Duckett’s Grove Castle

Originally a Georgian home of noted Anglo Irish family, this castle was rebuilt in Gothic Revival style. Although burnt in 1933 the remaining towers and turrets, make this location a surreal view pretty unlike most other castles in Ireland.  Built in 1830 by William Duckett in an estate covering more than 5,000 acres. During the Troubles, The castle was occupied by soldiers from the Irish Republican Army and many Nationalist leaders sought refuge here. The site itself is situated in the townland of Rainstown, between Carlow and Tullow but the estate comprised several large townlands and parts of others. Duckett’s Grove Castle was destroyed by fire in April 1933 but the cause of the fire has not been determined.

                        

Aghagower Round Tower and Church

The founder of the first monastery here was St. Senach who was created Bishop of Aghagower by St. Patrick. The Round Tower, (which is preserved up to the fourth floor) was built between 973 and 1013. According to legend, the capstone was struck by lightning, and landed half a mile away on the hill of Tavenish. A local woman is said to have carried the heavy cap stone in her apron to the church where it still remains today.The present ground-floor entrance is modern, the nearby church was built in the 15th century, but with fragments of an earlier church.

                               

Rockfleet Castle

Rockfleet Castle also known as Carrickahowley Castle, stands in a small inlet on the northern shores of Clew Bay in County Mayo.
The Castle is renowned for its links with Grace O`Malley, a pirate sea Queen who inhabited the castle in the latter part of the 16th Century.
The castle is four floors high with a small rectangular corner turret rising above the parapet.
The principal apartment was in the top floor where there is a fireplace.
The building was restored by the diplomat Sir Owen O'Malley, a direct descendant of Grace O'Malley.
The castle is signposted (as Carrickahowley) just off the N59 between Newport and Mulranny.                              

Gaulstown Portal Tomb

Gaulstown Portal Tomb is one of Waterford's superb portal tombs that is a must see along with the others named below.

The capstone on this tomb is close to five meters in length and is about one metre thick. It rests on six upright stones and will give you many different images when viewed from all sides.

The fourth image is thought to be all that remains of a cist, the stone is very impressive itself
( I am a  little bit worried that I did not notice it on my first visit ).

If your in Waterford and close to Tramore the tombs of Gaulstown, Knockeen, Ballynageeragh and Dunhill are all worth checking out.


                     

Uragh Stone Circle

If a top five must see stone circle's  in Europe list existed the the stunning Uragh Stone Circle would be close to the top of that list.

The width of the circle is 2.4 metre's it consists of five small stones with a very large megalith standing very close to the circle which is near to 3 metres.

The location is nothing short of magic, grass short (thanks to the sheep) it has mountains a lake, a waterfall and good sign posting to the site.

But please ignore the request on a sign to pay an entrance fee to see this superb circle, as "the owners of these lands (and some others) are just keepers of our heritage not owners as they would have you believe.

           

Drombohilly Stone Circle

The superb but hard to find Drombohilly Stone Circle will be worth every effort you put into finding it.

The tallest  stones are over 2 meters tall and there are nine in total.
The circle is about 8 meters in diameter and gives some stunning views from all angles.

Best time to visit this site is in the summer as the ground close to the circle is quite boggy in and after wet weather.

The main obstacle for those trying to find the site will be the tree's that have been planted above and below (which in time will hide the circle very well).

Which is not to say that will be your only problem finding this magic site, only for a kind local pointing out the circle when I was parallel with it (and about the best part of a mile away) I really think I would have drawn a blank.



              

The Giants Causeway

A short drive from Bushmill's County Antrim you will find Ireland's most stunning natural wonder 
The Giant's Causeway.
The Causeway has been an official Unesco World Heritage Site since 1986.

The Geology  

60 million years ago Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity, this caused highly fluid molten rock to be forced up through fissures in the chalk bed which then formed an extensive lava plateau.

The Legend

Is the story of Finn McCool, Finn lived happily on the Antrim coast with his wife Oonagh until he discovered he had a rival in Scotland known as Benandonner.
Finn was frequently taunted by Benandonner from afar and on one occasion Finn scooped up a clod of earth and hurled it across the sea at him but missed.  The huge clod of earth landed in the middle of the Irish Sea making the Isle of Man and the depression formed from scooping up the earth filled up with water to become Lough Neagh.

Finn finally challenged Benandonner to a proper fight and decided to build a causeway of enormous stepping stones across the sea to Scotland, so that he could walk across without getting his feet wet. But as he approached and caught sight of the great bulk of Benandonner, Finn became afraid and fled back home, with Benandonner hot on his trail. In his haste as he ran, Finn lost one of his great boots and today it can be seen sitting on the foreshore in Port Noffer where it fell to the ground.

The story takes a humorous twist when Finn asks his wife Oonagh to help him hide. Clever Oonagh disguised Finn as a baby and pushed him into a huge cradle, so when Benandonner saw the size of the sleeping ‘child’, he assumed the father must be GIGANTIC. Benandonner fled home in terror, ripping up the Causeway as he went in case he was followed.  " sourced from causewaycoastandglens.com ".