scalder



Entries

scalder
Ireland

Glendalough

Worth visiting!

Glandalough

An ancient Christain site, St Kevin founded this monastery in a wonderful valley between 2 lakes (the name means Glen of two lakes). A must see folks!


scalder
Ireland

Wexford

Worth visiting!

Wexford- The model County!

Wexford why visit?
Well its not one of the better known tourist spots in Ireland but it is a county of great diversity in terms of landscape and people.
Its the place the English first set foot in 1169, their long occupation has left its cultural mark, many of which are postive, with the the reminats of a flemish/English language still existing in part of the county, this language is known as “yola.”
Wexford is the home place of John F Kennedy’s ancestors with the homestead still existant.
Wexford has a proud Rebel tradition, with Cromwell’s slaughter of the people of Wexford town after their stubourn resitance.
The 1798 Rebellion, saw 30,000 people die in the county in 1 month out of a population of 100,000 – this devastating event came to a head at the Battle of Vinegar hill, near Enniscorthy and it was said that more English Generals partook in this battle than did at Waterloo!!
This rebellion is marked throughout the county with monuments, its a very real and personal history for most Wexford people inclding myself. The vistior centre in Enniscorthy explains the rebellion and is well worth visiting.
The beaches of Wexford are among the best in Europe, with Curracloe on the east coast being a 10 mile stretch of golden sand, with massive dunes behind, the film “Saving Private Ryan” was filmed on these Wexford Beaches!
While around the Hook head their are numerous little coves and hidden beaches to explore, often deserted!
Then in the West of the county you have the majestic “Black Stairs Mountains” know in Irish mythology as the 3 leaps of Oisin’s Hounds! These purple heather coated mountains offer some excellent hill walking along with views of 5 counties and an occasional glimpse of Wales!


scalder
Ireland

The Hook

Worth visiting!

The Hook Head

Hook head is a fantatic place, its steeped in history and has wonderful beaches and coves to visit.
The Hook gives us the phrase, “by hook or by crook” I beleive, its the site of the Norman/English Invasion of Ireland in 1169, the start of an 800 year bitter struggle!
The area is strewn with ruined castles, monasteries and haunted landlords mansion. The lighthouse on the tip of hook head is particarly special, its 800 years old almost standing 100’s of feet high, you can visit it climing to the top, an excellent vantage point. Nearby is Loftus Hall, a 18th Century landlords mansion, that’s said to have been visited by the devil, who was playing cars with guests, when one of the guests dropped a card and wen to pick it off the floor, they saw the cloven foot of the devil, with this he disappeared out the ceiling and this hole was never able to be repaired – good story!
Other notable features in the area include, Dunbrody Abbbey and Ballyhack castle, which once belonged to the knights Templar or hospitaliers. This along with the ferry ride that bring you across the Waterford make the Hook a must see when in Ireland, its a little know gem in Wexford.