Glendalough in the midst of the Wicklow Mountains through forested valley with two blue lakes is definitely a place in Ireland that you’ll have to include in your itinerary. Every year over a million visitors go to Glendalough to experience its refreshingly beautiful and natural scenery. Most visit the monastic settlement that used to be so prevalent all over Ireland.

In case you’re wondering, the name Glendalough actually means the “Valley of the Two Lakes”. The monastery was founded by St. Kevin, a hermit monk. This place is ideal for walking; you can stroll, jog or take mountain hikes.

There are so many things to see in Glendalough, so many places to take your pictures at. The two lakes are called the Lower Lake and Upper Lake. You will find monastic ruins near the Lower Lake, and you’ll find walking trails that connect the lakes and the ruins.

The medieval entrance to Glendalough is the monumental gateway, which is located across the stream from the hotel. The monument is absolutely unique and you will find a cross-inscribed stone inside that indicates what used to be the sanctuary of the monument. Visit the cathedral, which is the biggest building at Glendalough. And a few meters to the south of it, you will see St. Kevin’s Cross. It’s an ancient cross with a ring and you can see the round tower right behind it. It is a truly fascinating sight.

You cannot miss the round tower in Glendalough. It’s about 30 meters high and has a door that is about 3.5 meters from the ground. It is interesting how the round tower was once used as a storehouse that kept people and treasures safe. You’ll notice a small window that lights up the four stories above the entrance, while the top story has four windows that face north, south, east and west.

Other interesting sights include the Priests’ House which has already been reconstructed, churches like St. Kevin’s Church which has a roof made of stone, and other churches like St. Mary’s and St. Kieran’s.

UNESCO has designated Newgrange as a World Heritage Site, so do thousands of visitors every year who appreciate its mystifying pre-historic monuments that define a momentous period in European pre-history as early as 3200 B.C.

Known as a passage tomb, Newgrange is a well-constructed passage that leads to cremated remains of the dead. The passage is covered by a large mound and is retained at the base using large kerbstones. One can only imagine the hard work that went into the construction of the passage.

The most famous of the three large monuments built along the River Boyne, Newgrange is believed to be fairy mounds in mythology. It is particularly known as the home of the god of love, Oenghus. The other two monuments are Knowth and Dowth. With its mystifying air, these mounds captivate the visitor with its air of mystery. It was in 1699 when the passageway received considerable attention with its rediscovery. The people removed some materials in order to use them to build roads. It was then when the entrance was rebuilt using the same stones in the site. Originally, however, the entrance was made of sparkling white quartz.

The passageway in Newgrange is less than 60 feet long and you’ll see a chamber with three side recesses. With a closer look at the chamber’s roof – you’ll see that a corbelled vault was used for it. This has remained intact without conservation or repair.

Do not miss a trip to the Newgrange chamber. Its tri-spiral design is a sight to behold. Not only is it considered a well-known Celtic design, but it is also known as a Megalithic symbol of the Irish. It is much smaller than the tri-spiral design found on the stone at the chamber’s entrance, but it looks quite more intricate, and nonetheless, amazing. Visit Newgrange and get firsthand experience of the finest achievements of European Neolithic art.

If you want to see the most incredible collection of Celtic art and medieval architecture in Europe, pay a visit to the Rock of Cashel. It is also known as the majestic Cashel of the Kings – and religiously, it is called “St. Patrick’s Rock.” This historic site has a lot of names with many stories to tell. The place proves to be valuable for visitors and guests who cannot help but be in awe of the buildings which crown the Rock with such complexity and colossal appearance that make it a charming, scenic and wondrous site.

The Rock of Cashel served as the traditional seat of the kings of Munster before the Norman invasion. Although a few remnants of the earliest structures still stand, majority of the buildings exude an ancient feel, as they date back from the 12th and 13th centuries. This is also said to be the place where St. Patrick converted the King of Munster in the 5th century A.D. and locals would tell you about the story of the Devil’s Bit – the mountain from which the Rock of Cashel is said to have originated. The Devil’s Bit is found 30 km north of Cashel and they say that when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, it resulted to the Rock landed in Cashel – and it is for this reason that it is also called St. Patrick’s Rock.

