Background: Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being implemented with some difficulties.
May 5th 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Aran Islands As we biked along the azure coast of Inishmore (the largest of the Aran islands) off the West Coast of Galway, we basked in the sun’s warm glow and drank in our idyllic surroundings; stone walls ... 45 photos[full story]
May 2nd 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway Jessica finally finished her paper...she is done with school until the fall! We picked her up at Corrib Village and drove her to the school to turn in the paper. We then went down to the City Center t ... [full story]
May 1st 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Connemara Today was supposed to be a visit to the Aran Islands, three islands off the coast of Ireland, just out of Galway Bay, where the people still live much as they did over a hundred years ago. This is als ... [full story]
April 29th 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway Forgot to provide an update on the weather. It was sunny and 65 when we arrived. We had sunshine for our entire cross-country trip. When we arrived in Galway it turned overcast and cool. While we were ... [full story]
May 5th 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway The drive across Ireland was not looking promising, it’s not ugly but it’s no where near as pretty as England and Wales have been, Galway though has redeemed my spirits. It’s gorgeou ... [full story]
May 2nd 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway Hi Bloggers,
Kate helped me with kick starting this blog so although I've arranged an alternate I thought it would be good to use this blog to see how it works for us and you.
So, although you've he ... [full story]
April 29th 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway I'm assuming you're wondering where I went. Mostly, I've been living the Irish dream. And by that I mean drinking. And by that I mean I've had more to drink that someone of my height/weight should pro ... 1 photos[full story]
April 14th 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway Monday was cold and rainy, even more so than usual. Usually we fight it during the day and go about our business but no one was really into the weather today. It cleared up in the evening so I decid ... 6 photos[full story]
April 12th 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Galway The weekend was slow but really enjoyable. I planned on getting some homework done (but isn't that always the case?), but it was such a beautiful day that I couldn't stay in doing homework. Anna and ... 8 photos[full story]
April 12th 2008Europe » Ireland » County Galway » Connemara Today was pretty amazing, to say the least. We left for Connemara around 9:30am and it was just the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. Again, if you are on the west coast of Ireland, take a ... 10 photos[full story]
Map of Ireland
Ireland's Flag
