Ireland
By Molly Kalafut
Loughcrew Cairns
Oldcastle, Ireland
The Loughcrew Cairns are Neolithic passage tombs including megalithic chambers dating from 3,000 BC. Decorated stones inside the cairn are lit by the morning sun on the autumnal and spring equinoxes. It was probably designed that way to measure the sun's movement through the year.
Cliffs of Moher
Coast of West Clare, Ireland
Reaching over 700 feet tall and stretching more than five miles long, the view can include Aran Islands and Galway Bay.
Clonmacnoise
Shanonbridge, Ireland
Clonmacnoise is a monastic site chosen in 545 AD due to river and road travel junction on the east side of the River Shannon. It was founded by Saint Ciaran. The site has been a burial place for Connanught and Tara kings, a monastery (7th-12th centuries) and a scriptorium (8th-10th century).
Well known for it’s cathedral ruins, eight churches (10-13th centuries), two round towers (10th century), 3 high crosses (9th century), Whispering Arch and 200+ burial slabs. It has been frequently destroyed and attacked: 5 times by fire, 3 by Vikings, 5 by Normans, 26 times by Irish. It was also ruined in 1552 by the Athlone English garrison.
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Dublin, Ireland
This cathedral was originally built in 450 AD near the site where St. Patrick may have baptized people. It is also Jonathan Swift's burial site.
Locke's Distillery Museum
Kilbeggan, Ireland
Small pot still distillery from 1757 producing whiskey for over 200 years. Guided and self-guided tours through the building, followed by a sampling of the whiskey.
Trinity College
Dublin, Ireland
Founded in 1592, the 40 acre university contains gardens, parks, museums and the awesome Long Room library - which has more than 200,000 books and the Book of Kells (800AD).
Archbishop Marsh's Library
Dublin City, Ireland
This is the oldest public library in Ireland built in 1701 by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh. Holds 25,000 books, 250 volumes of manuscripts and early printed books.
Tullynally Castle and Gardens
Castlepollard, Ireland
One of the largest Gothic revival castles in Ireland, it was built in its present form starting in 1803. Offers afternoon tea.
Blackwater Works
Shannonbridge
West Offaly Railway Bog Tour - Teaches about 10,000 years of history and offers chance to cut turf by hand.