INTRODUCTION: WHY WE GO TO IRELAND—
a

         Green as emeralds? White as potatoes? Golden at the rainbow’s end? Orange in the northeast? Home both to the wee people and the Giants’ Causeway. Ireland is 1/6 part of Britain and 5/6 part of the New Europe. The Irish economy, still tied to thatched cottage farmsteads, now also has a hi-tech cottage industry. 
        Gaelic traditions, British dominations, and American relations all continue to work their considerable influence. Social life here revolves at least as much around the congregation at the pub as around the mob at the church. Irish sport is best known for racehorses and hurling, but visitors will remember its excellent fishing, fine walking, and world-class golf.
        The contradictions and variety that make up the unique Irish temperament are to be seen everywhere in the Irish culture. Wonderfully, this

A
ANTIQUES SHOP
CENTRAL IRELAND
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

special character is best enjoyed in Ireland where the

landscape is as varied and different and grand as its people.
                     (For more on this theme, see: ST. PATRICK.)

(CLICK ON EACH DESTINATION TITLE TO GET FULL TRAVEL PROGRAM DETAILS & PRICES)

— COUNTIES TIPPERARY & CLARE —
 

DUNGUAIRE CASTLE, CENTRAL IRELAND —
ONE OF  MANY CASTLES WITHIN A DAY-TRIP
OF OUR COTTAGES IN CENTRAL IRELAND.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

          This is Ireland's heartland, home of our most popular Irish program, in Counties Tipperary and Clare, the geographic center of the Republic of Ireland. This central location is ideal for exploring the most of Ireland in a series of day trips from your cottage. This is our fully serviced program area in Ireland — especially valuable for first-time visitors—providing airport hotel overnight to Full Package arriving guests, as well as Orientation in Tipperary, a guided outing, a lively Irish dinner party, and full-time back-up and support staff. With the scenery, the culture, and all the adventure come the help and support of our professional on-site team, who will welcome you and provide you with Orientation in Tipperary, lead you on a special group outing, and host you at a lively Irish dinner.
.

CLICK HERE TO SEE CENTRAL IRELAND PROGRAM DETAILS

 

O'NEILL'S BAR & RESTAURANT, ALLIHIES,
COUNTY CORK: PROOF THAT EVERYTHING
IN IRELAND ISN'T EMERALD GREEN, BUT
 EVERY PLACE IS ALWAYS WELCOMING.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

— COUNTIES CORK & KERRY —

        On Ireland's south and southwestern coasts you find some of the country's most varied and dramatic scenery, from the placid bay at Youghal to the rugged mountains and headlands of the Beara and Iveragh Peninsulas. Opportunities for golf, hiking, fishing, touring, and fine eating abound in the southern quarter of the Emerald Isle. Our County Cork and County Kerry locations are picturesque, convenient bases for exploring Ireland's south from the castles and crystal of Kilkenny and Waterford to the Killarney National Park and the famed touring rings of Kerry and Dingle.

CLICK HERE TO SEE SOUTHERN IRELAND PROGRAM DETAILS

— COUNTIES DONEGAL & SLIGO —

 

AT HOME IN NORTHWESTERN IRELAND.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE'S NO
PLACE LIKE HOME.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 .

        The northwest coast offers some of Ireland's most spectacular scenery: the mountainous coastal peninsulas jutting into the Atlantic. Links golf, fine fishing, top-notch touring, and excellent eating make this least visited corner of the Irish Republic an undiscovered treasure. Our cottages are located near the county towns of Donegal and Sligo, convenient touring centers for exploring the rugged and rural counties of Ireland's northwestern quarter — from Galway and Mayo through Sligo to Donegal and across the border into western Northern Ireland.

CLICK HERE TO SEE NORTHWESTERN IRELAND PROGRAM DETAILS

 

THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, NORTHERN
 IRELAND. WORLD CLASS SCENERY
JUST DOWN THE ROAD FROM
HOME AT FIRST'S COTTAGES.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 .

— COUNTIES ANTRIM & LONDONDERRY —

        There's more remarkable scenery here on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland: the rugged shoreline of the Giant's Causeway looking northeast toward Scotland. As always, challenging links golf, fresh- and saltwater fishing, touring, and excellent eating are main attractions in this corner of the Emerald Isle which is part of the United Kingdom. Our County Antrim & County Londonderry villages are pretty coastal towns convenient for exploring the far north of Ireland.

CLICK HERE TO SEE NORTHERN IRELAND PROGRAM DETAIL