Museums in Dublin

By Ronan Menton

The site upon which the city of Dublin is located, has a history of settlement going back over 1,000 years when Vikings settled in the area. Today Dublin is a major cultural center, and it is only fitting that it is home to several top quality museums. No matter what your particular interest, Dublin more than likely has a museum that will cater to your interest. The museums can loosely be divided into three categories, art galleries, historic and libraries.

History Museums

The history of Dublin and Ireland is catered for in detail by the National Museum of Ireland and the National History Museum. The National History Museum deals with the natural history of Ireland. There are 10,000 animals on display in the Museum of Natural History from not just Ireland, but from all four corners of the globe. The National Museum of Ireland is situated in Collin's Barracks, and displays of decorative arts which date back to prehistoric times to more modern eras can be seen here. The museum is easily accessible by taking the Luas from Abbey Street.

Art Galleries

The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish and European Art which is owned by the Irish Government. The museum has an impressive display of paintings and sculptures from many of the world's most famous artists including Monet, Caravaggio and Van Gogh. The Gallery also has a recently built display wing which houses traveling exhibitions. Entrance to the museum is free of charge, and its central location means it is a must see.

Libraries

The two main libraries in Dublin are the National Library of Ireland and the Chester Beatty Library. The National Library houses the worlds largest collection of Irish documents, including books, manuscripts, periodicals, drawing, photographs, maps and newspapers. The National Gallery has no entrance fee, but a readers ticket is needed if you wish to read any of the materials. The Chester Beatty Library houses an excellent collection of Islamic, Chinese, Japanese and Indian manuscripts. The library was created by Chester Beatty who left the library to the Irish State upon his death.

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimization in the Irish travel industry. Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: Ireland Car Rental and Car Rentals in Ireland.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronan_Menton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Museums-in-Dublin&id=439768

Top 10 Tips when Visiting Ireland

By Dara Ward

Ireland is a magical place. It has a culture and heritage that is truly it’s own. The country is divided into The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Republic has 26 counties while Northern Ireland has 6 counties giving the entire country 32 in total.

1. No visit to Ireland is complete without having spent at least a couple of days in the capital city Dublin. Dublin is now accessible from most major airports worldwide. Car rental can be hired from all major recognised companies directly at the airport but we suggest booking in advance to get the best rates. Car rental also offers more flexibility if visitors wish to travel further a field.

2. Galway is widely regarded as the fastest growing city in Europe. Located on the West Coat of Ireland, Galway is a lively city with an extremely young vibrant population. Known for its numerous pubs and cafes Galway is a must on any travellers agenda.

3. Cork is the third largest city in Ireland following Dublin and Belfast. Watch out for the famous Cork accent as its fast and can at times be hard to grasp. Home to Murphy’s and Beamish stout or beer Cork was the European Capital of Culture in 2005.

4. The famous Ring of Kerry has been travelled by millions of visitors at this stage. Enjoy the spectacular scenery that the Ring of Kerry boasts. Located close to Killarney this is a must see for any serious traveller. Be prepared for a slow ride though as the route is often very busy.

5. Possibly one of Ireland’s best kept secrets is County Sligo. Located in the North West of Ireland Sligo was home to W.B.Yeats the famous poet. Much of his inspiration was derived from the local surrounds. Marvel at Lough Gill, Ben Bulben and Knocknerea.

6. While Belfast may have gained an International reputation as a violent city due to it’s past it has now become one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe. The city is full of life and oozes an energy rarely found elsewhere. Another must!

7. The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are a real treat. Standing hundreds of feet tall and reaching up from the Atlantic Ocean the Cliffs of Moher are a true spectacular. Surfers are now coming from around the globe to ride the mighty waves at the base of the cliff.

8. Fancy taking a trip back in time to how Ireland used to be? If so take a trip to The Aran Islands off the coast of Galway where Gaelic or Irish is the main language. The Islands will give you a glimpse of how Ireland used to be with a laid back attitude prevalent.

9. Visit County Wexford, known as The Model County and climb Europe’s oldest lighthouse at Hook Head. Dating back over 500 years this is a climb that will leave you breathless-not from the exertion of the climb but from the views.

10. Lastly be sure to book your accommodation and car rental well in advance to avoid any disappointment. Remember that the Euro is now the currency of Ireland so do your calculations prior to booking.

Dara Ward is the Managing Director of Accommodation in Ireland and operates over 20 Irish Travel and Tourism websites. He is widely recognised as an expert in the promotion of tourism to and within Ireland and has an in-depth knowledge of the travel industry in Ireland. He also operates Hotels in Dublin amongst other sites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dara_Ward
http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-10-Tips-when-Visiting-Ireland&id=182373

10 Things to Know About Ireland

By Richard Monk

Ireland has long been an island divided, but is starting to make a serious comeback. Here are 10 things to know about the Emerald Isle.

An island located close to Britain, Ireland has been in nearly constant conflict with its neighbor. Alas, things have changed dramatically in the last ten years as have Ireland’s fortunes. Religious violence seems to have tapered off and economic growth is some of the strongest in Europe.

Here are ten things to know about the amazing country of Ireland.

1. The island is split between two countries, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

2. Prior to 1921, the entire island was part of and controlled by Britain.

3. In 1921, 26 counties in the south were given independence and became the Republic of Ireland.

4. Northern Ireland is approximately 55 percent Protestant and 44 percent Catholic. This division has led to decades of strife in all aspects of life.

5. Ireland has remained neutral during the two World Wars despite the fact Great Britain played a key role in each.

6. In 1990, Mary Robinson was elected the first female President of the Republic of Ireland.

7. You will find “rag trees” in Ireland. As the name suggests, trees are covered with rags tied to their branches. The rags represent wishes for a variety of things.

8. In some parts of the country, you can go bowling on Sundays. On the public roads! The idea is to roll a heavy ball from the starting point to a finishing point as much as a couple of miles away. The team that does it in the fewest number of throws wins.

9. The ancestors of U.S. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan were Irish.

10. The Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, was Scottish!

Ireland has a long and storied history as well as a unique cultural all its own. As you can tell from the above, this is a place you should visit if you get a chance.

Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about Ireland.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Monk
http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Things-to-Know-About-Ireland&id=256830