With fertile farmland and easy access to the Irish Sea, Ireland's east coast is a haven for visiting foodies. Wherever you choose to stay in East Ireland's 15 counties, you will never be far from the diversity of restaurants, markets and food festivals that make today's Irish cuisine so celebrated.
The historic towns across Kildare, Carlow and the rest of East Ireland are known for having some of the best restaurants in Ireland. This is a fact that isn't well known by visitors to Ireland as the majority of towns in the East of Ireland tend to be overlooked by people planning their Ireland tours, meaning you shouldn't have too much of an issue with finding a table, even in the busier summer months. The fertile land of East Ireland, as well as the abundance of fresh fish from its rivers and coastline, means that local restaurants are in fresh supply of delicious produce all year round.
Like the rest of Ireland, the towns and villages of the East of Ireland are well supplied with pubs and bars, usually frequented by the locals of the area. From our own personal experience, these are very welcoming to outsiders and, for the most part, offer some type of food, from soup & sandwiches to full kitchen options. In Kilkenny City you will find nightclubs and 'super pubs' that stay open until about 2pm, as well as the smaller local establishments.
There is no shortage of fish and chip shops in the East of Ireland. The majority of towns will have at least one. If you are looking for high-quality fresh fish, the safest bet is to head for the coast of County Wicklow. During the summer months there are mobile chippers, essentially a container that is transported on the back of a jeep, set up along the beaches to supply the hungry crowds during the day. Some of these can look a bit unappealing but the majority are taking the catch of the day from local fishermen and serving it within hours, mixed with some chunky chips, there is no better way to relax by the seaside.
Adare is a small town in Co. Limerick, known for its quaint and colourful thatched cottages. Adare is considered to be one of Ireland's most beautiful towns so stop and take in the view. Don't forget your camera today - the perfect chance to capture the essence of old Ireland.
Explore Adare Village along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Take a journey through this once troubled city. See the murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road & Nationalist Falls Road. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past ten years of peace have returned much prosperity while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.
Originally built in 1823, Blarney Woollen Mills was mainly used for the spinning and weaving of wool. After it closed in 1973, it reopened in 1975 — as an Irish heritage shop.
The Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre commemorates the last pitched battle fought on British soil, in April 1746. Learn more about the Jacobite intent to overthrow the House of Hanover and return the House of Stuart to the British throne.
Located within Glenveagh National Park, Glenveagh Castle was built by Captain John George Adair between 1870 and 1873. Having made his fortune through land speculation in America, Adair return to Ireland and began large amounts of land in County Donegal. The castle was built in the Scottish Baronial style and is surrounded by a garden and commands stunning views of the nearby mountains, lakes, woodlands and valleys.
About Highland Folk Museum is a museum and open-air attraction located in the Scottish Highlands. It is designed to showcase the domestic and working lives of the early highland people.
Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King's Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.
Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King's Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.
Located close to the Killarney National Park, Moriarty's is an Authentic Irish Gift Store and Restaurant. Hand crafted Irish jewellery, Waterford Crystal and classic and modern tweed fashions and furnishings are all on offer at the gift store. The restaurant is an 85 seater offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Mount Congreve Gardens. Located in Kilmeaden, County Waterford, Mount Congreve Gardens is an 18th century Georgian estate and mansion. It was designed by the same architect that created both of Waterford's cathedrals, John Roberts.
Recently recognised as being one of the top 10 gardens in the world, Mount Stewart is a rich tapestry of planting plant life and stunning walking trails. The house dates back to the 19th century, and was the Irish seat of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family.
Located on the grounds of the expansive and idyllic Killarney National Park. Muckross House, and its 11,000-acre grounds, was donated to the Irish state in 1932.
Located on the grounds of the picturesque Muckross House and its impeccable gardens. Take a step back in time and see the Irish farming lifestyle of the 1930s and '40s. A time when the horse was responsible for much of the labour and the weather was the be all and end all in terms of production.
The Quiet Man Museum. A reproduction of the quaint thatched cottage from the John Wayne starring, John Ford directed movie of the same name. all costumes, artefacts and furnishings have been recreated in precise detail, to reflect the setting of the 1952 classic. Located in the picturesque village of Cong, County Mayo.
As a local Irish company, we at My Ireland Tour are passionate about our country and our local community. We're thrilled that you're interested in visiting the place we call home. That's why we put together this definitive travel guide for anyone who wants to come to Ireland and discover this amazing place for themselves.
This is a completely free resource covering everything from top tourist attractions to the nearest yoga centre. We hope it helps!
