DRAFT M a r c h 2 0 1 4 REMARKABLE P L A C E S I N IRELAND P A R T O N E Must-see sites you may recognize... paired with lesser-known destinations you will want to visit by COREY TARATUTA host of the Irish Fireside Podcast Thanks for downloading! I hope you enjoy PART ONE of this digital journey around Ireland. Each page begins with one of the Emerald Isle’s most popular destinations which is then followed by several of my favorite, often-missed sites around the country. May it inspire your travels. Links to additional information are scattered throughout this book, look for BOLD text. www.IrishFireside.com Find out more about the © copyright Corey Taratuta 2014 photographers featured in this book on the photo credit page. You are welcome to share and give away this e-book. However, it may not be altered in any way. A very special thanks to all the friends, photographers, and members of the Irish Fireside community who helped make this e-book possible. All the information in this book is based on my personal experience or recommendations from people I trust. Through the years, some destinations in this book may have provided media discounts; however, this was not a factor in selecting content. Every effort has been made to provide accurate information; if you find details in need of updating, please email [email protected]. Places featured in PART ONE MAMORE GAP DUNLUCE GIANTS CAUSEWAY CASTLE INISHOWEN PENINSULA THE HOLESTONE DOWNPATRICK HEAD PARKES CASTLE CÉIDE FIELDS KILNASAGGART INSCRIBED STONE ACHILL ISLAND RATHCROGHAN SEVEN CROAGH PATRICK WONDERS NEWGRANGE OF FORE & KNOWTH ROSS ERRILLY HILL OF TARA FRIARY MALAHIDE CASTLE TRIM CASTLE BOOK OF KELLS CHESTER BEATTY ROCK OF DUNAMASE LIBRARY THE BURREN ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY LIBRARY NATIONAL MUSEUM BUNRATTY CASTLE OF IRELAND LOOP HEAD KING JOHNS CASTLE ROCK OF CASHEL KILKENNY CASTLE PENINSULA ATHASSEL PRIORY KELLS PRIORY JERPOINT ABBEY & PARK CAHIR CASTLE KILMALKEDAR HOLESTONE JOHNSTOWN CASTLE DINGLE PENINSULA HOOK HEAD THE BLARNEY STONE VALENTIA TETRAPOD FOSSIL TRACKWAY BARRYSCOURT CASTLE SKELLIG MICHAEL BEARA PENINSULA THE ROCK OF CASHEL Cashel, County Tipperary Towering over the Tipperary The expansive ruins at Kells countryside, The Rock of Priory in County Kilkenny and Cashel served as the last seat Athassel Priory in County of the High Kings of Ireland. Rock of Dunamase, Co Laois Tipperary provide a chance to It went on to become an explore in solitude. important ecclesiastical site, Hidden among the inland and today visitors are invited fields of County Galway, to tour its impressive buildings Kells Priory, Co Kilkenny Ross Errilly Friary presents a and beguiling cemetery. maze of historic buildings and ALTERNATIVES chambers and two cloisters. Another hilltop fortress, the Ross Errilly Friary, Co Galway Jerpoint Abbey is best imposing ruins of The Rock of known for its unique “working Dunamase pre-date Cashel class” carvings in its cloister. and offers commanding views Meanwhile, the grave of Saint of the pastoral landscape of Nicholas can be found at County Laois. Jerpoint Abbey, Co Kilkenny nearby Jerpoint Park. AN ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION If you’re looking for atmospheric but deserted ruins, the 11th Century Kells Priory is fab. Then a 15 to 20 minute drive from there is Jerpoint Abbey and Jerpoint Park lost town, home of Saint Nicholas’ grave, brought there 800 years ago. Susan FitzGerald – www.vibrantireland.com THE BOOK OF KELLS Dublin, County Dublin The Book of Kells showcases The Royal Irish Academy the finest, most intricate Library houses an extensive examples of Celtic knotwork and diverse research and figure drawing from Chester Beatty Library, Co Dublin collection, and the building 800AD. Housed at Trinity has been crowned with lovely College Dublin, visitors can architectural details. view pages and end their tour The Tara Brooch and other in the impressive Old Library. Royal Irish Academy, Co Dublin National Museum of Ireland ALTERNATIVES treasures demonstrate Irish craftsmanship through the The Chester Beatty Library centuries. at Dublin Castle houses some Brooch of Tara, Co Dublin illuminated manuscripts like The oldest dateable example the Book of Kells, but it is of ancient Celtic design in better known for its even older Ireland can be found on the Asian and Middle Eastern Kilnasaggart Inscribed Stone Kilnasaggart Stone, Co Armagh collections. in County Armagh. AN ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION Hands down, the alternative to the Book of Kells is the wonderful Royal Irish Academy library. They have a stunning collection of ancient manuscripts, and there is always one on show. Admission is free, it’s just you and the librarian, and you are in the hush of a working library... a real hidden gem. Mary Mulvihill – www.ingeniousireland.com NEWGRANGE Brú na Bóinne, County Meath Built before the Pyramids and The passage tomb at Knowth Stonehenge, the passage tomb is accessible from the same at Newgrange holds a secret visitor centre as Newgrange, that only reveals itself on the Loughcrew, Co Meath and is believed to be a more days surrounding the Winter