Savvy Sightseer - tips and insights for seasoned travelers!
Ireland
Flying into Ireland for the first time, what strikes visitors most is the seemingly unending variations of green. Clearly there’s a reason it’s called the Emerald Isle! So impressed with the view, Johnny Cash wrote the popular song Forty Shades of Green. This magical island, just about 175 miles wide and 300 miles long, is packed with history, beauty, isolated moors, bustling cities, coastal towns and even a 5000-year-old burial chamber! From Dublin to Bunratty, the Republic of Ireland’s sights are as varied as its many shades of green.
Ancient and Mystical
Ireland’s history traces back to Neolithic times. Despite being older than the Great Pyramids of Giza and even England’s Stonehenge, Newgrange is a new discovery for most people. Yet the 3500 BC burial chamber is incredibly intact, and steeped in mystery.
On a clear day atop the Hill of Tara, a little north of Dublin, half the counties of Ireland can be seen. What can’t be seen on the Hill is what visitors would expect to find at the sight where pre-Christian kings were crowned for hundreds of years – a majestic castle. What is there is rolling countryside and a Stone Age passage tomb dating back 4000 years.
Click on the picture of Celtic Cross to learn about these enchanting places and more of the fascinating history and mystery of Ireland.
Lush, Colorful and Majestic
Green isn’t the only pigment on the Irish countryside. With the North Atlantic Drift, an extension of the warm Gulf Stream ocean current, Ireland’s weather is far more temperate than other places on the same latitude, such as Newfoundland. The result is some of the most lavish and profuse gardens in the world. From world-famous Powerscourt Estate to residents’ back yards, vibrant blooms light up the landscape.
There’s a dark side, too. The moors and peat bogs have long been the setting for gothic novels – and with good reason. These wind-swept and barren lands are shrouded in mystery. The dramatic and dreary views easily evoke an almost supernatural feeling.
With nearly 3,000 miles of shoreline, Ireland’s coasts are works of art. The chiseled Cliffs of Moher draw thousands of exotic birds along with tourists. A scenic wonderland, the Iveragh Peninsula, widely known as the Ring of Kerry, offers spectacular water and mountain views.
Click on the Cliffs of Moher to the right to see these visions and learn more about them in the Lush, Colorful and Majestic slideshow.
Cities, Old and New
For a quaint, small town experience, Killarney is ideal. A jaunting car ride takes visitors back in time past a thatched cottage and the well-preserved ruins of a 15th century tower house, perhaps to glimpse the ghost of its original owner! To experience the 15th century life, Bunratty Castle is the place to visit, wander, wine and dine.
The capital and largest city in Ireland, Dublin is a brilliant blend of old and new. Trinity College, Dublin Castle, beautiful architecture and … Viking ruins make this city an eclectic and cultural wonderland, or in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “a magnificent city.”
Click on either city photo to wander the streets of Ireland's cities.
For a taste of Ireland, old and new, try the traditional Apple Barley Pudding recipe on the Recipes Tab.
To enjoy the Irish experience at its fullest, attend a Savvy Sightseer - Ireland Travelogue at a library or community center near you! Check the Programs page for upcoming dates and locations.
