The plains of the Midlands and East Coast region stretch from as far north as the Cooley peninsula in Louth to the beaches and mountains of Wicklow's east coast. In between are the parts of Ireland that give the Emerald Isle its famous nickname
Long, low, gently undulating swathes of grass as far as the eye can see broken by the towns and villages of the east and connected by some of Ireland's most modern road and rail networks.
It is a land rich in the history of the ancient High Kings of Ireland. The Hill of Tara in county Meath was their seat of power for over 2,000 years and the last of their line is buried at one of Ireland's most famous monastic sites at Clonmacnoise in county Offaly. An essential part of any visit to Meath is the passage grave at Newgrange, centuries older than the pyramids and beautifully restored it is an unforgettable sight.
The towns of Dundalk and Drogheda are both several centuries old and are the two biggest towns in the region with all the amenities desirable for an enjoyable stay. Using these towns as a base a visitor is free to roam the area relishing all that is to be found in the east.
Further south is the county of Kildare; famous for the Curragh racecourse and home to many of the finest horses and jockeys Ireland has produced. A must-visit is the Irish National Stud, which also houses the famous Japanese Gardens and St Fiachra's Garden. One visit, but three different worlds.
nown as the Garden of Ireland Wicklow has it all. Long, golden beaches, rugged mountains, hidden valleys and all the modern convenience of being a short trip from Dublin. From the height of the Wicklow Mountains it is possible to look back over the east and across Dublin. In the past the county was home to many of the saints and scholars that preserved the heritage of nations and a visit to Glendalough will bring home the monastic way of living, replete with the dangers that it entailed, to any visitor.