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Christ Episcopal Church in Grosse Pointe, MI Belfast
The area began
life as a small cluster of forts and houses to guard a crossing over the river
Farset. It took many Centuries to develop, although a Norman Castle was
built here in 1177. In 1660 the town was still no more than a cluster of
150-160 houses spread over 5/6 streets. It was not until the 17th
Century that its history as a city began to take shape. French Huguenots
fleeing persecution at the end 17th Century came to Belfast and with
their knowledge and skills the local linen industry started to grow. Hence
by the turn of the century the population had reached about 2,000. During
the 18th Century the cloth trade expanded together with ship building
and during that period the population increased to over 20,000. By the 19th
Century expansion in the commercial and engineering industries saw increased
development in the town which saw population grow to over 200,000. In 1888
Queen Victoria granted Belfast City status. Derry (Londonderry)
Originally called
“Daire Calgaigh” named after a warrior who led the Caledonian tribe
(meaning Oakwood) changed in the 10th Century to “Doire Cholmcille”
A long and troubled history. St Columba founded a Monastery here in 546AD.
The settlement suffered frequent onslaughts, first from the Vikings then the
Anglo-Norman Barons. In 1566 Elizabeth I sent a task force to quell the
troublesome chieftains. At the end of the century a full scale invasion
which paved the way for the planting of English and Scottish settlers. In
the reign of James I the town name of “Doire” was anglicized to Derry. In
1613 the prefix London was bestowed after land in the area was awarded to the 12
Guilds of London. Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Dublin’s oldest
building dating back to 1172. Built by the Norman Richard De Clare (better
known as Strongbow). However most of the building you see now is very
Victorian after a restoration in the 1870s. The Medieval crypt is original
and runs the entire length of the Cathedral. Some architectural features
and stone carvings exist from the 12th also some 13th
Century tiles. The Choir School was founded in 1480 and is famous for
taking part in the world’s first performance of Handel’s Messiah. St Columb's Cathedral
Built in 1633
in a style which we now call Planters Gothic. The tower and main building
are original. The tower actually served as a look out post during the
siege of 1688. The present spire was added in 1821 after its lead covered
predecessor was stripped to make bullets and cannon shot during the siege.
Inside, the open timbered roof rests on 16 stone columns. The Cathedral
has many stained glass windows some showing scenes from the relief of the siege
on August 12th 1689.the peal of eight bells is the oldest set in
Ireland presented by Charles I in 1638 St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
Dedicated in
1192, the Cathedral was originally built by the Norman, Archbishop Comyn.
This early Norman church was rebuilt in the first half of the 13th Century, the
building we see today. Many interesting aspects to see, including the
Medieval Chapter House door with an hole in it dating from 1492. It gives
rise to the English phrase "chancing your arm".
The Earl of Kildare cut the hole and through it stretched out his arm to grasp
the hand of his enemy the Earl of Ormond. By taking the initiative peace
was restored between them and ever since the door as been known as the door of
reconciliation.
