By James Scott Bankston
Ireland is becoming quite fashionable. We listen to Irish bands, we give our children Irish names and once a year, on St. Patrick's Day, we put on green clothing, fake Irish accents and gulp down great quantities of Irish stout and whiskey. Not surprisingly, Ireland has become a popular tourist destination, with visitors who are looking for the version of the Emerald Isle that best suits their imagination.
The National Gallery
Irish, British, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Flemish paintings from several centuries (including the works of many Old Masters) are on display in the National Gallery in Dublin.
Trinity College
Trinity College has many valuable old books in its collection--chief among them is the illuminated Book of Kells.
The National Museum
Located in Dublin, the National Museum's holdings include ancient and medieval artifacts, mostly from Ireland.
Waterford
Though Waterford was founded by Vikings, it is best known for the Waterford Crystal Factory, which is open for public tours.
Killarney National Park
Dotted with lakes, Killarney National Park is popular with cyclists and walkers.
Blarney Castle
Tourists come to Blarney Castle to hang upside down by their heels many stories over the ground, and kiss the Blarney Stone in order to gain "the gift of gab."
Guinness Brewery
Learn about the history and brewing process of Ireland's most beloved beverage at the Guinness Brewery, then sample some of it fresh off the line.
About the Author:
James Scott Bankston, of Austin, Texas, has been a writer and editor since 1985. His work has appeared in Citysearch.com, the Austin Chronicle, and various Demand Media sites. He has a B.A. with a double major in English and history from Sam Houston State University.
