Kenny’s Well: Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
He goes by several names… Kenny, Cainnech, Canice, Canicus, Kenneth. The 6th century saint even lends his moniker to the … more
Conquer the Rock of Dunamase: Aghnahily, Co Laois
Climbing around the ruins at Dunamase feels a bit like discovering a lost city. Enormous chunks of ancient buildings emerge … more
Deserted Village: Achill Island, Co Mayo
Books mention Achill’s abandoned village, but I was surprised when I saw it. An extensive community lived on the site, … more
Giants Leap in the Cavan Burren: Blacklion, Co Cavan
With a limestone landscape similar to the Burren in County Clare, the Cavan Burren was planted with trees in the … more
The Hidden Staircase at Ardmayle Castle: Ardmayle, Co Tipperary
Located across the road from a church and cemetery, this square keep is interesting enough from the outside and the … more
Saint Patrick Atop Ireland’s Highest Motte: Granard, Co Longford
Known as Patrick’s Motte or the Granard Motte, this man-made hill was built in 1199 and overlooks the modern town. … more
Moyry Castle: Carrickbroad, Co Armagh
The square defensive tower house was built in 1601 to protect the Gap of Moyry and the Gap of the … more
World War II Beacon: Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh
Lough Erne served as Britain’s western-most flying boat station during World War II. Castle Archdale was set up as a … more
The Entrance to Hell: Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon
I never would have thought I’d find the entrance to hell in Roscommon… although historians and locals would probably prefer … more
Read the Ogham Stone: Aghadoe, Co Kerry
Distracted by the magnificent view of the lakes and mountains near Killarney, most visitors march passed the stone embedded into … more
Beehive Tomb: Reynella, Co Westmeath
It’s always good to be prepared, and for Adolphus Cooke, that meant building his father’s mausoleum in the shape of … more
Take the Tayto Tour: Trandragee, Co Armagh
For an American in Ireland, calling a french fry a chip can take some getting used to, but then we … more
Heywood Gardens: Ballinakill, Co Laois
The terraced gardens lead to a wonderful nature walk along the river on one side and a lime tree walk … more
The Origins of the Jack-O-Lantern: Museum of Country Life, Castlebar, Co Mayo
The tradition of carving pumpkins for Halloween started in Ireland… except they put their knives to turnips instead (in fact … more
Paddle with the Swans: Westport, Co Mayo
Garden paths and a noble estate contrast with a theme park and petting zoo to give Westport House a bit … more
Ancient Passage Tomb: Loughcrew, Co Meath
This passage tomb is older than Newgrange, and the tour inside provides a much more up-close and personal experience than … more
Highest Sea Cliffs in Europe: Achill Island, Co Mayo
Depending on how you define sea cliffs, Achill Island’s Croaghaun Mountain could hold the title of the highest in Europe. … more
Soak in a Seaweed Bath: Strandhill, Co Sligo
Healing seaweed baths were popular all along the Irish coast throughout the Victorian era. The tradition lives on in Strandhill … more
Airport Oasis: Shannon, Co Clare
The glass observation room on the third level of the main terminal at Shannon Airport provides a quiet getaway for … more
Celtic Plantarum: Dundrum, Co Tipperary
Sixty thousand plants of over two thousand varieties fill the eight acre Dundrum Celtic Plantarum. The gardens are part of … more
