Loved my visit to the museum! Angela's Ashes is one of my favorite books, and I'll always recommend…read moreit to everyone. Visiting the museum was something I've always wanted to do, so my very first visit to Ireland had to include Limerick. The museum shows two rooms upstairs (a kitchen and bedroom). Downstairs has a classroom which is really wonderful. It displays some of Frank's personal items. Volunteers working there were amazing, such nice people. I highly recommend visiting the museum. The visit costs 4 euros per person.

This is a must see! If you are flying into Shannon, take a detour into Limerick to see this place…read more The owner Una Heaton, built the Museum from the ground up. She has spent many years collecting artifacts and stories about Frank McCourt. Even if you did not read his books or are not a fan of his work, the Museum provides a glimpse to what life was like in Limerick during the World Depression in the 1930's. It shows the harsh reality of growing up poor in Ireland and motives the soul as you see him and his school mates become great successes after such a rough childhood. Plus, the owner is very knowable and has designed the entire museum herself. She has a great hand made art work and has utilized her skills to create authentic scenes from Mr. McCourt's life. Afterwards you can go to South's Pub for a pint.

We visited this castle on a trip through Ireland and it is a highlight of our trip. I contacted…read moreSean via email asking if we could tour the castle on a specific date while in the area. He replied with a 'stop by any time'. A very Irish welcome! This is literally their home so park appropriately, and knock on that huge wooden door. The man of the house answered himself. Sean mentioned they had hosted big dinners there with all kinds of period fun and this is definitely the kind of spot you'd want to share a meal with friends in the great hall! We spent a good deal of time time talking with Sean about the house and the area and its history. We even got a free concert! What a treat! (iykyk) The stone stairway up to the oubliette is the original stone staircase to the top, curves around a bit and has decades of wear. So cool. The room at the top is open and unfinished, just as it would have been. You have to get up there yourself to experience the history of it and stare down into the pit. Take in the views while up there as well. Beautiful country. I'm not sure how often the family offer tours or host events at the castle, but if you ever have an opportunity, jump on it! Whether you are hoping to see the 'entity' that haunts the castle, or you are curious about Irish castles this is a very interesting stop hosted by a lovely gentleman. There is information online if you would like to read up on it's history. For us, this visit is a true gift we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Thank you so much Sean!

This place is amazing! It's currently being restored, so a lot of the old original structure is…read morestill in place. The man who runs it puts a lot of care into maintaining the castle and knows the whole, very long and very interesting, history! Also, the view from the top of the castle is absolutely breathtaking. Truly a magical experience.

This is great place to learn about Limerick history, which might be representative of Ireland…read morehistory. While the castle itself has not been preserved in an excellent condition, but exhibition itself is good if you are interested in history, I learned a lot from the exhibition, Limerick has deep historical ties to both the Vikings and the Normans since 9th century. Also I enjoyed the panoramic views of King's Island and the River Shannon from castle towers.

cute castle to check out when visiting limerick. this is the reason we stopped here on our road…read moretrip. it was nice, very informational and exactly what you would expect historically. The staff was nice and informative as well

By far our favorite Neolithic structure seen during our drive through Ireland…read more The path from parking lot was gravel but to get close we had to walk over some weathered and rutted limestone. Tread carefully. The enigmatic portal has been standing for many thousands of years. Maybe a marker, a tomb or something else. A must see for those driving through the Burren.

Some 22 years, I first encountered Poulnabrone Dolmen, prior to the Cliff of Moher. I was very…read moreeager to revisit. The Poulnabrone Dolmen in the Burren, County Clare, is surely one of the most photogenic ancient sites in Ireland, with its thin limestone slabs lying elegantly atop one another. It's also the OLDEST dated megalithic monument on the island, dating back 5,800 years! But the accolades don't stop there. After the Cliffs of Moher, it's the second most visited site in the Burren.

It is very humbling to walk into a structure that is unfathomably old, especially one in such great…read moreshape of preservation. To imagine Quinn Abbey was built even centuries before the Bronze Age of Greece is awe inspiring. The walls still stand but no roof covers the area. There are graves surrounding the Abbey that also carry lots of history. In the pasture you'll find idyllic cows. The surrounding town is very cute and friendly. It's a picture perfect location for someone visiting County Clare.

built for the Friars of the Franciscan order, Roofless ruins built between 1403-1422.read more

You may think that during the famine, everyone was busy dying or heading off to the US, but there…read morewere plenty who fought against the injustices perpetrated upon the Irish people. It was here in the Famine Warhouse that rebels, under the leadership of the Protestant aristocrat, William Smith O'Brien, M.P., besieged 47 police who had barricaded themselves into the McCormack farmhouse, taking five children hostage. Today, it is a museum, with exhibits that chart the history of the famine and the mass emigration that accompanied it, as well the rebellion and the trials for high treason that followed it.

Free admittance with a free guided tour through the castle - and in my opinion although smaller,…read moreBarryscourt is way better than Blarney. Our tour guide was excellent and very informative. The castle has been (and continues to be) restored so you get to see each floor as it might have been not just stone rooms without floors like at Blarney. There's a lovely small garden and an orchard within the walls. Close to Fota House and Gardens this is an excellent stop while you're in the area and you can make a full day out of it by also visiting Fota. Fota Gardens and Arboretum are also free.

BARRYSCOURT CASTLE Paid my first visit in decades to…read moreBarryscourt Castle, an impressive relic of the 16th century court of the Barry family. Impressive enough as a stark ruin in the 80s but now it's much improved and well worth a visit, particularly since there is no charge at all, and that includes the guided tour of the interior. Time was short yesterday so we contented ourselves with a walk around the outside of the castle itself, through the herb garden and a large orchard. There are records of an orchard there since the 13th century and this one, with dozens of apple varieties, is laid out according to the 16th century manner. There are smaller plantings of pears and quinces. There is an information office with very helpful and friendly staff, toilets and a cafe and it is just off the main national road (N25). It is a very pleasant visit indeed and I'll be back for a longer stay, perhaps during Heritage Week which takes place in venues across the country from August 21st. Most events are free to enter, some have reduced charges. This is one of many available. See the Heritage Ireland site http://www.heritageireland.com or pick up the comprehensive National Heritage Week brochure at your local library. http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/South-West/BarryscourtCastle/ Tel: +353 21 488 3864

Kilmacduagh Monastery is found 5 km from Gort, Co Galway. It was the birthplace of the Diocese of…read moreKilmacduagh, whose name means "church of Duagh's son". The 7th century Saint Colman, son of Duagh, established a monastery on land given him by his cousin King Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin (died 663 in Ireland) of Connacht. The monastery contains a round tower, notable as both fine example of this particularly Irish feature but also because of its noticeable lean, over half a metre from the vertical. The tower is over 30 metres tall, with the only doorway some 7 metres above ground level. This site was of such importance that it became the centre of a new diocese, the Diocese of Kilmacduagh, in the 12th century; it is now incorporated into the Diocese of Galway. The monastery, because of its wealth and importance, was plundered several times in the 13th century. There are no words to describe this place - if you like history or architecture, this place is a MUST see.

There are actually 2 castle's, an old and a new (or newer, its still very old obviously). The herd…read moreof white deer are worth the walk alone, they're beautiful. Don't expect throngs of tourists being herded on and off coaches here, it's not on the tourist trail at all. That's part of its appeal though I think. Recently purchased by Cork County Council that could all change relatively soon. Recommend you see it while you can still have the place all to yourself.