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Attractions in Ireland

Streamvale Open Farm | Burren Perfumery | 1796 Bantry French Armada | Bantry House
Arigideen Valley | Cobh Heritage Centre | West Cork Model Railway Village
Clonakilty Animal Park | Lios-na-gCon Ring Fort | The Chester Beatty Library | The National Gallery of Ireland
National Library Of Ireland | National Museum Of Ireland | Other Attractions

Streamvale Open Farm, Belfast, Antrim County Streamvale Farm is a family run dairy farm situated on the edge of Belfast, with beautiful views over the city and its surrounding hills. Spring Time Specials: • Watch the cows actually give birth • Bottle feed the brand new lambs • Keep an eye on the badger setts • Feed the deer from the tractor ride. Streamvale Open Farm 38 Ballyhanwood Road Gilnahirk, Belfast BT5 7SN Summer term (April-June) Open for school visits every day from 10am -but you must book! Families are welcome from 2pm and 10.30 on Saturdays Summer Holidays (July-Aug) Open to everyone from 10.30 to 6pm Mon-Sat Sundays are 2pm-6pm top

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The Burren Perfumery, Carron, Clare County The Burren Perfumery is located in an idyllic location in the heart of the Burren, Co. Clare, south of Galway Bay, west coast of Ireland. The Burren is a stunning natural limestone garden, one of the most unique floral landscapes in the world. The Burren Perfumery's visitors centre has a unique photographic exhibition and outstanding audio -visual presentation. You can see natural essential oils being extracted and blended using the traditional still, and the various processes used to create the products. All products are on display and available to sample and purchase in the showroom. The Burren Perfumery's herb garden has a huge variety of organic native and cultivated plants which are used in the traditional manufacturing processes of the products. The Burren Perfumery Carron, County Clare Open daily all year except Christmas week. Jan-May and October-December 9am-5pm. June-September 9am-7pm. top

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1796 Bantry French Armada, Bantry, Cork County Over 200 years ago, in the Winter of 1796, a formidable French Armada, inspired by Theobald Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen, sailed from Brest in France. Their purpose was to invade Ireland, put an end to British rule and establish an independent Irish republic. Almost 50 warships carried 15,000 soldiers to the Southwest of County Cork. Immerse yourself in this epic adventure, which includes an individual sound tour, complete with accompanying music and sound effects, available in a choice of different languages. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a giant 1 to 6 scale model of the frigate in cross-section, showing her construction and the various activities that were happening on board, vividly illustrating life in the French Navy 200 years ago. A life-size "Wolfe Tone" is shown in his cabin and extracts from his journal help bring the whole epoch story to life as visitors are taken through the sequence of events that occurred during those fateful days and nights. The Exhibition Centre is both educational and entertaining. Visit the Bantry 1796 French Armada Exhibition Centre and Bantry House for a truly unforgettable experience. Admission to the Garden and Armada Exhibition Centre only - Euro 4.00 East Stables Bantry House Bantry, County Cork top

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Bantry House, Bantry, Cork County Bantry House has been owned by the White family since 1739. The house was the seat of the four Earls of Bantry (1816 - 1891). In 1945 it was the first house in Ireland to be opened to the public. The house contains furniture, paintings and other objects d'art of collected mainly by Richard White, 2nd Earl of Bantry, on his extensive travels in Europe in the 19th Century. He was also responsible for laying out the formal gardens. Bantry House is the home of Egerton and Brigitte Shelswell-White and their four children, the ninth generation to live in the house since Richard White bought it in 1739. Egerton also has two adult children living in the United States. The original central section of Bantry House was built early in the 18th century. Bantry House Bantry, County Cork Self-guided tours are available from 9 am - 6 pm each day from March to October • To enter the House, the Gardens and the Armada Exhibition Centre -   • Euro 9.50 per person (Accompanied children up to 14 years of age who are not part of a school group are admitted free.)   • For students and seniors - Euro 8.00   • Groups of 20 or more - Euro 6.00 top

