Know Before You Go
Ten Things You Didn't Know About Ireland and the Irish:
Ten Things You Didn't Know About Ireland and the Irish,
1. St. Patrick wasn't Irish - but British! Historians agree that St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint, was born somewhere in Roman Britain, i.e. south of a line drawn from the Firth of Solway to the mouth of the Tyne, and excluding most of Wales. In his own "Confessia" (short autobiography), written in Latin circa 450 AD, Patrick states that he was taken captive at a small villa near his father's home of Bannavem Taburniae (its precise location is now unknown). Patrick was captured and taken to Ireland as a slave. After a few years he escaped to France and, eventually, was reunited with his family in Britain - but decided to return to Ireland and evangelise Christianity.
2. There are no snakes in Ireland. Legend has it that they were driven out by Saint Patrick! However, scientists are unsure as to the real reason why snakes are not found naturally in Ireland, as these reptiles are found almost everywhere on earth - in grasslands, deserts and even the oceans. They cannot, however, tolerate frozen conditions, which provides a clue. It is believed that snakes once lived here, but did not survive the most recent ice age, 15,000 years ago, when the entire island of Ireland was covered in ice. Since then, terrestrial snakes have been able to cross the sea from Britain or France to Ireland.
3. An Irishman designed the "Oscar" statuette - the prize famously handed out to Academy Award Winners. Cedric Gibbons was born in Dublin in 1823. He studied architecture and emigrated to the US, to eventually become the Art Director for the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His name appears on nearly 1,500 films produced by that studio during the 32 years (1924-56) that he worked there. During the silent and early sound era, Gibbons' set designs became the standard for the "A-movie" industry. Gibbons was the master of the glorious artifice that made MGM's films the slickest and most expensive-looking in the business. Not only did he design the Oscar, Gibbons received 12 of them during his long and illustrious career.
4. The modern submarine was invented by a man from County Clare named John Philip Holland. Born in 1841, Holland first became interested in undersea craft as early as the 1860s, and made miniature clockwork prototypes during his time as a music teacher in Dundalk. Holland systematically evolved a series of increasingly successful designs that by 1899 had reached the form that would determine the basic configuration of submarines worldwide for the next 50 years. He moved to America at the age of 32 and sold the US Navy its first submarine in 1900.
5. The creator of Dracula, Bram Stoker, was Irish. Bram (Abraham) Stoker was born November 8, 1847 in Dublin. His father was a civil servant and his mother was a charity worker and writer. Stoker was a sickly child and spent a lot of time in bed, where his mother read him horror stories. After graduating from Trinity College in 1867 he became a civil servant, also working as a freelance journalist and drama critic. Although best known for "Dracula", Stoker wrote eighteen books before he died in 1912.
6. The largest dog in the world is the Irish Wolfhound. The Irish Wolfhound has a long history on the island, and is mentioned in pre-Christian laws, when only kings and the nobility were allowed to own these giant hounds. These "gentle giants" can grow up to 7 feet tall! The dog has a rough, shaggy coat and bushy eyebrows. Along with its great size and commanding appearance, the Irish Wolfhound is strong and fast, and has keen sight.
7. The word Leprechaun is believed to have derived from the Irish (Gaelic) "leath bhrogan" meaning "shoemaker". Today, leprechaun characters are far more common in US popular culture than they are in Ireland, and references to leprechauns are frowned upon as patronising.
8. The Shannon, at 360 kilometres, is the longest river in either Britain or Ireland. Despite this, there is no commercial traffic on the Shannon and you don't need any form of licence to travel by boat. In 1994 the river Erne was once again linked to the Shannon after 120 years, and visitors can today travel freely through over 400 scenic kilometres on The Shannon-Erne waterway.
9. Lough Neagh in County Armagh is the largest freshwater body in either Britain or Ireland. Despite being shallow, the lake encompasses a total of 396 square kilometres - 29 kilometres long and 18 kilometres wide - making it larger than Scotland's Lough Ness. As far as we know, however, there are no monsters in Lough Neagh!
