Perched on a basalt cliff on the rugged coast of Northern Ireland, Dunluce Castle is an imposing ruin that dominates the horizon of County Antrim. Isolated by its steep cliffs and surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic, Dunluce has been, over the centuries, a symbol of power, a strategic refuge, a home to influential […]
Ireland
Posted inModern Era
The Sacking of the Irish Town of Baltimore by Barbary Corsairs in 1631
Although the general idea is that the Ottomans and Barbary corsairs limited their naval raids to the Mediterranean, this is a mistake, as ships and even entire fleets dared to pass through the Pillars of Hercules and sail into the Atlantic Ocean to attack not only the Canary Islands and Madeira but even the British […]
Posted inAntiquity
Scáthach, the Mythical Scottish Warrior Who Taught the Hero Cú Chulainn How to Fight
Years ago, while traveling through Scotland, a lack of time prevented me from thoroughly visiting the Isle of Skye. However, I found a couple of hours to at least set foot on it, as I didn’t want to miss it. Why? Because Celtic mythology places the Dún Scáith or Fortress of Shadows, the residence of […]
Posted inMiddle Ages
The Enigmatic Ring Forts of Ireland and Great Britain, Home to the Fairies and Giants from Legends
Scattered across the landscapes of Ireland, Great Britain, parts of Scandinavia, and northern Europe are enigmatic fortified structures known as ringforts. These circular or oval enclosures, bounded by earth walls and ditches, mostly date from between 500 and 900 AD, a period that spans the late Bronze Age to the early Middle Ages in these […]
Posted inStone Age Archaeology
Five Ancient Neolithic “Cursus” Aligned with Solar Events Discovered in Ireland
The beginning of the Neolithic in much of Western Europe marked the construction of the first large-scale communal monuments, which became a way to gather disparate communities for rituals and create a unified group identity. These enclosures are often found in groups in southern England, France, and Scandinavia/Denmark. Recently, a notable group of these monuments […]
Posted inAntiquity, Prehistory
The Hill of Tara, Ireland’s most Sacred Site, is full of Prehistoric, Roman and Medieval Monuments
In County Meath, about 50 kilometers northwest of Dublin, lies the Hill of Tara. It is a modest elevation, only 155 meters high, but its location has influenced its role throughout Ireland’s history, making it a site of great significance both symbolically and strategically since prehistoric times. The name “Tara” has ancient roots and is […]
Posted inModern Era
When Choctaws gave everything they owned to help the Irish during the Great Famine of 1847
Ireland is a highly appreciated destination for a certain sector of travelers seeking something different from the classic sun and beach tourism. Landscape, mythology, music and literature are its main attractions, so it is not unusual for more than one reader to have visited Cork, one of the most popular cities in the country. Well, […]
