Images of Ireland - endless green fields dotted with sheep, high cliffs straight down into the Atlantic Ocean, old world charm and modern art, colorful details or the almost monochrome landscape of the Burren. Get a first taste of Ireland with some Irish impressions.
Flooding in Ireland – November 2009: The rainfalls of November 2009 were nothing but catastrophic – it was one of the worst months on record, following on the heels of one of the wettest summers on record. Water everywhere with no place to
Dublin's St. Patrick's Day Parade 2008 was lucky - despite some raindrops just before the start, it basked in glorious sunshine for most of the time. And provided a riot of colors, a truly multi-cultural experience and one of the best parades ever.
For some people the overall impression of a parade is important, for others the individual participants stick out ... and I for one like to get closer with the camera. As I did at Dublin's Saint Patrick's Parade in 2008.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... and the devil is in the detail. But when you stroll around Dublin you might find beauty in details often missed by visitors (and even locals). Dublin is not all about big buildings and Georgian doors. It also has those hidden gems that simply cry for a tele-lens.
Dublin Castle is not your typical castle ... actually it is not much of a castle at all. As far as fortifications go most of them are ornamental and not very effective. Admitted, there is a massive tower, but it had been rebuilt several times since the middle ages. So is Dublin Castle worth a visit anyway It sure is ...
August 2007 started off as rainy as July had ended, but this did not deter a bunch of artists working in the open at Dublin Castle. Several tons of fine sand were unceremoniously dumped in the castle courtyard and than transformed into impressive sand sculptures themed on "Irish Literature".
Three major zoos and wildlife parks are open to the public in Ireland. The zoos in Dublin and Belfast and the extensive park in Fota are home to a variety of species. From big cats to small monkeys, from colorful exotic waterfowl to large South-American rodents, from the common to the unusual. See some sights of Dublin Zoo here ...
Glasnevin Cemetery, within easy reach of Dublin's city center, is one of the most astounding necropolis in the world. Take a walk with me ...
Harold's Cross Cemetery, or more precise the Mount Jerome Cemetery in Harold's Cross, is one of Dublin's finest burial grounds. It has been compared to Pere-Lachaise in Paris and Highgate Cemetery in London ... quite rightly so.
Upon finding Trinity College next to Dublin City's busiest intersection most visitors go "Ah ... this is it?" The façade of the Bank of Ireland right across the road is more imposing, true. But the classical view of Trinity College is actually hidden behind the small wooden doors that are the original entrance. Pass through them and you will see the glorious campanile, built by Charles Lanyon, in…
The Moynalty Steam Threshing event on the second sunday of August ist a fixture in the Irish events calendar ... in 2007 it turned out to be a mudfest after torrential rains. But a fine day out anyway, as these pictures prove.
Carrowmore near Sligo - once you stand in the middle of the fields surrounding the tombs on a moderately clear day you will be fascinated. The massive plateau of Belbulben cuts off the view to the North. In the West Queen Maebh's Grave on the top of Knocknarea aligns with several Carrowmore tombs.
Pictures from the medieval monastic site at Glendalough, County Wicklow; one of the must-see attractions of Ireland.
Visiting some the ancient monuments in the Boyne Valley is a must for every visitor to Ireland. But nowhere can the past be experienced as impressively as within the central chamber of Newgrange. The Brú na Boinne (pronounced "broo-na-boyne") site is well managed and tours will provide an educational and above all unique experience. This is one of the places in Ireland that will take your breath …
The round towers are a unique Irish form of architecture - and have been puzzling antiquarians for centuries. See some of the remaining towers in a gallery put together by your About Guide Bernd Biege.
The High Crosses of Ireland are often called "sermons in stone" ... find out why in this image gallery.
In August 2007 a bunch of intrepid seafarers arrived in Dublin and made quarter for the winter - on board the "Havhingsten fra Glendalough", a replica Viking longboat. See the pictures ...
Ireland is not only surrounded by water, it also has an amazing 9,000 miles of waterways and around 800 sizeable lakes. As many of the lakes are interconnected by rivers and canals a veritable network of navigable waters exists. Cruising on Ireland's inland waterways is a very popular option for a really relaxing vacation.
Ireland is not only surrounded by water, it also has an amazing 9,000 miles of waterways and around 800 sizeable lakes. As many of the lakes are interconnected by rivers and canals a veritable network of navigable waters exists. And several companies offer boats for hire. Cabin cruisers of varying size and technology, but all designed to provide transport and accommodation in one.
A picture gallery showing the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, both being essential sights for any visitor to Ireland. Located in County Clare and just a short drive from Galway City the area is accessible but remote.
Connemara, the rugged landscape north-west of Galway City, has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful landscapes in Ireland. An ideal place to go if you want to experience the "real Ireland". This image gallery takes you into Ireland's "wild west".
If you want to experience one of nature's true wonders in Ireland make sure to visit the Giant's Causeway. Strangely regular basalt columns dominate the landscape and seem to lead across to Scotland. See it in pictures before you travel ...
An image gallery of sights and attractions in Northern Ireland - from the Giant's Causeway to Bogsite Murals, from cathedrals to steam railways.
A few miles outside of Omagh the Ulster American Folk Park takes you back in time. Ulstermen were a substantial part of the Irish immigration into the USA and the museum complex explores the various reasons for this migration - which started long before the Great Famine. Adventurers and dissenters, the rich and the poor, crossed the Atlantic to pursue their individual American dream.
The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum consists of two parts, co-located at the dame site near Belfast, yet divided by a motorway. The "Village of Cultra" is a collection of historic buildings re-erected in a historic setting. Here are some images to whet your appetite ...
One of Ireland's best collections of historic trains, planes and automobiles (not to mention the "Titanic", gipsy caravans and bicycles) is in County Down. The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum consists of two parts, co-located at the dame site near Belfast, yet divided by a motorway.
Cobh was formerly known as Queenstown and well-known as a staging post for transatlantic crossings. In this role it not only was the last piece of Ireland hundreds of thousangs of emigrants saw. It also was the last time many of the passengers of the ill-fated "Titanic" were within reach of dry land. And the destination many hundreds aboard the "Lusitania" never reached.
Kildare (in Irish cill dara) has been known for Saint Brigid a long time - the abbess and bishop was reputedly converted by Saint Patrick himself. Kildare today has become one of the commuting towns for Dublin, especially since the M7 was opened. Which also made getting to Kildare easy, leading to more tourism. The town is, by and large, still an original Irish market town.
Saint Patrick's College in Maynooth was built as "a place of higher education for those of the Catholic or Popish religion". Its architecture rivals that of older Trinity College, but is of a more unified look. The environs are none too bad either ...
Republican Murals in Belfast - an image gallery showcasing some of Belfast's famous murals.
Loyalist Murals in Belfast - an image gallery showcasing some of Belfast's famous murals.
Neutral Murals in Belfast - an image gallery showcasing some of Belfast's famous murals.
Three major zoos and wildlife parks are open to the public in Ireland. The zoos in Dublin and Belfast and the extensive park in Fota are home to a variety of species. From big cats to small monkeys, from colorful exotic waterfowl to large South-American rodents, from the common to the unusual. And with some surprises thrown in. See some sights of Belfast Zoo here ...