10. Ireland the best place in the world to live! According to researchers at the Economist magazine in November 2004, Ireland was named as having the highest "quality of life" in the world. The researchers took into account not just income, but other factors that affect social happiness such as health, freedom, unemployment, political stability, gender equality and family and community life..
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Annual Festivals & Events, We have put together a quick reference guide to some of the main recurring highlights on the Irish calendar - but there are many more events and festivals taking place throughout the country. You can get more information on what events are taking place in the area you intend to visit by contacting the tourist office in that area. Note that exact dates of annual festivals and events vary from year to year.
St. Patrick's Day (Nationwide): March 17th
St. Patrick's Day is Ireland's national holiday, held in honour of its patron saint, who is believed to have introduced Christianity to the island. Most of Ireland's towns hold street parades on St. Patrick's Day, and the occasion is usually colourful, with lots painted faces, funny green hats and bouncy shamrocks.
St. Patrick's Day Festival (Dublin): Week including March 17th
In Dublin, the St. Patrick's Festival is an even larger affair, usually lasting around four days, including March 17th and the weekend before or after it. Events and activities in the festival typically include live music, street theatre, fireworks and dance, treasure hunts, visual art exhibitions and the city's own St. Patrick's Day Parade, the largest in the country.
Cat Laughs Comedy Festival: Kilkenny, 1st Weekend in June
The Murphy's Cat Laughs Comedy Festival is held in Kilkenny, usually over the June Bank Holiday Weekend. The festival features the world's top stand-up comedians. Previous performers have included Emo Philips, Zach Galifianakis, Des Bishop, Maria Bamford, Phil Kay, Tommy Tiernan and Ardal O' Hanlon.
Galway Arts Festival & Race Festival: Mid July to Early August
The Galway Arts Festival is a vibrant and lively two-week celebration of the international arts scene, particularly the performing and visual arts. The festival is awash with live gigs, theatre performances, art exhibitions and fun street activities. Many visitors come for the equally lively nighttime scene, where the "craic" in the pubs is "mighty". The streets stay swollen for a further week (late July/early August) when what seems like the entire population of Ireland wades through the city streets between bouts of attendance at the weeklong horse racing meeting known simply as "The Galway Races".
Rose of Tralee Festival, Co. Kerry: Late August
The Rose of Tralee Festival is a much beloved festival that takes place around what can best by described as a "personality competition". Young women ("roses") of Irish birth or ancestry vie for selection for the coveted title of "Rose of Tralee".
Galway Oyster Festival: Late September
The Galway Oyster Festival is a unique event that celebrates the aphrodisiac qualities of this gourmet seafood - though amourous feelings or the stout used to wash the oysters down! The oyster festival delivers non-stop, world-class entertainment in a charming setting.
Dublin Theatre Festival: Late September/Early October
The Dublin Theatre Festival showcases the best of Irish and international theatre, with a lively Fringe Festival for smaller events. Renowned for over a century for the high quality of their players, Dublin's theatres feature the finest stage drama that theatre buffs will not want to miss.
Wexford Opera Festival: Mid-Late October
For over 50 years, this small Irish coastal town has made a huge splash in the international opera scene with its warm and wonderful productions of unique, rare opera.
Cork Jazz Festival: Late October
Held on the last weekend in October (a bank holiday weekend in Ireland), the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is by far the largest and most important event on the Irish jazz calendar. The Festival typically hosts over 1000 musicians, who range from many different countries around the world, and entertain visitors in over 75 popular city venues.
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Guinness Storehouse In St. James's Gate, home to the factory that makes Guinness, this excellent visitor centre tells the entertaining story of the 250-year history of most famous export. Don't forget to get your complimentary drink in the Gravity Bar, Ireland's highest pub, which offers 360-degree panoramic views of Dublin city.
