Virtual Tour

Virtual Tour of Ireland

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*I found all of the pictures and info used here at: Microsoft� Encarta� Online Encyclopedia

� 1997-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
� 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

BlarneyStone:
According to legend, whoever kisses the Blarney Stone is gifted with eloquence and persuasiveness. The stone is in a castle near the town of Blarney in Ireland. Shown here is a man helping another to kiss the ancient rock slab.

Traditional Irish Farmhouse:
This house sits on the water in Inishmaan, one of the Aran Islands located off the western coast of Ireland. Known for the maintenance of their Gaelic traditions, the rugged fishing villages of the Aran Islands have remained, in many ways, unchanged over the centuries. Many inhabitants still speak Gaelic, adhere to their folk culture, and fish using the traditional methods of their ancestors.

Irish Tourist Board
Ireland's Northwestern Coast:
Some of the most dramatic scenery in Ireland is found on the country�s northwestern coast. The tiny harbor at Raghly Point is dwarfed, even at a distance, by the Dartry Mountains. The flat-topped limestone summit in the background is Ben Bulben, which soars more than 520 m (1,730 ft) above the coastal plain.

Corbis/Michael St. Maur Sheil

Wicklow Mountains:
The Wicklow Mountains in eastern Ireland are a popular destination for tourists. The mountains have smooth summits rounded by glaciation and consist mainly of granite.

Lough Leane:
In southwestern Ireland lie the three Lakes of Killarney. This popular resort area is close to the town of Killarney, in mountainous County Kerry. The largest of the lakes, Lough Leane, shown here, along with Muckross Lake and Upper Lake comprise part of the national park.

Leo de Wys, Inc./Steve Vidler

Moher Cliff's Western Ireland:
The spectacular sea cliffs of Moher on Ireland�s western coast rise to more than 200 m (600 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs provide habitat for many kinds of seabirds.

Robert Harding Picture Library/Gavin Hellier

Dublin, Ireland:
Dublin figures prominently in Irish history, having been under Danish and British control before suffering through some of the most brutal battles of the Irish rebellion and revolution in the early 20th century. The Liffey River flows through the city, now the capital of Ireland. The old section of the city is situated on the river�s southern bank and features the Four Courts building, center. The 18th-century building is the seat of Ireland�s high courts.

Photo Researchers, Inc./Paolo Koch

Cork, Ireland:
The city of Cork in southwestern Ireland is an important agricultural and industrial center. Cork has one of the finest natural harbors in Europe and is home to one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world, founded in 1720.

Leo de Wys, Inc./Adrian Baker

Irish Pub:
Many Irish people enjoy visiting local pubs (public houses), such as this one in the village of Dingle. Pubs can be found in nearly every Irish town and offer venues for socializing, food and drink, and local entertainment.

Corbis/Richard Cummins

Dolmen in Ireland:
Prehistoric chambers constructed from stone slabs, called dolmens, are numerous in Ireland. This view is of the Poulnabrone Dolmen in Ballyvaghan, western Ireland. Anthropologists believe dolmens were used as burial chambers.

Corbis/Michael St. Maur Sheil

Dublin Castle:
Dublin Castle, located in Dublin�s old section, was first built in the early 1200s, and then rebuilt later that century and in succeeding centuries. The castle housed the offices of the British viceroy of Ireland until 1922, when it was handed over to the newly formed Irish Free State. Today Dublin Castle is used for ceremonial functions, including the inauguration of the country�s president.

Irish Tourist Board

Event's in Irish History



	DATE EVENT 1171 England first invades Ireland under English king Henry II. 1607 Beginning of the Ulster Plantation under English king James I. 1800 Act of Union is passed, uniting Great Britain and Ireland as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. 1845-1850 Irish Famine causes Irish population to decrease by 2 million due to death and emigration. 1912 Irish Revolution against British rule begins. 1914 The Irish Home Rule Bill, which grants an independent parliament to Ireland, passes, though enactment is delayed until 1920. 1916 Easter Rebellion in Dublin, in which Irish nationalist forces take control of the city before being forced to surrender by British troops (April 24-April 29). 1919-1921 Irish War of Independence between Irish nationalists and British forces. 1920 Government of Ireland Act establishes six of the nine counties of Ulster as the province of Northern Ireland and grants independent parliaments to both Ireland and Northern Ireland. 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty is signed, which ends the Irish War of Independence and grants limited freedom to Ireland (December 6). 1922 The Irish Free State is established, ending the Irish Revolution (December 6). 1922-1923 Irish Civil War between the Free State government and Irish nationalists opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty. 1937 Eire (formerly Irish Free State) becomes an independent member of the British Commonwealth. 1949 The Republic of Ireland becomes an independent state, separate from the British Commonwealth. 1969-1972 Terrorist activity increases in Northern Ireland. 1971 Internment (imprisonment without trial) is introduced in Northern Ireland to combat terrorism. 1972 "Bloody Sunday" - British troops shoot and kill 13 unarmed protesters in Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland (January 30). 1972 "Bloody Friday" - IRA detonates a number of bombs in Belfast, killing nine civilians (July 21). 1972 The parliament of Northern Ireland is suspended and the British impose direct rule over the province. 1976 Two women from Belfast, Mairead Corrigan and Betty Williams, receive the Nobel Peace Prize for their work to reconcile religious communities in Northern Ireland. 1980-1981 IRA prisoners stage hunger strikes; ten die. 1993 Downing Street Declaration, which establishes a framework for peace negotiations, is issued by British and Irish prime ministers 1994 IRA calls unconditional cease-fire (August 31). 1996 IRA ends cease-fire by bombing London's Docklands district, injuring over 100 (February 9). 1996 Peace negotiations begin in Belfast (June 10). Sinn Fein (the political arm of the IRA) is barred from the negotiations, resulting in limited progress. 1997 IRA renews cease-fire (July 20); Sinn Fein joins peace negotiations (September 15). 1998 Historic Northern Ireland peace agreement reached (April 10). Accord is ratified by large majorities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (May 22). Ireland (Irish �ire), country in northwestern Europe occupying most of the island of Ireland, the second largest of the British Isles. The Republic of Ireland lies to the west of Great Britain, the largest island in the archipelago. It is separated from Great Britain to the east by the North Channel and the Irish Sea, and to the southeast by Saint George�s Channel. The western and southern shores of Ireland meet the North Atlantic Ocean. Ireland�s only land border is with Northern Ireland, a province of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to the northeast. The Irish Republic has an area of 70,273 sq km (27,133 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Dublin.