing location and some even choose to
get married in one of the fantastic churches in the area.
Banquets, Bunratty Castle
The world renowned Bunratty Medieval Banquet is held twice nightly
throughout the year, so you too can be treated as lavishly as
a king. The 4 course meal is a pleasant balance of contrasting
Irish meat dishes as used during period and is accompanied with
red and white wines.
This is followed by the high-light of the evening, the entertainment
programme in which the Butler and the Ladies of the Castle, (some
of Ireland's best female choral singers) accompanied by Harp and
Fiddle perform a variety of Medieaval and well loved Irish songs.
Certainly the highlight of any trip to Ireland.
Banquets, Knappogue Castle
The medieval banquet at Knappogue is a fresh experience in every
way. You are greeted at the main door of the castle by the Earl’s
Butler and the Ladies of the castle where you proceed into the
Dalcassian Hall. Here you savour a globlet of Mead (honey wine)
while listening to the music of Harp and Fiddle followed by
Medieval choral singing from the Ladies.
While partaking of a sumptuous four course meal with red and
white wine you enjoy the dulcet tones of the Ladies of the castle
accompanied by Irish Harp and Fiddle. The 35 minute spectacle
which follows dinner is a superb experience and is the highlight
of any visit to Ireland.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Bunratty (Bun Raite) castle overlooks the River Shannon. The
site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking
Trading Camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four
castles to be built on the site. Robert De Muscegros, a Norman,
built the first defensive fortress (an earthen mound with a
strong wooden tower on top) in 1250.
His lands were later granted to Thomas De Clare who built the first stone
castle on the site. About this time Bunratty became a large
town of 1,000 inhabitants. In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of
Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans.
One of Irelands finest existing castles, and well worth a tour,
particular for the beautiful evening meal and entertainment
spectacle.
Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most spectacular sights.
The Cliffs of Moher rise from Hag's Head to the south and reach
their highest point (230 meters) just north of O'Briens Tower
before slowly declining north again.
On a clear day, the view is tremendous: the Aran Islands on
the waters of Galway Bay and beyond lie the hills and valleys
of Connemara in western Galway.
Craggaunowen
Craggaunowen - 'The Living Past' - tells the story of the arrival
of the Celts in Ireland and the many changes they wrought upon
daily life. Their impact is evidenced in the creation of new
tribal lake dwellings, farming and hunting methods which are
explained by the costumed animators.
The site also includes a Ring Fort, a true reproduction of a
farmer's house, dating from the 4th Century, an 'Iron Age Roadway'
and an outdoor cooking site.
Craggaunowen attempts to recreate aspects of Ireland's past
with the restoration and reconstruction of earlier forms of
dwelling houses, farmsteads, hunting sites and other features
of everyday life during the Pre-historic and Early Christian
eras. A wonderful view of what ireland really was.
Flying Boats
Flights from the US to Europe set down at Foynes from 1939 to
1945 which made Foynes a very important landmark in the world
of aviation.
Learn more about his amazing period of Foynes history at the
Flying Boat Museum, a step back in time with a 1940's Cinema
and a wealth of information on Foynes "Flying Boats".
Foynes
Foynes town was the fulcrum point for air traffic between the
United States and Europe during the 1930s and 40s. The Foynes
Museum recalls the golden age of the flying boats, and includes
a 1940s cinema as well as an Aviation Sculpture Park.
The famous Irish Coffee was invented in Foynes in 1942. The
port sits on the main road to counties Kerry and Limerick. Moneypoint
and Foynes are linked by a 20 minute boat journey with Shannon
Car Ferry Ltd, via the villages of Tarbert and Killimer.
Hunt Museum
The Hunt Museum was established to house an internationally
important collection of approximately 2000 works of art and
antiquities formed by John and Gertrude Hunt during their lifetimes.
The Hunt Museum, exhibits one of Ireland's greatest private
collections of art and antiquities, dating from the Neolithic
to the 20th Century, including works by Renoir, Picasso and
Yeats. Located in the historic old Custom House, Limerick facilities
include exhibitions, museum shop and riverside restaurant.
Killarney
KILLARNEY (Cill Airne: The Church of the Sloes). Sites of interest
in the town reflect it's strong religious and educational history.
Killarney was a Church foundation from the 5th or 6th Century,
house settlement began here from around 1500.
Explore colourful laneways, a fine cathedral … historic
buildings dating back to the days of the landlord … experience
the ambience of busy streets in the town centre. Nestled amidst
deep, lake filled valleys with astounding sights such as the
famous Ladies' View (Named after Queen Victoria's Ladies' in
Waiting) and the MacGillicuddy Reeks - Ireland's largest mountain
range, home of Carrauntoohil, our largest peak.