Trinity College
Right in the heart of the city, Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth, and was, in the past, the educator of the Protestant elite of Irish society. Famous former students include Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett. Today the college is open to all. Trinity's beautiful grounds offer a peaceful oasis, away from the hustle-and-bustle and noisy traffic - a great place to take a sandwich break! No visit to the college would be complete without viewing the Book of Kells, the country's most beautiful and historical manuscript, which dates from the seventh century.
Dublina
Dublinia, on St. Michael's Hill, opposite Christ Church, has a relatively central location. This exhibition covers the Dublin's medieval history, from the arrival of the Anglo-Normans in 1170, though the Black Death, to the closure of the monasteries in the 1540's. Exhibits include a large-scale model of Dublin around 1500. Kilmiainham Gaol Kilmainham Gaol Europe's largest disused prison, and Ireland's most famous, is found in the west of the city, on Inchicore Road. Built in 1792, many famous Irish Republicans were held or executed here by the English. Today the building houses the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
Dublin Castle
Not far from Trinity College, Dublin Castle lies just north of the Liffey, in the centre of the city. Built in the early 13th century, the castle was the seat of English power in Ireland for over seven centuries, until it was taken by the Irish Free State in 1922. Archetectural highlights include the 13th-century Norman tower, and the State Apartments. Once the residence of English viceroys, the Apartments are now used for state ceremonial functions, including the inauguration of the Irish president.
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Places to Visit in Cork, Cork City European Capital of Culture [2005]
Beginning as a sixth century monastery settlement on the swampy mouth of the River Lee, Cork has gradually grown to become Ireland's second biggest city - which natives describe as the "real capital". With many winding streets and steep hills, the city has lots of character, with charming shops, stalls, pubs and parks. Many notable sites, such as St Finbarr's Cathedral, with its impressive French-Gothic architecture and Cork Public Museum in the pleasant Fitzgerald Park. Sculpture lovers should check out the Crawford Gallery in Emmett Place, which houses some Rodin bronzes, as well as a fine collection of paintings.
Blarney Castle Just a few miles from Cork City,
Blarney Castle is one of Ireland's oldest castles, and is arguably its most famous. The original structure dates back to the tenth century, though the castle was twice rebuilt - most recently in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster. Blarney Castle is best known for its "Stone of Eloquence," said to bestow the gift of eloquent speech on all those who kiss it.
Cobh
Cobh is a picturesque town situated on an island of the same name, on the southern tip of the country. Cobh has a strong maritime tradition, with an engaging history that has been laced with famous tragedies. The port was the departing point for millions of emigrants during the Irish potato famine; the Titanic stopped in Cobh as part of its doomed maiden voyage; and 170 victims of the Lusitania, torpedoed in 1915, are buried at a local cemetery. These tragic but engaging stories are recounted in the Cobh Heritage Centre. Today, the colourful village offers a wide choice of restaurants specialising in fresh seafood dishes, and a lively nightlife.
Fota Wildlife Park Established in 1983,
Fota Wildlife Park is widely recognised as one of the most modern wildlife parks in Europe, with more than 70 species of exotic wildlife cohabit in open space and natural surroundings. In the grassland (which measures 40 acres), giraffes, zebras, ostrich and antelope roam together in 40, much as they would in the African savannah, though all of the animals have adjusted to the Irish climate. They are joined by kangaroos, macaws and lemurs. The trees on the lake islands provide a wonderful habitat for the park's many monkeys. The cheetah is the only species that is restrained, and by a conventional fence. Many of the species at Fota are threatened with extinction in the wild. Among these are the Liontailed Macaque of the Indian forest; the Scimitar horned Oryx of North Africa; and the white-tailed sea eagle, once native to Ireland but gone from the wild here since the early 1900s. Fota Wildlife Park lies about 10km east from Cork city, on the Cobh road.
