Munster

This elegant Queen Anne-style stately home was originally built around 1710 by the Hutchison family and was significantly expanded during the mid-19th century under Richard White, the 2nd Earl of Bantry. The house features remarkable period details including Italian plasterwork, Venetian glass, and striking Aubusson tapestries that were originally made for Marie Antoinette and acquired during the French Revolution. The gardens are laid out in Italian style across seven terraces, featuring a Parterre with a wisteria circle surrounding a fountain, and the famous Hundred Steps built from local stone amidst azaleas and rhododendron. Four historic guns overlook the bay, including two six-pounders from the Carrion Works in Falkirk (1780), a twelve-pounder from Clyde Iron Works (1796), and a French gun from the Ruelle Foundry (1795) possibly captured during a failed French invasion. Opened to the public in 1946, the estate remains unique as it is still lived in and managed by the White family, offering visitors the chance to explore the formal gardens, enjoy afternoon tea in the Library, and even stay in the East Wing.

Built nearly 600 years ago by Irish chieftain Cormac MacCarthy, Blarney Castle is actually the third structure on this site, which originally housed a wooden hunting lodge in the tenth century, later replaced by a stone structure around 1210. The castle features underground passages from the Middle Ages, including a chilling dungeon where prisoners were held. The famous Blarney Stone, a two-foot-long limestone slab at the castle's tower top, is said to grant the gift of eloquence to those who kiss it and has been visited by world statesmen, literary giants, and film stars. The grounds include unique attractions such as the Poison Garden, featuring toxic plants from around the world with detailed information about their toxicity and uses. The mystical Rock Close area features the Wishing Steps, where tradition holds that wishes come true within a year if visitors walk up and down with their eyes closed. Within the castle's roofless structure, visitors can see remnants of the medieval banqueting hall, family room, and the sinister 'murder hole'—a pit used to drop rocks or boiling water on invaders.

Cobh (pronounced "KOHV") is a seaport town with around 14,400 inhabitants, located on Great Island in Cork Harbour and features Ireland's only dedicated cruise terminal. The town boasts significant maritime history, including the world's first yacht club (established in 1720) and being the departure point for the first steamship to cross the Atlantic in 1838. Most notably, it was the embarkation point for approximately 2.5 million Irish emigrants between 1848 and 1950. Key attractions include the Titanic Experience (commemorating the ship's last port of call), the picturesque 'Deck of Cards' houses on Bandon Hill, and the magnificent St Colman's Cathedral with its 49 bells. Visitors can sample local cuisine at traditional pubs and restaurants, featuring fresh seafood, hearty Irish stews, and locally-sourced ingredients. A unique attraction is Spike Island, which has served as a 6th-century monastery, a defensive fort, and a Victorian prison, earning it the nickname "Ireland's Hell" - though today it's a popular tourist destination accessible by ferry.

The Old Midleton Distillery was built in 1825 on the banks of the Dungourney River and produced whiskey until the mid-1970s. The facility houses the world's largest pot still and features a 150-year-old water wheel, original malting houses, corn stores and still houses. Set over 15 acres and operating as a visitor's centre since 1992, the facility welcomes approximately 130,000 guests annually. Visitors can enjoy guided tours through the old distillery and participate in comparative whiskey tastings, comparing Jameson Whiskey with Scotch and American whiskeys to become a 'Qualified Irish Whiskey Taster'. An interesting piece of history involves the famous Paddy Whisky brand, which was originally called the Cork Distilleries Company Old Irish Whiskey but was renamed after their salesman P.J. O'Flaherty (nicknamed Paddy), as merchants would simply ask for 'Paddy Flaherty's Whisky' when placing orders. The tour concludes at the Jameson Bar with a sampling of 'Uisce Beatha' (the Irish word for whiskey, meaning water of life), and the facility includes a restaurant and gift shop stocking some 25 brands of Irish Whiskey.

