Getting Oriented

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• Hill of Tara. Unassuming but incredibly important, this hill and its ancient monuments were the seat of power for ancient High Kings.
• Kells. While the Book of Kells no longer sleeps in this area's bogs, this town has High Crosses, a Round Tower, and lots of history.
• Newgrange. A Neolithic burial ground and solar observatory still evocative of the mysteries of pre-Celtic civilization.
• Slane. Slane Castle is the main draw in this small Georgian village.
• Drogheda. Georgian architecture, a medieval town gate, and lots of churches are the draw to this riverside town.
• Mellifont Abbey. The first Cistercian monastery in Ireland.
• Dundalk. The main town of Ireland's smallest county is a perfect base for exploring both north and south of the border.
• Blessington. A charming Georgian village near the impressive Poulaphouca reservoir.
• Bray. One of Ireland's oldest seaside resorts, this trim little town has a 2-km (1-mile) sand-and-shingle beach.
• Powerscourt House, Gardens, and Waterfall. Sitting in more than 14,000 acres, this remains one of the great Georgian houses of Ireland and Britain.
• Roundwood. Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, this elegant little village is also near the twin lakes of Lough Dan and Lough Tay.
• Glendalough. This 6th-century monastic site is so serene you may be tempted to renounce the profane world.
• Mount Usher Gardens. This sumptious, Victorian walled garden has a great café and craft shops.
• Wicklow Town. An historic town and a gateway to the wild Wicklow Mountains.
• Maynooth. The serene university town is near the Georgian splendor of Castletown House.
• Straffan. This small town boasts an impressive butterfly farm and the luxury K Club resort.
• Naas. The thriving market town is at the heart of Irish Thoroughbred country.
• The Curragh. Broad and wild, these plains are home to hundreds of galloping racehorses.
• Kildare Town. The Irish National Stud and the serene Japanese Gardens are big draws in this mid-size town.