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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.

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By Finn magill
August 16th 2008

A Trip well travelled

Europe » Ireland » County Leitrim » Carrick on Shannon

Hello avid blogsters, Well, I am safely back in my dear ole muggy North Carolina. I hope you have all enjoyed keeping up with my traveling adventures. The tail end of the trip was a series of buses, hitched lifts, characters, and tea. Let me fill you in on some last tidbits, stories, and maybe pseudo deep thoughts with Jack ANDY (saturday night live anyone?). Since I did get to do a lot of reflection on this trip (happens when you are alone on a bus), I feel myself inevitably going into some final reflection here. But first the stories: So [View Full Entry]

By The Baron
August 8th 2008

Friday, August 8

Europe » Ireland » County Leitrim

Kelly In Mohill
This is a statue of Turlough O'Carolan, a blind harpist considered by many to be Ireland's National Composer. The harp is a beloved symbol of Irish heritage and culture, especially since the harp sur... [more]

Friday was another slower-paced day in anticipation of our busy Saturday. We head out early tomorrow morning toward Dublin with as many as four stops along the way to see and experience a few more stellar Irish sights. We decided to head back into deep O'Rourke country today to find one or two things we overlooked when we visited earlier in the week. We learned that just across the River Bonet (pronounced "Bonnet") from the ruins of the Breffni castle in Dormahair lies the Creevelea Abbey. Founded in 1508 by Margaret O'Brien, the wife of Owen O'Rourke, this served as the [View Full Entry]

By The Baron
August 6th 2008

Wednesday, August 6

Europe » Ireland » County Leitrim

At The Stables

After four straight days of touring at break-neck pace, we decided it was wise to take it a bit easier for one day. Wednesday was deemed the day to take a more leisurely pace. We slept in to a very Irish-like 9:00 a.m. We lounged around the cottage past lunchtime, then headed out to Drumshanbo for some horseback riding! Kelly had a horse named Caesar (who she named "Little Caesar" because of his smaller size), and Ryan had Rusty, a big, strong and more insubordinate beast. Both were just as pretty as can be. After 30-minutes of instruction on the English-style [View Full Entry]

By Finn magill
August 5th 2008

READ ME!

Europe » Ireland » County Leitrim » Carrick on Shannon

Hello avid blog enthusiasts If you are reading this installment I am impressed, because that means that you have not gotten bored yet with my tales. I want you all to be here and experience it for yourself but since all 110 of us can't be here together, then the best I can do is try and capture one american kid's experience of it so that you may get an inkling to hop on the next aer lingus flight and see this place for youselves. It really is a fantastic country in many ways. Last night I was up until 2 [View Full Entry]

By The Baron
August 4th 2008

Monday, August 4

Europe » Ireland » County Leitrim

The Sign Says It All

We spent an amazing day in the former kingdom of the O'Rourke clan (Ryan's ancestors). Everywhere we went there were sites named after the O'Rourkes! We started in Dromahair (The Ridge of the Two Demons) where we could only see the ruins of the first O'Rourke castle through a gate (which Ryan tried unsuccessfully to break down). We did manage to climb around in the ruins of O'Rourke's Hall, an attached building, which was built by later inhabitants. From Dromahair we headed out to the other O'Rourke castle site which is now called Parke's Castle. Tiernan O'Rourke, King of Breifne, built [View Full Entry]

By The Baron
August 2nd 2008

Saturday, August 2

Europe » Ireland » County Leitrim

Marble Arch Caves

We have arrived in the storied land of the mighty O'Rourke clan! And since you're reading this, you can probably deduce that we do indeed have internet access....high speed wireless even!! After a few hours of driving from Belfast where we picked up our rental car, we pulled into our self-catering cottage -- which sits on a real working dairy farm. This will be our home for the next seven days, and we couldn't be happier! We stopped along the way in the resort town of Enniskillen (right on the Northern Ireland / Republic of Ireland border. We had lunch and [View Full Entry]

By JessRK
July 27th 2008

Up up in Drumbshambo!

Europe » Ireland » County Leitrim

Paul, Susan, Paul

Ah gosh I don't know where to begin... Well sure... Ill start from the beginning then! What an absolutely AMAZING week. I left Galway Sunday and Siobhan and Tommy picked me up in Longford after taking the bus. We arrived into Drumbshambo and were quickly (kinda) able to get back into the swing of things. It was like we never left! So... who was there. At the campsite it was Elaine, myself, Siobhan & Tommy, Tom & Judy (Tommy's parents), The Finns (Tom & Mary and kids). At the house there was Sean, Gearoid, Corman, Barry, Una and Kira (Barry & [View Full Entry]

By Finn magill
July 15th 2008

Ireland..keepin' it tidy

Europe » Ireland » County Leitrim » Carrick on Shannon

Greetings all and failte (Welcome)! You are reading the first installment of my adventures....Version Ireland 3.0. More than anything I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm safe and sound in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim. I got in sunday unprecedentedly on-time at Shannon airport. After my friend picked me up, we sped off to see the aftermath of Willie Week....for those of yous unfamiliar: Willie Clancy was a piping phenom and every year the pipers, musicians, and hawkers come in droves to cause musical mayhem in this little Clare town. By the time we arrived, everyone in the stre [View Full Entry]

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