Have you ever wondered what it is like to live like a king? Well, you have a chance to find out if you visit Dromoland Castle, a short drive from Shannon in Ireland in County Clare. This former castle can trace its ownership back through history to the Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage and I felt like a queen at this former royal residence. Here, I had the opportunity to experience living like the landed gentry, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, a magnificent golf course, absolute luxury and exceptional service.

My room at Dromoland Castle was comfy and large, with newly installed conveniences like heated towel racks in the bathroom, telephones and television sets, but still retaining the elegance of the former castle with period furnishings. The dining room was elegant and the bar adjoining it overlooked the magnificent grounds. It took little imagination to feel like aristocracy as I sipped a cocktail and was fawned over by uniformed waiters.

A visit to Ireland takes you back in time with important stone-age sights from as early as the fifth century. Here, you will have fun exploring history while viewing some of the most beautiful unspoiled lands in the world. Much of the area in the Shannon region is farmland with sheep and cows grazing with the beautiful backdrop of green grass, mountains and lakes. The Shannon is the longest river in Ireland rising in the County Cavan and flowing into the Atlantic. It's a place to step back and take a deep breath of fresh air as you travel the roads of centuries past.

Ireland's Shannon Region is a picture postcard place with many ancient castles to visit as well as those that have been turned into hotels. In Limerick City, I walked in the steps of King John at his 13th century castle overlooking the River Shannon.

Limerick City has received national attention in the last few years because of Frank McCourt's autobiographical Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Angela's Ashes, which was also made into a movie. Now, there are guides that take tourists on a walking tour of the places described in the book. However, if you ask the locals if the book was really true, most are apt to tell you that things in Ireland were never as bad as McCourt portrayed them in the book. The Angela Ashes tour was fun and I highly recommend it if you have a chance to visit in Limerick City.

Birr Castle owned by the Parsons family is worth a trip to the southwest of county, Offaly. The castle was founded in 1620 by the Parsons and is still in the family. You can explore the beautiful gardens of the estate and view its great telescope, built in 1845, the largest telescope in the world at that time and for more than 70 years until the 1960's when a larger one was built in California.

Galway, one of Ireland's most vibrant cities is lined with colorful shop fronts. It is one of the best places to shop in the region. The Treasure Chest store with its Wedgewood like fascade is filled with local treasures, clothing and unusual items.

The downtown area with its many shops is fun to explore and the Galway Bay is walking distance from the shops. While in the downtown area, take the opportunity to visit the Cathedral of St. Nicholas built of limestone and Connemara marble. Galway is also home to the Galway Crystal Company. Here, you can take a tour of the Galway factory and shop at bargain prices in the gift shop.

Connemara marble is a nice gift item to bring home. It is native to Ireland and used in many buildings in the country. It is also shipped abroad and is a beautiful green color. The Connemara Marble Company offers tours of the marble plant and has many gift items for sale at reasonable prices.

Looking like it came straight out of a movie, is the imposing Kylemore Abbey located nearby at the base of the Duchruach Mountain on the northern shore in the heart of the Connemara Mountains. The Abbey is a must see for every tourist. Some say it is the most romantic setting in Ireland. Today, it is the home of the Irish Benedictine Nuns, a girls' boarding school. I enjoyed exploring the grounds and some of the rooms at the Abbey. I am sure I saw it someplace before in a movie. The setting of the Abbey is nothing short of spectacular.

As you travel around the country, there are many places to stay. In addition to castles, there are bed and breakfasts, elegant hotels and beautiful lodges. One of the best lodges in the region is the Lough Inagh Lodge, located on the shores of the Lough Inagh, one of Connemara's most beautiful lakes. In this immaculate lodge, every room is cheerfully decorated and spotlessly clean. The food is excellent and view is astounding. The Lodge offers many activities from fishing and golf to pony riding and hunting.

Irish pubs can be visited on nearly every street in Ireland. There is also Greyhound racing and the region is famous for its Connemara ponies. The food in Ireland is quite good and the portions are very generous. The region has delicious varieties of fresh fish caught in the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds the country. Ask your waitress at most restaurants for the special fish of the day and you won't be disappointed. Smoked Salmon is especially wonderful. I had an opportunity to visit the Burren Smokehouse in Lisdoonvarna in County Clare, where the salmon and other varieties of trout, mackerel and eel are made and shipped around the world. The tastes are unique and reflect the freshness of the many varieties of local fish.

Photos by Phyllis Steinberg

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

• Shannon region of Ireland, www.ShannonRegionTourism.ie