SNAP!

[#1]

On my last trip to Ireland, I ventured north from Dublin. The sights were incredible, the food and hospitality were most enjoyable. As St. Patrick's day is upon us, I thought I'd share a few more images of Ireland to get you in the spirit for green spirits, corned beef and cabbage, and all the luck of the Irish. Slainte!

The top photo is of Inistioge looking down on the River Nore.

Image of a ruined medieval castle on the edge of a basalt outcropping in County Antrim.

The Hands across the Divide sculpture in Derry. Shortly after being dedicated, ice formed and closed the gap between the two figures, symbolically closing the divide.

Malahide Castle dates back to 1185 and is one of the oldest and most historic castles in Ireland.

The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

Birr Castle is a large castle in the town of Birr. Its grounds and gardens are open to the publice.

Dressing up for St. Patrick's Day Festival, Dublin.

All photos are courtesy of TOURISM IRELAND.

[#2]

These are beautiful!  I love Ireland, but have spent most of my time on the west coast.  This inspires me to go back!

[#3]

I have never been to Ireland, but have always wanted to go. How beautiful. My husband and I have ancestors from the same county in Ireland. We've always wanted to investigate to see if hundreds of years ago we were ever related! 

[#4]

I love Ireland. My husband is Irish, from Co. Galway, and we have spent much time on the coasts of Galway and Co. Clare. The west coast of Ireland is beautiful in a wild, rugged way, with grey cliffs, crashing waves and rocky land. In the crevices of the cliffs nest thousands of seabirds, and colorful wildflowers, and the rays of sun seem to hold a faint mist of water droplets. Truly a magical place!

[#5]

A friend of mine, who has Irish heritage, visited Ireland with her husband and kids a few years ago and was amused to discover that there was an entire town with people whose ear tips were slighted pointed. Leprechauns? You tell me! lol

[#6]

speaking of pointy ears...my husband and i just saw a movie with liam neeson (who's irish) and he definitely has point ears but he's too tall to be a leprechaun

[#7]

Given his pointy ears, does this mean Spock from Star Trek was Irish? 

[#8]

To be sure, Spock could've been from the Green Isle, for 'tis true he has green blood, as does every good Irishman!  lol

And I didn't realize that Birr Castle had decided to let the Pub Lice in!  :-) 

Yay for typos.  lol  On a more serious note, I would love to see the Giants Causeway, get a chance to walk it.  I wonder if it's walled off like the Cliffs of Moher are now, which is a shame.  I do understand the necessity, I suppose. 

[#9]

I didn't notice the pub lice typo until rafferty64 pointed it out. That's hilarious! I have this visual of a bunch of tiny lice going into the castle, maybe on their way to the pub, with little tourist backpacks and cameras...haha

[#10]

That is a funny typo. I love typos (except when I make them). Speaking of things Irish, my husband is mostly Irish and he told me that most Irishfolk have type O blood which means they are universal donors. Apparently that's why on battlefields they used to call for a "Mick" since there was a good chance they would be type O.  My husband does his bit by regularly giving blood...

[#11]

Rafferty sounds like an Irish name. Are you Irish, Rafferty? That's the name of a little known but fine Irish poet! Any relation?

[#12]

As a matter of fact I am, GD.  I was born there, but live in the good ole US of A now.  A poet? Sure, isnt every Irishman a poet?  Just ask him and he'll tell you, at great length, about how loquacious he is.  ;-)  And we talk for a long time, too.  I don't have type O blood, though, so I don't know if I my lineage is somewhat muddied somewhere down the line. 

[#13]

What is GD? It sounds like something you pick up from toilet seats...

[#14]

X-D   Honeybuns, its just an abbreviation of GardenDigger lol