accurate representation. Solstice when its opening The sacred mounds at County aligns with the rising sun to Roscommon’s Rathcroghan illuminate the inner chamber. Knowth, Co Meath and County Meath’s Hill of To accommodate guests, the Tara hint at ancient empires site recreates the effect daily. from over 5,000 years ago. ALTERNATIVES Hill of Tara, Co Meath Uncovered in County An older sister to Newgrange, Mayo’s bogland, the world’s Loughcrew in County Meath most extensive Stone Age sees significantly fewer visitors, monument at Céide Fields but still wows with its Celtic demonstrates megalithic stone carvings. Céide Fields, Co Mayo tombs, fields, and dwellings. AN ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION At Loughcrew, there are multiple tombs and a beautiful site with an amazing view. At the time of year we were there, we had to pick up the key for the main cairn at the nearby Loughcrew gardens coffee shop and leave a €50 deposit for the key. Travis and Kathy Nelson – www.engagingireland.com Jewelry crafted from shards of broken dishes www.LiamShardJewelry.com GIANTS CAUSEWAY Bushmills, County Antrim Legend states that the distinct The vertical island of Skellig basalt column formations Michael features an intricate at the Giants Causeway in array of stone steps that rise County Antrim were once The Burren, Co Clare 650 feet/200 metres to the part of an ancient bridge to remains of a 1,400 year old Scotland. From the new visitor monastery. centre, guests are welcome Just off the coast of Co Mayo, to climb among the rocks and Skellig Michael, Co Kerry the seastack at Downpatrick hike the surrounding area. Head rises 160 feet/50 metres ALTERNATIVES out of the sea and is said to have formed to give St Patrick In the category of unique Downpatrick Head, Co Donegal peace from a disgruntled ogre. geology, The Burren in County Clare presents a moon-like, 385 million year old reptile limestone landscape that tracks are present at the nurtures tropical and alpine Valentia Tetrapod Fossil plants at the same time. Tetrapod Trackway, Co Kerry Trackway in County Kerry. AN ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION Skellig Michael, in my opinion, is the coolest thing in Ireland, and not many people know about it, and not many people go there. It’s not the easiest place to get to, but WOW! Gary Arndt – www.everything-everywhere.com THE BLARNEY STONE Blarney, County Cork Probably the best tourism The holy and scenic summit of campaign in history, kissing Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo is The Blarney Stone endows traditionally climbed in bare visitors with the gift of gab... Kilmalkedar, Co Clare feet with stops for prayers at which usually manifests itself in three stations. Modern pilgrims telling tales about smooching save their soles by wearing the rock. Blarney Castle is also study footwear. home to lovely garden walks. Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo The Seven Wonders of Fore in ALTERNATIVES Co Westmeath create a path marked by various miracles When it comes to rituals, the that took place at the site. holestones near Antrim, Co Fore, Co Westmeath Antrim, and Kilmalkedar, Co If it is castles you are looking Kerry, encourage people to for, try Barryscourt, Bunratty, pledge their love or seal a deal Cahir, Dunluce, Johnstown, by touching hands through an Kilkenny, King Johns, opening in the timeworn rocks. Dunluce Castle, Co Antrim Malahide, Parkes, or Trim. AN ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION Fore Abbey is a wonderful place, the area is steeped in history and stunning ruins you can easily spend an afternoon wandering around... especially if you are lucky enough to be there on a fine day. I highly recommend a visit! Neil Jackman – www.timetravelireland.blogspot.com THE RING OF KERRY Iveragh Peninsula, County Kerry The Ring of Kerry in Ireland’s the bridge to the island feels southwest corner has been more like an escape than a luring tourists since before tour. Sites include the amazing Queen Victoria stopped on Hook Head, Co Wexford white cliffs of Ashleem Bay, an the peninsula in 1861. The impressive famine village, and combination of amazing hidden beaches. coastline, dramatic mountains, Highlights: Famine Village, Keel picturesque lakes, quaint Beara Peninsula, Co Cork Beach, White Cliffs of Ashleem, villages, and a history of Keem Bay, Gráinnes Tower hospitality keeps “The Ring” on the must-see list. BEARA PENINSULA However, it’s not the only Loop Head, Co Clare Split between Counties scenic peninsula the Emerald Cork and Kerry, the Beara Isle has on offer. Peninsula celebrates its beautiful coastline with ALTERNATIVES Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry sign-posted scenic routes for ACHILL ISLAND hiking, biking, and driving. On the western edge of The narrow peninsula is County Mayo, Achill qualifies shaped in spectacular fashion as Ireland’s largest island by two small mountain Achill Island, Co Mayo where locals speak the ranges that slope to the sea native Irish language and providing a haven for those in the roads twist over hills and search of charming villages, bend around rugged cliffs.