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Arigideen Valley, Clonakilty, Cork County Arigideen Heritage was established in 1998 by Dolores and Timothy Crowley as a Tourism Enterprise on their 135 acre Dairy Farm, which is located just off of the R600 between Clonakilty and Timoleague in South West Cork. Ancestors of the Crowley family have been living in the Arigideen Valley since 1747. A great-grand uncle Tim Hurley was the main character in a famous eviction and seige in 1886 and Tim Crowley senior (Grandfather) was imprisoned in 1916 following the Rising. He later married Elizabeth Slyne cousin of Michael Collins. The name Argideen translates from Gaelic as the Silver River. The Argideen which is the most southerly large river in Ireland, has its source Carrigfadda (Longrock) hill and meanders for 14 miles to finally meet the sea at scenic Courtmacsherry. The Arigideen River Valley is unique as well as being beautiful in that it has a very high concentration of Historical sites and is a great source of folklore. The Valley has connections with Michael Collins, Henry Ford, John F. Kennedy, Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, Donal Cam O' Sullivan Bere and William Penn to mention just a few. The History found along the Arigideen is "Irish History" in microcosm and every field and step of the road has a story to tell. Arigideen Heritage Park, Castleview, Clonakilty, County Cork top

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Cobh Heritage Centre, Cobh, Cork County From 1848 - 1950 over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland - over 2.5 million departed from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration. This exodus from Ireland was largely as a result of poverty, crop failures, the land system and a lack of opportunity. Irish emigration reached unprecedented proportions during the famine as people fled from hunger and disease. Many famine emigrants went initially to British North America (now Canada) because of fare structures and government regulations, but the majority subsequently settled in the United States. The famine resulted as a consequence of widespread potato crop failure. Failure of the crop was not unusual in Ireland so the partial failures in 1845 did not cause particular concern. In 1846 the potato crop failed completely and in the years 1847-1849 there was either total or partial crop failure of whatever potato crop could be planted. Escape was seen by many as the only chance for survival : between 1845 and 1851 over 1,500,000 people emigrated from Ireland This was more than had left the country in the previous half century. The Cobh Heritage Centre feature life-size sculptures of the people of Cobh during the emigration. Cobh, The Queenstown Story Cobh Heritage Centre, Cobh, County Cork, Ireland top

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West Cork Model Railway Village, Clonakilty, Cork County Enjoy a visit to the West Cork Model Railway Village - the first of its kind in Ireland. Experience the sights and sounds of life in West Cork during the 1940's. Easy to find. Situated beside picturesque Clonakility Bay. The Model Village depicts in miniature, life and industry in West Cork as they were 50 years ago. The theme is enhanced by the miniature working railway which depicts the long closed West Cork Railway. Many of the industrial buildings, which are reconstructed in the village had their own system of power generation during the ear e.g. mill wheels etc. The recreation of these elements is of educational and visual interest. The station building displays mounted exhibits of the railway and the industries which once linked up six West Cork towns, Bandon, Clonakility, Kinsale, Dunmanway, Bantry, Skibbereen all of which will be reconstructed in miniature on a scale of 1:24 when the village is complete. West Cork Model Railway Village Inchydoney Road, Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland top

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Clonakilty Animal Park, Clonakilty, Cork County The idea of the Animal Park was to display animals and birds in their natural habitat with a nursery rhyme theme. In a colourful setting, your walk around the park will take you from the Pheasant area, duck ponds, ray and sheep pens, Noah's ark, gerable b&b, fowl pens, water fall (man made), ferret and chipmunk enclosures, old woman's shoe, houses of the 3 little pigs, old machinery displays, baby rabbit pens, owl flights and end up in the Visitors Centre. The Visitor Centre has a variety of aviaries and an information room containing posters, photographs and leaflets of places of interest in the Clonakilty and West Ccork area. A teleconferencing and sports facility complex opened in the college grounds in July 1999, which gave the Animal Park visitors access to toilets, child wash room and handicapped area with wheel chair access. A large car park is situated between the new centre and Animal Park in a calm and beautiful setting. This area is currently being redesigned and laid out. Clonakilty Animal Park Clonakilty Agricultural College Clonakilty, Cork County top

