We were on the way to the Brownshill Dolmen near Carlow, when we discovered this beautiful one in the middle of a pasture. Shortly after we reached the Brownshill Dolmen, where we could see its majestic capstone already from the parking. There are many dolmens scattered around Ireland, but this one is truly exceptional, not […]
Duckett’s Grove is the ruined remains of a 19th-century mansion located near Carlow. Formerly the centre of a 12,000-acre (49 km²) estate belonging to the Duckett family, the house dominated the area for more than two centuries. It was surrounded by stables and farm buildings, as well as two interconnected walled gardens with greenhouses. The
In the little town of Avoca, we found the oldest working woollen mill in Ireland and one of the world’s oldest manufacturing companies. The mill dates back to 1723 and was used for grinding corn and spinning and weaving wool. On a guided tour, we learned about the traditional way of weaving by hand, which is still used to try out
After spending a night at the coast near Greystones and a short coastal walk, we were looking forward to a tour through another beautiful house. Killruddery was for centuries just a hunting lodge for the Brabazon family living in Dublin, until in 1820, when John Brabazon, 10th Earl of Meath, built a Tudor Revival mansion
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The story of the Powerscourt Estate is a tragic one. The house, originally a 13th-century castle, was extensively altered during the 18th century by German architect Richard Cassels. Originally the family seat of the Viscounts Powerscourt, the estate has been sold to the Slazenger family in 1961, founders and former owners of the Slazenger sporting goods business. They renovated the
The rainy weather was ideal for a tour through one of the grand houses around Dublin. We chose Russborough House, and were mesmerized by the art and beauty of the rooms we could visit on a guided tour. Russborough House is a Georgian Palladian house, designed by Richard Cassels for Joseph Leeson, 1st Earl of Milltown, built between 1741 and
Russborough House and the Wicklow Mountains Read More »
The next day, the weather was ideal for an indoor activity – to say something positive about it. We drove to the Guinness Brewery in the hope of getting a parking there on a Sunday, and we did. I suppose, you haven’t heard about VIYOUU, that’s because the App isn’t released yet, but is going
Parking in a city is never easy with a camper, but we were lucky to find a great spot at the quay. (53.345637, -6.233291 – free parking and enough space on the weekend) We walked along the River Liffey, admiring the mixture of old and new along the old quays of Dublin, until we got
We had found a parking near Benburb. From here, we could hike through a forest and along the river – a lovely spot. (54.409113, -6.739416) After an evening and a morning hike through the forest, we left and stopped next at Armagh for a coffee and a short walk through town. The catholic cathedral on
Monasterboice and Mellifont Abbey Read More »
En route to the south of Northern Ireland, we came across the Beaghmore Stone Circles, a site comprising stone circles, alignments and cairns. These were discovered during peat cutting in the 1930s. The stones themselves are not very big, but there are lots of them. Fortunately, the grass had recently been cut; otherwise, many of
From stone circles to stone crosses Read More »