Built in Tudor style with 65 rooms, Muckross House was designed by Scottish architect William Burns for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife Mary Balfour. The house, completed in 1843, underwent significant improvements in the 1850s for Queen Victoria's visit, which ultimately contributed to the Herbert family's financial difficulties. After passing through the Guinness family, it was purchased by the Bowers Bourn family of California in 1910, who gave it as a wedding present to their daughter Maud. In 1932, it was presented to the Irish nation, becoming the country's first National Park. Today, visitors can explore the elegantly furnished rooms showcasing the lifestyle of landed gentry, observe traditional craftworkers practising weaving, pottery and bookbinding, and experience the traditional farms, which provide an authentic interpretation of rural life in Kerry in the 1930s and 1940s, featuring traditional buildings and daily farming demonstrations. The on-site Garden Restaurant offers dining with views of the Torc and Mangerton Mountains and the Victorian Walled Garden area, with seating for 170 guests in a modern, self-service setting.

Blennerville Windmill stands as the largest working windmill in Ireland and the only one along the Wild Atlantic Way. Built around 1800 by Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, the windmill's early history includes a tragic incident when Lady Millicent Yielding was fatally struck by one of the massive sails shortly after its opening. Visitors can climb to the top to observe flour-making demonstrations using ancient quern stones, explore the Kerry Model Railway exhibition, and view vintage artefacts. The site holds historical significance as the main emigration port from County Kerry during the Great Famine (1845-1848), and its visitor centre features fascinating displays about the Jeanie Johnson emigrant ship. Nature enthusiasts can use the available telescope to spot various bird species including curlew, heron, turnstone, and pale-bellied brent geese, which feed on eelgrass and green seaweeds in the mudflats and graze in nearby fields.

The Lartigue Monorail, located in Listowel, offers visitors the opportunity to experience a unique form of rail travel on what was originally a steam-powered monorail that ran for nine miles between Listowel and the seaside resort of Ballybunion. The system was developed by French engineer Charles Lartigue, who was inspired by watching camels carrying heavy loads in panniers in Algeria, leading him to design a single rail held at waist height on A-shaped trestles with specially-made carriages sitting astride like panniers. The original system had fascinating operational quirks - loads had to be evenly balanced, meaning if a farmer wanted to send a cow to market, he would need to send two calves to balance it on opposite sides of the freight wagon. Today, visitors can explore the Heritage Railway museum and ride a full-scale diesel-powered replica of the original monorail, which includes three platforms, two turntables, three switches, and an engine shed housing an exact reproduction of the original 0-3-0 steam engine on the outside.

The thatched village of Adare has been dubbed Ireland's prettiest village. The iconic thatched cottages that line Adare's main street were built in the 1820s by the Dunraven family for estate workers and now house charming shops, cafés and boutiques. Desmond Castle, originally a Norman ring-fort built in 1202, served as a key stronghold and belonged to the Earls of Kildare for nearly 300 years before passing to the Earls of Desmond, and today offers guided tours. The River Maigue flows alongside the village, offering excellent fishing spots for salmon, brown trout and European eel, whilst otters can often be spotted playing in the current. Local folklore enthusiasts will be intrigued by Knockfierna, known as the Hill of the Fairies, which is said to be a gathering place for the mystical Aos Sí1. Every Saturday, the Village Hall hosts a bustling country market featuring freshly baked bread, local honey, handmade crafts, and homemade pastries. Adare is considered one of Ireland's premier dining destinations, with its restaurants and hotels regularly winning prestigious national and international food awards. The village boasts notable culinary credentials, with 1826 Adare restaurant's Chef Wade Murphy, who has worked in prestigious establishments from London to Egypt, being awarded Best Chef in Limerick.

Adare Manor is a fascinating 'Calendar House' featuring 365 leaded windows, 52 ornate chimneys, 7 stone pillars and 4 towers, symbolising the days, weeks and seasons of the year. Built in Gothic Revival style reminiscent of a chateau, the building showcases intricate gargoyles, heraldry, and decorative carvings, including medieval bestiary creatures. Its grand interior includes a remarkable Gallery spanning 132 feet in length and 26½ feet in height, inspired by Versailles' Hall of Mirrors and adorned with 17th Century Flemish choir stalls. The estate features meticulously manicured gardens, a championship golf course and walking trails.

