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Ireland Holiday Accommodation
Ireland is the third largest island in Europe It lies in between the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea. It is composed of the Republic of Ireland (officially named Ireland), a state which covers five-sixths of the island (south, east, west and north-west), and Northern Ireland part of the United Kingdom, which covers the north eastern sixth of the island, a ring of coastal mountains surrounds low central plains, the highest peak is Carrauntuo hill, the River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland. The mild climate and frequent but soft rainfall, earns it the name "Emerald Isle". Ireland is divided into four provinces Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. Across Ireland, the 32 counties are still used in sports and in some other cultural areas and retain a strong sense of local identity. Ireland's least arable land lies in the south-western and western counties. These areas are largely spectacularly mountainous and rocky, you can enjoy coarse fishing all year round in Northern Ireland which has long been recognized as one of Europe's best regions for the coarse angler.
Two particularly notable venues for big matches are Lough Erne in Fermanagh and the Upper Bann River which flows into the vast inland sea of Lough Neagh. Both have held innumerable match fishing world records. To fish any of the waters listed anglers need a rod license issued by the Fisheries Conservancy Board and a coarse fishing permit issued by the owner of the water.
These can be bought from many of the tackle shops. Northern Ireland is marvellous natural golfing country. Eighty courses in meadowland, parkland and superb, coastal settings await the visitor. There are whole series of lovely links along the coasts of Down, Antrim and Londonderry, a dozen courses within five miles of Belfast City Hall - and, of course, the famous fairways of championship courses like Royal Portrush and Royal County Down; both ranked in the top twenty internationally. For access to any particular course, we indicate those days on which you can usually expect to get a round. We say 'usually' because open competitions, public holidays, and even exceptionally good weather, may reduce your options so it is prudent to make contact with the club beforehand. Green fees in Northern Ireland are moderate and reductions can be negotiated for groups and visiting golf societies. Some clubs have reduced rates for visitors playing with a member. Others offer lower rates for young people.
The reopening of the old Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal has revitalized a facility and a hinterland rich in natural beauty. Linking the renowned Shannon and the Erne, the waterway weaves together the streams, rivers and lakes which are picturesquely scattered between Leitrim Village Ireland and the Erne. Passing under 34 stone bridges it is checked by 16 locks on its scenic course through wild, unspoiled countryside. Each lock takes about 15 minutes to negotiate and cruising time for the 62.5 kilometres of navigation is approximately 13 hours. During the 18th century and first half of the 19th century, a web of waterways was established in Ireland including the Newry Canal, the first watershed canal to build in Ireland or Britain. The marine drive north from Larne, and then west past the Giant's Causeway to the resort of Portrush, follows 60 miles of the most beautiful coast you could imagine The first 28 miles were blasted out from the chalky cliffs in 1834. Soon after, when the road was opened right round to Ballycastle, all nine glens suddenly became accessible and the farmers could get to market. The road passes by the foot of each of the glens. If you resist the temptation to turn inland, and stay instead with the road and the sea breezes, a splendid marine drive lies ahead. Each of the coastal villages has a distinctive character.
The castle at Glenarm is the home of the Earls of Antrim, and Carnlough has a famous inn which was once owned by Winston Churchill. The red curfew tower in the middle of Cushendall was built in 1809 as 'a place of confinement for idlers and rioters', and the National Trust village of Cushendun has pretty Cornish cottages and a beautiful beach. The road runs under bridges and arches, passing bays, sandy beaches, harbours and strange rock formations. As you turn Ulster's top right-hand corner, the green crescent of Murlough Bay comes into sight before the climb to the eerie tableland of Fair Head, and a bird's eye view of Rathlin Island. The coast from Newcastle round to Greencastle hamlet was notorious for smuggling in the 18th century. Old coastguard lookout points recall the time when liquor and tobacco, tea, silk and soap were landed by boat from the Isle of Man and spirited away along the Brandy Pad and other smugglers' trails through the mountains. The two big artificial lakes in the Silent Valley that supply Belfast's water are surrounded by a huge dry stone wall over 22 miles long. At Newcastle itself there is yachting and pleasure fishing from the old harbour, golf at Royal County Down, and walks in the sand dunes of Murlough.
The barren peak of Slieve Donard, climbing steeply to 2,796 ft, dominates the mysterious blue distance of the landscape. It's an afternoon's climb from the car park at Bloody Bridge near the holiday resort of Newcastle. From the top you can see the Isle of Man and the full length of Strangford Lough. To the north-west lies the pale line of Lough Neagh, a vast inland sea covering 153 square miles, famous for its eels, an Ulster delicacy. Hundreds of tons of eels are exported each year.
