Because of wonderful nature, Ireland is often called “the Green land”. Rocky coastline, calm ocean with deep blue water, green valleys and hills – this is a short description of one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. The best way to start your exploration of the country is to visit its capital, Dublin.
The main education centre of the country, Trinity College, is worth closest attention. The age of the college is more than a thousand years. It is located in a beautiful building made in Victorian style. There is a library near the college, which keeps the symbol of Ireland – “the book of Celts”. This is an ancient manuscript of Christian culture and a priceless artefact.
The cities of Galway and Cork are popular tourist destinations. The latter is also the location of an annual jazz festival, so this city is well-known to all music connoisseurs. Galway is famous because of a completely different thing. The city is renowned because of the biggest National Aquarium in the country. The aquarium is home to several thousand species of marine animals.
Medieval castles remain the most precious architectural landmarks of Ireland. It is possible to see them in every part of the country. Blarney Castle is located on south of Ireland and is famous far beyond the borders of the country. There is an interesting legend connected with the castle. According to it, Saint Patrick (the first Christian preacher) got a magic stone as a gift. The stone is still kept in the castle, and every visitor must kiss the stone, this way expressing respect for culture and traditions of the country.
Bunratty is the youngest, but no less popular castle in Ireland. It was built just a couple of centuries ago, but was made in elegant style of early medieval. One of the castle’s halls is used for theatre performances. Various banquets and entertaining performances are also not rare in the castle. Castlerock is one more interesting historic place. Long time ago there was a castle on the rock. That castle was used for crowning ceremonies, most important meetings and events. In the beginning of the 17th century the castle was destroyed by a fire and now only ruins remind of the beautiful building.
The Ring of Kerry is a widely known natural landmark of Ireland. There is a beautiful coast on one side of the ring and spectacular mountains and crystal clean lakes on the other side. As there are several hotels on the coast, travellers are able to stay in this magnificent place a bit longer and enjoy the splendour of local nature.
Read further:
Cities and sights of Ireland
