Galway - the City of the Tribes

Galway, the city in west region of Ireland.

In common with many ancient cities, Galway has its own origin myth. According to this mythic version, Galway is named after Gaillimh (Galvia), the daughter of a local chieftain, Breasail, who drowned in the River Corrib. The surrounding area became known as Áit Gaillimhe (Galway's Place).

The city also bears the nickname ‘The City of the Tribes’ because ‘fourteen tribes’ of merchant families led the city in its Hiberno-Norman period. The term tribes was often a derogatory one in Cromwellian times. The merchants would have seen themselves as Irish gentry and loyal to the King. They later adopted the term as a badge of honor and pride in defiance of the town's Cromwellian occupier.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Ireland

The first recorded settlement at the site may have been a Viking settlement.

Around 1250, King Henry III of England granted the district of Tradree to Robert De Muscegros, who in 1251 cut down around 200 trees in the King's wood. These may have been used to construct a motte and bailey castle, which would have been the first castle at Bunratty, but again the exact position of this is unknown.

These lands were later handed back to (or taken back by) King Henry III and granted to Thomas De Clare, a descendant of Strongbow in 1276. De Clare built the first stone structure on the site (the second castle). The castle was occupied from 1278 to 1318 and consisted of a large single stone tower with lime white walls. In the late 13th century, Bunrattty had about 1,000 inhabitants. The castle was attacked several times. After De Clare family left the area, the remains of the castle eventually collapsed. As the stones were likely used for other local construction works, no traces remain of this second castle.

In the 14th century, Limerick was an important port for the English Crown. To guard access via the Shannon estuary against attacks from the Irish, the site was once again occupied. A new castle (the third) was built at Bunratty, but once again, its exact location is unknown.

The fourth castle, the present structure, was built by the MacNamara family after around 1425.

Today, the castle is a major tourist attraction, along with Bunratty Folk Park. The castle is famous for its medieval banquets, offered since 1963. Bunratty Folk Park is an open-air museum featuring around 30 buildings.

Adare - Picturesque Village of Ireland

Adare is renowned as one of Ireland's prettiest villages. It is designated as a Heritage Town by the Irish government.

Adare is a tourist destination. The local heritage center gives insight into the history of the village, also hosts a number of craft shops. The town is also a popular wedding and conference venue.

The main street combines typical Irish architecture with the English styled buildings and infrastructure purpose-built for the Dunraven estate. The picturesque thatched cottages are part of Dunraven estate.

 

Dingle Town and Bay, Ireland

Dingle Bay is located in western Ireland. The outer parts of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay mark one of the westernmost points of mainland Ireland. The harbor town of Dingle lies on the north side of the bay.

Dingle is the only town on the Dingle Peninsula. Principal industries in the town are tourism, fishing and agriculture.

 

Ireland - the Land of Forty Shades of Green

‘Forty Shades of Green’ is a well known song about Ireland. It was written by Johnny Cash in 1959 while on a trip to Ireland. Contrary to popular belief, Cash did not invent the term 'forty shades of green', it had been used in Ireland many years before he wrote the song.

Killarney National Park, Ireland

Killarney National Park is the first national park established in Ireland in 1932. It has Ireland's only native herd of Red Deer and the most extensive covering of native forest remaining in Ireland. The park is of high ecological value because of the quality, diversity, and extensiveness of many of its habitats and the wide variety of species that they accommodate, some of which are rare. The park was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981.

Ross Castle

Blarney Castle and its Stone, Ireland

Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland.

The Blarney Stone is a block of Carboniferous limestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the ‘gift of the gab’ (great eloquence or skill of flattery). Full version of the legend at http://geowonderland.blogspot.com/2015/02/legend-of-blarney-stone-ireland.html 

The stone was set into the castle in 1446. The castle is a popular tourist destination in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the stone and tour the castle and its gardens.

 

Waterford Crystal, Ireland

Waterford Crystal is a manufacturer of crystal. It is named after the city of Waterford, Ireland.

In June 2010, Waterford Crystal relocated almost back to its original roots, on The Mall in Waterford City. This new location is now home to a manufacturing facility that melts over 750 tones of crystal a year. This new facility offers visitors the opportunity to take guided tours of the factory and also offers a retail store, showcasing the world's largest collection of Waterford Crystal.