Daytrippers:Splash around in an adventure park, inhale some history, watch the birds, or just lean back and think of Ireland. The highs and lows of some of our top visitor attractions
Blarney Castle
Where: It is 8km north west of Cork city, in the village of Blarney.
Highs: Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's best-known attractions and is a splendid example of medieval construction. It offers stunning views of the surrounding lush green countryside. Located in picturesque gardens, Blarney House is one of the most elegant and beautiful of Ireland's great houses. Built in 1874, it overlooks Blarney Lake and has been restored to its former glory.
Lows: Blarney is definitely not a tourist spot for those averse to Oirishness. The toilets, or at least the men's toilets, emit a stench of urine. There is no restaurant. However the biggest turn-off is the cost of kissing the Blarney Stone. The cost of entry is €8; then there's an optional photograph at the top with black stained rock €10; certificate to prove you did it €2.50; T-shirt with the slogan "I kissed the Blarney Stone" €10; look on your face when you open your empty wallet - priceless.
Restaurant: There is no restaurant at the castle - restaurants can be found in the Blarney Park Hotel, Blarney Woollen Mills or in the excellent Muskerry Arms.
Visitors' verdicts: "It's a lot higher than I thought - it was worth the visit," says Jay Gardner, from New Jersey, US.
"This is the real Ireland for me - we have no castles in Australia so it's really great to see one like this - it's well worth it," says Justine Kucic, Sydney, Australia.
"It is one of the main places to visit in Ireland - we were recommended it by Spanish people we met in Galway," says Eva Cano, Ciudad Real, Spain.
Unmissable: The view of the castle in the early morning mist and the walk along the lake, with the cattle resting in the summer sunshine. And of course, that rock.
What would have made it better: If the prices were more reasonable and if the rock at the top of the castle wasn't the centre of attention.
Open: June to August: 9am to 7pm daily; Sundays 9.30am to 5.30pm. October to April: weekdays 9am to sundown; May 9am to 6.30pm; Sundays in winter from 9.30am to sundown.
Admission: Adult €8, student/seniors €6, children (aged 8-14) €2.50, family €18.50.
Star rating: ***
• Niall O'Connor
Malahide Castle,
Co Dublin
Highs: It is a beautiful parkland setting immediately creating the sensation of space. Visitors during the summer months will be aware of groups of people enjoying a picnic, or playing ball, or perhaps just lazing in the sun before even noticing the castle that is discreetly positioned behind dense shrubs. This is a castle quite unlike any other and has all the appearance of a venerable family home - which it was for more than 800 years. The Talbot family lived here until the final surviving male Talbot died in 1973, leaving his sister Rose to sell the castle and set off for Australia, where, now in her 90s, she still lives. At the foot of the stairs a family portrait of her and her brother with their mother catches a domestic moment. The great Banqueting Hall, dominated by Jan Wyck's painting of the Battle of the Boyne, owned by the National Gallery, is particularly compelling as, on the morning of the battle, 14 male members of the family gathered in this room to breakfast together - all of them perished in a conflict which continues to stalk Irish history. The interior of the house offers a chronological history of the castle's evolution as the rooms reflect several different periods. The furnishings, particularly the paintings, are fascinating, as are the personal effects on display in the upstairs bedrooms.
Lows: Malahide Castle, despite its historic interior, lacks the atmosphere of its neighbour and fellow north Co Dublin leading tourist attraction, Newbridge House. There is one major problem, the guided tour is not conducted by a guide.
Instead, visitors are directed to listen to a recorded tour issuing from a loudspeaker. As each segment ends, the tour party is then told to move on to the next room. Once everyone has filed in, the tape continues. It may be an efficient way to herd visitors through the castle, but it is oppressively regimented and impersonal, and suffers from the fact that so many places of historic interest such as the Rock of Cashel, Jerpoint Abbey, Trim Castle and Newbridge House, are staffed by dedicated tour guides whose love for the properties result in vibrant and enthusiastic experiences.
On the day we visited, the French tape playing in the hall competed with the English version in the small drawing room. Only reception rooms and bedrooms are accessible, there is no access to the kitchens or pantries.
Visitors' verdicts: "Have they no guide? You wouldn't get away with it in England," said one English woman.
I asked one question and the staff member told me I should have listened to the tape. My question, about a specific painting had nothing to do with the taped narrative.
Restaurant: Compared with the consistently improving standards of Irish heritage visitor centres, the cafe facilities at Malahide Castle are disappointingly average. A lack-lustre, over-priced sandwich didn't improve my opinion of the place.
Unmissable: For me, the history - but not every visitor may be as interested in history.
What would have made it better? Obviously some interested tour guides capable of conveying enthusiasm to visitors, many of whom are not Irish and have limited awareness of historical context.
Open: 10am-5pm, except for Sundays and public holidays until September, when it opens at 11am.
Admission: For tours, adults: €6.70; concession: €5.70; under-12s: €4.20; family: €19. There are reductions of €1 per person on group tickets.
