The castle is Anglo-Norman and goes back to the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries , though the virgin appearance of the outer shell is deceptive. A good deal of the brickwork dates back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The Irish chieftain Conor O’Brien was the first to build a fortress on the rock. But it was the Anglo-Norman Butlers , the Earls of Ormond , who made it into one of the most powerful castles in Ireland.

The Earl of Essex showered the castle with artillery fire in 1599 and gradually it fell into disrepair. It was rejuvenated , along with other town buildings , by the Earl of Glengall in the mid nineteenth century.

So if you are on tours of Ireland , passing the town of Cahir , then visit the castle. It is much more of a must see attraction than a hidden gem.

It was last inhabited in the late 1970 s and the tiny quay is dotted with overgrown derelict cottages.

Because of its isolation out in the estuary , the island retains a strange sense of timelessness.

Saint Senan founded a monastery on the island in the sixth century and at one time there were seven monastic settlements.

The community suffered greatly from Viking raids , but there are still the remains of several churches dating from between the ninth and the fifteenth centuries.

But Scattery’s most impressive feature is the round tower , perfect in form , the stone made a warm mustardy yellow by the lichen that covers it.

The Shannon is also home to a group of bottlenose dolphins , another sight well worth seeing on tours of Ireland.

It is at the Northern end of the Lower Lough and is barely an island these days at it is connected to the mainland by bridges.

On the island is one of the most evocative carvings of Lough Erne , a double-faced JANUS figure.

Caldragh cemetery is an ancient Christian burial ground and you will find the JANUS figure here. It is an idol of yellow stone with very bold symmetrical features.

It has the phallus on one side  , and a belt and crossed limbs on the other. The figure was probably an invocation of fertility and a depiction of a god-hero.

There is another carved stone nearby called LUSTY MAN.

This island and these carvings are just another example of the wide variety of interesting sights to see on tours of Ireland.

Contact Ireland Luxury Tours for details. http://www.irelandluxurytours.com We can access Boa Island on our extended Belfast tours.

http://www.discoverireland.com/gb/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/listings/product/?fid=FI_13108

It is a real hidden gem on any Ireland tours.

The castle is a fifteenth century O’Brien stronghold , adjoining which is a four-storey building with mullioned and transomed windows (c.1640).

The area North of here is littered with ancient remains such as POULNABRONE DOLMEN. This is the Burrens most famous portal dolmen dating from 2500 BC !!!!  http://www.stonepages.com/ireland/poulnabrone.html

CAHER COMMAUN is also nearby which is a ninth century triple ring fort. http://www.megalithicireland.com/Cahercommaun%20Cliff%20Fort.htm

The tiny hamlet of Carran will offer you a chance for some local food and maybe even a Guinness !!  http://www.burrenconnect.ie/town_and_places/carran.html

This are a is full of must see attractions and hidden gems on any tours of Ireland….dont miss it !

Thanks to the redevelopment of the old Ballinamore-Ballyconnell Canal , linking the mighty Shannon waterway and Lough Erne this can be a wonderful way to visit County Cavan on Ireland tours.

This new Shannon-Erne waterway weaves together streams , rivers , and lakesthrough 39 miles of wild unspoilt countryside , free of cities and major industries. You will see many hidden gems if you choose to take a cruise on tours of Ireland.

It is now possible to sail the lenght of the Shannon , then along the canal , through the Erne system to Belleek. A total of 239 miles seeing a lot of authentic Ireland.

Cavan town itself grew up around an Abbey , though nothing remains but an eighteenth century tower.

The town is very subdued but worth a stop.

At Ireland Luxury Tours http://www.irelandluxurytours.com we can organise these cruises with crew and everything you would need.

The little pub/restaurant beside it….known as “Durty Nellys”  http://durtynellys.ie/contact/ Call into this pub on a Friday evening and there are often local singers joining in with the local pianist….all unrehearsed and very genuine. The food is great too.

The Vikings recognised the original sites strategic importance for protecting trade and fortified it during their stay. In fact you can still see the moat.

The first castle on the site was built by the Normans but they lost control.

Then in 1460 the Macnamaras built the castle that stands today.

Also in the grounds stands Bunratty Folk Park which is a complete reconstruction of a nineteenth century village.

Although it is extremely touristy the castle and village are worth a visit on any tours of Ireland that take you close.

But the real hidden gem is the little pub on a Friday night !!!