Real Irish Experience
Tulip Cottage is located on the southern slopes of Wolf Hill, County Laois in the eastern Irish Midlands, Ireland's farming region and where nature abounds creating a remarkable landscape in any season. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, the diversity of the Midlands-East region of Ireland amazes everyone.
Ideal Location
70 Minutes drive (90 km) from Dublin and 1.5 hours drive (120 km) from Shannon International Airport, Tulip Cottage is a convenient gateway for touring the Midlands and South East regions of Ireland. Tulip Cottage is less than 30 minutes from Kilkenny or Portlaoise, and just an hour from Waterford, all popular destinations on any Emerald Isle vacation. Or perhaps you'll prefer the local surroundings of County Laois, the heartland of Ireland, where there's plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
Relaxing Retreat
An ideal writer or artist hideaway, Tulip Cottage offers tranquility and inspiring views. The surrounding area is comprised of forests, bogs and valleys uniquely Irish and of interest to the nature lover, including farmland bounded by hedgerows full of bird and plant life. Or relax and unwind by visiting one of the area's spas.
Activities
Using our local knowledge we have compiled a list of some of our favorite "Things to do — Places to visit". This information can also be found in the cottage's visitor information booklet.
Shopping...
Visit the nearby design & craft shops next to the Castlecomer Discovery Park and venture to the castle city of Kilkenny where you will find shopping galore along with an internationally renowned artist community with craft & design studios and workshops.
Sightseeing...
There are endless inviting country villages & pubs, numerous heritage sites and estate houses & gardens or just follow the Laois Heritage Trail or drive the Gordon Bennett Route. Nearby towns such as the ancient city of Kilkenny, Abbeyleix, and Cashel are amongst the most important heritage sites in Ireland and are a must for all touring visitors.
A family favorite is Dunmore Caves, mentioned in the ninth century Irish Triads and the site of a Viking massacre. You'll also enjoy the interesting Donaghmore Famine Museum, the Attanagh Shooting & Fly Fishing Museum and the ‘Footprints in Coal’ multimedia exhibition at the Castlecomer Discovery Park.
Equestrian enthusiasts will want to visit the Irish National Stud and Horse Museum in County Kildare, home to some of the world’s finest thoroughbreds. Or take to the lanes on horseback.
Outdoor Recreational Activities...
Golf on some of the finest courses in the country.
Fish County Laois’ plethora of locations and fish types for game and coarse angling. Species of fish to be caught include salmon, wild brown trout, pike, tench, rudd, breem, eel and perch. Also enjoy fine lake fishing in Castlecomer Lakes, Ballinakill Lakes and Stradbally Lake.
Visit nearby Castlecomer Discovery Park, 30 hectares of mixed woodland with an array of pathways centered around two fishing lakes, wooden sculptures, picnic areas, a children’s adventure playground, a café and interesting design & craft shops. Walkers, hill climbers and hikers will enjoy the spectacular Slieve Bloom Mountains and the many walking routes in County Laois that include waterfalls, ancient geological sites and sweeping views of Ireland. Or take a scenic drive to the Wicklow area, also known as the Garden of Ireland, and walk The Wicklow Way.
Cycle the Gordon Bennett Route.
Pubs...
A trip to Ireland is not complete without visiting some of her pubs. One of Ireland’s finest and best-loved pubs, Morrissey’s is located nearby in the attractive town of Abbeyleix in Co. Laois. Or visit the Locke's Distillery Museum, the last remaining example of a small pot distillery in Ireland.
Resources
With so much to see and do in Ireland, we offer these additional resource links to help you plan your Irish vacation. Check out Failte Ireland and Discover Ireland for more information about Ireland and use the helpful AA Route Planner to plan your motor travels.
As you plan your holiday, may we recommend the diversity of the Midlands-East and South-East regions of Ireland, which amazes even the Irish!
The Midlands
The Midlands are comprised of seven counties: Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Westmeath, each home to a variety of Heritage sites and real Irish experiences.
South East
Ireland's South East region includes Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford and Waterford. Known to have the sunniest climate in Ireland and a scenic landscape, these east coast counties are a popular year-round playground for the Irish.
Festivals
Smithwick’s Cat Laughs Comedy Festival in May/June.
The Irish Derby at the Curragh in June.
Gordon Bennett Classic Road Festival, a rally of vintage cars and motorcycles, 1st weekend in June.
Kilkenny Arts Festival in August.
Stradbally Steam Fair in August.
Electric Picnic music festival in August.
National Ploughing Championships, Ireland's largest agricultural exhibition, in September.