Best Travel Destinations - Ireland
Once upon a time, there was a great Irish war hero named Finn McCool. Finn was a huge man - a giant revered by all who looked upon him, the fiercest warrior in Ireland. Finn's arch rival was a Scottish giant called Bendandonner. Upon setting out to greet his foe in battle, Finn realized that there was no way for him to reach Scotland, as no boat was sturdy enough to carry him the long journey across the sea. At that, Finn built Giant's Causeway out of rock and stone, creating a lengthy bridge that spanned all the way to Scotland. After arriving though, Finn saw his enemy's size and ran away back across the Causeway in worry. Followed by Bendandonner, Finn coyly hid in ...
If you are anything like me, the idea of having infinite conversational skills and the ability to wow friends with your charming anecdotes and interesting musings certainly sounds appealing. High upon the defensive walls of Blarney Castle in County Cork lies the Blarney Stone, that when kissed, is purported to bestow the "gift of the gab" to the smoocher. Though the exact origin of the Stone is unknown, one legend suggests that the Blarney Stone is related to Lia Fáil, or the Stone of Destiny. Others believe that the Stone was a gift from the Scots, and still others hold that Blarney has Biblical origins. Whatever the case may be, the Stone's magic is real to those who kiss it. Make no mistake though, the ...
Standing at a majestic 700 ft. tall, Ireland's Cliffs of Moher edge County Clare up to the Atlantic Ocean, creating the country's westernmost outpost. I first went there in 2003 when very little infrastructure surrounded the Cliffs of Moher and it was possible to creep belly-down across the limestone slats and peer over the edge. As one of Ireland's most well-known and heavily visited tourist attractions today, the Cliffs of Moher have been given a new lease on life with the building of a state-of-the-art visitor center that is cut into the side of one of the bluffs, and is totally environmentally friendly. The experience of standing on the bluffs overlooking the Cliffs of Moher is utterly astounding. The harsh Irish wind bats at your ...
The St Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland is a unique event that unites locals and visitors in a carnival atmosphere of music, dancing and partying; and leaves the world green with envy. Expanded in recent years from a one-day holiday to a six-day event, the St Patrick's Festival brings people together from all over the world to celebrate all things Irish. The centrepiece of the Festival is, of course, the St Patrick's Day Parade; an event that has been copied the world over. The 1.5 mile St Patrick's Day Parade route winds its way from Parnell Square on the city's north side, down O'Connell Street (the city's main thoroughfare), past the Spire of Dublin, over the River Liffey and up to Trinity College, before ...
One of the world's oldest and most beautiful books, The Book of Kells has become a must-see for any visitor to Dublin. The Book of Kells is on display in Ireland's oldest and most picturesque university Trinity College, whose campus represents for many Dubliners the very centre of the Irish capital. This remarkable book contains the four Gospels of the New Testament in Latin written on vellum (treated calfskin), and was meticulously illustrated by Irish monks around the year 800 BC. The history of The Book of Kells is almost as remarkable as the precision craftsmanship it contains. The Book of Kells' first home was the Abbey of Kells in nearby County Meath, where a long-running campaign to get the famous book back continues to ...
For most Dubliners, the pub is the centre of Irish society. Every occasion takes place here, be it happy or sad, culinary or alcohol-fuelled, literary or sporting, business or pleasure, family or friends. And no matter where you go in Dublin, you'll find a public house or two or three on every street. As James Joyce wrote in his classic novel Ulysses, “A good puzzle would be to cross Dublin without passing a pub.” One of the best aspects of Dublin pub life is that it's a culture open to all, locals and visitors alike. Everyone is welcome to sample the charm, “craic” (fun in Gaelic), music, drink and conversation. Whether you're after a quiet pint, a rock music bar, cocktails, traditional music and dancing, ...