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Places to Visit in the West of Ireland:
Places to Visit in the West of Ireland, The West of Ireland is the region encompassed by the province of Connaught, although in tourist brochures the West specifically means the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. This remote area of the country contains much wild and beautiful countryside and scenery, although its land is not so fertile. Thus, the17th Century British invader Oliver Cromwell threatened the agriculture-dependent natives who resisted him to go either "to Hell or to Connaught", a phrase that lives on in the popular culture today. Many of the older elements of Irish culture - including the Irish language - still thrive in the west. Traditional music can be found in local pubs, for example, and community and cultural traditions remain strong. While prices throughout the island do not vary greatly, visitors may find that the West of Ireland is arguably the cheapest. visitors will also enjoy relaxed, scenic drives on quiet country roads.
Look out for the following areas of interest:
Galway City Ireland's third largest city, Galway is its bohemian capital, a magnet for artists, writers, musicians and journeymen. One of Europe's fastest-growing cities, Galway's population swells greatly during the summer months, when visitors flock to attend its Race Festival and Arts Festival. Indeed, visitors flock to Galway all year round, though it is not "touristy" as there is a vibrant local scene, helped by the large numbers of students attending the city's various third level colleges. Galway's crooked and colourful streets and laneways have retained a character that dates from the Middle Ages. Indeed, it has been observed that a map of Galway from the 1700s could still be used to get you round today! A short stroll from the small city centre is the Claddagh area which just out onto Galway Bay, and leads to the popular Salthill promenade.
Connemara In the words of the famous Anglo-Irish poet Oscar Wilde: "Connemara is a savage beauty." Many visitors come to Ireland simply to visit this savage beauty of this area, but are surprised to discover that they may not find it on a map. This is because Connemara (like the nearby Burren in County Clare) is a not an administrative entity like a town or county, but simply a region stretching from just west of Galway City, continuing North and South toward the Atlantic. Connemara is renowned for its barrenness and beauty. Connemara is a Gaeltacht - Irish-speaking - region. The state's only Irish television channel, TG4, is based here. The area includes a highland region of quartzite domes and cones and twelve mountain peaks, known as the Twelve Bens. North of these again, on the Galway-Mayo border, is the beautiful Killary fjord - the only natural fjord in Ireland (there are none, as it happens, in Britain). Other beautiful visitor attractions in the region include Kylemore Abbey near Letterfrack, the towns of Clifden and Spiddle (see below), the beautiful beaches of Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay near the equally picturesque village Roundstone, and the popular Aran Islands. Spiddal
Spiddal is a small village located around ten miles west of Galway City, on the cosat road. It overlooks Galway Bay, providing views of the Aran Islands. Spiddal has two fine beaches, one by the roadside and directly visible from the village, the other behind the pier, accessible via a narrow road west of the village. The latter is known as Tra na mBan, and is one of six Blue Flag (EU-approved) beaches in county Galway. Each year students from the rest of Ireland come to Spiddal's summer school, where they learn the Irish language directly from native speakers. Summer is also a busy time for tourism in the region, as visitors from all over the world come to sample the region's scenery, culture, music, traditions and craic. Spiddal is also home to many skilled artistans. Crafts practiced include Celtic jewellery making, bodhrán making, candle making, pottery, screen-printing, weaving and wood-turning.
Achill Island and Clare Island The largest island off the coast of Ireland, Achill Island in County Mayo is linked to the mainland by a swing-bridge and is easily accessed. The coastal route around the island, favoured by visitors, is known as Atlantic Drive, which comprises over 40 kilometres of fabulous scenery, and can be enjoyed by car. Achill is one of Ireland's beauty spots and boasts a total of five EU blue flag beaches. The island also offers stunning seascapes and landscapes that feature rugged sea-cliffs, mountains and beautiful open moorlands. Dolphins and porpoises are regular visitors to the shore. Achill is also home to Ireland's only lizard, which feeds on insects found on local bogs and sand dunes. Achill is rich in ancient history. There is evidence that the island was inhabited as far back as 5,000 years ago, as evidence by the island's megalithic tombs and promontory forts. Other historical relics include Kildamhnait Castle, used by the legendary pirate queen Granuaile (Grace O'Malley). Granuaile was born on the nearby smaller island, Clare Island, in 1530. Granuaile became a fearless leader and is reputed to have struck a deal with Queen Elizabeth 1 in 1593. She died circa 1603 and is buried in the O'Malley family tomb on Clare Island.
