During our time in Ireland, we were able to visit the middle and western parts of the island. Legend, history, and mythology play a strong role in this country, and so we decided to take two excursions to the most important of the ancient Celtic Heritage Sites.
The first tour included a day trip to Boyne Valley and the Hill of Tara, as well as to the Loughcrew Celtic Tombs. It took a few hours of driving time to reach the Hill of Tara from Dublin. Once we arrived, we took our time hiking the twenty minutes to the top. The harsh wind constantly tugged at our coats and scarves as we ascended, but we found the steep climb to be well worth the hike. As we crested the ridge, a glorious panoramic view of rolling emerald green hills spread out before us. The lush valley was dotted with small stone cottages and crossed at random by a couple of roads. We wandered around a few of the largest monuments, periodically gazing at the beautiful landscape. This ancient complex spans from Navan to Dunshaughlin and, according to tradition, was one of the main meeting places of the High Kings of Ireland during the Neolithic period. After seeing the wonderful view, we can tell why the Hill of Tara was so revered by the ancient Celtics. 
During this same tour, we were also dazzled by the history and beauty of the Loughcrew Celtic Tombs. Situated half an hours drive from the Hill of Tara, this area is home to more than twenty megalithic tombs that have been dated to the 4th century BC. These sites are spread over four hills and are characterized by small and large chambers that are covered by mounds. It is a spectacular sight to behold.
Throughout our stay in this incredible land, we learned that fairies have a strong influence in Irish mythology and are connected to many of the heritage sites. As such, there are fairy rings (natural clusters of mushrooms), fairy trees (a single ash or hawthorn tree in the middle of a meadow) and fairy hills (mounds like the Hill of Tara) scattered throughout Ireland. These particular places are said to be doorways to another world – that of the elves and fairies of old. It is believed that mischievous pixies will use magic to harm anyone who disturbs these sacred areas. Because of this, any fairy locations are generally thought to be dangerous and the locals cautiously warn anyone of getting too close. These spots are so important to the Irish that they are even protected by law!
Towards the end of our stay, we decided to take another excursion to Connemara and Galway City. Ireland is known for its lovely landscapes and we were happy to find this to be more than true as we continued into the heart of the Irish countryside. From light mint to olive to deep forest, our eyes swam with the different green hues that make up the land. We soaked in as much of the beauty as we could. Since we grew up in the middle of a forest, and close to a large lake, we felt more at home in Ireland than in any of the countries we had previously visited.
Our first stop was to Connemara, which is located in western Ireland and full of mountains, bogs, and lakes. Tranquility surrounded us as we breathed in the fresh crisp air, gazed at the rich green of the terrain, and admired the vibrant blue of the many lakes. During this time, we also had the opportunity to enjoy a hot cup of traditional Irish Breakfast Tea and a calm boat ride around Killary Harbour.
The tour ended with a stop in the bustling city of Galway. One of the first points of interest was the dozens of colorful flags representing the ancient clans, which were proudly displayed in the city center. For two hours, we enjoyed our time wandering around, listening to musicians playing different instruments, and watching artists create works of art in a variety of mediums.
The Celtic Heritage Sites are among the most beautiful in the world, and we encourage anyone traveling to the enchanting country of Ireland to experience them. We’re so very glad that we did! 😀
For additional photos, please see:
– Ireland 2015: Celtic Heritage Sites
For more information about this country, please see our other article: