Tag: ireland
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St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin | Discovering Ireland
Over my travels and education, I have come to find that cathedrals and churches play a great role in Europe’s architectural, art, cultural, and political history. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin is no exception to that rule. For over 800 years this church has been the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, and today…
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Dublin Castle | Discovering Ireland
Dublin Castle is located in the center of the city, and is considered one of the most important structures of Ireland’s history. It dates back over 800 years when it was built in 1204 as a major defensive work, on the orders of King John of England. After a Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169,…
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Dublin’s Kilmainham Gaol | Discovering Ireland
When I toured Kilmainham Gaol, walked its gloomy corridors, and peered into the grim cells through its peep holes, I could feel its sadness within its walls. Although this former Dublin prison is now empty, one could only imagine the anguish it once held; all the men, women, and children (as young as seven) that…
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St. Michan’s Mummies | Discovering Dublin, Ireland
I will admit that the main reason I stopped by St. Michan’s church in Dublin was to visit the below level crypt, and see their mummies. Yes, there are legitimate mummy’s in Dublin and I did get the opportunity to not only see them, but to touch a mummy finger. I have seen a few…
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Doing Dublin | Discovering Ireland
I first visited Dublin over a decade ago, and have returned a few times since. I without a doubt love this city, and had a lot of fun times here. It is lively, friendly, full of culture, and history. There are museums, beautiful parks, places to party, delicious restaurants, and historical landmarks- something for everyone,…
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Aran Islands – Inis Mor | Discovering Ireland
Exploring the Aran Islands was one of those “off the beaten track” trips that I had taken while traveling through Europe. They are not resort style islands with sandy beaches, and vacationers tanning on beach towels. The Aran Islands were rocky, cold, and windy. The ferry ride from Galway was frigid, and far from being…
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A Day on the Dingle Peninsula | Discovering Ireland
The Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney in Ireland had been on my radar for many years. I had already traveled to Ireland twice prior, but never to the south western tip; home to the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. On my most recent trip to Ireland, I decided to explore the…
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English, Scottish, and Irish Full Breakfasts – Love a Good Fry-Up!
I honestly do not know what comes over me when I am in the United Kingdom or Ireland, I just cannot resist a good morning fry-up. If it is on the morning menu, I will order it. If there are options in a breakfast buffet to make one, I will build it. There is something…
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King John’s Castle in Limerick | Discovering Ireland
The first time I viewed King John’s Castle was several years back while I was in Limerick, and on my way to the Cliffs of Moher. We were briefly in the city, and I was standing at the River Shannon when an old stone fortified structure was pointed out. It was the castle that belonged…
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The Ring of Kerry | Discovering Ireland
The Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney in Ireland had been on my radar for many years. I had already traveled to Ireland twice prior, but never to the south western tip; home to the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. On my most recent trip to Ireland, I decided to explore the…
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My Return to Galway | Discovering Ireland
It all sounds very theatrical but I did return to Galway, and oh my, how it had changed in seven years. On my most recent visit to Ireland, I had been twice before, so the third time was an absolute charm- especially in Galway. I was exploring the west coast of Ireland, traveling up from…
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Connemara National Park | Discovering Ireland
Visiting Connemara in County Galway along the westside of Ireland was balancing scale of emotions for me. It was joy of being out in a magnificent natural landscape, and sadness from its history of famine and loss. Many people come to Connemara for photography, outdoor recreation, or a relaxing getaway for a few days. There…
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Kylemore Abbey in Connemara | Discovering Ireland
A trip to Connemara, Ireland is not complete with out a visit to the Kylemore Abbey. When I had visited the abbey, it was a wonderful addition to exploring one of Ireland’s loveliest natural landscapes. Kylemore Abbey was originaly built as “Kylemore Castle”, a private home in 1868 for an affluent doctor’s family from London,…
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Getting the Gift of Gab – Kissing the Blarney Stone | Exploring Ireland
“At least buy me dinner first!” My exact words to the man who was holding my legs, and torso while he was telling me “Lower. . Go lower!” I swear that was a true story, and now get your mind out of the gutter! I was hanging upside down, holding onto a couple of bars,…
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Glendalough Monastic Site | Exploring Ireland
Ireland has been one of my favorite countries to visit due to its lush green landscapes, and natural beauty that I have been back several times over. One of my favorite locations is Glendalough, meaning “two lakes”, and is located on the east coast within County Wicklow. The landscapes are awe-inspiring with trails to take,…
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Bunratty Castle & Folk Park | Explorng Ireland
Over the years, I have seen countless castles and stately homes throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Although each castle experience was different to each other, Bunratty Castle in County Clare, Ireland was quite special. It might have been that Bunratty was not over the top, and I really loved its simplicity. Bunratty Castle was…
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Kinslale – A Colorful Seaside Town | Exploring Ireland
The colorful seaside town of Kinslale was like eye candy to me, and it was so very charming! The town itself can be a wonderful day trip, or a get away weekend while in Ireland. The buildings along the harbor are no more than a couple stories high, original, and brightly colored. The whole village…
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Cork Butter Museum | Exploring Ireland
Have we met? You know I LOVE butter right? I understand what makes great butter, and I can taste quality dairy right away. Whenever I visit Ireland or France, I gorge myself on that creamy yellow spread on fresh bread. So when I was told by a friend that Cork had a Butter Museum, I…
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The Historic Seaport Town of Cobh | Exploring Ireland
Approaching the small charming seaport town of Cobh, one would not realize the historic importance it had played in the last centuries. It seems to be a typical seaside town in Ireland, small and unassuming. There is one road going in that hugs the sea, and when you look up you note the colorful structures,…
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The Jameson Experience | Whiskey Tasting in Midleton, Cork, Ireland
Whiskey has been tied with the Irish culture for centuries, with the word “whiskey” having Gaelic roots. Some of the first recordings of Irish whiskey dates back to 1405, and it is one of Europe’s earliest distilled beverages. So visiting whiskey bars and distilleries while touring the Emerald Isle, should always be included. I have…
Trixie Navarre 