Ireland For Dummies

Book excerpt: Relatively tiny Ireland (32,600 sq. miles) packs great attractions into a small area. You can pack a lot of diverse experiences into your trip with this book as your guide. Climb the cliffs. Kiss the blarney stone. Have a bowl of Irish stew and a pint of Guinness in a local pub. Pay homage to literary giants W. B. Yeats, James Joyce, or Frank McCourt. Play championship golf courses. Whether you?re a book lover or a golf nut?a history buff or a Celtic music fan?a full-fledged adventurer or a laid-back sight-seer, you?ll find plenty to enjoy in this guide that gives you the scoop on: Historic sights, including the 5,000 year old Newgrange Tomb, the burial mounds at Knowth, the storied Hill of Tara, ancient seat of the Irish high kings, and Glendalough, a monastic community founded in the sixth century Gorgeous natural wonders, including the sheer Cliffs of Moher and Slieve League cliffs; the rocky, wildflower-studded Burren; the beautiful Aran Islands; the wild landscape of Connemara; and more Cosmopolitan Dublin, hot-and-happening Belfast, and intriguing medieval villages The Traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl Strolling through Powerscourt Garden or touring the Waterford Crystal Factory Exploring Killarney National Park on horseback, on a bike, or on foot Driving the Ring of Kerry with its seascapes, cliffs, and spectacular mountain views or the Dingle Peninsula with its patchwork of farms, plus sandy beaches, craggy cliffs, and more seascapes Staying in an ancient but luxurious castle or a comfortable B & B overlooking a working dairy farm Dining on diverse cuisines, ranging from Italian to Mediterranean to fusion and from meat-and-potatoes to sushi; enjoying great pub food at a local haunt or feasting at a medieval banquet in an authentic castle Like every For Dummies travel guide, Ireland For Dummies, 5th Edition helps you make the most of your vacation. It includes: Down-to-earth trip-planning advice What you shouldn't miss--and what you can skip The best hotels and restaurants for every budget Lots of detailed maps No, this book can?t tell you where to find a leprechaun, but if you?re looking for other Irish sites, attractions or adventures, you?re in luck with this guide.