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Lios-na-gCon Ring Fort, Clonakilty, Cork County Lios-na-gCon Ringfort is a 10th Century restored defended farmstead, based on the excavation results during 1987 to 1989. Lios-na-gCon would be the home of a well-to-do farmer and his family. The site would have been a strong economic unit, depending largely on cattle husbandry, dairying, cereals and other animals like pigs, sheep, and goats. Lios-na-gCon is a very unique site, as it is the only Ringfort reconstructed on its original site in Ireland. The Ringfort is situated on a gentle slope of south-eastern aspect in a landscape of undulated pastoral farm land. On a clear day the mouth of Clonakilty Bay can be seen from the site. It is one of three circular earthworks in the townland known as Darrara and one of 48 circular earthworks or possible ringforts sites recorded by the Cork Archaeological Survey in the Clonakilty area. Ringforts were built and occupied between c.400 AD and c.1200 AD., in the Early Christian and Viking periods. Like stone cashels and some lake land crannogs, they were the defended farmsteads of the native Irish Celts. These settlements were centres of mixed farming economy, and were largely self-sufficient in the production of tools, textiles, and household goods. The Ringfort was the main type of settlement, and in some areas Ringforts remained occupied during the 17th Century. The Ringfort is the most common archaeological monument on the Irish landscape, over 40,000 are shown on Ordnance Survey Maps. Liosnagun Ring Fort Clonakilty Agricultural College Clonakilty, Cork County top

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The Chester Beatty Library Ireland's Museum of the Year 2000 European Museum of the Year 2002 The Chester Beatty Library, one of Ireland's National Cultural Institutions, was created by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty and bequeathed by him to a trust for the benefit of the public. The Library is both an art museum and library, housing an outstanding collection of Islamic manuscripts, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and other Oriental art. Early papyri, including some of the earliest texts of the Bible and other early Christian manuscripts, western prints and printed books complete what is one of the richest collections of its kind in the world. The CBL Reference Library contains 8,000 volumes relating to the collection. Admission is currently by appointment. For further information please contact the Reference Librarian. The Chester Beatty Library and Galleries are situated in the gardens of Dublin Castle in the heart of the city centre. They are a two minute's walk from Dame Street via the Palace Street Gate of the Castle and close to Christchurch Cathedral (enter via the Ship Street Gate of the Castle). The Chester Beatty Library is a public charitable trust: Registered Charity Number:CHY5879. The Library's collections are displayed in two permanent exhibitions: 'Sacred Traditions' and 'Artistic Traditions'. The 'Sacred Traditions' Gallery exhibits the sacred texts, illuminated manuscripts and miniature paintings from the great religions and systems of belief represented in the collections - Christianity, Islam and Buddhism with smaller displays on Confucianism, Daoism, Sikhism and Jainism. The Biblical Papyri, the remarkable collection of Qur'an manuscripts and scrolls and books of Buddhist thought provide the focus for the displays. Audio-visual programmes on Rites of Passage in many faiths, prayer and pilgrimage enhance the displays. The 'Artistic Traditions' gallery is devoted mainly to works of art on paper, techniques of print-making, binding and paper-making and the art of miniature painting. The display draws on the rich manuscript holdings, the collection of rare printed books and of decorative arts, especially from East Asia. The exhibition is introduced by a display devoted to the life and work of Sir Alfred Chester Beatty.

