Bunratty
Castle
Restored by Lord Gort in the 1960s. The castle is furnished
with medieval pieces.
The folk park attached includes a thatched village and
19th century town. |
Cahir
Castle
Best preserved castle in Ireland.
Filming location for the 1981 movie Excalibur. |
Caldragh
Cemetery
Tucked away on Boa Island, this cemetery has some of
the oldest graves in the northern counties.
Overlooked by a pair of ancient Celtic figures. |
Charleville
Castle
One time party place for early rockers, including the
Rolling Stones.
One of Ireland's most haunted castles. |
Christchurch
Cathedral
The stone castle was built with private funds of Richard
'Strongbow' deClare and (St.) Laurence O'Toole. |
Cliffs
of Moher
The most famous cliffs in Ireland. Nearly five times
higher than the Statue of Liberty, but not the highest
cliffs in Ireland.
Best seen at sunset when the sun casts light on the
cliffs.
Up for UNESCO classification. |
Coole
Park
One time hang out for many of Ireland's literary legends.
The Autograph Tree is carved with those people's autographs. |
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Ferns
Castle
Seat of the provicial kings of Leinster. Once home of
Richard 'Strongbow' deClare who married Aife, the king's
daughter. Their grandson, William Marshal would become
the Greatest Knight in all Britain and found the town
of New Ross, Co Wexford. |
Giant's
Causeway
Legend has it, this causeway stretched to Scotland,
which can be seen across the sea.
Gets it's name from legendary giant, Finn MacCool.
One of Ireland's UNESCO sites. |
Glasnevin
Cemetery
Final resting place of 1.2 million, including rebels
Michael Collins and other 1916 particpants. Also poet
Brendan Behan, Dubliners band member Luke Kelly, and
activist Maud Gonne MacBride. |
Glenstal
Castle & Abbey
Once a castle, but now home to the Glenstal Monks who
put Georigan Chant music on the popular music charts
in the 70s/80s. This is a private boys parochial school. |
Gougane
Barra
Founded by Luan, who was renamed by monks as Finbarr,
which means fair haired. He founded a monastic settlement
on a small island in a lake at the start of the River
Lee, and a settement at the other end of the River
Lee where it meets Cork Harbour.
He was cannonized and a cathedral in the city is dedicated
to him.
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Hill
of Tara
The ancient seat for the Ard Ri, High Kings, of Ireland.
The legendary fifth province, now part of Leinster.
The greatest king to sit here was Brian Boru, who was
the only Irish king to rule over a united Ireland. |
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Irish
National Stud
Legend has it the skylights in the stallion stalls were
installed so that light from full moons would enchant
the horses to win in races. Must have worked. It's the
most famous stud in Ireland |
Kerry
Bog Village
A small outdoor museum with restored thatch cottages
and furinished to reflect the trades of the 19th century. |
Kilmacduagh
Monastery
One of the larger monastic settlements in Ireland.
The round tower leans two feet out of alignment and
is known as Ireland's Leaning Tower. |
Kylemore
Abbey
Once the home of the Henry family, now the oldest of
the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. Was a private girls parochial
school until Aug '10. |
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Leprechaun
Museum
Yes, this is a real museum! The theme is based around
leprechauns, fairies, and other fantastical creatures
around Ireland, told through myth and legend. |
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Powerscourt
Gardens
When the house burned in 1973, the magnificent gardens
were left open to the public to generate money to restore
the house. It's reopened, but the focus remains on the
gardens. The house is a retail center now. |
Ross
Castle
Legend has it that the castle would never be taken,
except by an 'attack from the water by a Man of War.'
During the Cromwellian War, a boat was transported overland
to the lake. When inhabitants of the castle saw they
ship, they abandoned the castle. |
St
Fiacra's Garden
Part of the Irish National Stud, along with the Japanese
Gardens. St Fiacra is the patron saint of gardeners.
The Japanese Garden were designed by then famous Japanese
gardener, Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. |
St
Patrick's Cathedral
Built on the site where St. Patrick is reputed to have
baptised new Christians.
Author Jonathan Swift of 'Gulliver's Travels' was dean
here. |
Ulster-American
Folk Park
A similar park to Bunratty, but focuses on Irish emigration.
Travel from Ireland to America via a ship recreation.
Experience life on the sea. |
Yeats'
Tower
Originally part of the Coole Estate, this tower, also
called Thoor Ballylee, was bought by WB Yeats as a wedding
present for his wife George.
Movie setting for The Quiet Man. |
Westport
House
Built by Jacobite Colonel John Browne in 1642. His wife
Maud was the great granddaughter of legendary pirate
queen, Grace O'Malley. The house remains in family hands
today and features O'Malley exhibits, lake with paddle
boats and a petting zoo.
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