Ever since we came to live in Ireland, over five years ago, reinventing our life from the United States to Europe we have enjoyed seeing the historic views of Ireland. Of all the places to go in Ireland, that or a day trip out of Kinsale we probably take people to Drombeg circle the most. This makes this stone circle one of our "must see places" in Ireland and one that we recommend to anyone who is traveling in Ireland.

Head out of Kinsale south, past the Trident Hotel on R600 which then turns left over the bridge. Continue on to the crossroads where a house will be on your right with a clear sign that it is The Shop. We recommend a quick visit as it is a relic of older times where people on any country road might bring in a few things to provide a shop for those passing. We recommend you stop for ice cream as it is sold in the old way as part of a slab and the owner will figure your total on a piece of paper.

Continue straight at that junction and the road will curve to your left as you go over a small hill. Drive slowly as you approach the next crossroads and pull in to stop at the lovely and extremely well-kept Mary of the Immaculate Conception. While there are many roadside stops for the Virgin, this one was the site of a miracle in the 1980s as the statue was seen to move and the message was sent that things would be alright. Thousands flocked to see her.

If you are staying in Kinsale we recommend a trip to the tourist office to sort out your best mode of travel to Cobh. We would suggest you make a loop, going through Cork/Mahon Point area on one direction so that you can stop at Fota House, and either coming or going through Carragaline to take the ferry over to or back from Cohb. Once in Cobh you will want to stop to see the museum with its great diorama of sea-going travel as it developed in the last two centuries, including a discussion of both the sinking of the Lusitania and the Titanic. There are a selection of good restaurants along the seaside and a walk or short drive up the hill above town will take you to the Cobh cathedral, which was often the last site the emigrant saw as they left their homes.

Since we were born in the United State, Cohb is special to us, not just as a charming seaside village, but as a holder of much of the personal history of the Irish American an example of the success for many of the American dream. Poor Irish Immigrants went on to be fireman, policemen and indeed to build the infrastructure of the growth of the US in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ireland claims blood relations to three presidents.

We disagree about the female form inside the visitors area as a Sheela na Gig, but for those with keen eyes there is one on the side of one of the buildings at the Rock of Cashel. For those unfamiliar with these arcane erotic female figures, they were most often carved in the sides of buildings (most often churches) and are believed to have been seen as a ward against evil, although of course no one will ever know for certain if this is true. Hundreds exist in Ireland and the UK, although many more were struck off of their buildings as they were seen as profane.

To find the Sheela on the Rock of Cashel turn right out of the visitors display area and proceed past all of the buildings to the last building on the right. You will be overlooking the footpath that brought you to the entrance. Look carefully at all the far stones, those at the far corner of the building from where you stand and you will find a carved female form on a row above your head. She is sideways to the building rather than standing as is more often the case.





Find some more travel destinations in asia and click places to visit in ireland and romania tourist attractions.

and also read about havana tourist attractions and paris travel tips.

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