I returned to Ireland. Ireland green and chaste and foolish. And when I wandered over my own hills and talked again to my own people I looked into the heart of this life and saw that it was good.
You're very welcome to the Island Ireland directory.
Ireland is a beautiful place. Whether you're Irish and away from home, or just planning your first trip, we hope these links will be of interest. Click on the 'Counties & Towns' button to visit local pages from all around the country... these often include lots of information for visitors.
IRISH FESTIVALS & SUMMER SCHOOLS
keeps up-to-date listings of Irish music and arts festivals, exhibits, summer schools...
IRISH AND AWAY FROM HOME
is sort of a local paper for the Irish community world-wide... the easy to navigate site makes it easy to keep up with what's going on back home. Feature articles, news, stories from the counties, helpful info for those thinking of returning, even obituaries. What a good idea.
For those of Irish descent all around the world, the website will keep you occupied for quite a long time... updated news and articles, online communities, postcards to send, a growing list of Irish pubs worldwide, an Irish website directory, and lots more.
ESPECIALLY FOR VISITORS TO IRELAND
The (Bord Fáilte) site provides lots of helpful information, particularly for first-time visitors. How to get to Ireland, hotels and guest houses, car hire, useful facts and background... The site includes contacts for Irish Tourist Board offices around the world, which is handy, and there's information on holidays centred around angling, equestrian events, golfing, language learning, festivals and more.
Ditto for Northern Ireland at , the official website of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board...
Need ? Here's a site that provides information on birdwatching, golfing and golf courses, fishing, walking holidays, visiting industrial heritage sites, pony trekking, cycling, boating, horseback riding... A very nice site with a relaxing feel. Friendly, easy to navigate, and just the sort of information that gets one to start daydreaming about a nice holiday...
is an internet resource for information about cultural holidays and activities in Ireland which involve the Irish language and Celtic culture. Language, cultural festivals, folklore, music, dance, heritage... if you want to add Irish culture to your holiday, visit Intercelt for lots of useful information.
provides an excellent overview of Irish heritage properties and gardens that are open to the public. Photos, historical background and admission details, all presented on a well-organised site.
website provides information on 392 affiliated golf clubs and courses... greens fees, course details, links to individual golf club websites...
Patricia Tunison Preston-- the -- provides a site with lots of well laid-out and useful information for planning your next, or first, trip to Ireland. Read through the posts on the 'Ask Pat' question and answer forum... she really is an expert! Highly recommended.
IRISH TRAVEL AND TOUR COMPANIES
CIE stands for Coras Iompair Éireann — three words in the Irish language that literally mean 'Ireland's Transport Company.' CIE coordinates all bus, rail and other transport services throughout Ireland. is a travel subdivision with years of experience in providing high-quality escorted, self-drive, and independent vacations to Ireland and Britain.
Online travel agents in West Cork provide some very useful information on different regions of the country to visit, golfing and golf courses in Ireland, long distance walking trails, speciality holidays (cycling, horseback riding, etc.) and more.
ACCOMMODATION IN IRELAND
Irish bed and breakfasts are friendly, relaxed and offer great value... For more information on Irish bed and breakfasts (B & Bs), try the official tourist board sites listed above and also
(for a taste of the rural life-- Moo!)
To rent a cottage (or a castle) for a week, look for information on 'self catering' at the official tourist board sites listed above and also visit
lists hotels and guest houses throughout Northern Ireland. It is easy to use and downloads quickly...
Backpackers and budget travellers can find out about low cost accommodation at the site.
GETTING FROM POINT A TO POINT B
Both tourist boards mentioned above have good information on transportation options. Here are some quick links to the major companies...
(Irish national train service)
(Dublin Light Rail Service)
(Irish national bus service)
(Trains and buses in Northern Ireland)
(Ferry service across the Irish Sea)
(Ferry service across the Irish Sea, and to and from France)
(Service to the Aran Islands)
(Service to the Aran Islands)
(Service to the Aran Islands)
(Shannon Estuary crossings; Killimer, Kilrush, Tarbert, County Clare)
(Ireland's national airline)
(Low-fares Irish airline)
(Regional European airline)
(Regional airline whose service includes regular flights to the Aran Islands)
The (AA Ireland) maintains a very stylish, quickloading and useful site... the site focuses on information for its Irish membership, but visitors can find easy to use information on accommodation, restaurants, and a RoadWatch feature that warns of traffic problems.
TRAVEL INSPIRATION & IDEAS
features photos and 360 degree views of Irish beauty spots...
is a site with lots of photos and information on places to visit... castles, museums, national parks, etc. The A-Z shows a thumbnail photo of sites all over the country. If something catches your eye, you can view other photos, find out opening times, etc.
BUYING PROPERTY IN IRELAND
If you're interested in buying or renting a house in Ireland, visit:
PICTURES OF IRELAND
provides a collection of links to websites with online images of Ireland.
IRISH LIGHTHOUSES
Find histories, details and at the picture library at the Commissioners of Irish Lights.
John Eagle photographs ... see pictures of Fastnet, Bull Rock, Skellig Michael, Inishtearaght, Ballinacourty Point, Hook Head, Ardnakinna, Loop Head, Roche's Point, and Tarbert.
