Ireland, July 2006 Galleries

Trip Overview : Ireland, July 2006

Trip Overview

Ireland, July 2006

Updated: Oct 22, 2006 1:48pm PST

Dublin : Dublin, Ireland, July 2006. Dublin is the capital of the Republic of Ireland, and is far and away its largest city, with about a third of the population of the whole country living in the greater Dublin area. It has its origins in Viking times, but the biggest influence on its current state was the long period of English rule, especially a building boom in Georgian times in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Dublin

Dublin, Ireland, July 2006. Dublin is the capital of the Republic o ...

Updated: Oct 19, 2006 3:39pm PST

Dun Laoghaire : Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, July 2006. Dun Laoghaire, pronounced "Dun Leary", is a seaside resort just South of Dublin on the Irish Sea, as well as the main ferry terminal from Great Britain. The town's name, and origin, is the Fort (Dun) of Laoghaire, a 5th century High King of Ireland.

Dun Laoghaire

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, July 2006. Dun Laoghaire, pronounced "Dun Lea ...

Updated: Oct 19, 2006 4:41pm PST

Wicklow Mountains : Wicklow Mountains, Ireland, July 2006. The Wicklow Mountains are just south of Dublin. We took the scenic route through the Sally Gap, which offers great views of the wild and surprisingly lonely countryside of moors and mountains.

Wicklow Mountains

Wicklow Mountains, Ireland, July 2006. The Wicklow Mountains are ju ...

Updated: Oct 19, 2006 5:06pm PST

Glendalough : Glendalough, Ireland, July 2006. Glendalough is an ancient monastic site at the "Glen of Two Lakes" in the Wicklow Mountains. The monastery was founded by the sixth century St. Kevin. It was a pilgrimage destination for over a thousand years.

Glendalough

Glendalough, Ireland, July 2006. Glendalough is an ancient monastic s ...

Updated: Oct 19, 2006 6:16pm PST

Kilkenny : Kilkenny, Ireland, July 2006. Kilkenny, on the River Nore, is known as one of Ireland's best-preserved medieval cities. It also houses the magnificent Castle, the main seat of the Butler family.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny, Ireland, July 2006. Kilkenny, on the River Nore, is known a ...

Updated: Oct 19, 2006 6:26pm PST

Cashel : Cashel, Ireland, July 2006. The Rock of Cashel is a religious site set impressively on a limestone hill rising above the plain of Tipperary. From the 4th century, the Rock was the seat of the Kings of Munster. In 1101 it was given to the church. The present buildings range from Cormac's Chapel begun in 1127 to the 13th century Cathedral. The town itself is a typical small Irish town, with plenty of pubs.

Cashel

Cashel, Ireland, July 2006. The Rock of Cashel is a religious site se ...

Updated: Oct 20, 2006 7:10pm PST

Clonmel : Clonmel, Ireland, July 2006. We stopped briefly in Clonmel, mainly because some of Chantal's family was known to have lived there back in the 19th century.

Clonmel

Clonmel, Ireland, July 2006. We stopped briefly in Clonmel, mainly be ...

Updated: Oct 20, 2006 7:39pm PST

Cahir : Cahir, Ireland, July 2006. Cahir (or Caher) is known for its Castle, which is one of the largest and best-preserved examples of its period in Ireland. Apparently its portcullis is one of the few remaining working examples in Ireland. Amazingly, it was in the hands of the Butler family with only brief interludes from 1375 to 1961, when the last Lord Cahir died. It was begun by Conor O'Brien in 1142.

Cahir

Cahir, Ireland, July 2006. Cahir (or Caher) is known for its Castle, ...

Updated: Oct 20, 2006 8:01pm PST

Muckross : Muckross House, Ireland, July 2006. Muckross House, in Killarney National House, was built for the Herbert family in 1839-43. It is known for its gardens, and interior decor from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Muckross

Muckross House, Ireland, July 2006. Muckross House, in Killarney Na ...

Updated: Oct 20, 2006 8:15pm PST

Dingle : Dingle, Ireland, July 2006. The Dingle Peninsula was one of the highlights of the trip. The westernmost part of Ireland, it sticks out into the Atlantic, with terrific scenery of cliffs falling into the ocean, ancient remains, and beautiful countryside. It was until recently quite poor, and saw much emigration to the United States, "the next parish". Dingle town itself is now quite the tourist destination, and is the center ofthe Gaeltacht or Gaelic-speaking area comprising the western part of the peninsula.

Dingle

Dingle, Ireland, July 2006. The Dingle Peninsula was one of the hig ...

Updated: Oct 21, 2006 8:52pm PST

Tralee : Tralee, Ireland, July 2006. Tralee marks another source of Chantal's family, and is now a gateway to the Dingle Pensinsula. We stayed one night in the Ballyseede Castle Hotel, and then our last couple nights in a bed-and-breakast on a farm in Blennerville, on the other side of Tralee, just to have the different experiences.

Tralee

Tralee, Ireland, July 2006. Tralee marks another source of Chantal' ...

Updated: Oct 22, 2006 1:18pm PST

Banna Strand : Banna Strand, Ireland, July 2006. On a lark I took the kids to Banna Strand, north of Tralee. We were bowled over by the gorgeous and immense beach! The stiff breeze kicked up the waved and provided some good boost for the kitesurfers. The water was warm enough for the kids and a few other brave souls to enjoy.

Banna Strand

Banna Strand, Ireland, July 2006. On a lark I took the kids to Banna ...

Updated: Oct 22, 2006 1:45pm PST