Handels Messiah received its first performance in
Dublin in 1742 sung by the combined choirs of St Patrick`s & Christ Church
Cathedral`s. Dublin
Even in 140 a.d. Ptolemy
observed that Eblana was a place of note, Ptolemy refers to the River Liffey as
Oboka, meaning a delta. It was however not until 840 a.d. that Norse sea
rovers landed here and built a base for their maritime expeditions that the area
really began to develop as a town. The history of the area is really tied
to the history of Ireland, never really settled, just like the name, the Irish
called it Duibhlinn, the Norse called it Dyfflin, and the Anglo Normans Dublinne
from which the present name derives. A city steeped in history, it as fine
wide streets, squares and parks with wonderful examples of Georgian
architecture. Visit
Trinity
College to see the famous book of Kells and if
time allows while at St Patrick`s Cathedral visit Marsh`s library. Guinness Storehouse
The storehouse was
a Guinness fermentation tank from 1904 to 1988, it is now a 7 storey visitor
centre, located in the heart of the world famous St James Gate Brewery. If
full this tank would hold 14,300,000 pints of the black stuff. Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
Formed in 1945 to promote
the interest of the Irish bloodstock industry. The Stud at Tully consists
of 958 acres of land providing accommodation for 288 horse boxes. In the
beginning the farm at Tully and the idea of breeding was the brainchild of
Colonel William Hall Walker a Scotsman who started at Tully in the year 1900. Town of Kells
A
place of history, the original Monastery was founded by St Columba in the Sixth
Century and from the early Ninth Century it was probably the leading Columban
Monastery in Ireland. The Monks from the original foundation on Iona fled
here after repeated raids by the Vikings on their Scottish home. It is
thought they actually made the book of Kells on Iona and bought it
with them when they moved here. By the 12th Century continued
raids by Vikings and then Normans eventually made up the minds of the Monks to
move again and they left Kells and made their way to Derry where they set up a
new headquarters. Eventually by the time of the dissolution very little
remained at Kells. But do look round the village and church yard, many
Monastic antiquities remain including some very special crosses dating back
hundreds of years.
Trim Village &
Castle
Plenty to see in
this little village on the banks of the River Boyne. The Castle used as a
location for the Mel Gibson film Braveheart. The first castle on the site
was a simple Mott & Bailey type in 1173 but this was replaced in the 1190s and
eventually grew into the finest and largest Anglo-Norman Castle in Ireland.
King John did stay at Trim in 1210 and Richard II incarcerated his ward Prince
Henry of Lancaster (later Henry IV) here for some time. The curtain wall
of 488 yards encloses a area of approx 3 acres. There are 10 D shaped
towers and a square keep of over 70ft in height and walls that are over 11 feet
thick. Much in ruin now but the look and feel is very much of a typical
English Medieval Castle. Russborough House and Park
Built in 1751 by
Joseph Leeson, first Earl of Milltown. Designed by the German architect
Richard Cassells. Set in a superb parkland with magnificent views of
Blessington Lakes and the Wicklow Mountains. Sir Alfred Beit bought
Russborough in 1952 and established a foundation in 1976 when he opened the
doors to the public for the first time for guided tours. A lovely house
well maintained with fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain and a superb
collection of paintings all set in delightful surroundings of magnificent
ceilings and delicate plasterwork. Trinity
College
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st. It played a major role in the
development of an Anglo-Irish tradition. Many families sending their sons
to be educated here rather than in England. Until recently it had a strong
Protestant bias. When it was founded it offered Catholics free education
if they would change their religion. In fact right up to 1966, Catholics
had to get a special dispensation to study at Trinity or risk excommunication. Book of Kells
The
library houses one of Irelands real treasures, an illuminated manuscript called
the book of Kells. Illuminated manuscripts are derived from the Celtic
ecclesiastical tradition of Saint Columba. whose teachings spread not only
through Ireland but Scotland and Northern England, together with areas of
mainland Europe. No one is quite sure if the book was copied and
illuminated in Ireland, it may have been completed in Scotland on the Isle of
Iona or even in England at Lindisfarne. What we do know for sure is that
the book was taken to the monastery of Kells in Co Meath for safe keeping during
the Viking raids of the 9th Century. After this unsettled
period in Irish history the book spent some time buried underground, lost some
30 of its page and was not bought to Dublin till sometime in the 17th
century. The book now consists of some 680 pages written in Latin and
follows the four gospels of the new testament. It was rebound into four
separate volumes in 1950 and one now has the chance to see at least two volumes
on show at any one time. one showing an illuminated page and another a page of
text. Avoca Hand weavers
A family run
company which began in 1723. During the early years the mill, situated in
a lovely quiet valley in County Wicklow supplied cloth to the local community
and took its name from the local village, Avoca. The mill was situated on
the banks of the very fast flowing Avoca River and this gave power via a water
wheel. In 1760 a new fly shuttle loom was installed that could produce 20
yards of cloth per day. During the 1800s business was good but eventually
work dropped off and by the early 1900s the mill became very run down. In
1920 the mill was inherited by three very creative sisters (the Whynns) who set
about restoring the business and introduced colours using natural dyes. In
1930 the cloth was used in a collection of clothes for European ladies and Avoca
was once again a cloth to be wanted. When the Whynn Sisters eventually
passed away the mill again became very neglected and remained so till 1972 when
Donald & Hilary Pratt purchased it. After much hard work the looms started
to move again and cloth was produced in Avoca again. The business has now
progressed into food, pottery and retail outlets with the Avoca name world
famous. The cafes attached to the outlets are continually featured in the
Bridgestone list of 100 best cafes. Irish
National Heritage Park
Journey through
time visiting 14 historical sites depicting mans first settlements in Ireland.
