Ireland

Michelle's Galleries

Ireland

Blarney Castle dates back before 1200 AD. although it was destroyed in 1446, it was rebuilt by Dermot McCarthy, the King of Munster.

Ireland

Blarney Castle has been made famous over the years by the Blarney Stone. Tourists visit the castle simply for a chance of hanging upside-down and kissing the stone so that they will be endowed with the Gift of Gab, or the Gift of Eloquence.

Ireland

Killarney, in southwestern Ireland, is is in a deep valley in the MacGillicuddy Reeks. It is dotted with castles and ancient monasteries, it’s most famous being Ross Castle which was built by the O’ Donoghues in the 15th century.

Ireland

Though archaeologists can’t be certain who built this stone fortress, it is the earliest known fortress in Europe and likely dates back to 800 BCE. Its builders might have been the Fir Bolgs or even the Danes.

The earliest description of West Connaught by Roderick O’Flaherty: “On the south side of Dun-Engus … It is named of Engun PicHuathmore of the reliques of the Belqmen in Ireland, those living about the birth-time of Christ.”

Ireland

Beyond the cliffs of Moher rises the abandoned tower of a castle.

Ireland

The oldest fortress in Europe is Dun Aengus. You can get there by plane or ferry, then once you arrive you can reach the fortress itself by hiking, biking or taking a jaunting cart.

Ireland

When the 1916 Easter Uprising occurred, Kilmainham Jail was where the leaders were taken and executed. One of the leaders was allowed to marry his sweetheart inside the jail, then his wife stood outside the walls of the jail and listened for the sounds of his execution.

Ireland

The journey was up steep roads and the carts looked out over the Irish Sea.

Ireland

On the way to Dun Aengus we passed by a church whose graveyard dated back several hundred years.