| If you wanted to take all the great attractions | | | | from hides, that Tim Severin sailed across the |
| about Ireland and wrap them up in one place, then | | | | Atlantic to recreate the voyages of St Brendan. |
| there can be nowhere better than the Shannon | | | | How many dolphins can you spot? |
| Region (Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Offaly). | | | | You might not fancy taking to the sea in the |
| Easily reached from the ferry ports at Dublin, Dun | | | | Brendan boat, but taking a modern boat from |
| Laoghaire and Rosslare, the countryside runs from | | | | Kilrush, County Clare, or Carrigaholt, County Clare, |
| rolling hills to rugged coast and offers a wealth of | | | | into the sheltered waters of the Shannon Estuary |
| ideas and attractions. Whatever you might want | | | | gives you a great chance to see dolphins in the |
| to do on holiday - walking, fishing, golfing...or even | | | | wild. There are around 100 dolphins in the |
| just relaxing - the Shannon region has something | | | | community, and the trips - of around two hours - |
| to offer. | | | | give the opportunity to learn more about these |
| Here's some insider information on some different | | | | fascinating creatures. |
| places to visit while you're there... | | | | Fly back in time at Foynes |
| Under the Burren at Aillwee Caves | | | | If you're not into boats of any kind, then how |
| The Burren is famous for its stark landscape and | | | | about planes? From 1939 to 1945 the port of |
| fascinating wildlife, but for something a bit | | | | Foynes, County Limerick, was the centre of the |
| different why not venture under the Burren! | | | | aviation world as air traffic across the Atlantic left |
| Aillwee Caves lead under the mountainside, carved | | | | or arrived here with a fleet of flying boats. |
| out by an underground river in an early Ice Age, | | | | Politicians, film stars and business people started |
| and contain remarkable natural features and | | | | or ended their journey here...and perhaps it's no |
| formations. The caves are situated in the north of | | | | surprise that Irish coffee was invented here too. |
| County Clare, not far from Ballyvaughan, and you | | | | The Flying Boat Museum is housed in the original |
| can visit all year round. | | | | terminal building and has not just displays and |
| Ireland's prehistory brought to life at | | | | memorabilia but also a full size replica of a Pan |
| Craggaunowen | | | | Am Clipper Flying Boat. |
| Not quite as old as Aillwee, but harking back to | | | | Your ideal holiday cottage base |
| Ireland's prehistoric and early Christian past, | | | | After all that activity, there's no better way to |
| Craggaunowen is not far from Shannon at | | | | unwind than a quality self catering holiday cottage. |
| Sixmilebridge, County Clare. Children and adults | | | | You can put your feet up and relax in |
| alike will find the recreation of ancient | | | | comfortable surroundings. And of course, you can |
| homesteads, including a crannog lake dwelling, | | | | choose whether to eat in or out, without any |
| fascinating. You can also the Brendan boat, made | | | | problem. |