Visitor Attractions

Carlow Brewing Company is an independent Irish brewery, founded by the O’ Hara brothers in 1996. The brewery was built on a keen interest in the craft of brewing and a desire to revive a tradition once common in every town and village in Ireland. Situated in the historical hop and malt growing region of Ireland, “the Barrow Valley” region, Carlow Brewing Company blends this heritage with modern production standards to produce premium quality beers with distinctive taste and flavour. A range of award winning stouts and ales are produced under the O’ Hara’s brand name along with the Celtic wheat beer, Curim Gold. Carlow Brewing Company we have gone back to basics and brew their beers as they used to be brewed, with natural ingredients and no artificial additives. This leads to a superior quality product, with robust body, taste, flavour and aroma. This is particularly evident by the many accolades and awards bestowed on our brews and in particular our O’HARA’S Irish Stout.

Come to the 450 acre estate of Wells House near Gorey and experience an Archery experience you'll never forget. Come and spend a few hours with us as we teach you the basics of archery and shoot our 3D range in the woodlands, suitable for the whole family and fantastic fun. Come and shoot our bears or our flying goose. You can also watch the Falconry displays or have tea & cakes on the lawn.

Castlecomer Discovery Park is a wonderful 80 acre park, known as Castlecomer Demesne and Estate Yard, it is a place to reconnect and escape with nature, to discover more about our coalmining heritage and contemporary craft. Make the most of the demesne’s natural environment – from fishing and trail walking to traditional skills like stonecarving and pottery.

The Copper Coast gets its name from the 19th Century copper mines that lie at its heart. It comprises some 25 kilometres of spectacular coastline consisting of beaches and coves enclosed by rocky headlands. The area is a Geopark, which is not an enclosed park but an area of countryside which is geologically interesting and easy to get at. There is a European Geoparks network - over 30 Geoparks all over Europe; there is also a growing worldwide network of Geoparks associated with UNESCO. Copper Coast is the only European Geopark wholly in the Republic. (There is one which straddles the border - Fermanagh/Cavan). There is an office in Bunmahon in a former Church of Ireland church which the Copper Coast Geopark group are gradually turning into a community, cultural and interpretive centre. Here you can get walking cards and help and guidance on what to do in the area. Copper Coast Geopark. The Copper Coast Geopark is an outdoor museum of geological records. Volcanoes, oceans, deserts and ice sheets all combined to create the rocks which provide the physical foundation of the natural and cultural landscapes of the area. You can follow the self-guided "Copper Coast" trail and walking cards are available from the Geopark Office in Bunmahon. Guided tours for schools and other groups interested in learning about the geology of the area are also available

Copper Coast Mini Farm in Waterford is a wonderful little pet farm is run by Valerie and Laurence Curran along with their 3 kids. The pet farm has extensive child friendly facilities including wet weather facilities, an indoor pet area, sandpits with diggers, buckets, and spades, toy tractors to drive around, farm memorabilia and much more. Copper Coast Mini Farm offers a lovely day out and is fun and educational for all the family. Your children can get up close to the animals in a friendly environment. The farm caters for birthday parties and group bookings. There are events throughout the year such as the annual Easter Egg hunt, Santas Grotto and summer barbeque. The farm is wheelchair and buggy accessible and there is a tea room serving homemade refreshments onsite.

The Dunbrody is an exact replica of the original ship built in 1845. This impressive barque carried thousands of Irish people from the desperation of the Great Famine in Ireland to America, the land that offered them hope of a better life. Located alongside the New Ross docks, the Dunbrody famine ship is a full scale reconstruction of a 19th Century famine ship and authentic replica of the three masted barque built in Quebec in 1845 for the Graves family of New Ross. Board the Dunbrody and walk in the footsteps of a group of Irish famine emigrants on their journey of hope across the Atlantic Ocean. Go below deck and enter the confined spaces, which would be home for passengers and crew for the forty five day voyage. Descend in to the cargo hold, where the exhibition describes the endurance, struggle and triumph over adversity of those 19th Century emigrants as epitomised by the story of the most famous emigrant sons of New Ross, President John F. Kennedy.

Dunmore Cave boasts some of the largest and most impressive calcite formations in Ireland. The largest of these is known as the Market Cross, a name which in recent years was adopted by a shopping centre in nearby Kilkenny. The cave was once home to a large bat colony, and there are still bats there in some of the darker and deeper parts of the cave, though considerably fewer than in the past. The cave is open year round, from 9.30am – 6.30pm every day from June to September, with earlier closing in other months. The cave is reached via a long and pretty steep flight of steps, which is fine going down but quite a climb coming out, so a reasonable level of fitness is needed. There is no accessibility for wheelchairs or for children’s buggies. There is a small but informative visitor centre, and a tearoom which serves delicious cupcakes is open during the summer months.