The Chester Beatty Collection is a unique treasure reflecting the connoisseurship and enthusiasms of its founder. The Islamic Collections include mainly Persian, Turkish and Arabic manuscripts, most of which are adorned with exquisite illustrations, illuminations and fine bindings. They deal with a wide-range of subjects and, along with a breathtaking array of single-page Mughal paintings and a superb collection of beautifully calligraphed and decorated copies of the Holy Qur'an, they mark the Library as one of the main centres for the study of Isalmic culture and the arts of the Islamic book. From East and South East Asia come fine collections of illustrated manuscripts, prints, printed books and decorative arts. The cultural artistic and religious traditions of China, Japan, India, Nepal, Tibet, Mongolia, Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), and Indonesia are represented by a range of exquisitely made works of art produced between the 8th and 20th centuries. The Western Collections hold many important early Christian biblical and Manichaean papyri - the Library is one of the premier sources for scholarship in the Christian Old and New Testament. Armenian, Western European manuscripts from medieval, Renaissance and modern times, prints, early and fine books and bindings complete a remarkable conspectus of the arts of manuscript production and printing from many cultures and periods. For Children The Library hosts a series of monthly workshops for 7-11 year olds. Explore a wide range of exciting topics, from making lanterns celebrating the Chinese New Year to following the travels of explorers through the collection, as well as learning about a host of other cultures and religions in the Library Gift Shop Find unusual gifts inspired by the arts and cultures in the Library's collections. We stock a range of postcards, posters, gift items and jewellery. Educational Services Hours: 10.00am-5.00pm Monday - Friday The Chester Beatty Library Dublin Castle Dublin 2, Dublin Nearest DART Station: Tara Street. Bus Routes: 50, 51B, 54A, 56A, 77, 77A, 78A, 123 Open: October - April: Tuesday - Friday 10.00am-5.00pm; May - September: Monday - Friday 10.00am-5.00pm; Saturday, 11.00am - 5.00pm; Sunday, 1.00pm - 5.00pm (Closed 1 January, Good Friday, 24, 25 and 26 December, Monday public holidays) Admission is free and by appointment. top

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The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin 2, Dublin County The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish art as well as the collection of European master paintings. Admission is free. Entrance on Merrion Square West and Clare Street. Accessible for wheelchair users. Floor plans available at the Information Desk. Merrion Square West Dublin 2, Dublin Opening Hours Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5.30pm, Thursday 9.30am - 8.30pm, Sunday 12.00pm - 5.30pm. Closed Good Friday and 24, 25, 26 December. Entry to the galleries and shop ceases 15 minutes before Gallery closing time.

Public Tours Free Saturdays 3.00pm, Sundays 2.00pm, 3.00pm, 4.00pm. Guided Tours Tours may be booked by writing to the Education Department three weeks in advance of the date requested, including details of numbers and arrival times. Tours for visually impaired and hearing impaired visitors (including the use of Tactile Picture Sets), may also be booked. Yeats Museum Open during Gallery Hours.vPicture Clinic The Picture Clinic appraises paintings, prints and drawings brought into the Gallery by the public. It is held by the Curators on the first Thursday of each month 10am-12 Noon in the Shaw Room. Print Room The Print Room houses the Gallery's collection of drawings, watercolours, prints and miniatures. Access by appointment. Centre for the Study of Irish Art Research material relevant to the study of Irish art (opens mid-2002). Access by appointment. Yeats Archive Archival material relevant to Jack B. Yeats and the Yeats Family (opens mid-2002). Access by appointment.

Gallery Library Reference Library. By appointment only. Open Monday to Friday 10-5pm. Tel. 01-663 3543. Virtual Reality Gallery Interactive 3D Gallery located in Multimedia Room, Millennium Wing. The Gallery Shop National Gallery, Merrion Square West and Millennium Wing, Open Monday-Saturday 10.00-5.15pm; Thursday 10.00-8.15pm; Sunday 12.00pm-5.15pm Tel. (01) 678 5450 Email: bookshop@ngi.ie Gallery Restaurant Winter Garden Restaurant, and Gallery Café, Millennium Wing. For Disabled Visitors The National Gallery is accessible by lift to all levels. Wheelchairs are available on request. The Lecture Theatre is equiped with a loop system. Tactile Picture Sets are available from the Information Desk. Two parking bays are located outside the Merrion Square gates. Access and Braille Guides are available from the Information Desk. One low-level telephone is located at Level 1.

