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Aran Islands
The next parish west of here is America - the Aran Islands are not only
geographically, but spiritually on the edge of Europe. Landscape and
life, stripped to their bare essentials, reveal an inner beauty and
serenity that seem far removed from the twenty-first century.
Kilmainham Gaol
Visit Kilmainham jail in Dublin and be stirred by its romantic
presentation of the Irish nationalist struggle for independence.
Rock of Cashel
Explore the rich clustering of medieval monuments on the celebrated Rock
of Cashel, which is the place where St Patrick picked a shamrock to
explain the doctrine of the Trinity. In early evening, a wander through
the lanes west of here to Hore Abbey presents superb views of the Rock
across the meadows.
Glendalough
The secluded monastic site of Glendalough can be easily reached from
Dublin. After a guided tour of the site itself you can wander on to the
spectacular Upper Lake, with its wooded cliffs and plunging waterfalls.
Ring of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry may be a busy tourist trail, but 50m off the main road
just about anywhere around the Ring brings you to wild open countryside
and fabulous seascapes, so get out of the car or off your bike and
explore.
Dingle Peninsula
On the remote and beautiful Dingle Peninsula, the Gaelic language is
still alive and well, and it's home to the greatest concentration of
monastic ruins in Ireland.
The Burren and Doolin
After a visit to County Clare's wonderful limestone plateau of the
Burren, make your way to the small village of Doolin, where you'll find
live music in the bars every night of the week.
Skellig Islands
Take a 24km round trip to the remote and dramatic Skellig Islands, off
the Kerry coast. Little Skellig is a bird sanctuary, but you can get off
at Skellig Michael and climb up the tiny steps in the cliff face to the
summit.
Northern Ireland
A positive legacy of the Troubles is that some of Ireland's most
beautiful parts in the north are hardly visited by tourists. Driving
along the North Antrim coast from Derry, stop to take in the
geologically spectacular Giants Causeway and the impressive ruin of
Dunluce Castle.
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