This is the drop down menu for about curious ireland
The official start of the Wicklow Way Marlay Park was originally an Anglo-Norman farm on the border of Dublin. The original house here was built by Thomas Taylor and was known as 'The [...]
The Great Liberator The O'Connell Statue was commissioned in 1880 to commemorate Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847). It is located on O'Connell Street, the street also named after him. O'Connell was born in Kerry and [...]
One of the 4 Fassaroe Crosses The Rathmichael Cross is one of 4 distinct-looking crosses that are collectively known as the Fassaroe Crosses. They are generally wheel-shaped with a depiction of the crucifixion [...]
Site of one of the largest European battles The Battle of the Boyne was fought between the armies of King William of Orange and his father-in-law, King James II of England. Billy had [...]
Ireland's first stone-built church The name Duleek derives from a word meaning 'house of stone' and this is the first reference in Ireland to such a church being made from stone rather than [...]
Location of the Asgard ammunition dump Howth Harbour Lighthouse is a beautiful little structure with strong circular walls and a gun position. The lighthouse keeper’s Georgian Style residence was occupied up until 1955 [...]
The oldest scientific institution in Northern Ireland Armagh Observatory was established by Richard Robinson, Archbishop of Armagh, in 1789. This was the 2nd observatory in Ireland to be established after Dunsink in Dublin. [...]
Dublin's most architecturally significant building Custom House Quay was built between 1781 - 1791 and is regarded as a masterpiece of European neoclassicism. It was designed by James Gandon (1743 – 1823) who [...]
Thousands of mini-standing stones uncovered in a bog The mysterious Beaghmore Stone Circles date from between 2900 BC to 1200 BC. They were uncovered by local peat cutters in the 1940s and are [...]
The only Corinthian column in the world with an internal staircase This monument was built in 1841 and stands over 28meters high on Carrigadaggan Hill in County Wexford. It was commissioned by General [...]
The largest collection of medieval architecture in Ireland The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland's most striking monuments. It was previously known as St Patrick’s Rock as it was reputed to be [...]
Ireland's finest example of a 'transitional castle' Portumna Castle was built during a period when fortified tower houses were slowly transforming into large country manors. It was built for Richard de Burgo, the [...]
Northern Ireland's No.1 tourist attraction This incredible piece of architecture is Titanic Belfast which was designed by the American-born architect Eric Kuhne and built by Harcourt Developments. It takes you on a journey [...]
Connemara's stunning fjord In geology, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier. Ireland has 3 true examples which are Lough Swilly, Carlingford, and Killary. [...]
Ireland's highest waterfall Powerscourt Waterfall cascades down 398 feet into a stunning glaciated valley covered in beech, oak, larch, and even giant redwoods. This area of outstanding natural beauty could have also been [...]
The oldest operational lighthouse in the World Tradition states that Dubhán, a missionary monk, established some sort of beacon at this location as early as the 5th century AD. Interestingly, the word 'dubhán' [...]
The O'Neill Dynasty was according to legend founded by Niall of the Nine Hostages who ruled from Tara in the late 4th or early 5th century. Myth has it that he was descended from [...]
Palladius was an early Irish missionary and the first bishop of Ireland. He was probably of British or Roman descent and the immediate predecessor to St. Patrick by about 30 years. He was possibly [...]
What's so special? Nothing much - except being the Patron Saint of Ireland! Saint Patrick, the son of a Welsh Roman and a former slave was born in c.387 a.d and died 460 [...]
Saint Brigit of Kildare is one of Ireland's patron saints along with Patrick and Columba. Her name is also variously spelled as Brigid, Bridget, Bridgit, Bríd, and Bride and is sometimes also known as [...]
Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise was supposedly the son of a carpenter and was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. His name has produced many variant spellings, including Ceran, Kieran, and Queran. He was [...]
The largest collection of rare whiskeys in the country In 1599, Sir William Temple, a renowned teacher, and philosopher built a house here on newly reclaimed land from the River Liffey. In 1656, [...]
The Beaker culture is the name of a cultural phenomenon which occurred in large parts of Western Europe during the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age period. The term was coined by John Abercromby, [...]
A beautiful abbey founded by the greatest Norman knight Tintern Abbey was founded in 1200 by William Marshall, the 1st Earl of Pembroke. Marshal had set sail for Ireland on his first visit [...]
In Irish mythology, the Fomoire or Fomorians were a semi-divine race and were believed to have been one of the first tribes to inhabit Ireland in ancient times. They are believed to be the [...]
James Gandon is today recognized as one of the leading architects to have worked in Ireland. He was born in Bond Street, London - 29th February 1742, at the house of his [...]
In ancient times, the Fir Bolg were the rulers of Ireland before the arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The origin of the Fir Bolg name is, as usual, the subject of [...]
Brian Ború was born near Killaloe in 941 and is regarded as Ireland's greatest High King. He was a member of the O'Brien dynasty and an ancestor of the Kings of Thomond. He was [...]
Richard de Clare (Strongbow) was a Welsh lord and the Earl of Pembroke. In 1169, Dermont MacMurrough, the king of Leinster was defeated by Roderic, the king of Connacht. Dermont went to Wales and [...]
Saint Columba was an Irish abbot and missionary. He founded the important abbey on Iona, which became a dominant religious and political institution in the region for centuries. He was highly regarded by both [...]
One of Ireland's most remarkable abbeys Kylemore Abbey was built in 1871 as a private residence for Manchester industrialists and multi-millionaires Mitchell and Margaret Henry. They came to this area on their honeymoon [...]
Diarmait MacMurrough was born in violent times and was unexpectedly made King of Leinster after his father and brother were killed in battles. During this period rival kings from all over the country were [...]
A cathedral in miniature Kylemore Abbey Church was built in 1881 in memory of Margaret Henry. It is sometimes referred to as Ireland's Taj Mahal. Margaret Henry was the beloved wife of Mitchell Henry, [...]
Kildare's highest pub Brennan's Inn sits at an altitude of 700 feet and is a proper 'olde world' pub that boasts antique red brick walls, pitch pine woodwork, a back bar, tiled floors, [...]
Dalkey's finest Victorian drinking establisment Finnegan's Pub is located in the pretty seaside village of Dalkey and was originally called O'Meara's Pub. The building dates back to 1862 and it still has many [...]
The most modern court building in the World The Criminal Courts of Justice are located on Parkgate Street in Dublin City. They were designed by Henry J Lyons Architects and opened in 2010. [...]
Ireland's tallest standing stone The Punchestown Long Stone is located near the entrance to the Punchestown Racecourse. It stands 22 feet high making it the tallest in the country. It is always difficult [...]
A picture postcard Irish cottage This little cottage is located on Galway Road near the beautiful coastal village of Kinvara. Its position is postcard-perfect near the coast with a castle at the rear. It [...]
Ireland's most photogenic castle Dunguaire Castle is named after the 7th King Guaire of Connaught and was built in 1520 by the Hynes Clan of Galway. In the 17th century, the castle was [...]
Regarded as a masterpiece of church architecture Monkstown Parish Church was built in 1789 and re-modeled by the famous architect John Semple in 1825. Its style has been described as 'castellated Gothic in [...]