Gallery Policies: • Visitors may not to touch the paintings, sculpture or furniture. • Photography and the use of video equipment is not permitted. • Mobile phones must be turned off and not used in the Gallery. • Smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited. • For permission to sketch and paint, Please apply to the Education Department. • Rooms may be subject to unavoidable short term closure without notice. • Cloakroom and telephones are located in the Millennium Wing. • Toilets with baby changing facilities are located at basement level and level 1 How to get there: • By DART: Pearse Station is five minutes from the Gallery. • By Bus:   • No 10 bus to Merrion Row and Pembroke Street.   • Nos 5, 6, 7, 7A, 8 to Merrion Square North and Clare Street.   • No 44, 48A, 62 to Merrion Square West. • By Car Meter parking is available on Merrion Square. top

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The National Library of Ireland The National Library of Ireland is a cultural institution under the aegis of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. Its mission is to collect, preserve and make available books, manuscripts and illustrative material of Irish interest. Users of the Library have a wide variety of interests. They can include those engaged in long-term research with a view to a book or article and those with a specific once off need. The National Library is open, free of charge, to all that want and need to use it. A Reader’s Ticket is necessary in order to consult most categories of material. The Library does not lend books and reading is done in the various reading rooms. There is also a copying service and it is possible to get photocopies, photographs, slides, or microfilm of most items in the collections. The Library has an ongoing programme of exhibitions. Manuscripts are not issued to readers during the hours 12.30-2.00pm (Mon. to Fri.), 5.00-6.00pm (Mon. to Wed.) or after 7.00pm (Mon. to Wed.). National Library of Ireland Kildare Street, Dublin2 Dublin County Opening Hours: Main Reading Room: Mon-Wed:10am-9.00pm; Thurs-Fri: 10am-5.00pm; Saturday: 10am-1.00pm Manuscripts Reading Room: Mon-Wed:10am-8.30pm; Thurs-Fri: 10am-4.30pm; Saturday: 10am-12.30pm Readers' Ticket Office: Mon-Wed:10am-12.30pm, 2.00pm-5.00pm; Thurs-Fri: 10am-12.30pm, 2.00pm-4.30pm; Saturday: 10am-12.30pm top

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The National Museum of Ireland • Decorative Arts & History: Collins Barracks, Dublin 7 • Archaeology & History: Kildare Street, Dublin 2 • Natural History: Merrion Street, Dublin 2 • Irish Folklife: Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Free Admission Opening Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm; Sunday 2pm - 5pm; Closed Mondays Access for the less abled; Ground floor exhibitions, Museum shops, cafés & toilets are all wheelchair accessible. Our site at Collins Barracks is totally wheelchair accessible. Museum Shop & Café Located at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street & Collins Barracks.

Guided Tours Are available at frequent intervals during Museum opening hours. How to get there The Museumlink Shuttlebus connects the three sites: Decorative Arts & History, Archaeology & History, and Natural History Museums. Timetables onsite or by phoning 01 677 7444. Alternative Transport Guide Friday and Dublin City 'Hop on Hop Off' Bus tours, have a drop off & pick up stop at our three sites. Buses • Collins Barracks: 90 (Aston Quay), 25, 25A, 66, 67 (Middle Abbey St.) • Kildare St./Merrion St.: 7, 7A, 8 (Burgh Quay), 10, 11, 13 (O'Connell St.) top

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Other Attractions Old Leighlin Cathedral, Carlow County Kilkee Waterworld, Kilkee, Clare Country Kilrush Heritage Centre, Kilrush, Clare County Ilnacullin, Garnish Island, Glengarriff, Cork County Droumbeag Stone Circle, Clonakilty, Cork County Henry Ford Ancestral Site, Clonakilty, Cork County Lisselan Estate, Clonakilty, Cork County Michael Collins Memorial Park, Clonakilty, Cork County Shaw Birthplace, Dublin 8, Dublin County St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin 8, Dublin County Aran Heritage Centre, Aran Islands, Galway, Galway County Coole Park, Gort, Galway County Glengowlamines, oughterard, Galway County Blennerville Windmill, Tralee, Kerry County Skellig Experience, Valentia Island, Kerry County The Jeanie Johnston Visitor Shipyard, Tralee, Kerry County Tralee - Dingle Steam Railway, Tralee, Kerry County Mayo North Family History Centre, Balllina, Mayo County Birr Science Centre, Birr, Offaly County Clonmacnoise Athlone, Offaly County Cruachan Aí Visitor Centre, Tulsk, Rosscommon County Lismore Heritage Company, Lismore, Waterford County Dunbrody, Wexford County Powerscourt Gardens & Museum, Enniskerry, Wicklow County top

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