Ireland Leinster

Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland. Founded as a Viking settlement, the Kingdom of Dublin became Ireland's principal city following the Norman invasion. One of the oldest is Dublin Castle, which was first founded as a major defensive work on the orders of King John of England in 1204. Other popular landmarks and monuments include the Mansion House, the Anna Livia monument, the Molly Malone statue, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick's Cathedral, Saint Francis Xavier Church on Upper Gardiner Street near Mountjoy Square, The Custom House, and Áras an Uachtaráin. Dublin has more green spaces per square kilometre than any other European capital city.

Kilkenny is a city located in south-east part of Ireland and the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny. It is built on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster. Kilkenny is regarded for its culture with craft and design workshops, the Watergate Theatre, public gardens and museums. Annual events include Kilkenny Art Festival, the Cat Laughs comedy festival and music at the Rhythm and Roots festival and the Source concert. It is a popular base to explore the surrounding towns, villages and countryside.

Bray is a long-established holiday resort with hotels and guesthouses, shops, restaurants and evening entertainment. The town is near two 18-hole golf courses, a tennis club, fishing, a sailing club and horse riding. Bray also has amusement arcades and the National Sealife Centre. Bray Head has views of mountains and sea. The concrete cross at the top of the head was erected in 1950 for the holy year. Bray is used as a base for walkers, and has a mile-long promenade which stretches from the harbour, with its colony of mute swans, to the base of Bray Head at the southern end. A track leads to the summit. Also used by walkers is the 7 km (4.3 mi) Cliff Walk along Bray Head out to Greystones.

Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland. The town is situated in an area with an abundance of archaeological monuments dating from the Neolithic period onwards, of which the large Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth are probably the best known. The town hosts an annual summer Samba festival, where Samba bands from around the world converge on the town for three days of drumming and parades.

Kildare is a town in County Kildare, Ireland. Although Kildare gives its name to the county, Naas is the county town. Rich in heritage and history, Kildare Town dates from the 5th Century, when it was the site of the original 'Church of the Oak' and monastery founded by St. Brigid. This became one of the three most important Christian foundations in Celtic Ireland. Rich in heritage and history, Kildare Town dates from the 5th Century, when it was the site of the original 'Church of the Oak' and monastery founded by St. Brigid. This became one of the three most important Christian foundations in Celtic Ireland.

Carlow is the county town of County Carlow in Ireland, situated in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. The River Barrow flows through the town, and forms the historic boundary between counties Laois and Carlow. One of Carlow's most notable landmarks is the Brownshill Dolmen, situated on the Hacketstown Road. Other landmarks include Carlow Castle, Ducketts Grove, Carlow Town Hall and courthouse and Milford - approx 5 miles outside of Carlow town.

Wicklow is the county town of County Wicklow, Located south of Dublin on the east coast of the island. There is a commercial port, mainly importing timber and textiles. The River Vartry is the main river which flows through the town. Vikings landed in Ireland around 795 AD and began plundering monasteries and settlements for riches and to capture slaves. In the mid-9th century, Vikings established a base which took advantage of the natural harbour at Wicklow. It is from this chapter of Wicklow's history that the name 'Wicklow' originates. Though the surrounding County of Wicklow is rich in bronze age monuments, the oldest surviving settlement in the town is the Franciscan Abbey (ruined). This is located at the west end of Main Street, within the gardens of the local Roman Catholic parish grounds.

Dundalk is the county town and administrative capital of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equidistant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dun Dealgan has associations with the mythical warrior Cu Chulainn. The town's crest reads Me do rug Cu Chulainn Croga, meaning "I gave birth to brave Cu Chulainn". It was granted its charter in 1189. It is the second largest town and seventh most populous urban area in Ireland.

The Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre on the banks of the Grand Canal focuses on the distilling, canal and urban history of the town. Audio visual and self-guided tours are available daily. One of Ireland's most splendid Gothic buildings, Charleville Castle, stands in this parkland setting which contains the King Oak, one of the biggest and oldest oak trees in the country. Tullamore is an ideal base for discovering the Slieve Bloom Mountains to the south of the county. Just south of Tullamore are the unique 'Lough Boora' parklands. The boglands are a landscape for a wide range of flora and fauna. There are other many fascinating and beautiful sites around the outskirts and in neighboring towns.