| Over the last decade Dublin has carved out a | | | | much more accessible in recent years with a |
| reputation and position as one of Europe's | | | | busy international airport taking users |
| leading city break destination. Ireland has | | | | direct to the South West of Ireland. Warmed |
| made great efforts to promote itself, and | | | | directly by the Gulf Stream, Cork might |
| its' capital, as a tourist destination and | | | | surprise visitors who are welcomed by palm |
| has made great strides in doing so. But still | | | | trees and bamboo adding a flavour that is |
| the majority of visitors to the country fly | | | | perhaps more Cannes than craic. Its' history |
| in and out of Dublin without ever leaving the | | | | as a seaport is evident in Cork life woth |
| city boundaries. Whilst Dublin has much to | | | | bustling markets and restaurant scene. The |
| offer in terms of culture and nightlife it | | | | city skyline is dominated by St Finn Barre's |
| seems a shame that much of this rich country | | | | Cathedral, a spectacular triple spiralled |
| remains unexplored by tourists. | | | | French Gothic structure. Cork is a sizeable, |
| | | | yet compact city that offers a refreshing and |
| Ireland is a small country but retains | | | | altogether different alternative to Dublin. |
| diverse offerings for the tourism market. | | | | |
| With easy access from the UK and mainland | | | | Kerry is a hill walkers' paradise. With |
| Europe thanks to the expansion of airports at | | | | rugged coastline, mountain ranges and |
| Dublin, Cork and Shannon in recent years, | | | | national parks, Kerry is perhaps the most |
| Ireland has placed itself firmly on the | | | | suited area to outdoor activities. Golf is |
| tourist map. Attracting short break visitors | | | | popular throughout the country and the |
| from the UK has proved relatively easy - a | | | | fabulous K Club in County Kildare is host to |
| short hop on a plane or ferry has helped | | | | the 2006 Ryder Cup. The North West of Ireland |
| Dublin to carve it's reputation as a city | | | | from Sligo up to Donegal offers outdoor |
| break highlight. But Dublin commands an | | | | activities such as Atlantic surfing, |
| abnormally high number of tourists and with | | | | mountaineering and, of course, more golf. |
| Ireland looking to attract longer term | | | | |
| visitors, perhaps it is time to look beyond | | | | Ireland is compact and, although internal |
| the capital to explore Ireland's tourism | | | | flights are infrequent, travelling by road |
| credentials. | | | | can offer a rewarding experience. Most cities |
| | | | and towns have readily available car hire in |
| Ireland's effort to promote the rest of the | | | | Ireland. The coastal routes in particular are |
| country was helped by the EU in 2005 when | | | | a spectacular driving experience and you'll |
| Cork was announced as European City of | | | | be certain that you're out of Dublin. |
| Culture. Irelands' second city has become | | | | |