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| Unusual -- unique to Ireland things to do - coastal island explorations - special Wild Ireland Places - antiquities/megalithic monuments - shore/stream fishing - sea kayaking - horseback riding | |
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 Ireland's
Islands : The Aran islands are so popular but why not try visiting
an offshore island that's off the beaten path? Dursey, Cape Clear, (most
southernly point in  Ireland),
Sherkin, Inisbofin, the Rosses, Gweedore, Connemarra, Clew Bay, and
on and on. We urge you to visit one on your next trip to Ireland.
above left: Dursey boatsmiddle: Cape Clear cottage at left: sunset at Arranmore |
 Antiquities/Megaliths
of Ireland ::
dolmens |
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A dolmen is a prehistoric megalith, also called
a "portal tomb", requiring two upight stones and a capstone.
Poulnabrone, at left, (meaning "the
hole of the sorrows") stands out, because of its location in the
Burren, an area in Co. Clare of washed out limestone, void of much vegetation.
Poulnabrone dates to 2500 B.C; uncremated remains were found in its
tomb. Other dolmens of note in Ireland are The Dolmen of the Four Maols in Co. Mayo; Gleninsheen, just south of Ballyvaughn in Clare (also in the Burren); and Kilclooney in Donegal near Ardara. Interesting to note that dolmens' openings always face east. |
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| Antiquities/Megaliths
of Ireland ::
stone circles |
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| And
you probably thought stone circles only existed in Britain
at Stonehenge. |
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| Antiquities/Megaliths
of Ireland
>>>> ring forts |
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 Antiquities/Megaliths
of Ireland ::
ring forts |
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Why not visit Dr Bob's h o d g e p o d g e page ?? Why not browse
pictures of friends and relatives of O'Neill Web Studio ?? |
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Carrick-a-Rede
rope bridge (Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland) -
I am still not convinced that this bridge is necessary, but alas,
tis' a thrill of a lifetime. It's a long drop if the rope structure
fails.
Giant's
Causeway (Co. Antrim coast, No. Ireland) perfect
columns of hexagonal rock ! Besides being an unusual geological sight,
the waves crash on the rock violently, making for a highly charged
atmosphere. 
Dursey
Island cablecar (Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork) -- ride
with the sheep, mail, or the 9 residents on a some what harrowing
trip to remote, stunning Dursey Island.
Drombeg
lies in Co. Cork, near Glandore, which is not far from Skibbereen.
You travel down a dirt road about 1/3 mile off the highway --- the
scenery beyond the circle is Cork farmland and the sea >> 
To
the left of the north-east entrance is a portal stone 7 ft high; its
opposite is the 6ft 10in long recumbent. The midpoint of this
stone was set in line with the winter soltice sunset viewed in a conspicuous
notch in the distant hills.
Grianan
of Aileach (interior image at left) is one of the finest
examples of a stone ring fort in Ireland. Grianan
was most likely built in the early centuries of the Christians, but
was deemed the Sun Palace, as the bank and ditch surrounding the fort
suggest the early Iron Age. 
