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.

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.

Through fearless and none-too-scrupulous warfare and piracy , she made herself Queen of the Clew Bay area when he died. She effectively controlled the vigorous trade between Galway and the Continent , as well as running a lucrative business importing Scottish mercenaries for the chieftains’ wars against Elizabeth I and their cattle-rustling and plundering activities. She earned her place in Irish legend by being one of the few Irish chiefs to stand up to the English. Aughnanure castle is worth seeing on any tours of Ireland as it was once her base…..hidden away near Galway it is a real hidden gem.

In 1575 she visited the St Lawrences of Howth Castle near Dublin , expecting to be made welcome in Irish fashion. When , instead , she was told that the family was eating and that she would have to wait , she responded by abducting the family’s heir.

When she met Elizabeth I in London in 1593 , she insisted on being treated as her legal equal. However , always a canny tactician , Grace switched sides when she realized she couldn’t beat the English , and her son was created first Viscount Mayo.

Continually mentioned in 16th century dispatches, her exploits included dissolving her Celtic secular marriage to her second husband , Sir Richard Burke of Mayo , by slamming the castle door in his face and then stealing all his castles. As a time when the old Gaelic world was crumbling around her , Grace ensured the continuation of her own dynasty and something of the old culture.

Ireland tours can be full of wonderful history like this.

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.

The largely Irish speaking town of Ballyferriter (Baile an Fheirtearaigh) is a lively little village during the summer , its beach, the beautiful Wine Strand is a great spot for swimming in the fine weather. Well worth a visit on any tours of Ireland.

The little lanes running northwards from the village lead to impressive 500ft hilltop walling at Sybil Head and the Three Sisters rock (with the Norman ruins of Castle Sybil built within an older promontory fort) , and to Smerwick Harbour and Dun an Oir (the Golden Fort).

In September 1580 at Dun an Oir , a band of Italian , Spanish , English and Irish supporters of the rebellion in Munster , backed by papal funds in support of Catholic Ireland against Protestant England , were defeated by the English. The rebels were massacred – men, women, and children – as a warning to others.

In Ballyferriter itself Corca Dhuibhne Regional Museum , for all its modest means of presentation , has excellent material on the geology and archeology of the Dingle Peninsula and is an ideal place to make sense of the surrounding landscape. In addition to providing plenty of information on local prehistoric sites it also has fine museum , which as part of the Dingle Peninsula Development Co-operative also organizes courses in Irish language and culture.

Check it out on Ireland tours.

Next year sees the anniversary of the Titanic tradgedy in the North and the opening of the new Titanic Museum and exhibition. It is proving to be very popular and after the MTV awards Belfast is buzzing.

There is a Formula One event in Dublin and hotels are booked well in advance for 2012.

So if you want an Ireland tours think ahead !!!

Contact Ireland Luxury Tours to pre plan that special tour and make it happen.