Why Visit Ireland?
Mo Chéadsearc has a meaning of my first love and many first time visitors do fall in love with Ireland, returning again and again. While the list of reasons are endless, four big reasons easily come to mind:
- The complexity of history, co-mingled with religious tension
- The unsurpassed natural beauty of the land
- The people - among the friendliest on earth
- The richness or artistic treasures
Heritage Ireland helps introduce you to some of the many rich and varied attractions of Ireland's Heritage. You can download a brochure HERE, or visit the website at http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/
(Photo Credit Ancient Ireland Tourism)
BEALTAINE
The Giant's Causeway - Virtual Tour
Provided courtesy of The National Trust, click on the image below and enjoy a virtual tour of the Antrim Coast and Giant's Causeway
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Who enjoys lighthouses?
Ireland has many of them scattered around her coasts. The Valentia Island Lighthouse has views of Skellig Michael, and is near the point where the first transatlantic cable between Europe and North America was laid. Make sure this is on your list when you tour the Ring of Kerry.
(Photo Credit Tourism Ireland)
Did you know?
House boats are available to rent on the Royal Canal. Sail the majestic Shannon from the Midlands and see the real Ireland!
(Photo Credit Larry Murphey)
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Christ Church Cathedral Dublin
Seat of the Anglican Archbishop of Dublin but not recognized and still claimed by the Roman Catholic Church. Burial place of Strongbow who built it into the Gothic Cathedral.
Worth a visit when in Dublin. Items to note are the mix of architectural styles from English Gothic to Romanesque. The colored, tiled floors found in the nave, while mostly accurate restorations only date from the 1800’s, although a few of the originals can be found in the Chapel of St. Laud.
When visiting, the crypt is a must-see spot as you can view parts of the 900-year-old foundations, one of the oldest structures in Dublin.
Photo Credits – Tourism Ireland
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Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands
More than a place of outstanding natural beauty. The island has a rich history in myth as the last refuge of the Fir Bolg, the peoples conquered by the Tuatha Dé Danann. Reachable either by ferry, or via an 8 minute flight from Galway, this is a must see day trip. Besides shopping for authentic Aran sweaters, take a walk or a bicycle ride to Dún Aonghasa, the black fort, perched right up the the edge of the cliffs.
Photo credit Ancient Ireland Tourism
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Monasterboice
About an hour drive from Dublin. Worth a visit to see the round tower, part of the 5th century monastic ruins, plus two of the finest Irish High Crosses still standing in their original location at over 20 feet high. Be sure to stop by the historic village of Drogheda on the way back to Dublin.
Phot Credit Tourism Ireland
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More than just another spectacular monastic ruin
Glendalough is a fine example of a 6th century monastic city situated in the Wicklow Mountains. View the model in the visitor center showing what the site looked like in it's day and walk among the ruins of the cathedral, round tower and other buildings on the original stone paths walked by pilgrims.
For an even longer visit, the upper lake is a 2 km walk, or perhaps enjoy a longer, 11 km walk along St. Kevin's way, following the path of the Saint on his way to a life of prayer.
Only an hour's drive from Dublin, or for the adventurous, take the 131 km Wicklow Way hike from Rathfarnham in Co. Dublin to Clonegal in CO. Wicklow.
Photo Credit - Tourism Ireland
Calling all bibliophiles
For the bibliophile, as well as any visitor to Dublin, the library at Trinity College Dublin is magnificent to see. But did you know there is another hidden gem, unchanged for nearly three centuries? At Marsh's Library, preserved from the Enlightenment, the visitor can find original oak book cases along with over 25,000 rare books. James Joyce actually read here in 1902 and the library is featured in both "Ulysses" and "Finnegans Wake"
Photo Credit - Tourism Ireland
