| Killarney
makes a good base for exploring Cork and Kerry, this region
has dramatic scenery, majestic mountains, charming towns
and many places of interest.
There is a wide variety of things to
see and do and is suitable for all age groups.
Most
of us have heard of the Blarney Stone which is an oblong
block of limestone located high among the 15th century battlements
of a tower house. If you want to kiss the Blarney stone you
have to climb about 120 steps, lie down and lean backwards
over a sheer drop, it is safe I am told if rather undignified!
In the village are many gift and craft
centers that are well worth visiting.
You
may want to make the Tour of the Ring of Kerry you will need
to allow a day to see its mountains, coastal scenery,
fishing villages, lakes and towns. It is a most delightful
way to enjoy the Emerald Isle.
The West of Ireland with windswept mountains, peat bogs, magnificent
cliff scenery and rich in prehistoric sites is well worth a
visit.
The market town of Foxford is known for its woven rugs and
tweeds. Foxford Woollen Mills was founded in 1892 by an Irish
nun, nowadays it supplies many top fashion houses visitors
can see crafts people at work here.
Knock was a small bog village when in 1897 two local women
saw a vision of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John on
the gable end of the parish church. It was witnessed by 13
more onlookers before it gently faded away. Every year a million
and a half people make the pilgrimage here to the shrine. Pope
John Paul 11 visited here in 1979 and Mother Teresa on 1993.
One of Irelands and
indeed Europe’s most important archaeology
sites is at Newgrange, it is a spectacular passage-grave covered
by a vast mound the front of which is faced with white stone,
over the years the passage-grave had collapsed but was reconstructed
in the 1960’s the mound measures nearly a 100 metres
across.
You can take a guided tour into the inner
stone chamber of the tomb tourism at the site is carefully
managed to try and
minimize corrosion. |
