The Top 5 Historical Places in Ireland
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]From the invasion of the Vikings to the present day, the history of Ireland is an endless tribute to the stoic, unbreakable spirit of its citizens. Our little island’s past is rich, diverse and interesting, with a huge treasure trove of historical sites to visit and learn from. Below, we have listed the top 5 historical places in Ireland. These towns are steeped in centuries of history and culture, which makes them a major focal point for tourists to come and learn about Ireland’s diverse past. Read on and educate yourself on some of the key locations of Irish antiquity.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text el_class=”this-class-blogs”]Kinsale, Co. Cork Kinsale is a coastal town in the west of Ireland, in County Cork. The town has a significant past spanning hundreds of years, and has seen some of the bloodiest battles in Irish history. Parts of the Nine Years War (1594-1603) were fought here, between the ruling Irish Chieftains of the time (Hugh O’Neill being the most famous) and the Kingdom of England. The ultimate battle of this war was the infamous battle of Kinsale in 1601. The Spanish allies of Ireland accidentally landed in Kinsale instead of Ulster, and a bloody fight ensued, ending in victory for England. Another important historical event linked to Kinsale is the sinking of the Lusitania. On May 7th 1915 during the First World War, the RMS Lusitania was sank off the coast of Kinsale by German submarines. This event is the reason that the US decided to enter the war. Like the majority of interesting historical places in Ireland, Kinsale’s colourful past is preserved and displayed in the form of tours, museums and attractions throughout the town, such as Charles Fort, Don & Barry’s Historic Stroll Through Old Kinsale, James’s Fort and Kinsale Regional Museum. More info on Kinsale is available here. If you fancy having these historical destinations as part of your vacation in Ireland, please visit our homepage for details. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Derry/Londonderry City, Co. Derry The city of Derry/Londonderry has seen more than its fair share of conflict, making it one of the more interesting historical places in Ireland. Derry was a backdrop for many important historical events spanning from the 14th century Plantation of Ulster all the way up to the more recent Troubles, and anyone interested in Irish history will know something of Derry. Up until recent decades, Derry’s most well-known attribute was that of a conflict-zone. The 1689 Siege of Derry, the 1920s Irish War of Independence, World War II and the 1969 Battle of the Bogside all had their day in Derry. You can rest assured that this city will not be left out of the history books for many decades to come! Today, the atmosphere in the city is the polar opposite of what it once was known for; in 2013, Derry was named the UK’s 2013 City of Culture. Due to the extensiveness of its back-story, Derry has many historical monuments and attractions to admire. The City Walls, The Peace Bridge, The Museum of Free Derry and many other activities and sights dedicated to telling Derry’s tale. For more info on Derry/Londonderry, click here.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Wexford, Co. Wexford Wexford was founded by Viking settlers in 800 AD, with the first recorded raid on the town being documented in 819 AD. Since then the town has borne witness to many significant historical events. Besieged by the King of Leinster Dermot MacMurrough in 1169, the town was invaded by the Normans and its Viking-Irish inhabitants were forced to accept defeat. It was sacked and burned by Oliver Cromwell’s men in 1649, and eventually provided the backdrop for the 1798 Irish Rebellion. It’s not hard to see that Wexford’s past is steeped in bloodshed. But it wasn’t all guts and glory – Wexford enjoyed the status of a successful port town, up until the 20th century. It was also the motherland of John F. Kennedy’s paternal grandfather, putting it on a long list of historical places in Ireland that feature the ancestral home of a US President. Naturally, it comes as no surprise that Wexford town today has many historical attractions on offer to visitors, including the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience, The 1798 Rebellion Centre, The John F. Kennedy Arboretum and Vinegar Hill. For more info on Wexford town, click here.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Trim, Co. Meath Trim is a town in County Meath. A town known for its historical connections to both St. Patrick and the Normans, there is no shortage of stories to tell about Trim. At an early date, a monastery was founded in the town by St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This was left in the hands of St. Loman. The monastery suffered many arson attacks and subsequent rebuildings throughout the 12th and 13th centuries, before it was eventually dissolved by King Henry VIII during the Reformation. Trim went on to become one of the most important Hiberno-Norman settlements of the Middle Ages, and to this day the largest example of a Norman castle in Ireland stands there, making it a very important destination in terms of historical places in Ireland. King John’s Castle was built by Hugh de Lacy in the 12th century. Today, the Castle is open to the public for tours and in recent decades was used as a filming location for the film Braveheart. The Yellow Steeple of the monastery is one of the town’s biggest historical attractions and can be seen for miles around. The Trim Town Walls, a small section of the town’s original walls, also stands today. For more info on Trim, click here.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_column_text]Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary Soloheadbeg is a townland in County Tipperary. Though it may be the smallest town on our list of the top historical places in Ireland, the historical importance and relevance of Soloheadbeg is indisputable, as it was here that the first act of the Irish War of Independence took place. On January 21st 1919, the Soloheadbeg Ambush occurred. A shipment of explosives being
Touring Ireland: Our Six National Parks