Desmond Castle sits on the banks of the River Maigue and is a fine example of a Norman ring castle with a large central keep inside two concentric baileys or wards. Whilst its original builder remains unknown, with the O'Donovans possibly creating the first ring fort in the early 13th century, the earliest description from 1329-1331 mentions a hall, chapel with stone walls, and a chamber. The inner ward features a giant yew tree, which is particularly interesting as yew wood was historically used to make crossbows. The Gate Tower has undergone restoration work to make its portcullis functional again, making it one of only two castles in Ireland with a working portcullis, the other being Cahir Castle. After a rebellion in 1536, the castle was granted to the Fitzgerald dynasty, Earls of Desmond, who gave it its present name, though it fell to the English in 1578 after an eleven-day siege and was later dismantled by orders of Oliver Cromwell in 1657. Today, visitors can explore the ruins and foundations of the stables, hall, ovens, and the Water Tower in the outer ward.

Cahir Castle stands as one of Ireland's largest and best-preserved castles, proudly situated on a rocky island in the River Suir. The castle's strategic position, with its only access via a causeway, and its massive defensive walls built atop limestone outcrop, made it nearly impregnable by preventing undermining attempts. It features a rare fully functioning portcullis and exhibits Norman architectural style with a barbican, inner and outer wards, a hall, and multiple towers. The castle's defences were finally overcome in 1599 when the Earl of Essex used heavy artillery against it for the first time, and a reminder of this siege remains visible today as a culverin ball is still embedded in the Northeast Tower wall. Modern visitors might recognise the castle from its appearances in productions like 'Excalibur' and 'The Tudors'. The surrounding grounds feature a wooden bridge leading to the 'inch field', which showcases stunning hand-crafted wooden historical sculptures.

Set on a dramatic outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale, the Rock of Cashel possesses the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland. It served as the traditional seat of the kings of Munster as early as the 4th century, with Brian Boru being crowned there as king in 977 and making it his capital. The site features a remarkable collection of structures including a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House. Notably, Cormac's Chapel contains the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland. According to local legends, the Rock originated from the Devil's Bit mountain 20 miles north of Cashel when St Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock's landing in its current location. Admission costs around €8 for adults, and visitors should note there are no toilets on the site itself, only in the nearby car park.

Originally built in 1185 by Prince John, Lismore Castle served as a Bishop's Palace until 1589, when it was acquired by Sir Walter Raleigh and later sold to Richard Boyle. Notably, Robert Boyle, the father of modern chemistry, was born here in 1626. The castle's gardens, which are the oldest continually cultivated in Ireland, cover 10 acres and are divided into three distinct parts. The Upper Garden, dating from 1605, features fruit and vegetable production, herbaceous borders and wildflower meadows. In the Lower Garden, visitors can stroll along the historic Yew Tree Walk, where Edmund Spenser reportedly wrote 'The Faerie Queen' around 1590. The gardens feature interesting installations including two sections of the Berlin Wall (installed in 2015) and contemporary sculptures. While the castle, once home to Fred Astaire's sister Adele (1932-1944), remains closed to the public, the gardens are open from March to October. Art enthusiasts can visit Lismore Castle Arts, established in 2005, which hosts major international exhibitions in its main gallery space and presents diverse contemporary art programmes in St Carthage Hall.

Curraghmore House is Ireland's largest private demesne, spanning 2,500 acres, and was once part of a vast 39,000-acre estate. Home to the Marquis of Waterford since 1170, the estate was established by the de la Poers who arrived from Normandy via Wales. The architecture uniquely blends 12th and 18th-century styles with French influences, featuring a Le Poer family keep from 1176 that has been incorporated into an 18th-century house, now encased in a spectacular Victorian mansion with flanking Georgian ranges. The house showcases artworks by masters including Rubens, Reynolds and Gainsborough, and houses a special treasure: a pearl necklace once owned by Mary Queen of Scots, given to Mary Hamilton the night before the Queen's execution. Notable features include one of Ireland's tallest trees, a Sitka spruce planted in the 1830s, which overlooks King John's Bridge, built in 1205 and one of Ireland's oldest bridges. The gardens feature an ancient oak woodland, arboretum, and a unique shell grotto built and decorated by Catherine Countess of Tyrone in 1754.