Mussenden Temple is a small circular building located on cliffs near Castlerock in County Derry, Northern Ireland. The temple was built in 1785 and forms part of the estate of Frederick Augustus Hervey, the 4th Earl of Bristol, Bishop of Derry. Built as a library and modeled from the Temple of Vesta in Italy, it is dedicated to the memory ... Read More »
Castle & Monuments
Drawings of Irish Castles: Blarney Castle, Ross Castle, The Rock of Cashel
A couple of weeks ago, I had the unexpected pleasure of receiving some drawings of Irish castles via Facebook. Stephanie Castor uploaded the pen and ink drawings you see below, of 3 of Ireland’s most famous castles: Blarney Castle, Ross Castle and the Rock of Cashel. Stephanie was very modest about her talent when I asked her about her artwork, ... Read More »
Carrigafoyle Castle, Co. Kerry – photos and facts
I’ve seen a lot of this castle on the internet in recent weeks. Most of that has been photos on Facebook that people have been sharing. I’ve never actually been to this castle in Co. Kerry, but I figured it’d be nice to compile a few photos, and some video, of it, and share it here with some facts about ... Read More »
Ardgillan Castle Co. Dublin – An Eighteenth Century Irish Country House
Ardgillan Castle is a distinctive country house, set in a 194-acre demesne near Balbriggan in Co. Dublin. The house was built by the Reverend Robert Taylor in 1738 and remained in the Taylor family until 1962. In 1982 the house became the property of the local authority of Fingal County Council and opened its doors to the public for the ... Read More »
If I Had To Pick My Top 5 Northern Ireland Tourist Destinations, I Would Choose…
My Top 5 Northern Ireland tourist destinations 1. I’m probably not alone here when I say at the top of my favorite Northern Ireland attractions is The Causeway Coastal Route, which takes in counties Antrim and Derry, and approximately 80 miles of the most spectacular coastal scenery you will find anywhere in the world. A tour through this part of ... Read More »
Trim Castle, Co. Meath – Photos And Facts
Trim Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhaile Atha Troim) can be found in the heritage town of Trim, County Meath, about 30 miles to the North East of Dublin City Center. Sitting on the banks of the River Boyne, the remains of Trim Castle are those of the largest Anglo-Norman Castle in Ireland. Guided tours of the castle are available. Click here ... Read More »
The Happy Accident: Stumbling Upon History in Southwest Ireland
Few things can produce a panic in me as getting a flat tire… in a rental car… in the middle of nowhere…in a foreign country. But sure enough, that was the predicament in which my husband and I found ourselves on our first trip to my Mother’s homeland of Ireland. Read More »
Kells Priory, County Kilkenny – photos and facts
“Kells Priory is one of the largest and most impressive medieval monuments in Ireland. The Augustine priory is situated alongside King’s River beside the village of Kells, about 15 km south of the medieval city of Kilkenny. The priory is a National Monument and is in the guardianship of the Office of Public Works. One of its most striking feature ... Read More »
Get Married In An Irish Castle, and The List Of Celebrities Who Have Gotten Married In An Irish Castle
So many people want to get married in an Irish castle – and who can blame them? You’re going to get beautiful scenery, amazing wedding day photos, probably some of the best catering on offer, and you’ll be saying “I Do” in a place of immense Irish historical importance. (image credit) The following is a list of people in the ... Read More »
Dublin Castle: At the very heart of Irish history
“Dublin Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhaile Átha Cliath) off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland. The Castle served ... Read More »