| ignature rolling green pastures of Ireland's | | | | is no question that Ireland's countryside is best |
| landscape is enough to resuscitate the weary | | | | enjoyed from one of the many castles or bed |
| traveler back to life with calming beauty and | | | | & breakfasts. When you travel to Ireland, a |
| refreshing hospitality. From strange stone | | | | visit should be paid to Leap Castle, but not an |
| formations to thousand-year-old churches, | | | | overnight one, as it has earned the fame of being |
| Ireland's countryside is a patchwork of some of | | | | the most haunted castle in Europe. Discover the |
| the most intriguing remnants of a unique but | | | | strange and gruesome 400-year history of this |
| turbulent history, not to mention the sprinkling of | | | | tormented mansion and its "Bloody Chapel." |
| jubilantly jolly pubs that will have you singing folk | | | | After leaving the haunted halls, soak in some |
| songs with a signature Irish dark ale in your hand | | | | classic Irish scenery to settle your stomach by |
| in no time. | | | | ascending the trails of Mount Brandon. Far below, |
| Most fascinating of Irish travel is the evidence of | | | | the longest stretch of sandy beach in Ireland |
| ancient Celtic civilization and their Viking invaders in | | | | comes in and out of view and high up in the |
| the form of stone circles, monoliths and mounds. | | | | mountains you will encounter steep cliffs that drop |
| Burial mounds, known as Court Cairns and Tumuli, | | | | down to a lake-filled valley. The surrounding Dingle |
| can be found all over the countryside. One such | | | | Peninsula is home to two picturesque seaside |
| ruin in the Silvermines Mountains has lost its | | | | villages nestled against the rising peaks overlooking |
| covering over time and the many stone | | | | Brandon Bay. Another coastal adventure not to |
| chambers inside are now visible. The most | | | | be missed is the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. |
| impressive stone circle is The Lios in Limerick, | | | | These dramatically plunging sea cliffs are heavily |
| which dates back to 2000 BCE and is given a | | | | visited and therefore best enjoyed in the evening |
| distinctly eerie feel by the area's abundant | | | | while the sun is setting on the water and the |
| overgrowth and crooked trees. The giant circle is | | | | waves of the Atlantic are crashing thunderously |
| 150 feet in diameter and attached to a long | | | | into the rocks below. |
| stone-lined path that leads to two other smaller | | | | Not All Enya |
| circles in the area. | | | | Ireland has long been pushing the envelope of |
| Location, Location, Location | | | | modern music and culture. An Irish vacation is not |
| Part of the magic of Ireland is that booking a 5 | | | | complete without experiencing Dublin's |
| star hotel can turn out to be the equivalent of | | | | revolutionary rock scene or residing in Galway to |
| residing in the King's quarters of a 300 year old | | | | find out what's new in jazz, literature and art |
| castle. The Ashford Castle in County Mayo is one | | | | during one of the many festivals held from |
| such place where guests may fine tune their | | | | February through August. Remember, this lovely |
| equestrian skills in the countryside, pick up a few | | | | Celtic island happens to be the home of U2, The |
| games of tennis or enjoy full spa services. There | | | | Cranberries and Van Morrison. |