Places to Visit

The Straffan Butterfly Farm is Ireland's first live tropical butterfly exhibition. The farm was opened in 1986 because of the owners interest in butterflies and in nature generally. Butterflies are fascinating and beautiful creatures and the farm is an indoor all weather centre - a mini visit to an exotic tropical environment here in Ireland. It is an oppurtunity to see at close range some of the worlds most exotic creatures and observe their interesting life cycles. There is a large exhibition area of butterfly collections from all over the world with a special emphasis on educational and living displays. In the tropical butterfly house, relax among colourful blooms and exotic planrs while butterflies fly and feed around you. Whatever the weather is, there's always something to see!

Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park is set in the heart of Ireland’s largest bog land, The Bog of Allen. The Park is a blend of history, nature and fun. Historic Exhibits and replica houses tell the fascinating story of the Irish People over nine millennia. The woodland/bog land walks and theme gardens are famous for their vibrant colour throughout the summer. Also, extensive outdoor and indoor play centres, 18 hole crazy golf and a beautiful road train make Lullymore the kind of attraction you can’t miss when visiting the midlands.

Situated in the early 18th Century town hall, the centre traces the history of Athy and major international events, through historical artefacts, graphic panel, photographs, audio guides in Irish, English, French and Polish and you can view our audiovisual displays in a 30 seater audio room. Bring the past to life. You can follow the exploits of the famous Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and attend our Shackleton autumn school. Here too you can see the a 15ft model of Shackleton's ship ' Endurance ' , 1903 Gordon Bennett motor race, World War 1, Grand Canal, Norman settlement and discover the effects of the famine and the 1798 rebellion among other exhibits. The centre is also a tourist information office, internet access point and gift shop.

Located only 40 minutes from Dublin, you will find fun for all the family at Larchill Arcadian Gardens. Larchill is one of Ireland's most important, rediscovered gardens. Created in the mid 18th century, Larchill is a 'Ferme Ornée' (Ornamental Farm) and as such is the only surviving complete garden of its type in Europe. Scenic walks through parkland and beech avenues link 10 magical garden follies. Rare breeds graze the land. There is a picturesque 8 acre lake with two fairytale island folies, a formal Walled Garden with Shell Lined tower and a decorative Gothic farmyard. Our Pet's Corner and Wooden Playground provide fun for all ages. Enjoy delicious cakes, scones, teas & coffees, toasted sandwiches and ice creams in our spacious Barn Tearooms. Birthday parties welcome. Farm and Garden fun children's shop.

This museum is housed, appropriately, in a church which once stood in the Inchicore railway works in Dublin. Inside the museum, there's a fine collection of models of steam locomotives, including two used in the late 19th century by the Great Northern Railway. The museum also has a fine selection of steam engines used for industrial propulsion, including a huge beam engine used in the Midleton whiskey distillery in County Cork, a pumping engine employed in Jameson's distillery in Dublin, and a large beam engine installed in Smithwick's brewery, Kilkenny, in 1847. Steaming Kettle tearoom.