Star rating: **
Eileen Battersby
Castle Espie
[ www.wwt.org.uk/visit/castleespie ]
Where: Part of the Wildfowl andWetlands Trust, Castle Espie is on the Ballydrain Road, Comber, Co Down
Highs: Part of the UK-wide Wildfowl and Wetlands conservation charity, this family-friendly bird reserve boasts a wide variety of (relatively tame) exotic ducks, geese and swans, which obediently munch up the handfuls of grain chucked in their direction. If you've ever felt compelled to stroke a greylag goose, here's your chance. A ready supply of free colourful identification guides and quizzes keep the youngsters occupied too, while mums and dads will enjoy ambling along dappled woodland walks with stunning views over Strangford Lough.
Lows: The woodland paths could do with a few more signposts - you might spend a bit longer admiring the lough shore than you had planned. Open-toed sandals and goose droppings aren't the nicest combination, so watch out underfoot, especially if you have young children. Remember the babywipes! As for bird flu - just put it out of your mind.
Restaurant: The children will lap up the reasonably-priced hot dogs and potato wedges, but adults might find the basic fare rather limited. Banoffee with aerated cream is as good as it gets here. At least the outside tables are a lovely spot to eat, shaded by parasols, and with a great view of the reserve.
Tourists' verdicts: "The diversity of wildfowl here is extraordinary," says Betty, Edinburgh. "The restaurant has great organic juices, but could do with a wider range of food," concludes Mark, Manchester.
Children's verdict: "We loved the way the birds let you get really close and feed them from your hand," say Cáit and Amber from Belfast.
Unmissable: The nursery area, with its fluffy little ducklings and goslings.
What would have made it better: More picnic spots, and more grown-up food.
Open: Mon to Fri 10.30am - 5.30pm; Sat and Sun 11am - 5.30pm (July and August opening hours).
Admission: Adult £4.70 (€6.97); Concession (students, senior citizens) £3.80 (€5.64), children £2.85 (€4.23), family ticket £12.25 (€19.01).
Star rating: ****
Fionola Meredith
Clara Lara outdoor adventure park
Where: Vale of Clara, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow.
Highs: Situated in the valley of Clara alongside the Avonmore River, the location is particularly beautiful and there are plenty of picnic tables and barbecue sites so that you can easily spend the whole day there if the weather is good. The boats give older children a chance to have fun practising their canoeing and rowing skills in supervised shallow waters.
The Tarzan swings across water are also lots of fun and the tree-house is magical.
Lows: The mini-golf looks a bit boring and the pirates' ship lacks atmosphere. The whole experience relies on good weather and if it's cold, you'll have shivering children in wet clothes who need to change into warm, dry clothes before you set off home. It's not suitable for children and adults who are scared of water sports.
Visitors' verdicts: Ralph Thompson (nine) from Perth, Australia: "I thought it was quite good but I think Adventure World in Perth is better. I'll start with the basics: Adventure World has lots and lots of rides and Clara Lara has only about one ride for older kids and teenagers. I know that it is not meant for older kids and teenagers. The water slide was really good, and it was fun playing in the boats."
His sisters, Lara Thompson (11) add, "I had heaps of fun on all the swings going across the water and the water slide was really exciting." And Celia Thompson (14), says, "I had a great time. It's really picturesque, an awesome steep waterslide and other simple and fun rides." Kaitlin Fox (10) from Dublin says: "It's my favourite place to go in the summer time. It's best to go in a group and have a barbecue so that half way through the visit, you can chat and take a break from all the activities."
Restaurant: Picnic tables; and barbecue sites which can be booked in advance.
Unmissable: The water slide for older children and the rowing boats for families
What would make it better: A water pool for younger children to play safely in.
Open: 10.30am-6pm daily from April 29th to September 3rd.
Admission: €8 per person. Under-fours free. Some activities cost extra, or a gold band offering free access to all activities costs a further €8 for the day.
Overall star rating: ****
Sylvia Thompson
The Casino, Marino, Dublin
Where: Malahide Road, Marino, Dublin.
Highs: This little gem is one big high from the moment you arrive. One of the finest examples of our 18th-century neoclassical architecture. From the outside it looks like a one-room temple guarded by lion sculptures and the statues of, among others, Venus and Bacchus.
Inside, the Casino reveals itself as a 16-room pleasure house, replete with breathtaking plasterwork and gorgeously intricate parquet flooring. It was commissioned by James Caulfield, the Earl of Charlemont, and designed by his prolific architect friend William Chambers.
Lows: Very difficult to think of any. Even the disposable slippers which must be worn to protect the floors come in a choice of colours and are very chic.
Restaurant: None. Bring a sandwich and sit on the lawn admiring the gorgeous architecture.
Visitors' verdicts: The place was empty the day The Irish Times visited, but Miriam, the guide on duty, said everyone who comes for the first time is stunned by its beauty and originality. We're not surprised.
Unmissable: The ancient Greek headstone found ithe grounds is believed to date from 400BC. It is now displayed in the Casino's entrance hall. Also, take a minute to read the lovely poem on the tomb of a dog called Nep, which may have been written by Byron, a regular visitor to the Casino when the Earl was around.
What would have made it better: Being allowed to spend the night.
Open: June-September, 10am-6pm
Admission: Adult: €2.90, senior citizen €2.10, child/group: €1.30, family ticket €7.40
Star rating: *****
Róisín Ingle