I'm looking at RS guide book on Ireland, and have identified at least 3 sites I'd like to visit. My interest is mostly ancient history, archaeology, and nature. Any recommendations beyond the three below?
Dublin, National Museum on Archaeology and history
Dublin area, Newrange and other dwellings
Aran Islands, particularly Dun Aonghasa
OK, an offbeat place to:
Dublin, Kilmainham Jail
the whole dingle peninsula...as rick state's in his book it is like an open air museum...my fave area on the isle...
Skellig Michael for archeology/history and nature. The Burren is also a great place for nature walks. Don't know if either area fits into your schedule as you don't mention how long you are going to spend in Ireland.
In Dublin, St. Michan's Church crypts are offbeat, interesting and don't take long to tour.
yes indeed...the burren a must also...nothing else like it...
Kilmainham Gaol is not an "offbeat" site. It is an important part of Irish history. I learned so much about the Irish struggle for independence, and about the brave men who were executed there, as well as about the Famine. It is a very moving experience.
Even though I am an archeology buff, I was a bit disappointed with the National Museum (although I loved the gold display). I probably wouldn't go there again. Newgrange, on the other hand, was the highlight of that particular Ireland trip for me. It was late February when I was there, so no problems with crowds at all.
One other area you might want to explore is Glendalough, in the Wicklow Mountains. There is the museum, the monastic settlement ruins to explore, and hikes to the lakes.
By offbeat, I meant with respect to the three I named. A jail doesn't seem to fit the other three. Off the thrust of the others. Ancient vs recent. Oh, well. Onward ...
I still find the format of this forum somewhat odd. I'm not using the Class format, but when I go to respond, I can't see the messages I've just looked at.
Wayne: Now I understand your problem--when you click Post a Reply, you do only see the original post (OP) and the reply box.
The workaround I use is to open a 2nd browser window (hold down Ctrl while clicking the topic thread), and then you should be able to use the 2nd browser window to see all the replies while creating your reply.
The Beara peninsula has many ancient stone circles and dolmens. There is a large map showing their locations in the town square in Kenmare (at least it was there in 2002, the last time we visited). There is even a stone circle right in the town of Kenmare. Some of the sites on the Beara are a bit hard to find---try to have a good map showing them.
We went to Ireland 15 years ago but the following sites are classic and not to be missed; Blarney Castle, Cashel, Cliffs of Moher (near the Burren), Ring of Kerry, Glendalough (just south of Dublin). Some of the sites I mentioned are not "ancient" like Stonehenge but certainly very, very old and historic. Also Bunratty Folk Park was really neat and they have a castle banquet which is fun or go for the performance at Dirty Nelly's Pub also on the premises.
For the nature and history Glendaloch would be a very good choice. In addition to the ruins there are lots of good hiking trails around the lakes and up into the hills.
Even if you normally wouldn’t stay at a hostel you should stay at the one there. The rooms were clean and basic and like a college dorm but you should be able to get a private room with a bath. The great thing about it is that it is basically in the middle of the ruins and the park so you can get into the area early before the crowds and in the evening when the light is magical.
Greg
