Choose Ireland » Romantic Places

Lumford’s Glen

Brian — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:50:44 +0000

For those who enjoy spending time in the peaceful beauty of the untouched forest, County Tyrone has much to offer. One of its many such attractions can be found at Lumfords Glen, site of a woodland walk located near the village of Knockmany.
Some very old and beautiful oak and beech trees that stand out among the rest of the forest grace the summit of the glen.
As nature walkers travel further into the glen, they are greeted by the majesty of an isolated waterfall, which grows in power during exceptionally rainy periods of weather.
The area is featured in a Celtic Fairy Tale about the Giant’s Causeway, Finn Mc Cool and the giant Cucullin, who created Lumford’s Glen in an effort to unearth a spring of water.

Kinsale

lisa — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:48:30 +0000

Situated on the South West Coast of Cork, is the picturesque Harbour town of Kinsale. It is commonly known as the gourmet capital of Ireland, famous for it’s fresh fish and seafood. It has a wide variety of Restaurants to suit all taste buds, at least 30 pubs and an excellent selection of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Kinsale is also a popular place for activities such as golf, sea angling, yachting and Dolphin and Whale Watching trips. There are also a number of art galleries and craft shops scattered around the town. During the summer months Kinsale is host to a number of Regattas and Festivals. The town lies between the hills and the seafront, and is a maze of colourful buildings and narrow winding streets. The perfect place for exploring, it has barely changed in a 100 years.
A garrison town for over 300 years, the Battle of Kinsale was fought in 1601 and was a turning point in Irish History. The harbour is guarded by two fortresses built in the 17th century. A guided tour of Charles Fort is a must see, as are trips to Desmond Castle (now a wine Museum), the museum at the old Courthouse, St Multoise Church (which is still in use) and The Almshouses. The Lusitania was sunk off the Head of Kinsale in 1915, and a visit here is recommended for the outsanding cliff top views.

Tyrella Beach

Brian — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 09:14:27 +0000

This picturesque beach and dune area is operated by Down District with the goal of preserving its diverse natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations. The recreational area includes a wide sandy beach, backed by a vast area of natural dunes, and a visitor’s centre.

Salthill

Brian — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:33:40 +0000

This popular resort near Galway city features an old-fashioned seaside promenade, complete with a beautiful long, sandy beach along Galway Bay. The resort area still maintains traditional amusement arcades, a fairground for festivals, and cafes.
Salthill was the inspiration for the Bing Crosby song containing the famous lyrics, “to sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh, and see the sun go down on Galway Bay”.

Botanic Gardens, Belfast

Brian — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:38:46 +0000

Adjacent to Queen’s University, this oasis of greenery, first planned and laid out in 1827 provides a welcome respite for students and visitors alike, especially the garden area featuring flowers, trees, benches and walks that sits along the River Lagan.
In 1839, Charles Lanyon, popular architect of many Belfast landmarks, designed Palm House, a marvel composed of curvilinear glass and iron. The Ravine House, formerly called The Glen, contains a wide variety of plants, from the imported tropical to the indigenous Killarney fern. Visitors view the plant life from a charming balcony overlooking the glen.

Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall

Michael Heraghty — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 13:45:25 +0000

Powerscourt Estate and Gardens

Nestled in the Wicklow Mountains near the village of Enniskerry is perhaps the most beautiful garden in all of County Wicklow, at the Estate of Powerscourt.
The breathtaking mountain setting combines with a formal landscape to create a garden experience widely recognized as one of the finest in all of Europe. The design is inspired by Italian and Greek tradition, and incorporates unique antique sculpture, fountains, and ironwork — all amidst the beauty of the horticultural wonders growing there.
You’ll see ancient native trees as well as various ornamental varieties, brilliant beds of assorted summer flowers, elegant Japanese gardens, a grove of monkey puzzle trees, and even a pet cemetery. As an added bonus, the on-site garden center employs wise and friendly experts who can answer any of your gardening questions.
Steeped in centuries of history, the gardens were redesigned in Victorian style between 1743 and 1767 by Daniel Robertson. Legend says that he supervised the work as it progressed — from a wheelbarrow, as he sipped from a bottle of sherry!
The gardens are located on the grounds of the stately 18th century Powerscourt Manor House, which was damaged by fire in 1974, and is now partially rebuilt. The house currently contains a cafeteria with a spectacular scenic view, as well as a variety of souvenir and specialty shops.
Powerscourt Waterfall

The Powerscourt Waterfall is the highest in all of the British Isles, at 121m (398 ft). During the Romantic Era, it inspired many an artist and writer with its simple yet powerful beauty. Relax at the popular picnic ground, and let the children enjoy the playground and nature trail.
Getting There
Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall are situated about 20km south of Dublin, at the foot of the Wicklow mountains. The best way to get there is to take the DART train from Dublin City Centre to Bray, from where you can take a Number 185 bus directly.

Glendalough

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 16:45:16 +0000

Glendalough is a popular retreat for many Dublin-dwellers and, as soon as you get there, it’s easy to see why. In the heart of county Wicklow, and only about 45km from the stressful capital city, lies this beautiful green valley, with two shimmering glacial lakes nestled between lush, sloping mountains and noisy waterfalls.
Indeed, the name derives from the Irish (Gaelic) Gleann Dá Locha, meaning “valley of the two lakes.” The sheer beauty of the landscape here makes it easy to understand why Wicklow is often referred to as “the Garden of Ireland”.
Like so many Irish havens, Glendalough is rich in heritage, having been founded as a monastic settlement by St. Kevin, around 700AD. The community went on to become a European monastic capital in the Middle Ages, when Ireland was known as the “Land of Saints and Scholars”.
Many buildings dating from this era add both beauty and magic to the site. Famous among these is a 34-metre high round tower, probably built in the 11th century. The tower’s girth is also impressive, and it has been exceptionally well preserved, in contrast with similar structures throughout the country.
The remains of a cashel (small castle), a cathedral, several stone churches, and many celtic crosses and other embellished grave markings can also be seen.
The area’s geographical isolation, amid the sparsely-populated Wicklow mountains, perhaps explains why the round tower was never sacked during the waves of invasions and wars suffered by the Irish from the Middle Ages onwards. Indeed, this isolation is also why St. Kevin founded his hermitage here, as he reputedly came from the more prosperous farmlands of Kildare, but desired a home of prayerful solitude.
The sense of “getting away from it all” is retained in Glendalough today; the area is popular with pilgrims and walkers, and there are many well-marked walking routes of varying lengths around the upper and lower lakes.
While Glendalough attracts around half a million visitors a year, it rarely feels crowded or touristy. As with most Irish heritage sites, the local authorities have built an attractive Visitor Centre in the area, but the best way to experience Glendalough is to walk around and take in the air. Be sure to look out for the cave where St. Kevin himself is said to have lived, overlooking the upper lake, and known today as “St. Kevin’s Bed.”

Glencar Waterfall and Lake

Michael Heraghty — Fri, 15 Oct 2004 11:51:18 +0000

The romantic Glencar Waterfall lies about 8 miles north of Sligo town, and about 5 miles south of Manorhamilton. With a drop of about 50 feet, it is a small but beautiful waterfall, and was mentioned by W. B. Yeats in his famous poem “The Stolen Child.”
The waterfall is particularly impressive after a rainfall. While there are many more waterfalls that can be seen from the road in the northwest region, none are as scenic and enchanting as this one.
The nearby Glencar Lake is a beautiful, serene and silvery lough.

Dingle Peninisula

Michael Heraghty — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 14:18:43 +0000

The Dingle Peninsula protrudes 10 miles wide from the southeast of the island of Ireland. It runs 40 miles from Tralee to Slea Head, the point in Europe that is closest to North America.
Its highest peak is Mount Brandon, which, at 3,300 feet, is the country’s second tallest mountain. You are advised to give yourself about four hours to travel the 30-mile road circuit of the peninsula by car, as you will want to stop off at many of its beauty spots.
Once described by the National Geographic Traveler as “the most beautiful place on earth”, the Dingle Peninsula is a place of intense allure, with a plethora of green landscapes, rocky hills, long sandy beaches and staggering cliff edges. The warm Gulf Stream reaches the peninsula, giving has a wonderful mixture of sometimes rare and unusual flora and fauna.
Dingle is one of Ireland’s Government-protected Irish (Gaelic)-speaking areas, called “Gaeltachts”. Dingle’s Irish name is Daingean Uí Chúis which, to fit on signposts, is generally abbreviated to An Daingean.
Many of the towns and villages in the region have Irish names too and, as many maps use the anglicised versions of these names, visitors are advised to purchase maps that give both the Irish and English versions of all placenames.
The area is also very popular with cyclists. Some of the most noteworthy stops on the Peninsula tour include the village of Inch, which has a glorious beach, the now uninhabited Blasket Islands, and the Gaelic-speaking Ballydavid and Ballyferriter.
The region is littered with with relics from both the Stone Age and Bronze Age and, more recently, the Ecclesiastical period, when Ireland was known as the “land of Saints and Scholars”, due to its high number of monasteries and religious schools.
The Dingle Peninsula is also associated with the film industry. Ryan’s Daughter was filmed here, as were parts of Far and Away, which starred Tom Cruise.

Marble Arch Caves

Michael Heraghty — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 12:27:41 +0000

First explored by E.A. Martel in 1895, the Marble Arch Cave complex at Florencecourt Co. Fermanagh are situated in a National Nature Reserve, and are considered to be among the best visitor-friendly caves in Europe.
Visitors can explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, stalagmites and stalactites, winding passages and lofty chambers.
The “wet entrance” to the cave, taken by those on guided tours, is via the subterranean Claddagh River, into the Grand Gallery, where the cave is explored on foot. While this narrow part of the cave was inaccessible to Martel, an artificial tunnel now connects it to the New Chamber, and to the rest of the cave complex, which leads out onto the Owenbrean river, via which the visitor exits.
The water in this karst limestone area is regulated by the vegetation, and permeated the rock over time to create its various fissures, streams and caves. The Cuilcagh Mountain above the caves was originally covered with blanket peatland bogs, but in the last century commercial peat cutting, sheep over-grazing, and uncontrolled burning of vegetation have destroyed huge areas of this natural water reservoir.
To counteract this environmental damage, and to keep excessive water out of the caves, the Fermanagh District Council created the Cuilagh Moutain Park, were peat cutting was banned and 1200 small dams were created to build up the water levels in the bog.
The Cuilcagh Mountain Park was set up by the Fermanagh District Council in 1998. Peat cutting was stopped and more than 1200 small dams were put into the drains to build up the water levels in the bog, while a weir upstream of the Marble Arch caves also holds water back.