Armagh became a centre of learning when Saint Patrick chose it as the site for his main church around AD 445. It remains one of Ireland's most venerated cities. The city’s name derives from its Gaelic name – Ard Mhacha – which in turn comes from...
Of the 49 islands which constitute Orkney (not ‘the Orkneys’, or the ‘the Orkney Islands’), Hoy is the 2nd largest, after the island called Mainland. It is only 14 miles by 6, but even so you will have to walk a good 6 miles to...
Much of County Cavan is boggy and forested. The county is also scattered with a hundred lakes. It is a landscape within which only the most durable ancient monuments have survived. Centuries ago the region was even more water-ridden and wooded than it is today. That made the...
To the Northwest of the city of Cork is Blarney Castle. This is a 15th century castle. It is a fine stronghold built in 1446 by Cormac MacCarthy, King of Munster. There is also the famous Blarney Stone. To kiss the stone, you need to have a serious head...
Naas is the county town of Kildare. Its proximity to “the Curragh” and “Punchstown” (two famous horse racing courses) has made it a centre for horse racing. The seat of the “Kings of Leinster” once stood here on the site of the large North Mote. St Davids Church,...
The early Scottish castles, Norman in design consisted of a mound called a ‘motte’, was basically earth turned out of the moat (itself an essential feature) on which was erected a timber keep annexed in an enclosure called a bailey. The mound and ditch of Duffus...
Until 1830 this island was called Lamlash, which is now the name of the town on the Island of Arran which it faces. Before that it was Eilean Molaise, after St Mo Las, the 17th century Columban monk who lived here, supposedly until he reached...
Irelands best known beer is without doubt is GUINNESS It’s a smooth black beer with a creamy off-white head. It has its origins in the 18th century bittersweet beer known as Porter. Its distinctive colour and flavour are imparted by the addition of roasted barley. The Irish began brewing their...
Today the historic harbour of Kinsale is a yachting and fishing centre of great character. Originally it was a fishing town with a well sheltered harbour of strategic importance. Kinsale received its first royal charter from King Edward the third in 1333. At the Battle of Kinsale in...
Loch Moidart runs into the sea via two channels, north and south, and in the latter a rocky mound projects from a sand spit into the loch, becoming and island at high tide. It supports Castle Tioram, or Tirrim, (‘the dry castle’) but those who...