It's the first day of that relaxing vacation in Ireland that you have been anticipating so eagerly. So now that you've arrived, what's there to do? In the Emerald Isle, the answer is plenty. There is a long list of visitor attractions that must be added to any "to-do" list for an Ireland vacation experience. These range from museums and art galleries, to folk parks and historic sites. There are interpretation centers for visitors at many of these attractions that add to the depth and substance of the visitor experience.

Mr. Jim McGuigan, Executive Vice President in the United States for the Tourism Ireland based in New York, said, "When our American visitors arrive in Ireland, the typical dilemma for them is how to see and do all the things that the Emerald Isle has to offer in the form of visitor attractions. Throughout recent decades, Ireland has steadily built the number and quality of these attractions. They range right across the entire spectrum of human activity from music, literature and history to culture, geology and antiquity."

Mr. McGuigan added, "We know that these attractions are popular with our American visitors from market feedback we have received. Visitors from the United States spend more time in Ireland than those from other countries. And, they report that their vacation time in the Emerald Isle was made more enjoyable and rewarding by visits to these many sites. Clearly, Ireland has made substantial capital and intellectual investments so that vacationers may be offered entertaining and enriching glimpses into Ireland's past history and culture. The dividends from that investment are now being reaped every year by hundreds of thousands of our American visitors."

Mr. McGuigan added, "In every part of Ireland from the northern tip of Ulster to the southern coast of Cork and from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Irish Sea in the east, the Emerald Isle is dotted with many interesting and fascinating places to visit and things to do. For example, there is the world's oldest distillery in County Antrim, where a wonderful new museum and visitors' tour is now offered. Or spend an engrossing time at the Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange in County Meath, built about 3200 BC. Or return home bragging that you tarried awhile at the grave of Saint Patrick in County Down where it has been since the year 461."

Mr. McGuigan also said, "Ireland is rightly famous for the warm welcome for U.S. visitors and for the relaxing nature of the vacations that the Emerald Isle offers. But, we believe that the cultural and historic landmarks and attractions that dot the island have become an increasingly popular reason why so many of our American travelers report such high rates of satisfaction with their Ireland vacation experience. Jumping to mind are examples such as the medieval banquets in the Shannon region complemented by such wonderful attractions as the Bunratty Folk Park, where rural and urban life in 19th century Victorian Ireland is recreated; or King John's Castle, an imposing 13th century fort in the heart of medieval Limerick; or Craggaunowen, a recreation illustrating the story of the Celts' arrival in Ireland."

He added "Also on any visitor's must-see list should be those naturally-occurring geological or topographical wonders such as the Cliffs of Moher or The Burren both in County Clare or the Giants' Causeway in County Antrim. These splendid examples of naturally-formed phenomena can be appreciated to the fullest with excellent on-site interpretation centers."

Mr. McGuigan concluded, "Finally, we must mention the many art galleries and museums throughout Ireland that showcase and commemorate the human talents of Irish artists in all forms of artistic endeavors, especially literature, sculpture and painting. The Crawford Municipal Art Gallery in Cork and the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin should not be missed for the works of such important Irish artists as James Barry, Nathaniel Hone, Walter Osborne, Paul Henry, Sarah Purser, Jack B. Yeats and so many others. The Dublin Writers Museum and the National Wax Museum, also in Dublin are also splendid venues that will add to the pleasure of vacation time in Ireland."

For more information on popular visitor attractions other things to see and do on an Ireland vacation call (800) 223 6470 or visit http://www.tourismireland.com.