In addition to the interesting stories, you will be amazed to see a round tower about 28 meters high – one of the tallest and oldest of buildings in Cashel. Although it was still stand because of the mortar used to fill it for safety reasons, you will be astonished with how well preserved it is. You’ll also see a chapel, some tombs and well-designed graveyard crosses in the area, which definitely look just amazing.

Could you imagine staying in an island for six hundred years? Well, in the 7th century, Irish Christian monks did exactly just that – they stayed in an island and made it a center for their monastic life. You’ll see all this at Skellig Michael, which in Irish means Michael’s Rock. This place had been remote to tourists and visitors for quite a long time until recently, that it managed to be preserved so much better than other equally historic sites. I

t is actually a steep rocky island on the coast of Country Kerry. The Celtic monastery found near the summit of the rock is known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a well-known monastery, but it’s not very accessible at 230 meters high. The monastery survived Viking raids in the 9th century gives a clear picture of how the monks, who lived a very simple lifestyle as shown by what look like beehive huts placed above cliff walls.

It was a popular pilgrimage destination with no permanent residents in the 1500s. It was only in the 19th century when it somehow began to be inhabited as two lighthouses were built in the area. You could see that the second lighthouse still operates, but of course there were already renovations done through the years.

As you may find yourself enchanted with how monastic life came about in this place, you will also appreciate its natural beauty for it is home to a number of species of seabirds such as the Atlantic Puffin, Storm Petrels, Gannet, Fulmar, Razorbill, Kittiwake and many others. It is a nature reserve and that is why a lot of effort has been made to help preserve it and at the same time, make it accessible to tourists and visitors.

A visit to Ireland would be incomplete without seeing the Ring of Kerry. Known as the Iveragh Peninsula, this place has never failed to attract visitors with its incomparable natural beauty. People who love fresh air and outdoor activities that come to this peaceful site will love this place, it is the perfect location where one can relax, unwind and enjoy sports like golf and cycling. Take a walk down a path known as The Kerry Way, known for its scenic routes. Meanwhile those who love to ride bikes may take the quieter roads on the Ring of Kerry cycling path.

The Ring of Kerry is a great place to take the family for fishing and water sports. A wonderful freshwater fishing experience might land you your very own salmon or trout for lunch. At sea, you can get cod, flounder, mullet, mackerel and tuna.

Yet the holiday might just not be complete without a trip to the beach, don’t you think? If you’re the kind who loves the beach, then the Ring of Kerry is the place. You’ll see some of the finest beaches in Europe here and it has all the facilities to make your experience worthwhile. Food, accommodation, equipment – you name it.

Aside from being one of the best holiday getaways, the Ring of Kerry is a historical site that offers you the best of Irish heritage dating back to the ancient times. Take some time off to see the Iron Age Forts, Ogham Stones and Old Monasteries. You will be captivated by their mysterious appearance and you’ll wonder how these giants are so wonderfully created and preserved. There interesting landscape carved out of rock by. On your visit, be sure that you find a good spot to commemorate your visit with a picture.

The Blarney Stone is a famous Irish historical site located in the village of Blarney, just a mere 8 kilometers from the city of Cork. It’s a huge block of stone that was a gift of gratitude to the Irish people from Robert the Bruce, for their unwavering support in the 1314 battle of Bannockburn. It was in 1446, when King Dermot McCarthy had a castle specially made for the stone, constructing battlements to be a part of it. And thus, the Blarney castle has come to existence.

The Blarney Stone is said to have special powers to bequeath any person who kisses it with the gift of eloquence or flattery. This is why it has become one of the famous landmarks that tourists flock to in Ireland every year. Countless heads of states, literary geniuses, and followers of the arts are said to have been gifted with such talent because of the Blarney Stone. A caveat to the kisser of the stone, experts have declared the Blarney stone to be one of the most unsanitary pieces of history. But that hasn’t stopped people from trying.

