Few spots in Ireland invoke the imagery of Irish mythology more than the Giant’s Causeway along Antrim’s northern coast. Science may explain the polygonal stones as being caused by volcanic activity 60 million years ago, but in your mind’s eye you can’t help but see the giant, Finn McCool, setting his stepping stones across the…
Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast often ranks high on an Ireland vacation bucket list. With marquee sites like Belfast, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant’s Causeway, and the walled city of Derry, tourists are drawn to the 120 mile Causeway Coastal Route to experience the dramatic landscape heavily fortified by Irish mythology. But the mistake many visitors make when touring Northern Ireland…
When James Stuart lined the drive to his Georgian mansion with 150 Beech trees in the late 18th century his goal was to add a sense of grandeur to the entry of his estate. Nearly two centuries on about 90 of these trees remain as one of the most photographed locations in Ireland: The Dark Hedges….
Ireland is a country known for stunning landscapes and natural beauty. The abundant rainfall that contributes to the country’s ’40 shades of green’ is also at least partially responsible for the lush gardens you’ll find across the country. While the majority of public gardens seem to be concentrated in the ‘sunny southeast’, you can easily…
Wondering about the best places to visit in Ireland in 2024? And, if you are planning on visiting one of these tops spots, you’ve probably wondered if there are any secrets to having an amazing visit – and maybe avoiding the crowds (as much as possible). The answers to your questions are below – based…
Round towers are an -almost- uniquely Irish structure. (Only 3 ancient round towers exist outside of Ireland.) In Irish they are called cloitheach (cloy- cach), meaning bell house, and were probably built between the 9th and 12th centuries. This article is also available as a podcast. To listen please scroll to the player at the…
If you’re planning to explore the Causeway Coastal Route your itinerary probably includes a stop at Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Crossing Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge may not be for the faint of heart- but it offers an experience you won’t forget! Constructed of planks and wires suspended 100 feet in the air, the ‘rope bridge’ crosses the…
Calling all budding archaeologists- this is your chance to dig in the Irish dirt and earn college credits! Today I’m talking with Eileen Murphy, Professor of Archaeology at Queens University Belfast, about Ireland’s archaeological history and QUB Archaeological Field School. This article is based on a podcast episode featuring Eileen Murphy, Professor of Archaeology at…
Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland, and home to the country’s busiest airport, is an obvious place to begin or end your Ireland vacation. You can even base yourself in the capital city and take some amazing day trips from Dublin! Today Jody shares her favorite Dublin day trips – no car required!…
My husband Doug is annoyingly difficult to buy gifts for. He never ‘wants’ anything, doesn’t ‘need’ anything that he hasn’t purchased himself, and, most frustratingly, guesses what a gift is before he opens it. I hate buying gifts for him! But last year I found a gift that was perfect! It has long been our…
My husband and I have a running joke about titles. British titles, to be exact. Once upon a time, in Merry Olde England, the name of Halstead had a title before it. Now, my husband comes from the line of a 3rd or 4th son, so that withered branch of the family moved to The…
Summer in Ireland won’t offer you and your family huge commercial theme parks or even guarantee you sunshine but you can be sure that you’ll experience nature like you’ve never seen it, discover history that you never dreamed of and find yourself immersed in a culture that can only leave you wanting more. Check out…
