Monthly Archives: May 2018

Thought of in the 1930s and 40s, development started in 1974 and opened in 1980, it was the first long-distance route to be officially designated in Scotland. It runs 153.2kms (95.5 miles) from the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William. … Continue reading →

WEST & SOUTH DUBLIN National Museum. The first paper was invented in China in about 105 AD and the first printing was Chinese woodblock prints made in the 8th century. It was not until Gutenberg invented the first printing press … Continue reading →

by Steven Brill May 17, 2018 Time Magazine Lately, most Americans, regardless of their political leanings, have been asking themselves some version of the same question: How did we get here? How did the world’s greatest democracy and economy become … Continue reading →

ROYAL SITES of IRELAND Tentative World Heritage Sites (2010), represent the locations of the early kings of Ireland prior to about 1200. 1. Cashel in Tipperary. 2. Dun Ailinne 3. Hill of Uisneach in Westmeath 4. Rathcrogan Complex in Roscommon. … Continue reading →

CORK COUNTY By far Ireland’s largest county, most visitors ignore its massive hinterland of dairy farms, dotted with low mountains and evergreen plantations. The 170km coast with its wide diversity is the main draw. The ports of Cobh, Youghal, and … Continue reading →

CLARE COUNTY THE BURREN The Burren’s name derives from the Irish word boireann, meaning “stony place” – an apt description of this desolate plateau occupying Clare County’s northwest. Its northern and western edge hugs the coast road from Ballyvaughn to … Continue reading →

DONEGAL COUNTY May 13-14 INISHOWEN PENINSULA. In the NE of Donegal, it has beaches and towering headland bluffs (Malin, Inishowen, Dunuff and Dunree), mountains in the middle (Sileve Snaght) and the most northern point in Ireland at Malin Head. Dunaff … Continue reading →

Dublin May 26-29 2018 THE ABORTION REFERENDUM in IRELAND On May 25th the Irish voted to repeal the 8th amendment of their constitution, which effectively outlaws abortion. While Ireland has taken socially progressive steps in recent years, including legalizing same-sex … Continue reading →

CLARE COUNTY THE BURREN The Burren’s name derives from the Irish word boireann, meaning “stony place” – an apt description of this desolate plateau occupying Clare County’s northwest. Its northern and western edge hugs the coast road from Ballyvaughn to … Continue reading →

Prehistory. Originally connected to mainland Europe, and at times completely glaciated, climate change has had a significant role. The end of the last Ice Age saw sea levels rise and the gradual separation of Britain and Ireland from the European … Continue reading →