Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Tipperary North, Westmeath, Longford, Cavan, Monaghan
The Midlands
Visit the Midlands for ideal locations for fishing, boating and golfing vacations in Ireland.
The midland county of Kildare is probably well known to all golfing fans as The K Club, Golf Course, Straffon, Co. Kildare hosted the 36th Ryder Cup. For those of you who would like to play the same course as the top golfers, simply browse our website for accommodation near the K Club. Kildare is a border county of Dublin and is renowned for its Horse racing and hunting. It is home to the many equestrian centres and horse training studs.
Horses are a regular sight around Kildare, especially around the Curragh, where you can see horses out for an early morning gallop.
The Curragh Racecourse is world famous and is where the Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas, Budweiser Irish Derby, Darley Irish Oaks and Irish Field St leger take place each year.
Irelands midland regions boasts not only top quality golf courses and race courses but also some spectacular scenic and monastic areas such as Clonmacnoise Co. Offaly, Slieve Bloom Mountains in Laois.
Clonmacnoise is One of Ireland's most famous monastic sites, and was founded back in the sixth Century. Clonmacnoise consists of the ruins of a Cathedral, churches,round towers, high crosses and early Christian grave stones and visitor centre.
The famous River Shannon flows right through the town of Athlone Co. Westmeath in the heart of the midlands. Hire a boat and cruise the magnificant River Shannon !
Also in Tipperary North the migty River Shannon, Ireland's longest river flows. Tipperary is also home to Lough Derg which is the biggest of three lakes.
The midlands are home to blanket bogs such as The Bog of Allen, rivers, lakes and Slieve Bloom Mountains.
While in the midlands why not visit Offaly's georgain town of Birr and Birr castle and then on to the heritage town of Tullamore and home to the famous Tullamore Dew. Tullamore is a fast growing vibrant town, offering great shopping facilities. If you are interested in a night out on the town there are many pubs, restaurants and night clubs to choose from in Tullamore.
You can always stop off at Lockes Distillary in Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath it is now open as a museum of Industrial Archaeology showing how whiskey was produced in times past. Guided tours bring you through the original distillery buildings. Feeling hungry? Sample a Full Irish Breakfast in the Coffee Shop next door to the museum. Their food is simply delicious!!
Laois is a county filled with Heritage and beautiful scenery, like that of Stradbally and Durrow. It is ideal for hill walking and is home to the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
Longford though mainly bog and farmlands boasts a long shoreline with the River Shannon which is the longest river in Ireland for this reason Longford attracts many visitors for fishing vacations and for boating and cruising on the Shannon.
For those of you interested in a relaxing holiday in a quiet location then Monaghan is the place to visit. Itperfect destination for the serious angler of the casual golfer. Monaghans many hills and winding country lanes are perfect for anyone interested in walking or biking holidays.
The midlands have a lot more to offer than scenery. As you travel through the counties you will come across fine food and wines and some lively pubs and clubs.