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Places to Visit in the Shannon area and the Southwest of Ireland:
Shannon area and the Southwest of Ireland, The Shannon region is well worth a visit. Located where the River Shannon - the longest river in the UK and Ireland - meets the Atlantic Ocean, Shannon airport is located in the southwest of the island, a region considered to be one of Ireland's many beauty spots. The following locations are just some of the highlights of this region.
Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare
Built in 1425, Bunratty (Bun Raite) Castle overlooks the River Shannon, and is the most well-known and complete mediaeval castle in Ireland. Originally a Viking settlement, the first wooden structure built here was surrounded by a moat, which was replaced by the Normans in the 13th century with first a wooden, then a stone building. The present castle is the fourth or fifth structure to occupy this location, which is also close to the River Ratty (which lends the castle its name).
The Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare
You may recognise the Cliffs of Moher when you see them: these spectacular, majestic sea cliffs are one of Ireland's most famous attractions, and feature in many of its promotional brochures, postcards and images of Ireland. Rising from the Atlantic Ocean to a height of almost 200 metres, the cliffs stretch along eight kilometres of coastline, from Hag's Head to O'Brien's Tower. Their name derives from an ancient promontory fort, Mothar, which stood in the region but has since been demolished.
Aillwee Cave
Aillwee Cave, near Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, is a karst limestone cave complex in the Burren region (see below)Once home to hibernating bears, which have been extinct in Ireland for over 1,000 years, the cave also boasts beautiful ancient caverns and under many spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations. Guided tours are available.
The Burren, Co. Clare
The Burren, a bleak but beautiful landscape of limestone rock, sparse soil and unique geology, flora and fauna, is an area of about 100 square miles in the northwest of county Clare. The Burren, which gets its name the Gaelic Boireann, meaning rocky place, is also home to many archaeological relics - including megalithic tombs, dolmens, burial chambers, raths (ring forts) and stone cashels. The Burren is paradise for any botanist, ecologist, or archaeologists - or for anyone fond of scenery and tranquillity.
The Hunt Museum,
Limerick City Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and there is much to do and see here. One of its main attractions is the Hunt Museum, Ireland's greatest private collection of art and antiquities. The museum houses over 2,000 original works of international acclaim, from the Stone Age to the 20th century. Artists featured include Pablo Picasso, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Roderic O'Conor, Jack B. Yeats, Robert Fagan and Henry Moorel. The collection of Irish archaeological material ranges from Neolithic flints and Bronze Age material, while artefacts from ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt are also on display.
The Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry
Once described by the National Geographic as "the most beautiful place on earth", the Dingle Peninsula is a place of intense allure, with green landscapes, rocky hills, long sandy beaches and majestic cliffs. The warm Gulf Stream reaches the peninsula, giving has a wonderful mixture of sometimes rare and unusual flora and fauna. The peninsula is one of Ireland's Gaeltacht areas, which means that Irish (Gaelic) is still spoken here. The Dingle Peninsula stretches from Tralee to Slea Head, Europe's closest land point to North America. You will need at least four hours to travel the peninsula's 30 mile road circuit, as you will undoubtedly want to stop off at many of its beauty spots.
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Places to Visit Northern/Border Regions:
Ireland's northern and border regions, provide some splendid scenery and are populated by some of the country's friendliest people. If you've hired a car and intend to travel in the border regions however, pay attention to these two important items: Speed measurements differ on either side of the border. In the Republic, speed limits are given in kilometres, while in the North of Ireland, the speed limits signs still use miles. In Ireland, speedometers on cars manufactured after February '05 tend to display kilometres in large figures, with miles shown in smaller figures inside them. The currency in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro, while in the North it is Sterling (UK money). However outlets near the border, including petrol stations, tend to accept both currencies for a small fee or mark-up on the exchange rate.
