[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_single_image image=”13474″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]Ian and I took the plunge and moved lock, stock and smoking green van to Ireland in 1998. We settled down on the border of Kilkenny and Carlow and since then have had the opportunity to visit many beautiful places in Ireland. Recently I’ve been writing about some of them in the hope you’ll find and help to support the communities that live in them.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]10 Gardens to visit in County Carlow<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0– I’ve written a few posts about the different gardens to visit in County Carlow, but here’s ten of them all in the same place. This post includes a brief description of Altamont, Hardymount Gardens, Borris House, The Delta Centre, Kilgraney House, Huntington Castle, Leighlinbridge Village, Arboretum, Rathwood, Burton House & Gardens plus a couple of extra on the borders.<\/p>\n 10 Things You Might Not Know About Carlow Brewing Company<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0– O’Hara’s is the place to take a tour if you like your craft beers and it’s always good to learn the story of a small, local business.<\/p>\n Carlow. There’s Gold In Them Hills<\/a><\/strong><\/span> – an opinion piece about Carlow as an eco destination with links to Borris House, Go With the Flower River Excursions, Wildways Adventures, Kildavin, St Mullins, Rathvindon House and the River Barrow.<\/p>\n Carlow Walking Festival<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>– an annual event that takes part in the Blackstairs Mountains. There were 23 guided walks on offer during the 2014 walking festival in October. Here’s a sample of them.<\/p>\n Rivers and Wildflowers<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>in Graiguenamanagh – a free and wonderful walk along the River Barrow.<\/p>\n The Tea Rooms at Duckett’s Grove<\/a><\/span><\/strong> – I’ve stopped making the seed cards mentioned in this post to concentrate my time on gardens, but Duckett’s Grove tea rooms, craft centre and walled gardens shouldn’t be missed if you’re looking for things to do in Carlow.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”10273″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Good Moods and Garden Sculpture<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0– The power of nature on our mental health can come as a surprise, no matter how often we experience it.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”14589″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]A French Potager Garden in Co Laois<\/a><\/strong><\/span> – this unusual vegetable garden took my breath away. Keep an eye out for it if you’re near Durrow.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”6511″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Outdoor Adventures Along The Miners Way and the Historical Trail<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0– The circular Miners Way and the Historical Trail combined take in over 118 km of trails, ascending to 1300 metres in places, offering a range of walks to suit all levels. Some of the places and trails along the trail are mentioned here.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”15168″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]10 Fun Things You Can Do In Sligo<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0– From sea, seaweed and Yeats trails to walking, canoeing, horseriding, bathing and surfing, there’s so much to do in Sligo. This post includes places to stay and eat.<\/p>\n Celebrating Yeats in Sligo<\/a> <\/strong>– a favourite place of WB Yeats and here they celebrate him in style. The Yeats experience is a special treat and Sligo museum full of artifacts.<\/p>\n Sea Foraging with Prainne\u00a0Rhatigan<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0– I had no idea there was so much edible food on the shorelines of Ireland. Prainne walked us around the Sligo beeches.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”10074″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Magical Midlands – 9 Places to Visit in Tipperary and Offaly<\/a><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0– during a bloggers tour in April we were shown some beautiful places in Ireland’s midland counties. If you’re looking for things to do how about trips to Birr Castle and Demesne, Bellefield House and Gardens, Fancroft Mill and Gardens, Leap Castle, Memory Lane Antiques, Loch Boora Discovery Park, The River Shannon, Brookfield Farm and Birr Theatre. There’s also some suggestions for places to stay and eat.<\/p>\nCounty Cork<\/span><\/h2>\n
County Laois<\/span><\/h2>\n
County Roscommon<\/span><\/h2>\n
County Sligo<\/h2>\n
Counties Tipperary and Offaly<\/span><\/h2>\n