Ireland : Things to do and See

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean just west of England. Ireland's population is around 6.4 million people. There are many low lying mountains and rivers running through very lush vegetation. Ireland's lush vegetation is one of the things Ireland is known for, its emerald green lush grass. The two main languages spoken in Ireland are English and Irish. Irish speaking individuals are now the minority and the English speaking individuals are now the majority.

The Cliffs of Moher are located at the southwestern edge of Ireland. The cliffs rise 390 feet above the Atlantic Ocean at the main visitors point at Hag's Head. However, the maximum height the cliffs reach are 702 feet. The highest point is just beyond O'Brien's Tower, which visitors can also visit. The cliffs have been named after a old fort that used to stand on the cliffs. The fort was called Fort Moher. If you are visiting Ireland and skip seeing The Cliffs of Moher, it would be like going to New York City and skipping the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building. The Cliffs of Moher are a beauty that is indescribable in words. The feeling that one feels standing on the cliffs with the wind rushing through their hair is invigorating. Visitors can hear and see the crashing Atlantic Ocean waves crushing against the cliff below. It is a sight that will never be forgotten and that few are lucky to see. So if traveling to Ireland, make sure you have the cliffs on the top of your list of places to see.

The Rock of Cashel is a beautiful ancient tower set atop a rocky bottom above the town of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel sits in County Tipperary. This site is one of the most well preserved archeological sites in all of Ireland. Visitors can tour a well preserved ancient tower, a 13th century cathedral, a 12th century ancient chapel, and an abbey. The ruins are surrounded by gravesites and high crosses which Ireland is well known for. Visitors will be able to see the ancient stone wall that enclosed these ancient ruins many hundreds of years ago.

Named as a world heritage site, Bru n Boinne is the largest and one of the most important Megalithic sites in Europe. Located in County Meath, this site has many tombs, Neolithic mounds, henges, standing stones, and chambers within it. This site in Ireland actually predates the Egyptian Pyramids. The site contains 40 passage graves. Newgrange is the central mound and the most well known mound. Visitors can tour Newgrange but visitors are encouraged to arrive early in the morning to gain the full experience the world heritage site has to offer.

The Ring of Kerry is a 179 km long tourist route that follows the Iveraugh Pennisula. There are many popular visitors spots to see along the route such as Muckross House, Staigue Stone Fort, Ross Castle, Landies View, and Killarney National Park. Guests that are looking for the natural beauty that Ireland has to offer will enjoy this area of Ireland. Guests will be given numerous opportunities for landscape and seascape photos. Visitors will truly be given a taste of old world Ireland.

Glendalough is located in the county Kerry. Glendalough is known for its well preserved round towers. The round tower stands in the Early Medieval settlement which includes an ancient cathedral, priest's house, and several Medieval churches. The drive to Glendalough is well worth it. Visitors will drive through the Wicklow Mountains which is an amazing site to see all of its own.

The Aran Islands are a group of three islands off the coast of Ireland in the mouth of Galway Bay. Visitors take a ferry from Galway to the islands. Visitors go to the Islands to see the ancient fort Dun Aengus, which used to be a fort for bronze and Iron. The fort sits on a cliff side by the sea. Also, on the island are many of the famous rock walls that Ireland is famous for. Visitors are also able to see how Ireland used to be in the earlier years. When stepping foot on the islands its like stepping back in time. While on the islands pick up one of the famous Aran Island Sweaters.

The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that rise from under the sea. The causeway is the result of a volcanic eruption. The Giant's Causeway has been named a world heritage site and a National Nature Reserve. Most of the basalt columns are hexagonal in shape and work as stepping stones out into the ocean waters. Ancient folklore states that the columns were built by a giant hundreds of years ago.

The hill contains many ancient monuments and was said to be where the High King of Ireland sat. Many of the monuments have now been covered by dirt and grass but are still visible. The monuments are not as well preserved as other monuments in Ireland but visitors will understand the importance of the site after visiting the visitors center and experiencing the site themselves.

Probably Ireland's most famous castle is "Blarney Castle" located near Cork, Ireland, the castle use to be an army stronghold for the Irish. The well known Blarney Stone is located within the castle. The castle originally dates from 1200 and to be quite honest the stone may be more popular than the actual castle. Many tourist travel to the Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone, which is supposed to be a magical stone where kings were crowned. Individuals who kiss the stone are supposed to be given the gift of gab, which will allow the individual to talk themselves into and out of any situation.

Dublin is the capital and largest city in Ireland. There are many places to visit in the town of Dublin such as Trinity College to see the book of Kells, the Guiness Factory, Dublin Castle one of the oldest landmarks in Dublin, and the Father Matthew Bridge.