Explore Ireland
There are so many fabulous places to see and experience while touring Ireland. The list is long and requires an assessment of what it is you like to experience. And be sure to allow enough time to absorb the places you are visiting. Make a plan for your first trip, and then make a plan for your next trip. Perhaps you are more interested in the natural wild beauty of the natural areas. Perhaps your interests are more in the area of history or genealogy. Maybe your idea of a great trip is to sit in a pub in rural Ireland listening to traditional Irish music. And while the areas north of County Cork certainly have their share of world class sites, this information will focus on things to see on a day trip from Carraignacurra Castle.
The Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are gorgeous sea cliffs on the west coast of Ireland. The dramatic views are definitely a must see and a fan favorite with walking trails, view points, and visiting center museum. It is a protected area and home to thousands of seabirds. The cliffs rise an impressive 702-feet lending to wonderful panoramic views overlooking the sea. They are approximately a three hour drive from our location
Baltimore Ocean Excursion
Plan a day for a boat trip out of Baltimore. While they may call it whale watching, there is so much more to the experience. And sometimes whales can be elusive. When you are off shore, look back at the sacred isle and think about your ancestors as they left aboard the famine ships, knowing that they would never see their homeland again. So many different people saw these shores from the ocean perspective. The first Humans to populate the island, the Spanish or French soldiers coming to aid the Irish. From the ocean you can see costal castles. You can look out and imagine Lusitania still laying on the bottom, or Titanic sailing past these shores as the last landfall they would see. Then of course, there is the abundance of wildlife. Dolphins by the dozens will come to play. Sea birds and seals. The trips usually include a stop at one of the inhabited islands. A very meaningful experience
Drombeg Circle
Based on the vast number of late Neolithic sites in Munster, the Neolithic population must have been tremendous. The people left us with an array of tombs, standing stones and stone circles. Among these is Drombeg Circle, though dated as early Bronze Age, it is a mini-stone henge with astronomical alginment. It is another free, uncrowded site. For those with an ancestral connection to Carraignacurra Castle, Drombeg will be especially meaningful. Clan O’Leary began in Roscarberry, raiding and trading out of their own harbor. Thus, Clan O’Leary would have utilized this site tracking the annual calendar, studying the stars and contemplating their ancient ancestors. Hug the stones. Acknowledge the burial at the center of the circle. Listen to your ancestors. They are speaking to you.
Bantry House
Bantry is a marvelous place, especially on market day. And Bantry House is not to be missed. This classic manor house, home of the Earls of Bantry, is a spectacular experience grandly presiding, like an elegant matriarch, on a high bank of Bantry Bay surrounded by gardens. Tucked up behind the house is a stable complex. There is a B&B, café and serves as an event venue. While the house is older, the White family has owned it since 1739. Well worth a stroll around the estate. History comfortably rests in layers throughout the bay, town and manor house.
Gougane Barra
Another secret, soul-restoring place that is uncrowded and free of charge is Gougane Barra, west on R584 from Carraignacurra Castle. People will tell you about Saint Finbarr and his small idyllic church on a quiet lake nestled in a valley, but what you may miss is the adjacent Gougane Barra Forest Park. There is a carpark and public toilets at the church and walking the grounds are a must as a peek into the old Irish form of Christianity and the monastic lifestyle. But after taking this in, drive deeper into Gougane Barra to the forest carpark. There is an amazing walk through an enchanted forest. J.R.R. Tolkien borrowed much from Ireland and the Irish culture for his books and this walk will demonstrate some of his sources. It is a walk through Middle Earth.
Bunratty Castle and Park
One of the absolute “must see” sites is Bunratty Castle and surrounding museum village. The 15th century castle is a stunning restoration, inside and out, including furniture and equipment. And like Carrignacurra, was the site of a Norse settlement, then a fortified Norman site. It was built by Robert de Muscegro, followed on by Thomas de Clare, then rebuilt as an Irish castle. The rest of the park has cottages and buildings tracing the history of Irish culture. Across the road is Durty Nelly’s, a pub established in the 1600’s for the castle garrison. Plan several hours. Attend the Medieval banquet if you can. Admission is charged for the castle, village and banquet. If you are here to see olde Ireland, this is it. Full immersion. Add Blarney Castle to this day trip and you will have a good comparison of what Blarney would have looked like at it’s height.
The Gearagh
One of the least known, and thus least crowded sites to visit, is known as the Gearagh, an ancient wetlands area called, “Western Europe’s last primeval river forest” and an internationally protected reserve. It is actually an area where the River Lee spreads out to embrace a wide expanse of Nature. And while it has lost the dense oak forest, the remaining flora and fauna is a soul rejuvenating peek into the ancient past. The Gearagh is east of Toonsbridge with a small carpark off R584. There is also a carpark on the south side off L4601 called Dromkeen Cross. The reserve is a series of wetlands and islands connected by old stone bridges, remnants of a road, which now serves as a walkway. You can walk from one carpark to the other, ideally with someone picking you up on the other side. It is only a six-minute drive from one carpark to the other. There is no cost, which adds to the relaxing atmosphere of this magical walk. It is a leisurely thirty-minute walk but may be longer as you take lots of photos as you experience dozens species of birds, plants, flowers, moss, and at the southern side, a forest of willow and alder. You will be mesmerized.