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Touring Ireland: Our Six National Parks [/vc_column_text][focus_image_nd image=”9277″ link=”url:%23||”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text] Ireland is extremely well-known for its nature. Our nickname “The Emerald Isle” was given to us due to our limitless, rolling green landscapes, teeming with flora, fauna and bodies of water. Six National Parks have been set up across the island to preserve slices of the land and ensure the safety of countless different habitats unique to Ireland. These parks are all different to each other, with every park offering something totally unique for visitors to explore and learn about. Our National Parks are perfect for a day trip, so read on and start planning a day out while you’re touring Ireland![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][team_horizontal_nd color=”green” title=”Ballycroy National Park” image=”7520″ link=”url:%23||”][vc_column_text]Ballycroy is located in Northwest Mayo and is one of the largest natural expanses of peatland in Europe. It is roughly 45 square miles in size, containing a diverse mix of flora and fauna. It was established as a national park in 1998. The park contains an information centre as well as tea rooms for anyone visiting the park. When touring Ireland, if you’re looking to find a landscape that is the epitome of the West Coast, Ballycroy is the destination for you. The park contains countless breathtaking views of the western landscape, providing lots of brilliant photo opportunities for anyone lucky enough to be touring Ireland. For more details on Ballycroy National Park,click here.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][team_horizontal_nd color=”green” title=”Connemara National Park ” image=”7525″ link=”url:%23||”][vc_column_text]Located in west County Galway, Connemara National Park was established and opened in 1980. It contains roughly 30 square miles of mountains, grasslands, bogs, heaths and forestry. The park contains mountains (Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght) which are part of a local mountain range known as the Twelve Bens. 4000-year-old megalithic court-tombs also reside on the land. Fauna including the famous Connemara ponies and red deer roam the park. The grounds contain an information centre and tea rooms for visitors. Connemara is a picture-perfect destination for visitors, with the rich, rugged landscape providing a paradise for any adventurous spirits touring Ireland. For more details on Connemara National Park, click here[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][team_horizontal_nd color=”green” title=”The Burren National Park ” image=”7523″ link=”url:%23||”][vc_column_text]The Burren is a huge karst landscape situated in County Clare. It was created in the Ice Age, and the etymology behind its name is Irish for “Great Rock”. The Burren National Park is located in the south-eastern corner of the Burren and is approximately 1500 hectares (6 square miles) in size. The land was bought by the Government for nature conservation and public access. It contains examples of all the major habitats within the Burren, including limestone pavement, calcareous grassland and hazel scrub. The Burren contains many hidden gems, such as underground rivers and lakes, as well as caves and chambers, making it a fun, adventurous day out for people touring Ireland. It also contains some of the best examples of Europe’s Megalithic tombs. For more information on The Burren National Park, click here.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][team_horizontal_nd color=”green” title=”Glenveagh National Park” image=”7527″ link=”url:%23||”][vc_column_text]Glenveagh was established in 1984 and is Ireland’s second-largest national park. Located in County Donegal, it covers over 65 square miles of hillside within the heart of the Derryveagh mountains. Glenveagh is brilliant for anyone touring Ireland with an interest in wildlife, as the park is home to the largest herd of red deer in Ireland, and the formerly extinct golden eagle was reintroduced to the park in 2000. Other fauna such as hares, peregrine falcons, and foxes all thrive in Glenveagh. At the centre of the park resides Lough Veagh, the largest body of water in the park. A nature education centre, restaurant and tea rooms are all open to the public. For more information on Glenveagh National Park, click here.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][team_horizontal_nd color=”green” title=”Killarney National Park” image=”7529″ link=”url:%23||”][vc_column_text] Killarney National Park, situated in County Kerry, is Ireland’s first established national park. Opened in 1932, the park covers over 39 square miles of woodland, lakes, waterfalls and mountains. The park contains Ireland’s only native herd of red deer, and is a prime area for many rare species of fauna to thrive. The park provides sanctuary to oak and yew woodlands of international importance, and was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981. There are also many attractions on the grounds, including Muckross House, Knockreer Demesne and the Old Weir Bridge. There is an education centre for visitors located in Muckross House. Killarney Park is worth a visit when touring Ireland at any time of the year. For more information on Killarney National Park, click here [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”52px”][team_horizontal_nd color=”green” title=”Wicklow Mountains” image=”7530″ link=”url:%23||”][vc_column_text]The Wicklow Mountains form the largest continuous uphill area in Ireland. They were established as a National Park in 1991, covering approx. 79 square miles of land. Powerscourt Waterfall is situated in the park and is Ireland’s largest waterfall at 397 feet tall. Glendalough Valley, the park’s biggest tourist attraction, sees more visitors than any other part of the park. Glendalough features a collection of Early Medieval monastic structures associated with St Kevin, a hermit priest. The grounds are also home to an education centre and a sensory garden. Anyone visiting the park is in for a treat, as recreational activities available within the park include walking and hiking, rock climbing, limited swimming and fishing. For more information on Wicklow Mountains National Park, click here.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]