East Coast & Midlands, Ireland

The Midlands is a truly beautiful region of Ireland that offers everything from sports and historical monuments to walking trips through the stunning countryside. The natural beauty of the Midlands will truly astonish you and a stroll beside one of the many lakes or rivers is a breathtaking experience.

If you are a golfer, some of Ireland's finest golf courses are found in The Midlands, including the world-famous K Club. The Horse Museum and National Stud is also here, and is home to some of the world's finest thoroughbreds.

One of Ireland's oldest Christian settlements, Clonmacnoise, is also found in The Midlands, on the banks of the Shannon. Founded in the sixth century, it includes the remains of eight churches and three high crosses.

For further information on things to see and do in the Midlands visit: www.eastcoastmidlandsireland.com

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If spending a few days in the Midlands here are some places you may wish to visit:

Clonmacnoise, Offaly
One of Ireland's most famous monastic sites. Founded by St. Ciaran, in the 6th century. Situated on the water meadows of the river Shannon.

Castletown House, Kildare
Irelands largest and finest Palladian country house, begun 1722 for William Connolly, speaker of the Irish House of Commons.

Irish National Stud, Japanese Gardens And St Fiachra's Garden, Kildare
Set amid 958 acres of land, part of this land is open to visitors, offering guided tours showing Vintage crop, Danoli and the Irish Horse Museum. The Japanese Gardens are situated in the grounds of the Stud Farm. St. Fiachra's Gardens were built to celebrate the Millennium.

Emo Court House and Gardens, Laois
A magnificent example of the neo-classical style, designed by the architect James Gandon in 1790.

Old Mellifont Abbey, Louth
Founded by St. Malachy in 1142, it was the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland. Its foundation marked an introduction of the European monastic way of life.

Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Meath
Interprets the neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The extensive exhibition includes a full-scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange as well as a full model of one of the smaller tombs at Knowth.

Lockes Distillery Museum, Westmeath
licensed in 1757, Lockes produced triple distilled Irish whiskey for over 200 years. Today it is the last remaining example of a small pot still distillery in Ireland.

Athlone castle and Visitor Centre, Westmeath
It features audio-visual presentations on: The Siege of Athlone, River Shannon, Count John McCormack and Folk & Military Museum.

Powerscourt House & Gardens, Wicklow
This Estate is one of Europe's Greatest Gardens, and one of Ireland's Greatest Treasures, with 47 acres of magnificent gardens. Powerscourt waterfall is the highest in the British Isles.

Glendalough Visitor Centre, Wicklow
The Visitor Centre contains an exhibition on the story of St. Kevin and Glendalough, with regular guided tours of the monastic site.

Killruddery House And Gardens, Wicklow
The most successful Elizabethan-Revival mansionin Ireland and also one of the earliest. The gardens at Killruddery are the oldest in Ireland and are amongst the most important of their type in these islands.