Following over 9,000 years of Irish history and heritage. From the stone
age 7,000 BC to the Norman period around 1,200 AD Wexford
The
area has been inhabited since at least 5,000 b.c. and stone age tools cab be
seen in the local museum.
Christianity
was established early in the 5th
Century
by St
Ibar
who founded a monastery on
Beg
Erin
in Wexford
harbour. Viking
raiders plundered the monastery in 819 a.d. but later returned and set up a
small town which developed into
Wexford. The
word Wexford
is taken from the Norse
word "meaning the bay of mud flats". Wexford's
first charter was granted in 1317.
The
history of the town is associated with the sea and today the fishing boats still
tie up at the quay. Waterford City
The
history of Waterford
city is inexplicably entwined with the history of county
Waterford
itself. Waterford
city is Norse,
the Norsemen
had reconnoitred the navigable stretches of
Co.
Waterfords
inlets and rivers as early as the 8th century.
In 1169 and 1170 the
Norse
were defeated by the
Normans
at Baginbun
and the city withstood one of the great sieges of
Irish
history as the Norsemen
under O`Faolain
fought to hold their
Byzantium.
It
was not to be and on
August
25th 1170 they lost the day, a new age had arrived.
The
city was now in the hands of the
Norman
named Strongbow.
King
Henry
II
was very alarmed at this new
Norman
Kingdom
in his rear.
So
he landed with a huge army in 1171 and declared
Waterford
a Royal
City
and tradition has
it that the city remained loyal right though to the 16th
Century.
In
the years following the
Henry
landings Waterford
saw a veritable pageant of armies being sailed up
Waterford
harbour, taking advantage of the wide sea lanes into the
Irish
hinterland. Waterford
has now become one of
Irelands
major ports and merchant centres, an enclave as it was almost in the
Viking
centuries.
As
justice demands Old
Waterford
is discovered and savoured in the area of its early foundation, the city around
Reginalds
Tower,
this wonderful area of little streets, memories and relics houses the remnants
of a millennium and it might be the more prudent to select each century for its
story rather than each building for there is a surfeit of interest which only
the most comprehensive guidebook can satisfy. Waterford Crystal The name of the finest crystal in the world. The history started as long ago as 1783 and between this time and 1851 the pieces produced are priceless. Today the factory is situated on the outskirts of the city and covers over 40 acres. The crystal produced here is exported all over the world and is rightly ranked as the best in the world.
Waterford Cathedral
Christ
Church Cathedral Waterford is built on a site of Christian worship which dates
back to 1050. The first worshippers were probably Vikings who had given up
their pagan ways and become Christian. The Normans followed who built a
new Gothic Cathedral in 1210. By 1773 the city corporation decided that
the old Cathedral looked a little old fashioned so instructed that a new one
should be built. What we have today is this new Cathedral and is described
by many as one of the finest 18th Century Ecclesiastical building in
Ireland. Cashel
Originally the Fort of
Munster and once capital of the southern province. The town is completely
dominated by the very famous Rock of Cashel which rearing up from the plain
dominated the land routes to the south. Kings of Ireland came to this spot
together with St Patrick who preached here. On this limestone outcrop
stands the most beautiful and complete Romanesque church in the country. a
medieval Cathedral, a castle tower house, a round tower and a 15th century hall
of vicars, all of the finest medieval Irish architecture. The Hall of
Vicars was built in the 15th century to cater for eight vicars who assisted in
the cathedral services. The Cormacs chapel was built circa 1127, a
superb Romanesque church, the architecture as clear continental influences.
