Around the World: The Emerald Isle

Doo Lough, Co Mayo, Ireland

Doo Lough, Co Mayo, Ireland. The Irish Collection/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: depirish012973.

Ireland is a place of magic.  From the Olde Irish Brogue, to the modern-day pubs, to the Blarney Castle, Mountains of Mourne, Killarney Lakes, right down to the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and the statue of Molly Malone in Dublin’s Fair City, it is constantly radiating this aura of mystery.

I, needless to say, am in love with this country.  Steeped in culture and history, spirits wander the cliffs and highlands, telling their stories to the wind.  It isn’t just the castles or the people that draw me to this fairyland; even the weather, and the lush green hills seem to hold their breath, waiting for something to happen.  This cloud of adventure hovers, barely out of sight, just above our subconscious.  Anything can happen in Ireland.

Can you imagine living there?  You could go to the city saturated with both the local and popular culture; or simply walk to the nearest castle with a chum, abandoning the modern world without a glance backwards, into the countryside and nymphlands; or hike anywhere you wanted to with the green and serenity of the surrounding areas as your faithful companions, absorbing the vitality of the earth.  Sitting in history class, instead of learning history from only 200 years ago you’d be hearing about people from the B.C.s and early A.D.s; Saint Patrick and his banishment of snakes from the land; or the Vikings and Normans and how quite possibly you might be living on one of their battle sites.  Of course, this might be old hat for those who’ve lived there their entire lives…But since I was a wee freshman in high school I decided that Ireland was where I would live out my retirement.  I’m a displaced Irish lass through and through.

To get an idea of why this land is so glorious you’d have to go, but for an appetizer take a look at these wondrous pictures that can’t do Ireland’s beauty justice.  Find more back at Newscom.com

Monastic site, Glendalough, Co Wicklow, Ireland

Monastic site, Glendalough, Co Wicklow, Ireland. The Irish Image Collection / Design Pics/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: depphotos097982.

County Roscommon, Celtic Historical Site Stone Boulder, Ireland

County Roscommon, Celtic Historical Site Stone Boulder, Ireland. Design Pics/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: depmicrostock026418

Rock Of Cashel; Cashel County Tipperary Ireland

Rock Of Cashel; Cashel County Tipperary Ireland. Design Pics / Patrick Swan/Patrick Swan/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: depdest009319

Janus Figure, Boa Island, Lower Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh, Ireland

Janus Figure, Boa Island, Lower Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh, Ireland. The Irish Image Collection / Design Pics/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: depirish004906.

Ruins of Dunluce Castle in Country Antrim in Northern Ireland.

The sea stretches out beyond the ruins of Dunluce Castle in Country Antrim in Northern Ireland. Christian, 16, who was using one of his parent’s cast-off cameras, focused his lens on dramatic skies. Amazing castles, abbeys, priories and other unique structures. ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfour201011

Molly Malone Statue, Grafton Street, Dublin, Ireland

Molly Malone Statue, Grafton Street, Dublin, Ireland. USA/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: scusphotos080457

Woods at Delphi, County Mayo, Connacht, Eire

Stream cascades over rocks in woods at Delphi, County Mayo, Connacht, Eire, Europe. Roy Rainford/Robert Harding/Newscom. Find it at Newscom.com: rhphotos079188.

You may also be interested in these other places around the world on FocalPoint:

Around the World: Keukenhof Garden

Around the World: Easter Island

Around the World: Nantucket

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