Travel the World with Eastant Series – Ireland

The next country on our series of travels is the Emerald Isle, the ancient and mysterious land of Ireland. As our extensive food travels through Italy left our stomachs full to the brim perhaps it’s time to engage in a more active form of travel for our next country as we delve into the cultural relics and sights of the island. Our first stop shall be up on the Northern coastline in order to marvel at the wondrous sights of the Giant’s Causeway. A World Heritage sight for over thirty years, the unique rock formation lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland. It is made up of some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea. The dramatic sight has inspired legends of fighting giants striding over the sea to Scotland and its unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural embankment against the ferocity of the storms over the Atlantic. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire those who visit as a stroll on the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time. In order to get some real fresh air into our lungs we must take a trip to the heart of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and a hike up the Cliffs of Moher. As one of the countries most famous sights, the cliffs themselves are scarily vertical with a 700 foot straight drop down into the choppy waters below, from the cliff’s edge you can listen to the booming crash of the waves against the rocks below. The view from the cliff’s edge is truly into the abyss, as the next major land mass would be North America, well over 3,000 miles away. The surrounding area around the cliffs is an escape into nature itself whether it be where the rugged cliffs meet the wild ocean adding to the brisk salty air or the indigenous wildlife consisting of dolphins, seals, whales as well as the Atlantic puffins which populate the area. A trip further south is perhaps more relaxing as a stop by to Blarney Castle in County Cork is a must for any traveller in search of good fortune. Originally a medieval stronghold, built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest Chieftans, it’s main attraction is that of the Blarney Stone, for over 200 years, world statesmen, literary giants, and legends of the silver screen have joined the millions of pilgrims climbing the steps to kiss the Blarney Stone, which according to legend, endows the kisser with the “gift of the gab” (great eloquence or skill at flattery). A trip to Ireland’s Ancient East is required to fully embrace the culture of this age-old land and nothing says ancient quite like Newgrange. Newgrange, a 5,200 year old passage tomb, which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza, is located in the Boyne Valley in County Meath, built by Stone Age farmers, the mound is 85 meters in diameter and 13.5 meters high with an area of about 1 acre. A passage through the tomb measures 19 meters which leads into a chamber with 3 alcoves. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun at the Winter Solstice. Newgrange is perhaps best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun, as above the entrance to the passage there is a opening called a roof-box and it’s purpose is to allow sunlight to penetrate the chamber on the shortest days of the year, around December 21st, the winter solstice. At dawn, from December 19th to 23rd, a narrow beam of light penetrates the roof-box and reaches the floor of the chamber, gradually extending to the rear of the chamber. As the sun rises higher, the beam widens within the chamber so that the whole room becomes dramatically illuminated. This event lasts for 17 minutes, beginning around 9am. It is believed that the intent of the Stone Age farmers who build Newgrange was undoubtedly to mark the beginning of the new year. As such, each year the winter solstice event attracts much attention at Newgrange as many gather at the ancient tomb to wait for dawn, as people did over 5,000 years ago. Our final stop, as we have gone all the way from the North to the West, down South and then to the East, perhaps it’s best we stay put and enjoy the culture in the nations capital, Dublin. The Guinness Storehouse, is a “must see” on any visit to Dublin, housed in an old fermentation plant in the heart of St James’s Gate Brewery, the seven-storey visitor experience tells the story of Ireland’s most iconic export and brings to life the heritage of this world famous beer. Your journey begins standing at the bottom of the world’s largest pint glass, which rises through the building and culminates at the top in order for you to enjoy the panoramic view of the city at Dublin’s highest bar where you can soak in your travels of the country and reflect on your experiences.