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Adare
Famously Picturesque, This village with its rows of road side cottages, sitting
neatly beneath quaint deep brown thatch seen over hanging the walls in what
looks like fringes. The cottages represent the ideal of the then Landlord
3rd Earl of Dunraven (1812-71) in an effort to improve the lost of his tenants.
Today the village is regarded as one of the prettiest in all Ireland Blarney Castle
Built approx
1446 by the then King of Munster, Dermont, one of the most eminent of Maccarthy
Chieftains. the castle remained in the family until 1689. when having supported
King James and lost, the family were forced to leave the castle never to return.
two new owners then come and went before being bought by Sir James Jefferyes
Governor of Cork in 1703.the castle has remained in his family ever since.
The castle of course is famous for kissing the stone, the stone forms the sill
of one of the Machicolations of the castle. We know it is everyone's
ambition to kiss the stone it was once a dangerous undertaking but bars are now
in place to render the undertaking less risky. The gift of eloquence is now
yours. 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. Bunratty Castle & Folk Museum
Forms a fine collection of
farm houses and town houses together with shops, a school and other
characteristics of life in Ireland during the 19th century. All the
buildings are authentic and original Irish construction bought painstakingly
brick by brick from original locations. See at first hand village life and
traditional Irish crafts carried out in their natural settings, do try the
Guinness cake. 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
Cahersiveen
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.
Caherdaniel
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. Clonmel The town of Clonmel is fortunate in its scenic setting astride the river Suir, dominated by the foothills of the Comeraghs to the south and with many views of the historic mountain of Slievenamon to the north west. An early settlement probably existed in the area prior to the Norman town. The earliest reference to Clonmel is in 1185 when William Fitzadlem de Burgo was granted Lordship of the Manor. In 1319 Edward II authorised the raising of the money to build the town walls and fortifications. Which withstood a 3 week siege by Cromwell in 1650. One of the prettiest centres in Tipperary still retaining the air of an early coaching town. Cork
A city which grew out of a
medieval marsh and whose fabric was woven round and over the river which the
first settlement sprang. The second city of the republic with a population
of approx 150,000 people. It is of course built upon a river with the
centre actually built on an island in the River Lee just upstream from the
harbour. Most of the main city area dates back to the 1750s although older
parts of the city from medieval times can be found. Although a major city
Cork still manages to retain it`s pleasant atmosphere and friendliness.
You need to try and visit the English market and also the Quakers meeting house
in Grattan street, where William Penn embraced the creed before going off to the
new world to found Pennsylvania. 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. 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. Jameson Heritage
Buildings some dating back
to 1795 play host to this world famous whiskey distillery. following the whiskey
trail through the mills, maltings, corn stores, stillhouses, warehouses and the
kilns, before viewing the largest pot still in the world and sampling some of
the real stuff in the heritage bar. Kilkenny
A flourishing cultural and
civic centre for over 1,000 years. Under the Norman administration the
city became a very prosperous city with a wall for protection, a castle,
Cathedral and many other churches. For a time in the 17th century it even
became known as the Capital City of Ireland. St Canice`s Cathedral dates
back to 1285 with fine examples of 16th century tombs. The castle was
built in the mid 13th century and was for over 500 years the main residence of
the Dukes of Ormonde, now under going extensive renovation. If you call
into the tourist information service you will be visiting one of the oldest
houses in the city (the Shee Almshouses built in 1584 and recently restored).
many of the lanes off the high street are well worth a visit some retaining many
of the features of old Kilkenny. For example Collier`s Lane, Weaver`s Lane
and Butter Slip. 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. Kinsale
Originally a fishing town,
with a sheltered harbour it was always going to be of strategic importance in
English & Irish history. Kinsale received the first Royal charter in 1333,
the site of the battle of kinsale in 1601 which was a disastrous defeat for the
Irish. It was at Kinsale James ll landed in 1689 in an attempt to regain
his throne. It also saw his departure after the battle of the Boyne.
In 1915 just off the coast near the town, the liner Lusitania, enroute to
Liverpool from New York was torpedoed by a German submarine. killing it is
estimated 1,198 people, it was the catalyst for American entry into the First
World War. With its pretty harbour and a reputation as the gourmet centre
of the south west, the town is now a highly successful tourist centre. Macroom
Where tradition says the
father of the founder of the State of Pennsylvania was born in Macroom Castle. Marsh's Library
The
library situated very close to
Dublin
Cathedral
dates back to 1702 and is
the oldest public library in
Ireland.
The
shelves contain over 25,000 volumes primarily theology, medicine, ancient
history, Syriac,
Greek,
Latin
and French
literature. National Museum of Ireland
Opened in Kildare Street
1890, the museum contains many artefacts dating from 700bc. The
archaeological collections consist of the treasury, featuring outstanding
examples of Celtic and Medieval art. The famous Ardagh Chalice and the
Tara brooch dating from the 8th Century, the 12th Century Cross of Cong, said to
contain a fragment of the true cross, the Derrynaflan Hoard, a collection of 8th
and 9th Century silver objects found in Co Tipperary during 1980. Look
carefully at the Tara Brooch, see the intricate Filigee work on the front and
back. When you view the book of Kells this afternoon do consider it is
from these patterns that it is thought the manuscript illuminations are derived.
Irelands gold,
features the finest collection of prehistoric gold artefacts in Europe. 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.
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 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. World of Guinness
Renown
for its beauty, famed for its taste,
Guinness
is known the world over as the premier stout.
You can take
this opportunity to visit the home of the famous drink.
Visit
the hopstore, see the brewing display, cooperage and transport gallery, while
saving the best till last,
a sampling of a glass or two in the sampling bar. |
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