 Ireland's long and troubled past make it a good choice for history buffs. Its history
is far more complex than might first appear - as such, it's the type of place where a bit of local knowledge can go a
long way. Walking tours offer an ideal way of getting to know that history - and in doing so,
provide a great way to see Ireland's towns and cities. Just make sure you're well prepared for any sudden changes in weather! Indoors, there are plenty of museums that deal with Ireland’s past and its long history of nationalism, as
well as castles, ruins and settlements that date to Viking and Norman times.
Dublin
Dublin is probably the best
place to start. Graduate history students of Trinity College Dublin lead the Historical Walking Tours of Dublin (www.historicalinsights.ie) - so these guys really know their stuff. The tours explore the main features of
Irish history: Dublin's development, the influence of the American and French Revolutions, the Potato Famine from 1845-49,
the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence, and the partition of the country, concluding with the Northern Ireland peace process and Ireland today. Along the way, they call into Trinity College, Old Parliament House, Temple Bar, City Hall, Dublin Castle, Wood Quay, Christ Church Cathedral and the Four Courts.
Trinity College Dublin is best known for the Book of Kells - less famous, but no less extraordinary, is the Long Room, the room in which the book is held. (Apparently,
it was the inspiration behind a room called the Jedi Archives in the Star Wars movie, "Episode II: Attack of the Clones.")
Because there is so much history to this prestigious college - as you might expect for an institution founded by England's Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 - a guided tour here is a great experience. Every building seems to have a fascinating story behind
it. Perhaps some of the guides studied theater at Trinity: they always seem to add a little dramatic flair to their tours.
Kilmainham Gaol is where one of the most significant events in Irish history took place: the execution of the leaders of the
1916 Easter Rising. This turned the tide of Irish history, creating a wave of public sympathy for Irish nationalists, which
eventually resulted in Ireland (with the exception of six counties in Northern Ireland) achieving its independence. Kilmainham Gaol, a 15-minute bus ride from the city center, tells the story of Irish nationalism. In addition to the leaders
of the 1916 Easter Rising, many other Irish nationalist leaders were imprisoned there over the years, as far back as 1796,
when it was built.
Galway Galway
is arguably Ireland’s cultural capital. While there, consider Galway Tours (www.galwaytours.ie), which will show you the history of this fantastic little medieval city. (Although it calls itself a city, it feels more
like a town - most things you will want to see are well withing walking distance.) Places visited include Eyre Square,
which is very much the heart and soul of the city, the Town Walls, which date back to 1270; Lynch's Castle, one of the oldest buildings in Ireland still used for commercial purposes; and the Spanish Arch, whose name comes from a
time when Galway had a trading relationship with Spain. The tour also calls in to some of Galway's most famous landmark pubs such as The Kings Head, De Burgos and O'Connell's.
Cork It would
be a mistake to overlook Cork, the second largest city in the Irish Republic, in favor of Dublin. The city's inhabitants are a very proud bunch - you'll
see them wearing red "People's Republic of Cork" T-shirts. And after a quick visit to the city, you'll see why they have much to be proud of. The city's center
is quite small, and so a lot of ground can be covered on foot. To get to see the city and to learn more about it, try Cork
Historic Walking Tours (www.walkcork.ie). It offers three main tours. The Grand Tour gives a brief history of the city from its foundation to the present
day.The Monks, Vikings and Normans Tour explores the city's foundation to the rise and fall of the medieval city, from 606 A.D to 1690. And finally, there's
the Modern City Tour, which traces Cork's development from its medieval core.
Belfast Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, has thankfully been transformed in recent years, and has become a popular tourist destination. There are still plenty
of reminders of “The Troubles” (the name given to Northern Ireland's conflict). In addition, there are tours
to areas which feature murals depicting republican and loyalist prisoners. Perhaps not for everyone - but some tourists will
find the murals fascinating. Be advised, however, that the version of history you get may well depend on the background of
the person giving you the tour.
Belfast Historic Walking Tours (see www.gotobelfast.com ) will help you explore the city's architectural gems and learn about its humble origins. Start at the magnificent City
Hall, a symbol of Belfast’s Victorian greatness, and continue down Donegall Place to Castle Lane. A walk along the River Lagan to Belfast’s leaning tower, the Albert Clock (built in 1867), are also taken in. There is another tour in Belfast called Blackstaff Way which will take you along
many interesting streets, including the famous Great Victoria Street. You will also see the oldest bridge in Belfast, find
out about the ‘Black Man’ and the Mystery Stone from Belfast Castle of 1708. Finally, if you'd like to combine drinking with learning, there is also a Historical Pub Tour of Belfast
(www.belfastpubtours.com), which takes you on a tour of pubs that have long been part of Belfast’s social and cultural
life. The Crown Liquor Saloon (built in 1849) is one of Belfast's best-known and best-loved pubs. It features exquisite
tiling, glasswork and ornamental woodwork that transport the drinker back to a bygone era. White’s Tavern, The Morning
Star, McHugh’s, Bittles and Kellys’ Cellars are also stops on the tour, and are crammed with colorful characters
and stories.
