County Limerick,Ireland

County Limerick boasts a vibrant bustling city and a charming rural environment.

Limerick city has an interesting, colourful history and its castles, ancient walls and museums bear witness to this. Limerick's City Charter is older than that of London's and in 1997 the city celebrated the 800th anniversary of its signing.

The city has undergone a facelift in recent years and is now an excellent centre for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Limerick is also considered the sporting capital of Ireland because of its passionate devotion to rugby and its excellent sports facilities.

The surrounding countryside is dotted with picturesque towns and villages like Castleconnell on the banks of the Shannon and Adare with its old world thatched cottages and medieval churches. The city also has a large student population and is home to the University of Limerick.

Activities like horse-riding, golf, game and coarse angling are readily available.

Leitrim, Ireland

With just two miles of coastline, Leitrim is a mainly inland county of rolling hills, lakes, rivers, pastures and boglands.

River cruising is one of the most popular activities in the area with Carrick-on-Shannon one of the best developed centres on the River Shannon for hiring cruising boats.

The county boasts numerous activities. You can go horse-riding, explore the River Shannon by boat, sail dinghies, play golf at one of the well-kept uncrowded courses, or go fishing.

Wherever you are in Leitrim, you are sure to be kept busy!

County Laois, Ireland

Set in the midst of the midlands of Ireland, County Laois offers the visitor a myriad of places to visit and things to do.

The Rock of Dunamase, one of the finest celtic fortifications in Ireland, looms dramatically above the plains east of Portlaoise. Originally crowned by an Iron Age ring fort, the 13th century castle which succeeded it is now more recognizable- although it was nearly destroyed by Cromwellian forces in 1650.

Make sure to visit the towns and villages associated with the Quakers and Huguenots and the waterfalls and valleys of the Slieve Bloom mountains.

The county boasts several gardens of note as well as angling, golf and equestrian facilities for every level.

There are also numerous places to stay, places to eat and pubs in which to experience traditional Irish music.