One of the better museums I've been to in my life. Yes, it's small but filled with stories and…read morecolor from those who lived on the island. Great artifacts and very good use of technology. Cannot recommend this enough. In one hour, you'll be drawn into a list community.

The Blasket Island Visitor Centre (Ionad an Bhlascaoid) is an interpretative center in Dún Chaoin,…read moreon the Dingle Peninsula (County Kerry) dedicated to the history, culture, and literary legacy of the former island community (abandoned in 1953). It features exhibits on the islanders' daily life, fishing, farming, and the famous literature produced there, such as Peig by Peig Sayers. The center offers an immersive experience with audiovisual displays, artifacts, interactive features, a cafe, and stunning views of the Great Blasket Island. Gayle and I loved the architecture of this Centre, along with a nice introduction video, a hallway honoring various authors from Great Blasket Island, and numerous displays that sliced this place in various different ways. There's one iconic view from the inside and a not-to-be missed observation platform outside. The only thing missing was taking one of the excursions (that leave from Dingle) to the Island itself. Don't miss the bookstore on the way out, where you can purchase a book (or 2) about the Island and from the authors who lived here. My choice was "The Loneliest Boy in the World" (The Last Child of the Great Blasket Island" by Gearóid Cheaist Ó Catháin.

Muckross House is a 19th-century Victorian mansion located in Killarney National Park, Ireland,…read morebuilt between 1839 and 1843 for the Herbert family. After spending loads of money to host Queen Victoria at the time, the owners went into financial decline, leading to changes in ownership, and eventual gifting to the Irish Nation in 1932. Our tour group recently visited this popular (and well-maintained) tourist destination that features period rooms, expansive gardens, and traditional farms. We spent most of our time at the mansion, of which the self-guided tour was well laid out and very interesting to learn about. It's all kind of Downtown Abbey-ish, with the basement servant's work areas were fascinating. There's also a craft center at the end of the tour that's worth a look. The grounds (with Lake views) add to the relative magic to this place.

Muckross House is an incredibly maintained 19th century Victorian mansion. We strolled through on…read morea self guided tour. They offer a pamphlet that you can read as you go through the house which describes the room, furniture and sometimes interesting history. There is even a Queen's room that was put together for the Queen's visit. The basement level was really interesting. It offers quite a glimpse of life below for the servants. If you loved Downton Abbey you will likely feel it coming to life in this home. The grounds are absolutely stunning. You could spend an hour or half a day here.

This was a very boring tour unless you are interested in the detailed history of flying boats. The…read morebest part was the Irish coffee served at the end. If you like watching black and white old film reels and a small museum of Maureen O 'Hara, it is not worth the stop.

LOVE this place!! As a flight attendant I am always curious to learn more about aviation- so much…read morehistory in this museum. We stayed about 2.5 hours, and I wish we could've stayed longer! Will definitely go back on another trip to Ireland- and will stop in the cafe to enjoy an Irish Coffee! Don't miss this gem if your traveling around Ireland... it's pretty close to Limerick!!

This is one of the nicest & friendliest cultural center's I've ever been in. The word "cultural…read morecentre", often fills me with dread, because all too often visiting such places, I've been faced with an ironically uninspiring institution with no reflection of culture present, something akin to a dull local authority building or library, and despite loving books, I'm no lover of libraries! The Seanchaí as the centre is collectively known, from the Irish word for a Storyteller, (pronounced "shan-a-key"), is blissfully different. It houses a writers museum, justifiably trumpeting the work of Kerry writers, among them: John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, George Fitzmaurice, Brendan Kennelly and Maurice Walsh. All of whom are more than worth getting to know, and deserve to be better known, particularly George Fitzmaurice who like Maurice Walsh, (whose short story the John Wayne movie 'The Quiet Man' was based on), I'd never heard of before, but whose brilliant play 'The Pie Dish', I've since enjoyed. For a not too bad admission charge, (because in retrospect I must have been feeling a bit poor that day), you stroll through bright and breezy rooms that are each dedicated to one of these writers, and very imaginatively laid out they are, though it is all a bit too dazzlingly bright & minimalist for me, (I like a bit of a shade & clutter myself)! Other rooms cover collectively over 70 other Kerry writers of renown, and through visual displays you explore how a particular landscape can genuinely inspire a writers mind. Walking around here you can begin to believe Kerry's claim to be the cultural capital of Ireland, though dear old Dublin would have something to say about that I think! There is so much more here too, anyone living in Kerry with literary aspirations would have no excuse not to partake of an exhaustive programme of events & workshops on offer. There is an inexpensive restaurant with an impressive choice of food. Also as you might expect there is a really excellent bookshop, full of writers biographies, and copies of all their works including all of Listowel born John B. Keane's plays and novels. The bookshop is well stocked with other Irish & local interest books, cd's, dvd's & cards as well A genuinely inspiring & suitably creative environment to visit. NOTE: Head off for a drink at John B. Keane's pub, it's not far away on William St, and see my separate review for that.

My husband and I visited here this summer. I had read about the museum, and as an English teacher…read morewas excited to see it. My hopes for it were high. Let it be clear - I was not disappointed for a second. The cultural center gift shop was wonderful, and I was able to get some lovely souveniers. While we were browsing, one of the staff found our two tour guides - Vincent and Denis, who were outside trying to fry an egg on a piece of slate, as it was in the middle of the heat wave. We knew then, that they were a couple of characters, and would make our visit special. Again, I was not disappointed. We went from room to room on this interactive tour, and every moment of it was magical (in some instances, literally). In addition to learning so much about these legendary writers, we got to experience the written word, a genuine treat. We were impressed by the museum, but most especially with Vincent and Denis, who not only gave us an incredible literary experince, but some travel advice, opportunities to participate, and many many smiles & memories. Keep up the outstanding work. This is an experience that should not be missed!

Absolutely worth a visit by anyone wanting to know more about the Great Famine (or Great Hunger as…read morelocals know it as). Much research has been put into this place and it shows. If you don't "do" museums - then there is a self guided walking tour around the whole town with signs noting the information about each location. Grab a map from the museum and put your walking shoes on!

This is my third visit to the Skibbereen Heritage Center since 2014, and each time I have come away…read moredeeply moved, better educated, and with a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of the Great Hunger on the late 1840s.

Wow! We wouldn't have known to come here if it hadn't been for an enthusiastic recommendation from…read morethe staff at the Eccles Hotel. So glad we listened to them. There's no real address. Use your gps coordinates or look for the sign about 3 miles outside of town. Plenty of parking. As the web site explains, it's almost impossible to describe this place. It's part outdoor garden with sculptures and part exhibits to explain the world (with an emphasis on conservation). There are things to see around every bend -- some obvious and marked; others slightly hidden as if you're on a scavenger hunt. The grounds are bigger than they appear. It took us about 90 mins to compete the loop. If we had read every sign, we likely would have needed another hour. Follow the numbered signs from 1 to 50. In places it's a little steep so you'll want good walking shoes. There's lots of things that are interactive and it's designed to be interesting for all ages. The amount of thought and planning that went into this is difficult to fathom. One of the owners told us that they have been working on it for 26 years. This is a must-see if you're in the area but t's only open during summer months. In 2019, it closed Sept 8.