Donegal County
Donegal has a landscape, and a way of life, all of its own. Natives often joke that it is "neither north nor south", a quip that describes not only its geographical position but also its cultural separateness. The county's supreme appeal lies in its natural beauty; Donegal boasts an ever-undulating landscape that includes windswept peninsulas, the highest sea cliffs in Europe and twelve blue-flag beaches. Attractions of note include St. Columcille's Tory Island (off Donegal's northern coast); Glencolumcille - folk village and museum in the county's Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) region; Rossnowlagh and Portsallson beaches; and the Barnes Mor Mountain Gap (on the Letterkenny to Donegal route).
Marble Arch Caves
The Marble Arch Cave complex at Florencecourt, Co. Fermanagh are considered to be among the most visitor-friendly caves in Europe. Visitors can explore a fascinating underworld of rivers, waterfalls, stalagmites and stalactites, winding passages and lofty chambers. The water in this karst limestone area has gradually permeated the rock to create its various fissures, streams and caves. Guided Tours are available.
Yeats Country
Yeats Country is the general name given to the Sligo/Leitrim region, but particularly those areas that are known to have inspired the poet W.B. Yeats. Indeed, Yeats is buried at Drumcliffe Church, Co. Sligo, at the foot of the majestic Benbulben, one of one of Ireland's most distinctive mountain peaks. A few miles east, in Co. Leitrim, Glencar Waterfall is a beautiful and romantic waterfall. With a small drop of only about 50 feet, the pretty waterfall is mentioned in the famous Yeats poem "The Stolen Child." The waterfall is particularly impressive after a rainfall, and few others in Ireland are as scenic and enchanting. Other scenic attractions in the Sligo region mentioned by Yeats are Rosses Point, a charming blue-flag beach where faeries "foot it all the night", Hazelwood on Lough Gill with its silvery Half Moon Bay, and Knocknarae, a small mountain overlooking Sligo Bay, topped by a stone cairn that, legend has it, marks the grave of Celtic warrior Queen Maeve.
The Giant's Causeway While, admittedly, around an hour's drive north of the border,
The Giant's Causeway is still well worth a visit, as it is one of the island's best-known and most visually impressive attractions. Located on the coast in Co. Antrim, a few miles east of Portrush, the Causeway is a spectacular geological formation consisting of around 40,000 black, polygonal basalt columns that protrude from the sea. Leading outward from high cliffs, the tops of the columns form stepping stones that gradually disappear under the sea. Geological studies of the Giant's Causeway suggest that the rock formation was caused by volcanic activity during the Tertiary period, around 50-60 million years ago. Legend has it, however, that a mythical Irish giant threw the rocks into the sea to create a path to Scotland - hence the name. The Giant's Causeway is today a protected heritage site and Northern Ireland's top visitor attraction.
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Places to Visit in Ireland's Midland Region:
Places to Visit in Ireland's Midland Region, Often overlooked on tourist brochures, the Irish midlands is the location of some of the country's most heritage-rich attractions, with fine scenery and prices that are often cheaper than in Ireland's large cities. If you hire a car you can access the midlands from any part of the country but the attractions listed below are closest to Shannon, Galway and Dublin airports.
Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise in Co. Offaly is the site the oldest Christian church in Ireland. It is situated in the centre of the country, close to the Shannon and to the towns of Athlone, Co. Roscommon and Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Founded by St. Kieran in the sixth century, Clonmacnoise grew to be the country's best-known monastic centre and university town, at a time (during the Dark Ages), when Ireland was known as the "land of saints and scholars". The settlement gave refuge and provided learning to religious academics from throughout Europe. Clonmacnoise survived over 1,000 years of raids and invasions until English invaders destroyed it in 1552. Notable ruins include a cathedral (built 904), several churches, two round towers, three high Celtic crosses, over 200 inscribed stones (many of these are pre-Christian), and a castle (built 1214). Note that the site's interpretive centre gets very busy in the summer and visitors may experience delays.
