The Seven Wonders of Ireland

IRELAND'S BLUE BOOKCOUNTRY HOUSES, HISTORIC HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

Everyone knows about the Seven Wonders of the World and just in case you didn't realize it there are also seven (at least) wonders of Ireland.

Ireland is a country renowned for its history and hospitality and what better way to experience this gem of an island than by visiting the top visitor attractions whilst enjoying the finest hospitality in a Blue Book property. Here is our list of the seven 'must see' wonders of Ireland which we have partnered with a selection of 'must stay' places within the Blue Book brand.

Guinness Storehouse, Dublin city

The Guinness Storehouse was originally built in 1904 to house the Guinness fermentation process at the brewery. The building was constructed in the style of the Chicago school of architecture, with massive steel beams providing the support for the structure of the building. The Storehouse building was in use as part of the making of the famous Guinness beer until 1988 and in November 2000 the building was turned into an iconic tactile visitor centre situated in the heart of the Liberties area in Dublin.

A choice of accommodation await you on your visit to Dublin, from the stylish 5 star Merrion Hotel in the heart of the city centre to Barberstown Castle, in the beautiful green countryside and only a short drive from the city, or the petite King Sitric Townhouse in the village of Howth, with amazing sea views.

Newgrange Neolithic Tomb, Co. Meath

Newgrange was constructed over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.), making it older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Newgrange was built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that together with Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site

The latest addition to Ireland's Blue Book, Tankardstown House, situated just outside Slane, is close by to Newgrange and the ideal place to stay for those wishing to visit the Royal County of Meath, which boasts other famous historic sites, such as the Hill of Tara and the crosses at Kells.

Giant's Causeway, Co. Antrim

Listed as a World Heritage site since 1986, The Giant's Causeway is the jewel in the crown of the fabulous coast of Antrim. The story goes that Finn McCool forged this unique rock formation which was the result of volcanic eruptions some 60 million years ago. It is renowned today as a habitat of rare plants and animals.

Also worth visiting close by is the Bushmills Whiskey Distillery where you can purchase of a special bottle of whiskey with your own personalized name on it! In the village of Bushmills you will find the cosy Bushmills Inn where warm open fires, comfortable bedrooms and hot toddies are the specialitiesof the house.

A short drive from the Antrim coastline you will find Ardtara Country House, widely regarded as one of the finest country house accommodations in Northern Ireland.

The Causeway, Coast and Glens website is a great source of information on this region.

Connemara National Park & Kylemore Abbey, Co. Galway

Situated in the west of Ireland in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers some 2,957 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park's mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range.

Much of the present park lands formed part of the Kylemore Abbey Estate and where a visit to the Abbey, home of the Benedictine nuns, is a must for many visitors to the country.

We are twinning Connemara National Park with the The Céide Fields, Ballycastle in Co. Mayo, which is the oldest known field systems in the world, over five and a half millennia old. A designated UNESCO heritage site since 1992, it is a unique Neolithic landscape of world importance, which has changed the perception of our Stone Age ancestors. The remains of stone field walls, houses and megalithic tombs are preserved beneath a blanket of peat over several square miles.

For those wishing to stay a while in historic Mayo, the Stella Maris Hotel, a sensitively restored coastguard station, is located walking distance of the Céide Fields. Also close by is Enniscoe House, an authentic listed heritage house, and the Ice House, a contemporary style lodge, both of which are within easy driving distance.

Three beautiful places to choose from await those wishing to visit Connemara; Cashel House, Rosleague Manor and Currarevagh House all of which are charming comfortable country house hotels, full of character.

Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare

The majestic Cliffs of Moher are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kms. over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. Spectacular views await the visitor. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort "Mothar" which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower. Also in Clare a visit to the Burren, is a must. It is an area of limestone rock covering imposing majestic mountains, and tranquil valleys with gently meandering streams. With its innate sense of spiritual peace, extraordinary array of flora and wildlife, and megalithic tombs and monuments older than Egypt's pyramids, the Burren creates a tapestry of colour and a seductively magical aura which few people leave without wanting to experience again.

The Blue Book recommends two very different styles of properties in this region – Gregans Castle, an old manor house, perched on Corkscrew Hill, a haven of tranquility for those appreciating the spirituality of the region.

Closer to the Atlantic ocean the quaintly beautiful Moy House snuggles into the rocks and offers visitors inspiring ocean views.

Ring of Kerry, The Gap of Dunloe and The Lakes of Killarney..just some Kerry Wonders

The Ring of Kerry (or Iveragh Peninsula to give it its correct name) is part of the mystical & unspoilt region of Ireland that has attracted visitors for hundreds of years. Its spectacular beauty is beyond question and it is a natural centre for outdoor pursuits. The Ring of Kerry has some of the finest beaches in Europe and provides an amazing insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland from Iron Age Forts to Ogham Stones, old Monasteries and a landscape carved out of rock by the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago.

The Gap of Dunloe was carved by a huge glacier thousands of years ago, the Gap is roughly seven miles in length with Tomies and Purple mountains on the left and the McGillycuddy Reeks in the right. Many walk or cycle but there is the more romantic pony and trap option.

Don't miss the "Ladies View" so named after Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who stopped to look at the scenery from this spot during the Queen's visit to Killarney in 1861. The view towards McGillycuddy's Reeks and the Purple Mountain Range, with The Upper Lake and all its fairy islands below.

It would be impossible to just visit Kerry without experiencing the unique hospitality of the 5 star Park Hotel in Kenmare, where the Brennan brothers look after their guests with care and attention to detail.

Hidden away on the shores of Caragh Lake you will find an equally warm welcome in the enchanting Carrig Country House.

Two wonderful choices in the Kingdom of Kerry.

Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary

Last but by no means the least of our seven wonders of Ireland.

It's huge, it's complex, it's iconic, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig), it’s more formal name is St. Patrick's Rock, it is also known as Cashel of the Kings. Reputedly the site of the conversion of Aenghus the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century AD., long before the Norman invasion, The Rock of Cashel was the seat of the High Kings of Munster. Most of the buildings on the site date from the 12th and 13th centuries when the rock was gifted to the Church. The buildings represent both Hiberno-Romanseque and Germanic influences in their architecture.

Castle Durrow, a converted 300 year old mansion about half an hour’s drive from the Rock is a wonderful place to stay. Slightly further away is the dinky Kilgraney House Hotel, a small Georgian house where everything is cooked from local produce.

We hope you like our selection and if you need further advice on what to visit and where to stay just telephone or email. We are real people ready to offer advice.

Ireland's Blue Book of Country Houses & Restaurants
7/8 Mount St Crescent, Dublin 2. Ireland
Tel: (+353) 01-6769914 | Fax: (+353) 01-6314990 | Email:enquiry@irelandsbluebook.com