So much to see on an adventure to Ireland

By Joy Crutchfield

Today we depart from the beautiful Connemara area and continue wandering north along the gorgeous western coast of Ireland.

First stop, The Marian Shrine in Knock, which is visited by over one and a half million pilgrims yearly. Mother Teresa paid her respects here, as did Pope John Paul II. Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist appeared together here to credible local people on August 21, 1879.

Second stop, the grave of William Butler Yeats, a two term Irish Senator, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. His “inspired poetry, in highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation” stated the Nobel Committee.

County Donegal lies on the northwestern tip of Ireland. Surfing is big here, as is hill-walking in the nearby Bluestack Mountains. Donegal Carpets are found in the U.S. White House, and Donegal tweed is highly prized around the world.

Muirchertach MacLochlainn, High King of Ireland, destroyed a Viking Fortress on Donegal Bay in 1159. Donegal the city, Irish for Fort of Foreigners, was later home to the O’Donnell Clan, who from the 15th through 17th centuries provided the main opposition to English colonization. Rent the Disney movie The Fighting Prince of Donegal, and learn about Red Hugh O’Donnell, Lord of Tyrconnell.

Donegal Castle, one of the finest Gaelic castles in Ireland, is located within the city. In 1607 the Flight of the Earls left Donegal Castle in the hands of English Captain Basil Brooke, who added a wing. Tours are available and the castle hosts many public events.

Letterkenny (whose name means Hillside of the O’Cannons), the largest city in County Donegal, is located on the River Swilly. Letterkenny is one of the fastest growing towns in Ireland (the Irish are currently importing, rather than exporting, workers).

The last chieftain of the O’Cannon Clan, Rory O’Cannon, was killed in 1248. Rory faced the Norman Lord Fitzgerald in battle, fatally wounding him. Even though he lay dieing on a stretcher, he summoned his strength and forces and led his men to victory. He is buried in Conwall Cemetary where a cross-shaped coffin slab marks his grave. Godfrey O’Donnell succeeded Rory as King of Tir Conaill.

With one of the longest Main Streets in Ireland, and winner of the Best Kept Town, Best Kept Urban Center, and Tidiest Large Urban Center awards, Letterkenny is a very inviting city for tourists and locals alike. We’ll overnight here and enjoy the vibrant pub scene as well as first rate shopping and restaurants.

Today it’s on to Northern Ireland. The Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO world Heritage site and the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland, is next on our tour. Here, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption has left over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns. The tallest are about 36 feet high, and most are hexagonal. We’ll allow plenty of time to walk among the Honeycomb, Giant’s Harp, Chimney Stacks, Giant’s Gate, and Camel’s Hump, before investigating the visitor’s center.

The Antrim Coast is absolutely breathtaking. Rugged and majestic, the Glens of Antrim will prove to be one of the most beautiful coastal drives you’ve ever experienced. During the Tudor period the Antrim Coast is the scene of one of the wrecks of the Spanish Armada.

While in County Antrim you’ll want to stop in Bushmills and buy some legendary whiskey, as well as tour the well preserved castle at Carrickfergus, dating from the Norman invasion of Ireland.

With ruins aplenty and gorgeous vistas around every turn, Northwestern and Northeastern Ireland cannot be excluded from any Irish itinerary.

Joy Gawf-Crutchfield owns The Joy of Travel. Contact her at www.thejoyoftravel.us.

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