History Lovers Guide to the United Kingdom, Ireland & Northern Ireland

​Planning a vacation in March might make you think about visiting the Emerald Isle, home of St. Patrick. St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday in Ireland, but it is a religious holiday for many, and they start the day in church. The celebrations and parades in New York and Chicago are grander than anything you'll find in Dublin on St. Patrick's Day.
 
Ireland is a majestic country to visit. It combines lush, scenic countryside, medieval castles, and modern cities. It also has Guinness. You can get Guinness on tap in pubs worldwide, but there's nothing quite like getting a pint of Guinness in a pub in Dublin. You'll find tourists mixing with the locals as well as lively music in many pubs. A visit to a pub is a great way to end a day of sightseeing.

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It would be easy to take a week or two and visit Ireland from Cork to Donegal. However, if you've made the trip across the pond, why not see some of the most beautiful sites throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland & Northern Ireland?
 
History and unique landscapes attract visitors throughout. There's plenty of ancient history, including some attractions left behind by the Romans. Some of these historic attractions might be on your bucket list.

• Stonehenge is one of the most well-known historic sites in England. It is a ring of standing stones, each weighing approximately 25 tons. Archeologists believe the monument was constructed between 3000 and 2000 B.C. for burial purposes. It is oriented toward the sunrise on the summer solstice, which many interpret as having mythical significance.
• Neolithic Orkney in Scotland is home to the most well preserved neolithic sites in Europe, including a farmstead dating back to 3700 BC, a village, and a circular stone henge called the Ring of Brogdar. 
• England is home to Hadrian's Wall, built to protect the Romans from the barbarians. It was completed in 128 A.D. and marked the northernmost point of the Roman Empire. At 80 miles long, it spans the width of England from sea to sea.
• The Romans originally built the City of Bath in England in 60 A.D. as a temple and a spa due to the nearby hot springs. Building and modernization continued throughout the centuries, but historic Roman buildings have been preserved.
• Boyne Valley in Ireland is home to several prehistoric burial tombs older than the pyramids in Egypt. Archaeologists now believe the tomb known as Newgrange was more of an Ancient temple where astrological, spiritual, and religious ceremonies were held.

 
This part of the world is also home to more than 4,000 castles and beautiful cathedrals built in various centuries. Many are still residences while others are ruins. For Americans, they are all interesting to visit and as lodging. These are on itineraries.

• Buckingham Palace is well known as the residence of Queen Elizabeth. It is also the location of royal ceremonies and most famously serves as the backdrop of the changing of the guard ceremony.
• Canterbury Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 597, the cathedral is one of the oldest Christian structures in England and arguably the most famous. The cathedral was rebuilt and expanded in the 11th through 14th centuries with Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
• Balmoral Castle has been the summer home of the Royal Family to escape from the demands of day-to-day life for over 150 years. Prince Albert purchased it for Queen Victoria after she fell in love with Scotland. Queen Victoria laid a foundation stone of the current castle in 1853.
• The Rock of Cashel in Tipperary, Ireland, is one of Ireland's most important historical heritage sites. It consists of medieval buildings situated on an outcrop of limestone. It includes a Romanesque Cormac's Chapel and the Hall of the Vicars, which houses several Celtic relics, including the original cross of St. Patrick.
• St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin is the largest church in Ireland. It is built on sacred ground where St. Patrick is said to have performed baptisms. This beautiful cathedral is something to behold with stained glass and tiled floor.

 
In addition to the history, the magnificent landscapes and geography are a huge draw for many tourists. Miles of shoreline and cliffs, as well as lush green rolling hills and unique volcanic sites, are enjoyed by many.

• The Isle of Skye in Scotland hosts many beautiful sights, including the fairy pools, which are a series of clear aqua blue water pools connected by waterfalls. The pools are fed by mountain streams and are icy cold.
• Northern Ireland is home to the famed Dark Hedges in Ballymoney. More than 200 years ago, the Stuart family planted beech trees to impress visitors driving up to their home. The beech tree tunnel is one of the most photographed natural sites in Great Britain. It is so beautiful that the tunnel was featured in several Game of Thrones episodes.
• The Giant's Causeway is another fantastic site in Northern Ireland. It is approximately 40,000 columns formed by lava. Legend has it that the site was created so that Irish and Scottish giants could meet and fight.
• Luke Skywalker chose Skellig Michael off the coast of County Kerry in Ireland as a retreat in The Force Awakens. The island is home to the remains of a sixth-century monastery that you can explore after a steep 600-step climb.
• Fingal's Cave is a sea cave on the volcanic island of Staffa, in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It was known as the 'Cave of Melody' by the Celts due to the acoustics made by its angular columns.

 
Of course, there are other activities to enjoy during your visit. Many beautiful golf courses can easily round out a trip. And in addition to Guinness, there are whiskeys and plenty of scotch to enjoy at the end of a day of sightseeing. Whatever your choice, Slainte! 

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