Ireland Car hire

Ireland

When you take a trip to Ireland it is very hard to avoid the history of the country and those who have an interest in the past will not be disappointed.  Here are just a few of the historical attractions that you might want to think about adding to your travel plans.

The city of Kilkenny has medieval alleys that are great for exploring as well as a Gothic cathedral.  The city is also known for its castle and you could easily spend a few days wandering the streets here.  However, there are also a few modern attractions here including the nightlife and the Kilkenny Arts Festival which occurs annually.

The Rock of Cashel is a castle complex with a history dating back to the 4th century.  In the 5th century, this was the site of the baptism of King Aengus by St Patrick.  Located in County Tipperary, the Rock of Cashel is easily reached if you arrange car hire services.

Those who have an interest in religious history should consider heading to Knock.  This is the shrine to the Virgin Mary, where two young women are said to have seen visions of Our Lady in 1879.  Thousands of pilgrims head for this site every year.   Alternatively you could make the most of your car rental to go to the valley of Glendalough.  This is located in County Wicklow and was the site of a monastic settlement.  You can still see the ruins here and there are amazing views of the surrounding countryside.

The most complete medieval castle in Ireland is Bunratty Castle in County Clare.  This building has furnishings and tapestries that date back to the 15th century.  There is a park in the grounds where buildings such as the old school and post office have been recreated.  Occasionally there is a medieval banquet held here where you can experience first-hand what life used to be like at the castle.

Dublin is home to Kilmainham Gaol.  This building represents some of the unhappier times in Irish history where rebels were executed and incarcerated.  The gaol was in use until the 1920s and dates back to the latter part of the 18th century.  However, St Stephen’s Green in Dublin is a much happier place.  This is the most popular city square that Dublin has and it is home to parkland.  There is a memorial garden to WB Yeats and is close to some of the top hotels in the city.