The picturesque town of Carrick-on-Shannon Leitrim is the capital of County Leitrim. This town is one of the least populated in Ireland, and it has retained a quiet, old-fashioned atmosphere. Carrick-on-Shannon is home to many charming, quaint shop fronts and beautiful Georgian houses. The town boasts numerous 19th Century churches, as well as Costello Chapel – one of the smallest chapels in the world. Carrick-on-Shannon is located on the River Shannon and it is famed for its busy, modern marina. The area is a very popular spot for visitors interested in exploring Ireland’s waterways.

I came across something yesterday on my travels that I though was brilliant! Talk about the best service I have ever seen in Ireland. Imagine having your Chinese takeaway delivered on foot, via boat, from not only one county to another but from one province to another! Now thats service at its best. Kudos to anyone who can identify where I am talking about.

The Ryder Cup 2006 will be held in Ireland for the first and probably last time this September. The event which is the third largest of any sporting event in the world promises to be a major rip off for overseas travellers if reports are to be believed. The travel and service industry in Ireland, especially in Dublin are intent on killing a potential golden goose with blatant overpricing. This event will allow Ireland a huge window of opportunity to promote itself to a global audience but already I have fears that we will damage our most important industry in the medium and long term. Time will tell!

Top 10 Tips when Visiting Ireland By Dara Ward Ireland is a magical place. It has a culture and heritage that is truly it’s own. The country is divided into The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic has 26 counties while Northern Ireland has 6 counties giving the entire country 32 in total. 1. No visit to Ireland is complete without having spent at least a couple of days in the capital city Dublin. Dublin is now accessible from most major airports worldwide. Car rental can be hired from all major recognised companies directly at the airport but we suggest booking in advance to get the best rates. Car rental also offers more flexibility if visitors wish to travel further a field. 2. Galway is widely regarded as the fastest growing city in Europe. Located on the West Coat of Ireland, Galway is a lively city with an extremely young vibrant population. Known for its numerous pubs and cafes Galway is a must on any travellers agenda. 3. Cork is the third largest city in Ireland following Dublin and Belfast. Watch out for the famous Cork accent as its fast and can at times be hard to grasp. Home to Murphy’s and Beamish stout or beer Cork was the European Capital of Culture in 2005. 4. The famous Ring of Kerry has been travelled by millions of visitors at this stage. Enjoy the spectacular scenery that the Ring of Kerry boasts. Located close to Killarney this is a must see for any serious traveller. Be prepared for a slow ride though as the route is often very busy. 5. Possibly one of Ireland’s best kept secrets is County Sligo. Located in the North West of Ireland Sligo was home to W.B.Yeats the famous poet. Much of his inspiration was derived from the local surrounds. Marvel at Lough Gill, Ben Bulben and Knocknerea. 6. While Belfast may have gained an International reputation as a violent city due to it’s past it has now become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe. The city is full of life and oozes an energy rarely found elsewhere. Another must! 7. The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are a real treat. Standing hundreds of feet tall and reaching up from the Atlantic Ocean the Cliffs of Moher are a true spectacular. Surfers are now coming from around the globe to ride the mighty waves at the base of the cliff. 8. Fancy taking a trip back in time to how Ireland used to be? If so take a trip to The Aran Islands off the coast of Galway where Gaelic or Irish is the main language. The Islands will give you a glimpse of how Ireland used to be with a laid back attitude prevalent. 9. Visit County Wexford, known as The Model County and climb Europe’s oldest lighthouse at Hook Head. Dating back over 500 years this is a climb that will leave you breathless-not from the exertion of the climb but from the views. 10. Lastly be sure to book your accommodation and car rental well in advance to avoid any disappointment. Remember that the Euro is now the currency of Ireland so do your calculations prior to booking. Dara Ward is the Managing Director of Accommodation in Ireland and operates over 20 Irish Travel and Tourism websites. He is widely recognised as an expert in the promotion of tourism to and within Ireland and has an in-depth knowledge of the travel industry in Ireland. He also operates Hotels in Dublin amongst other sites. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dara_Ward