If you’re visiting Ireland, make sure that you head on to the Blarney Castle for a taste of the quiet countryside and receive a history lesson as well. Even if you decide to not follow the kissing tradition, you will find that it’s still quite the thrill to watch other people fall in line to kiss the stone upside down.

If there’s one place you should not miss on your visit to Ireland, it’s Blarney Castle, the perfect epitome of Irish culture and heritage. A historic edifice, built in 1446, found in Blarney Village, just 8 km northwest from Cork City in Southern Ireland.

Admission is affordable, although different rates apply for children, adults and students. Souvenir shops, gardens and refreshments can be found in this place, and it’s one of those places where you will enjoy taking pictures.

A reason not to miss Blarney Castle is the well-known Blarney Stone, which makes the castle a really popular attraction. You can’t enter the castle without viewing the stone, which is believed to do wonders for its visitors who take time to kiss it. Found at the top of the castle’s tower, legend has it that whoever kisses the stone will be gifted with an amazing eloquence that one will never be at a loss for words. No wonder it’s called the Stone of Eloquence!

Blarney Castle has stories that involve historical figures such as Cromwell and Queen Elizabeth. Visitors can read about them as they tour the castle and find out about its fascinating and intriguing history that includes battles and renovations on the structure.

Close to the castle is the Blarney House, which has a Georgian gothic look. Built in the 18th century, the house was actually destroyed by fire but its wings remain. Around the same time that Blarney House was built, Rock Close, a landscape garden. It had Druid-related structures that will bring you to some kind of a magical world like the Wishing Steps, the Fairy Glade and the Druids Circle. It looks quite suspenseful at night so you might want to visit it during the day.

Words cannot express how amazing the Cliffs of Moher are. With their spectacular view and refreshing atmosphere, it’s not surprising why the Cliffs are one of the most frequented places in Ireland, both by tourists and locals alike. At their highest point, the Cliffs stand 230 meters above the ground and enable people to see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, and even the hills of Connemara.

The southern part of the Cliffs would lead you to its highest point where you could also see O’Brien’s Tower. It was originally built by Cornelius O’Brien with the purpose of impressing female visitors. Here you can see the magnificent waves of the ocean, fierce and graceful at the same time. To add to this wonderful experience is the cool wind that would blow over your face and soothe your body – that’s why most people dress warmly unless they shiver in the cool, Atlantic winds.

Walking along the Cliffs of Moher is a one of a kind experience of freedom. The fact that there are no safety hedges on the cliffs does not stop people from walking along them. Walking along the Cliffs is a unique experience. But people have to be careful though, because there are times that some sections of the cliff give away. Anyone can easily walk to the edge of the cliff to view the beautiful ocean.

The Southwestern coast of Ireland has long inlets that divide several peninsulas from each other. One of the most famous peninsulas is the Dingle Peninsula, where you can experience Irish culture at its best. The hills and pastures are covered with beautiful green grass and subtropical flower gardens. The sight of the rocky shores and fishing villages in this area are truly refreshing and relaxing. Stressed and worn out city dwellers find solace at Dingle.

There are about 1,500 people in the town of Dingle. You will find busy fishing boats and leisure sailboats on the harbor, and you’ll notice that its streets are filled with cheerful shops and pubs that welcome everyone. Looking at the shops and building, you will notice that they are colored different from one another. That’s because thirty years ago, Ireland had a “tidy town” competition that inspired the people to use pastel colors in painting buildings.

In the 1970s, most of those who visited the Dingle Peninsula were students of Irish culture. Things changed after it was introduced in the movie, Ryan’s Daughter. Since then, the peninsula has been known for its spectacular sceneries and its wonderful music. It boasts of a rich historic and cultural heritage that blends beautifully with the sight of its playful and friendly dolphins. There are also a lot of sheep here – there are about 500,000 of them!

The peninsula’s unique beauty did not make it attractive only to English landlords and sensible monks in the past; Hollywood directors have easily realized its value as well. On the Dingle Peninsula roads are lined with elegant fuchsias that greet the weary traveler.