Edmund Rice began his educational mission among the poor of Waterford. His work was strongly supported by the people of the city, though some of his friends thought he was mad to give up a successful business career. However, the people of Waterford always expressed their appreciation for his efforts. It is fitting then that the city should hold pride of place in honouring and telling the story of Edmund Rice whose spirit and mission has spread to all six continents. Knowing the historical and cultural significance of the place, one cannot help but feel motivated and inspired. It's a refreshing change from other visitor centres and a great place for people of all ages to educate and enjoy themselves. After all, it's not easy to find a tourist attraction which appeals to everyone. That's what makes this place so special. Edmund Rice was a man of courage and commitment with a lasting legacy and global appeal. If you're looking for somewhere new, look no further.

A 13th-century castle standing on a rock at the head of the Slaney's navigable tideway. Probably built by Gerald de Prendergast during the 1230s. In 1253 it passed through marriage to the Rochford family, and by the 15th century was held by the MacMurrough Kavanaghs. It was captured by Cromwellian troops in 1649 and was used as a prison during the 1798 Rebellion. During the early 19th century the castle suffered a restoration by the Earl of Plymouth, and yet another at the end of the century by a local MP who enlarged it and used it as a residence. The building now houses the county museum. It has been renovated in 2011, with displays and tour exploring the development of the Castle and town from its earliest Anglo-Norman origins (12th Century) through to the 20th century with recreations of the last resident's rooms. The exhibition also explores the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy when it was occupied by members of the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rising. Visitors may also access the roof during a guided tour, offering spectacular views of the surrounding buildings, Vinegar Hill, and the Wexford countryside. Group size on tours is limited to 25. Facilities include craft & gift shop, wheelchair access to all floors and a visitor information point.

Ferns Castle was built in the 13th century by the Normans to control their territory as part of a group of massive military castles built at strategic points. The castle at Ferns in its heyday must have been particularly imposing. The three storeys of the main block were divided into vast apartments, the upper floors of which were lit by rather splendid trefoil-pointed windows, mostly grouped in pairs beneath pointed and camber-headed embrasures. The Castle was destroyed by Cromwell in 1649. During excavations in 1972-75 a rock-cut ditch was discovered around the castle walls and a drawbridge structure was also found on the south side.

The Irish National Heritage Park, located north of Wexford and near an imposing tower house, the park aims to present a 9,000 years of Irish history. It covers 35 acres and features a trail of prehistoric campsites, ringforts, Fulacht Fiadh, crannogs, Viking houses and other historic landmarks. There is no better or more comprehensive glimpse into Ireland's past than in the Irish National Heritage Park. Among the highlights include: - a crannog, a Bronze Age homestead on an artificial island, - a rath or ring-fort, - a horizontal watermill, - a monastic settlement complete with painted high cross and - a Viking boatyard and farm on the lakeshore. The museum has a souvenir shop and a restaurant to round off your visit.

Jerpoint Park is a visitor attraction in Thomastown, Co.Kilkenny. A National Monument Heritage Site with footprints of 12th Century Medieval Town & the Tomb of St. Nicholas (Bishop of Myra). Tea Rooms in Country House serving Homemade Scones a delight. Fishing on the River Nore for wild Salmon & Brown Trout on our private Fishery is special. Pony & Trap rides are magical.

Kia-Ora Mini farm is a family run open farm in Gorey, Co. Wexford which was established 1991. An ideal day out for all the family, children can get up close to the animals, hold and feed all the animals that you would expect to see in the farmyard along with some more unusual types such as llamas, emus, alpacas, pot-bellied pigs, chinchillas, parrots, scottish highland cows, kerry cows and many more. Kia-Ora Mini farm make safety their priority and the farm is safe for kids to explore and learn about the animals. Facilities include sandpits, a football pitch, a rough rider track and we have a convoy of ride on tractors. There is a coffee shop with homemade fare and with lots of outdoor seating available you can have a picnic too. The farm is wheelchair accessible with cement paths. There are toilets and baby changing facilities and a large carpark. <iframe width="500" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/q8gX4vG2j-o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Lismore Heritage Centre uses audio-visual media to chart the history of Lismore accompanied by 'Brother Declan.' The award winning audio visual display is narrated by Niall Toibin who in the guise of a monk takes you on an entertaining journey through Monastic, Viking, Norman, and Medieval Lismore to the present day. Visitors can walk through the exhibition galleries and encounter historic figures from Lismore's past. One exhibition is devoted to Robert Boyle, 'The Father of Modern Chemistry' who was responsible for the scientific principle called 'Boyle's Law.'

Pirates Family Adventure Centre is a purpose built indoor family entertainment centre with a wide variety of leisure activities all centered around a pirate theme. Whatever the weather, the whole family can enjoy a fun and exciting day out. Facilities include 12 holes of indoor mini-golf, with a glow in the dark section, Ten pin bowling and a mini go kart track. There is also a small arcade section and a full cafe.