But if you are on Ireland tours there are a few hidden gems in Newry.

Firstly you have the Catholic Cathedral which looks bland from the outside but has a most interesting interior.

The Town Hall is also worth a look as it is built on a bridge over the river Clanrye and is half in County Down and half in County Armagh.

The Newry and Mourne museum contains Nelson’s table from H.M.S Victory and a lot of information on local history.

Lastly there is Bagenal’s Castle which was once a Cistercian Abbey. It was actuallly found within a former bakery !!

So….if you are on tours of Ireland or extended Belfast tours consider a wee stop in Newry !!

If you fancy an overnight stay we recommend the Canal Court Hotel  http://www.canalcourthotel.com

With the Titanic anniversary (100 years since the tragedy) , and the opening of the new Museum plus the Irish Open Golf Competition.

Add to that the Olympics , and people touring Ireland as an extra , and it is a boom year.

So to avoid disappointment with hotels , restaurants , or transport book your Belfast tours early. If you are a golfer you will need to get tee off times arranged very early.

Contact Ireland Luxury Tours http://www.irelandluxurytours.com for details of our Belfast tours and beyond.

We have great deals available for the North coast , Giants Causeway , Devenish Island , Lough Erne , Mountains opf Mourne , Ards Peninsula , and many more.

It is a heritage town three miles west of Cappoquin.

It has a rich and significant ecclesiastical history and to this day preserves a quiet reverence from its past. That history dates back to a monastic complex from 636 AD.

The town is dominated by the romantic towers and battlements of Lismore Castle http://www.lismorecastle.com/ which is a real hidden gem to see on any tours of Ireland.

It is the Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire and his family but can be hired for exclusive parties and guests.

Now that is really something….to stay (and party) at a real Irish Castle !!!

Contact Ireland Luxury Tours http://www.irelandluxurytours.com for details.

It is just 5 miles North of Ballycastle and 12 miles West of the Mull of Kintyre (in Scotland) and is Northern Irelands last remaining inhabited island.

There is a ferry from Ballycastle to Rathlin.

Rathlin itself is never more than a mile wide and the population is concentrated around Church Bay.

A stroll around the island will reveal relics of far greater antiquity. Halfway to the West lighthouse is the site of a Stone Age axe factory , and to the north , earthworks known as Doonmore (great fort).

In the early Christian period , the island was a haven for monks , who have left evidence of their presence in the form of a sweathouse (primitive sauna) at Knockans near Church Bay.

In 795 AD Rathlin was the first place in Ireland to be raided by the Vikings.

It is also connected to Dunluce castle when the MacDonnells were slaughtered by the English on Rathlin.

Thre is also a large population of Puffins on the island which attract many visitors.

The Manor House hotel http://www.rathlinmanorhouse.co.uk/ is a great local hotel with good food , a great pub , and live music. Its worth spending a night there.

Rathlin Island is a place worth seeing on any tours of Ireland.

1. Dont try and see too much in a short time on your Ireland tours. Whilst the island is small Google maps guide you down motorways when calculating journey time. Ireland tours require you to take the little country roads and enjoy the villages and scenery.

2. In 2012 Ireland will host Olympic tourism , a Formula one event , and the Titanic anniversary , plus of course the Irish Open Golf Championship at Portrush. Hotels will be booked early and you need to plan your Ireland tours early to get your first choice rooms.

3. Ireland tours are enhanced by visiting little pubs and restaurants that are off the beaten track. The food can be wonderful and the “craic” fantastic. Just in case you are worrying “craic” is the Irish word for banter/fun.

4. Try and use local travel agents and guides to advise you as there is nothing that can replace first hand experience of planning Ireland tours

I hope these little tips help you achieve a wonderful trip in 2012 , and I wish you every success with your Ireland tours.

Just down the bay itself , a walking path leads east to Grey Point Fort , positioned to command the mouth of Belfast Lough , along with its sister fort at Kilroot on the other side. 

The fort has what you’d expect by way of quarters and stores , as well as an impressive battery of gun emplacements , ready to challenge the shipping that entered the lough during the two world wars.

It sits in a lovely forested area with a neat little beach nearby.

In the little village of Crawfordsburn is the thatched Crawfordsburn Inn which is lovely to stay in and great for lunch.

These areas are accessible on our extended Belgast tours if you are visiting on a cruise ship , and nice to take in on tours of Ireland.