Dublin is usually the first port of call for visitors and this energetic, youthful city pulsates with a compelling mix of history, culture, hip bars and pubs, elegant architecture, great shopping and some of the country’s most sophisticated restaurants. Cosmopolitan and diverse, Dublin is now one of Europe's top urban hotspots.

Beyond Dublin, the East of Ireland tells a different story with the counties of Cavan, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Meath, Monaghan, Westmeath and Wicklow offering a contrasting slice of life. This region is famed for its rich natural charms, ancient sites of Newgrange and Clonmacnoise, top golfing and world-renowned horseracing. The county of Kildare, in particular, is home to some of the world's finest thoroughbreds and the 2006 Ryder Cup.

But what really defines the East is the unspoiled countryside. With glistening lakes, tranquil rivers, authentic rural life, scenic pastureland, rolling hills and forest parks, this area is a haven for outdoors enthusiasts with cycling, watersports, walking, angling, golfing, horseriding and cruising all in plentiful supply.