Victoria House Hotel

The residents of Dingle, or An Daingean as it is now officially known, are the envy of everyone in Ireland. They live in what many agree is the most beautiful part in the country, in a strikingly attractive fishing village with fantastic pubs, rousing music, great restaurants and more characters per head of population than anywhere in the world. The key to Dingle is to visit as many pubs as you can while there. Seek out the old pubs frequented by the locals, sit up to the bar, order a drink and prepare to be entertained! The Dingle Peninsula on which the town is located is littered with ancient archeological sites including stone forts and many beehive huts. Scenically, the Peninsula is an absolute delight with every turn of the road revealing more of the achingly beautiful landscape. One highlight is the Slea Head loop drive from Dingle which is easily driven in an hour or cycled in an afternoon. For the energetic, a day spent climbing Mount Brandon, the peninsula's highest, will be richly rewarded. The views from the top on a clear day are absolutely stunning.

In the bustling city of Cork, stroll the river walk at the University and pop into the Glucksman Gallery. Relax in a cafŽ, and hit Shandon Street, just a short walk from the main shopping district. Climb the 120 foot steeple, and ring the bells of Shandon. Soak up the city views as they fade into the countryside. Award-winning restaurants line the streets, and nightlife choices include Irish Traditional, classy nightclubs, theater, opera, plays, and dance. (Take the haunted night tour of the city jailÑitÕs a great way to start your evening with a bang.) Of course, thereÕs the Jameson Old Middleton Distillery in east Cork. Learn how Irish whiskey is made, and finish with a tasting. As for Ennis, her beautiful medieval streets, narrow and meandering past small colorful shops, are enchanting.

Kenmare, with its pastel coloured houses, is the usual starting point for the Ring of Kerry round trip. The small town, founded by a handful of Englishmen in 1670, has every tourist convenience imaginable, including 2 of the most luxurious hotels in Ireland, both of which have been awarded the much coveted Michelin star: the Park Hotel and Sheen Falls Lodge. A trip round the peninsula of Iveragh should not be missed; it has some of the most magnificent landscape in Europe, as any of the hundreds of people on bicycles, motorbikes, cars and busses traveling the 110 mile long coast road will tell you. Starting the Ring of Kerry trip from Kenmare means that you will meet the countless busses from Killarney going the other way instead of being stuck behind them!

Only a few miles from Cork City, Blarney is a charming village, most renowned for its castle and stone. The impressive castle, perched on solid limestone, dates from 1446 and is situated on magnificent grounds. To acquire "the gift of gab" one must kiss the Blarney Stone, which is located under the battlements at the very top of Blarney Castle. This involves bending over backwards at quite a height - not to be attempted by the faint-hearted!

Located just 16 miles from Cork City in a naturally protected harbour, Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable towns on the south-west coast. Kinsale is a centre for yachting, sea angling, gourmet eating and golf. Restaurants in Kinsale pride themselves on their high reputation for culinary expertise, and the Good Food Circle has been organizing a Gourmet Festival here every autumn for over 25 years. A charming town, its narrow streets are steeped in history and its harbour is always full of boats. Visit the museum housed in the French Prison or, just outside the town, the star-shaped Charles Fort with its spectacular views, before retiring to one of the town's many cozy atmospheric pubs.