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Must See Places to Visit in the Emerald Isle

by Louise W. Rice
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Steeped in history, Ireland is a popular tourist attraction for many people around the world. It has quaint towns and beautiful scenery. It’s also renowned for its vibrant music scene. There’s something for everyone and every mood! Home to some locations that go as far back as the 6th century, Ireland is a place that will have you mesmerized.

Palace of the Boyne

Ireland is a perfect example of the past and present coexisting. County Meath is home to the Palace of the Boyne (Brú na Bóinne), which is older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. Dowth, Knowth, and Newgrange are three neolithic passage tombs there.
Newgrange was built to allow the sun to fill its chambers during the winter solstice. Although it’s not open to the public, anyone wanting to visit it can apply to enter a lottery via its visitor center or email.

Skellig Michael

Further, towards the southwest of Ireland, in County Kerry, is the most westerly sacred site in Europe, Skellig Michael. Located on a crag, which is like a rocky outcrop, is a monastic settlement that was built around the 6th century.
Its location marks the end of a line of ancient pilgrimage sites running from Ireland to Palestine. This is known as the end of the Apollo / St Michael axis. Facing the Atlantic, off the Iveragh peninsula of County Kerry, there are impressive views to take in from Skellig Michael.

The Old Library in the Trinity College Library, Dublin

the old library in the trinity college library dublin

This library is a treasure trove in different ways, but for all the right reasons. Antiquarians, bibliophiles, and historians, alike, will love this place! We reckon they’ll be extremely interested in looking at a manuscript edition of the New Testament, known as the Book of Kells, which was written around AD800. However, there’s even more for all book lovers. The Long Room, which was built in the 18th century houses 200,000 of the oldest books in it, from floor to ceiling. Talk about a reading haven!

The Emerald Isle

A lot of Ireland’s most beautiful sites are often surrounded by natural beauty and greenery, which is why it’s fondly known as the Emerald Isle. Even some of their good luck charms, like the four and three-leafed clovers, are green. Leprechauns, those mischievous creatures that are always close to pots of gold, even wear green clothing! Both clovers and leprechauns feature in many genres.

For instance, four-leaf clovers are a central symbol in the post-civil war fantasy fiction novel, The Four-Leaf Clover (Bolen). When the Mayor of Peace in Missouri proposes to his long-time crush, Mildred Gresham, he’s shocked when she accepts. Their tumultuous relationship has its ups and downs. We’re not going to spoil how it ends – you’ll need to read the book to find out! In the cult film series, Leprechaun, starring Warwick Davis, the leprechaun chases the humans that have stolen his pot of gold. They try their hardest to outsmart him, but never quite manage, or do they?

Then in games, there’s Limerick Lighting and Leprechaun’s Lucky Charms, they have Irish iconography woven into them. Both slot games have an Irish theme that’s popular with players around the world. Lighting truly can strike at any time in Limerick Lighting, much to the player’s benefit. In Leprechaun’s Lucky Charms, the Leprechaun can jump out and help a player, along with the many lucky charms they may encounter as they play.

Bottom Line

Ireland truly is a beautiful country that’s full of history. Its culture is one that’s achieved international respect and recognition. People are familiar with its folklore, especially when it comes to good luck. Many of these symbols are intertwined with life, whether it’s a four-leaf clover emblem or features in a game. These symbols have stood the test of time and have historical significance that has continued to grow as time progresses.

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