Downpatrick, Co. Down
The Mound of Down, wildly overgrown with bushes and trees, is but a short walk down the hill from Down Cathedral. The Mound dates from the Iron Age; the Cathedral was first constructed in the 12th century.
Dingle, Co. Kerry
You can still feel the community pack
This place: it’s like going into a turfstack,
A core of old dark walled up with stone
A yard thick…
Seamus Heaney
“In Gallarus Oratory,” 1969
Coolaney, Co. Sligo
Although it is two miles from the sea, and atop a mountain, the well was in 1188 called one of the wonders of Ireland, as it was said to have low tides and high tides, as if it were connected to the ocean.
Blacklion, Co. Cavan
The ruins of the church at Killinagh, with its adjacent holy well and ruined prehistoric tomb, have long appeared to be a place with deep pre-Christian associations. This is nowhere more evident than at the large boulder known as St. Brigid’s Cursing Stone.
Termon, Co. Donegal
The Rock of Doon is a craggy eminence with a storied past and a glorious panoramic view. On its flat summit there was reputed to be an inauguration ceremony in which the tribal leader was joined symbolically with the powers of nature during a brutal pagan rite.
Dún Chaoin (Dunquin), Co. Kerry
Tigh Mhóire contains what may be a prehistoric tomb, a fragment of an early cross-slab, and the grave of a Spanish noblemen lost in the Spanish Armada. In legend it was the home of Mór, the divine hag of winter.
Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry
Near the town of Ballyferriter are two stone monuments vividly bringing into the landscape the stories of an enchanted cow whose milk was ever flowing. The Glas Gaibhnenn gave milk freely to all, until she was tricked by an evil woman.
Kildare, Co. Kildare
Think of Ireland, and you’re likely to conjure first a shamrock, then perhaps a harp. Or a Guinness. But close behind the list of symbols that are forever Irish would be the iconic but enigmatic round tower, with its doorway positioned high off the ground.
Cullamore, Co. Tyrone
Altadaven Glen, the light-dappled dreamscape location of St. Patrick’s Chair and Well, seems like a small patch of fern-filled rain forest magically dropped into Co. Tyrone.
Inishmurray, Co. Sligo
Today a visitor on a day trip from Mullaghmore might be tempted to idealize life on this small island. But the story of Inishmurray is a tale of two communities, each now deserted, each in its own era confronting great challenges.
Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Donegal
The Turas is a religious procession that visits 15 different stations in the hills and valleys of this stunningly beautiful spot at the western edge of Co. Donegal. Some of the stations may have been associated with pre-Christian practices.
Ballyvourney, Co. Cork
St. Gobnait’s monastic site contains two holy wells and the reputed grave of this sixth-century holy woman within a ruined prehistoric tomb. It also features a striking sheela-na-gig figure, said by some to be an image of the saint, and by others to be a remnant of a pagan goddess religion.
Rathmore, Co. Kerry
"When you stand in the middle of the Cathair you get great feeling of satisfaction that you’re standing here on one of the most ancient places on earth.There is no place in Western Europe more ancient, functioning the same length of time, as Cromlech Cathair Crobh Dearg. " (Dan Cronin)
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