King John's Castle, Limerick
The Castle was built between 1200 and 1210 and was repaired
and extended many time in the following centuries. The visitors
centre at the Castle contains an imaginative historical exhibition
which tells the story of the Castle. Archaeological excavations
have revealed Pre-Norman settlements and evidence from the traumatic
siege of 1642.
The courtyard and castle display some of the trades and traditions
of the 16th century with the aid of costumed characters. The
castle offers panoramic views of Limerick city and the surrounding
countryside.
Knappogue Castle
Knappogue Castle is located in a truly picturesque setting,
surrounded by the tranquil landscapes and rolling hills of Clare.
Beautiful Victorian and Walled Gardens surround the castle where
one can relax or enjoy a peaceful stroll. The castle was built
in 1467 by Sean MacNamara, and is a magnificent example of a
medieval tower house.
It has a long and varied history ~ grefrom a battle field to
a dwelling place. In 1571 the castle became the seat of the
MacNamara Clan ~ Earls of West Clancullen. Donagh MacNamara
was a leader of the 1641 rebellion and then Knappogue remained
in MacNamara hands until 1659 when it was confiscated by Cromwells
parliament and granted to a ‘Roundhead’, Arthur
Smith.
Rock of Cashel
The Rock of Cashel was the seat of kings and mediaeval bishops
for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Indeed
there was a settlement here from pre-Christian times, traces
of which have long since vanished.
The original forbidding fortification of the Eoghanachta, kings
of Munster, witnessed the struggle for dominance of Munster
kings over the whole of Ireland. Brian Ború was crowned
King of Munster here in 977 and he became High King of Ireland
in 1002. The Rock of Cashel is a sight to behold, particularly
at night glowing in the dark and lit from all sides, it is a
magnificent sight.
The Burren
The Burren lies south of Galway in County Clare, Ireland. The
name Burren is from the Irish - bhoireann meaning a stony place.
Its formation has lain unspoiled since the ice-age and is composed
of karstic limestone, the largest area of such in western Europe.
It is a place of surprise and delight to botanists, archaeologists
and ecologists alike and occupies an area of approximately 300
sq. kilometres. The area itself is very bleak in appearance
with glacial soil loss at a maximum. However is does have sufficient
soil to grow a wide variety of the most unusual and rarest of
plants, many of them strange bedfellows.
Golf - Adare Manor Hotel
Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort is a 19th Century estate
situated within the picturesque village of Adare. The Adare
Golf Course opened in 1995 and was designed and built by the
world famous architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. stretching 7138
yards from championship tees down to 5082.
Golf - Ballybunion
After playing Ballybunion for the first time, a man would think
that the game of golf originated here. Located on the Shannon
estuary, it is a true seaside links course, virtually treeless
and a course of sharp contours throughout. There appears to
be no man-made influence. It looks like a course laid out on
land back in the 10th century.
There is a wild look to the place. The long grass covering the
dunes that pitch and roll throughout the course making it very
intimidating. Yet the course is eminently fair. While there
would appear to be a lot of blind shots, there aren’t.
Even where there are blind shots, you are given a good idea
where you must hit the ball. The course doesn’t fool you
altogether!
Golf - Doonbeg Golf Course
Doonbeg
Golf Club plays along 1.5 miles of beach and dunes. The ocean
is visible from the green, fairway, or tee of 16 of the 18
holes.
The par 72 layout features a single loop of nine holes out and nine back. It
plays 6,885 yards from the back tees. Practice Area, Driving Range, Temporary
Clubhouse, and Pro Shop are available.
Golf - Lahinch
Lahinch Golf Links has the distinction of being a MacKenzie
course, a mecca for keen golfers. The Club was conceived in
1892, as reported in the Clare Journal of 11th April, of that
year. The Club had started when on 26th March, 1892 Alexander
W. Shaw and Richard J. Plummer, two prominent officials of Limerick
Golf Club, went to the West coast of Clare as a result of a
casual rumour that somewhere between Ennistymon and Miltown
Malbay, there was suitable ground for a golf course.
While travelling from Ennistymon they passed what was then a
dreary desolate piece of land, a mass of sandhills. As a result
of further visits to this area Lahinch Golf Club was born.
Golf - Tralee
Arnold Palmer himself is quoted as saying "I have never
come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building
of a golf course". By many it is considered to be one of
the finest courses in the world. In addition to having the best
views of sea and wild sand dunes one will every see, Tralee
is a tough but fair test of golf.
The back nine is one of the best you'll find to challenge and
distract you from the many other beautiful sites of the area.
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