"Ireland" Ireland by konejos

Newgrange is an ancient site older than the pyramids of Egypt.
It is a 110 meter diameter circular burial ground?
The winter solstice is the only day of the year when the suns rays penetrate through a slit above the entrance to the center of the interior chamber.

Glendalough

The history of Ireland is one of conquest. Round towers and Celtic crosses dot the landscape.
The Celts came in about 300 BC leaving many monuments.
St. Patrick came about 432 AD bringing the Christian religion.
The Scandinavian Vikings came in the ninth century.
The Normans came in about 1169 AD leaving many castles and other monuments.
Finally the British came at the time of Henyr VIII about (1534). But the real conquest was engineered by his daughter, Elizabeth who ruled from 1558-1603. The British did not want France or Spain to gain a foothold in Ireland, so it became a land of occupation by the British.
When the Irish Chieftains were defeated in Northern Ireland about 1600 and driven out, the way was set for the present conflict. Thousands of Scottish Presbyterians settled this north part of Ireland leading to the formation of the counties comprising Ulster today.

Rock of Cashel

Here St. Patrick came in 432. This was one of the better monuments I saw in my visit to both northern and southern Ireland.
Casjel is in the south of Ireland.
Ireland is like a bowl with mountains on the perimeter.
You can make a circular route from Dublin south and see Glendalough, Rock of Cashel, castles, Blarney Castle (get the gift of the gab), Norman castles, Celtic monuments, the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Penisula and up north to Giant's Causeway and into northern Ireland in about a week.
Highly recommended.

• Pros:Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, with 100's of shades of green.
• Cons:Rains a lot
• In a nutshell:Fantastic scenery, friendly people. I suggest a car to really see Ireland.