Attractions

National Museum of Ireland, Dublin. It has one section covering industry, another on natural history and a third which holds Irish antiquities.

National Gallery, Dublin. This compact gallery contains several hundred works by Irish and international artists, including a recently discovered Caravaggio.

Dublin Castle. Lavishly appointed state apartments now used by Ireland's prime minister to entertain visiting dignitaries.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Museum, County Clare. Medieval-style banquets are served in the 17th-century castle; the reconstructed traditional village has craft workshops and a working forge.

Jameson Heritage Center, Midleton, County Cork. The old distillery has been restored and now tells the story of Irish whiskey production.

Ring of Kerry. A circular route from Killarney which offers an appealing mix of mountain and water scenery, including the well-known Lakes of Killarney.

Cobh Heritage Centre, Cobh. Through exhibits and narrations, it tells the story of the emigrants who departed from here for the U.S. CobhÑwhich was then called QueenstownÑwas the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic in 1912.

Something Special

Wexford county and town are associated with the rebellion against British rule carried out in May 1798 by local farmers armed with pikes. The insurrection, though unsuccessful, was the culmination of long efforts by the United Irishmen and kept the struggle for freedom alive.

In 1998, Ireland celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Rebellion in Wexford. In addition to a Jan. 2 opening ceremony, the county will stage pageants, including "Who Fears to Speak, Dun Mhuire,Ó (March 3-9, Wexford town). Boolavogue '98 Weekend (May 22-24) and Vinegar Hill Day (June 21, Enniscorthy).

The town is also one of Ireland's oldest settlements, dating to the 2nd century, and the site of an important annual opera festival in October.

For information and tickets call 800-JUNE-197.