 Irish Herbed Drop Scones:
Scones: These are perfect with soup or dinner and will whet your appetite without ending it. Irish Herbed Drop Scones: Serves: 8 3/4-cup all-purpose flour 1-teaspoon salt 1-teaspoon baking
powder 2 tablespoons milk 2 eggs 1/4
cup melted butter 1 tablespoon chopped mixed fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, and rosemary 4 tablespoons safflower oil Method Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Blend in milk, eggs,
butter, and herbs. Pass this batter through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl. Refrigerate,
covered with plastic wrap, I0 minutes. Heat the safflower oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Pour
a tablespoon of batter onto the pan. Cook on both sides, about 30-40 seconds per side or golden brown.
Enjoy!
| Famine Memorial Dublin, Ireland |
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From Irishcentral.com:
1. Technically, it is an offense to be drunk in public in Ireland Technically, it is an offense to be drunk in public in Ireland. Regulations introduced last year allow the police to issue on-the-spot fines for anyone caught being drunk in a public place
in Ireland. 2. An Irishman founded the Argentinean Navy
Irishman
William Brown (known in Spanish as “Guillermo Brown”) is one of Argentina’s national heroes. He is commonly known as the “father of the Argentine navy” and was an important leader
in the Argentinean struggle for independence from Spain. Brown’s family left Foxford in Co. Mayo for Philadelphia in 1786 when he was aged 9 and his father died of yellow fever soon after they arrived in the U.S. He led an adventurous early life: he fought in the Napoleonic wars, was taken prisoner-of-war, escaped to Germany, before somehow ending up in Uruguay, where he became a sea trader. He then founded the Argentinean navy, when it was at war with Spain. Today there is a statute of Brown in his hometown of Foxford, Co. Mayo, which was unveiled in 2007, the 150th anniversary of his death. in Argentina, there are 1,200 streets, 500 statues, two towns, one city and a few football clubs named after him.
3.
Only two members of U2 were born in Ireland
David Howell Evans, more commonly known as The Edge, was born in London, to Welsh parents. Garvin and Gwenda Evans moved to Malahide in Dublin when The Edge was aged 1. Adam Clayton, U2's bassist, was born in Oxfordshire, England. His family moved to Malahide in Dublin when he was 5, and he soon became friends with The Edge. Only Bono and Larry Mullen Jr. were actually born in Ireland.
4. The British Embassy in Tehran is on a street named after an Irishman
In 1981, shortly after the death of
IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands, the Iranian government changed the name of the street where the British Embassy is located from "Churchill Boulevard" (after the British Prime Minister) to "Bobby Sands Street." British Embassy Staff were then forced to route everything through a side door in the building to avoid
showing their address as The British Embassy, Bobby Sands Street, Tehran.
5. Up until around the early 1990s, Ireland had a low per capita consumption
of alcohol
When the word "Irish" comes up, "drinking" is
never far behind. And today, Ireland alcohol's consumption is very high by international standards. A 2006 survey found
that the Irish spend a higher proportion of their income on alcohol than anyone else in Europe. It also found that the Irish were the worst binge drinkers in Europe. So the recent evidence supports the old Irish drunkard stereotype. But Ireland's alcohol consumption per population
was moderate for much of the 20th century. There was a high level of alcohol abstinence in the country – something usually
more associated with Protestantism – which was promoted by the Catholic Church. As the Church's moral authority
declined, however, and as the country became wealthier, the Irish started to drink a lot more - finally earning themselves
that old heavy-drinking stereotype.
6. A Belfast hospital is a world leader in kneecap reconstruction
During the Troubles,
the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast had one of the top trauma units in Europe. At one point as many as 100 victims of "limb executions" were being
treated by the hospital every year, whose advances included external “limb scaffolding" that enables partial healing
for bone damage too severe for reconstruction.
7. Ireland
has the fourth largest stadium in Europe
Dublin's Croke Park, the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association, is the fourth largest stadium in Europe. The 82,300-capacity stadium was redeveloped in 2005 and is now the fourth largest:
only Camp Nou in Barcelona, Wembley in England, and Olimpiysky in the Ukraine, are bigger. Rugby and soccer were banned from the stadium up until 2007 because of a long-standing rule banning “foreign”
games. The rule was relaxed when the country’s main soccer and rugby stadium, Lansdowne Road, was closed for redevelopment.
8. In the summer of 2007, it rained in Ireland
for 40 days straight
Even by Irish standards, 2007 was a wet summer. By August
24, it had rained in Ireland for 40 days - fulfilling an old Irish proverb that says it will rain for 40 days if it rains
on St. Swithin's day (July 15). The rain usually takes a break in the summer for a couple of weeks and the rare sunshine
sends the country pure mad!
9. Playboy was banned in Ireland
until 1995
In 1995 you could get Playboy TV but you couldn't get the magazine, which was banned under the censorship laws.
10. More Guinness is sold in Nigeria than in Ireland
That's right: Ireland is the third largest market for
Guinness. Nigeria is at second, and Britain is first.
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