The Cathedral built circa-1227 Anglo Norman in conception, it has Gothic
arches but without doubt it is a purely Irish built unit. The central
tower is excitingly grand but did not appear till the early 14th century.
The Round Tower is without doubt the earliest building on the rock probably
dating back to the 12th century although locals suggest even earlier circa
10th century Killarney
Renown for its beauty,
famed for the splendour of its scenery, Killarney is one of the world`s best
loved tourist spots. It became a significant town about 1750 when the
local magnate, Lord Kenmare, developed the tourist business and four main roads
were built to the outside world. The present population is approx 9,000
and the main economic base is tourism. The great assets of Killarney are
the lakes, mountains and woods, although scattered and difficult to get around
they are so very beautiful. Situated in the South Western corner of
Ireland with its three great lakes reflecting the ever changing skies, it has
been an inspiration for poets, writers and painters for centuries.
St Mary`s
Church, Killarney
St Mary`s
Church of Ireland is located just a few yards from the centre of Killarney.
The Church contains some beautiful stained glass windows, including a replica of
the “Christ with Lantern” also seen in St Pauls Cathedral in London. This
very pretty church was built in 1870 in the English Gothic style. Long ago
the site was part of an ancient religious complex and once included St Mary's
well, reputed to cure a variety of ailments. The interior is quite
attractive and the Victorian tiled floor particularly impressive. Ring of Kerry
To
obtain a really panoramic view of
Kerry's
most outstanding scenery, this tour is a must!
Extending
for 112 miles and usually done in an anti clockwise direction, it follows the
coastline of the Iveragh
Peninsula,
along the banks of the
River
Laune
to Killorglin,
via Glenbeigh,
along the southern shores of
Dingle
Bay
to Kells
and Caherciveen
where Valentia
Island
comes into view. The
tour continues to Waterville
and along the coast via
Coomakista
pass and Derrynane
and onto Sneem.
From
Sneem
to Kenmare
and up the mountain road to
Moll`s
gap, then ladies view and back to
Killarney.
Cathersiveen
The capital
town of the peninsula situated at the head of Valentia harbour on the Fertha
river, the town is the main shopping area for this end of the ring. In
1867 the great Fenian conspiracy led to an abortive rising here against the
British. It was planned to occupy the barracks and then the cable station
in Valentia and from there inform a startled world that the Irish Republic had
been proclaimed in Cathersiveen, but circumstances proved adverse.
Valentia
The Island is approx 11kms long by 3kms wide and is one of the most Westerly
points of Europe. The surface is rugged and rocky but does provide good
sea angling. The first telegraph cable (now superseded) across the
Atlantic from U.S.A. came ashore here in 1858.
Waterville
The town nestles between Lough Currane and the Atlantic and is a world famous
game fishing resort. Fine scenery and many good beaches in the area.
Well loved by artists, archaeologists, botanists in fact everyone. Also
claims a world renown 18 hole golf course.
Catherdaniel
This whole
area contains evidence of occupation dating back 6,000/7,000 years. From Beaker
folk coming from Spain to mine copper in 2,000 B.C. right back to Prehistoric
graves from Neolithic times 4,000 B.C. invaders landed several times including
the first military invaders from Greece on the 14th May 2680 B.C.
Sneem
Situated in a beautiful location on the estuary of the Arsheelaun River, Sneem
is a past winner of the Irish National tidy Towns competition. A colourful
village and last resting place of Cearbhall 0`Dalaigh a former President who his
buried in the local Churchyard |
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