Ireland Bird, Flowers + Watersports Pictures

• Europe
• World

Outdoor pursuits, culture and history aplenty: Connemara\'s largest town provides a full day or two of entertainment.

Wander down medieval-style alleys lined with pubs, shops and galleries, then have a pint, listen to music or party.

Straddling the picturesque Carrowbeg River on the final stretch of its journey to Clew Bay on Ireland’s west coast, Westport boasts a beautiful Georgian town centre with a cosmopolitan array of multicoloured restaurants, shops and bars. Officially designated a Heritage Town, Westport is the jewel in Mayo’s brilliant green crown – but tear yourself away from the buzz of the centre and your choices multiply yet again.

Swim, stroll or picnic at the broad sandy beach fringed by grassy banks when you visit this seaside town steeped in seafaring history.

Sitting on the west coast of Ireland, and therefore the very edge of Europe itself, is the unspoiled area sometimes referred to as ‘the real emerald of Ireland’, Connemara. Boasting landscapes that range from the tranquil to the dramatic, and encompassing mountains, bogs, beaches and villages, it is a genuinely magnificent setting within which to explore and enjoy the kind of warm welcome the people of Ireland have always been proud of offering to visitors.

The air is perfumed with rose varieties blooming in this peaceful retreat, a perfect place to catch up with Tralee’s literary greats.

Enjoy a jolly feast in the medieval castle and hear fascinating tales in the abbey of this quaint fishing village known for its Irish music.

Watch cheetahs running at full speed for their lunch and feed penguins and lemurs in this large nature reserve on an island.

Wander down medieval-style alleys lined with pubs, shops and galleries, then have a pint, listen to music or party.

Colorful local birds fly above a busy working windmill that looks over a historic port from which many thousands left for better lives.

Phoenix Park is so important to Dublin that it has its own law on the statute books and visitors should be aware that one provision of this is that “no person shall act contrary to public morality in the Park”. So watch your Ps and Qs!

Shannon is a new town in County Clare, Ireland, situated on the estuary of the River Shannon which gives it its name. Home to Shannon Airport, it lies halfway between the city of Limerick, in County Limerick, and Ennis, the county town of County Clare, and is thus conveniently located for visiting both counties.

Phoenix Park is so important to Dublin that it has its own law on the statute books and visitors should be aware that one provision of this is that “no person shall act contrary to public morality in the Park”. So watch your Ps and Qs!

Straddling the picturesque Carrowbeg River on the final stretch of its journey to Clew Bay on Ireland’s west coast, Westport boasts a beautiful Georgian town centre with a cosmopolitan array of multicoloured restaurants, shops and bars. Officially designated a Heritage Town, Westport is the jewel in Mayo’s brilliant green crown – but tear yourself away from the buzz of the centre and your choices multiply yet again.

Phoenix Park is so important to Dublin that it has its own law on the statute books and visitors should be aware that one provision of this is that “no person shall act contrary to public morality in the Park”. So watch your Ps and Qs!

Built in 1730 on the ruins of a castle that was home to Grace O’Malley, the famous 16th century Pirate Queen of Connaught, Westport House is one of County Mayo’s most popular tourist attractions.

Shannon is a new town in County Clare, Ireland, situated on the estuary of the River Shannon which gives it its name. Home to Shannon Airport, it lies halfway between the city of Limerick, in County Limerick, and Ennis, the county town of County Clare, and is thus conveniently located for visiting both counties.

Stretching from the mountains to the east coast, with one of Ireland\'s most exciting cities in between, this fascinating county is Ireland’s thriving cultural hub.