Birr Castle Gardens and Science Centre
The Birr Castle Demense, a 120-acre 17th Century park in County Offaly, has been described as "one of the Seven Wonders of Ireland." Its natural delights include exotic tree and plant collections, rivers and a lake, wildflower meadows and the world's tallest box hedges. The castle itself was first built by the Normans in 1170, and rebuilt in 1620 by Sir Laurence Parsons, who built the core of the present castle. The building was since been reconstructed and enlarged, but remains within the Parsons family to this day. Birr Castle is also famous for its Great Telescope, designed and built in 1845 by William Parsons. For over 70 years, it was the largest telescope in the world and the observatory attracted leading astronomers of that time from America, Australia and Imperial Russia. Today the castle's stables are home to Ireland's Historic Science Centre, which exhibits astronomical instruments, cameras, photographs and photographic equipment relating to the observatory, as well as items relating to the pioneering work of other Irish scientists. Since 2003, the demesne has also been home to the National Birds of Prey Centre, where eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls can all be seen.
The Slieve Bloom Mountains
If you are searching for that remote and tranquil beauty for which Ireland is renowned, you will certainly find it in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Extending for almost 25km on the Laois/Offaly border, this central mountain region provides great panoramic views of the surrounding midlands, despite never rising above a height of 610 metres. Architecturally rich - with evidence of settlements from each of the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, as well both pagan and Christian monuments - the mountains are also the home of many forms of wildlife, floar and fauna. These include Silka Deer, wild goats, foxes, badgers and other animals. Slieve Bloom is one of the few remaining areas in Ireland where the Grouse - once common throughout the island - can be seen in the summer. Quiet, haunting but certainly beautiful, the region had become popular with walkers, who can follow mapped trails of varying levels of difficulty and distance.
Killykeen Forest Park
Killykeen Forest Park, Co. Cavan, is a beautiful, 600-acre mixed woodlands park, woven around the lake and islands of Lough Oughter, which in turn forms part of the Erne River system. The park boasts a number of walking/cycling trails, ranging in length from 1.5km to 2.8km. Animals that you may spot on this trails include the stoat, grey squirrel, badger, fox, hedgehog and rabbit. Various birds can also be seen, particularly on the lake. These include herons, coot, cormorant, great crested grebe, mallard, moorhen, tufted duck, wagtail, kingfisher, warblers and reed bunting. Killykeen lies four miles west of Cavan town on the Killeshandra Road (R199).
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Know Before You Go! Information for Ireland,
Useful Information for Visitors to Ireland., The island of Ireland, also known as Éire its official name in the Irish,Gaelic language is the third largest island in Europe Ireland lies in the Irish Sea, west of the island of Great Britain. The name Eire is not frequently used as English is the main spoken language within the island. However, Gaelic language is still taught to all pupils aged from 4 years through to the completion of their primary and secondary levels of education, at 18 years of age. The language is still spoken in some rural region of Ireland, particularly on the West coast. These areas are known as "Gaeltacht" areas.
There are 32 counties on the island, 26 of which are in the Republic of Ireland and 6 in Northern Ireland. Within the 32 counties there are four provinces — Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connaught. The total population of the island is circa. 5.6 million people, with 4 millon living in the Republic of Ireland and the remainder residing in Northern Ireland. Due to immigration and an increased birth rate in Ireland, this is the first time in over 130 years our population has exceeded 4 million.
Dublin City is Ireland's capital, with a population of over 1 million people. Ireland's second city, Cork lies to the South of the island with a population of 150,000. Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. The currency used in the Republic of Ireland is the Euro. Northern Ireland uses the English pound (Sterling). The topography of the island is coastal mountains surrounding low central plains. The highest peak is Carrauntuohill in Co. Kerry, which is 1041 m (3414 feet). The River Shannon is the longest river in Britain and Ireland. It flows for 113kms rising in County Cavan and entering the Atlantic at Limerick City, Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland is the largest of Ireland's many lakes. The island's lush vegetation, with "forty shades" of green, earns it the sobriquet of the "Emerald Isle." The green vegetation is a result of our mild climate. May-September are typically the hottest months in Ireland.
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