“A country in which the probable never happens and the impossible always does.”

LEPRECHAUN’S FIELD GUIDE TOIRELAND

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Ireland has it all. From the haunting beauty of the pure, unspoiled landscapes and the drama of the coastline, to the urban buzz of the country’s dynamic cities mixed with the magic of thousands of years’ worth of culture and history, Ireland is a country that never fails to surprise. Wild and beautiful, inspiring and exciting, Ireland’s energy and romance will win you over in an instant. And with some of the friendliest people in the world, this perfectly-sized and surprisingly-diverse island will keep you coming back for more.

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Céad Míle Fáilte! (100,000 Welcomes)

THE CLIFFS OF MOHER

The first stop on the map is the Cliffs of Moher. One of Ireland’s most spectacular sights and top visitor attractions near the village of Liscannon in western Ireland. The cliffs are five miles long and rise 700 feet above the crashing waves of the sea. An observation tower on the highest point of the cliffs gives an unobstructed view of the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. A large pop-ulation of puffins inhabit the cliffs.

For more information, please visit: www.cliffsofmoher.ie

Our second location is the Ring of Kerry. For many people around the world, the Ring of Kerry drive en-capsulates their image of Ireland: ancient monuments, romantic castles, spectacular gardens and colorful towns and villages. The spectacular scenery, dramatic coastline, colorful towns and villages and ancient archaeolog-ical treasures have been featured in postcards, film, poetry and song.

For more information, please visit: www.ringofkerrytourism.com

RING OF KERRY

KISS THE BLARNEY STONE

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The third Irish hots pot is Blarney Castle. No trip to Ireland is complete without bending over backward to kiss the Blarney Stone and getting the fabled gift of gab. You’ll find the stone perched at the top of the 15th-century castle, reached by a steep climb up a slippery spiral staircase. Admire the sweeping views from the top and pucker up! Located in friendly County Cork, the castle is just 8km northwest of Cork City and is also home to magical gardens full of myths and legends.

For more information, please visit: www.blarneycastle.ie

Our fourth destination is at Dublin’s most popular tourist at-traction is pretty much compul-sory for any self-respecting tourist in Ireland’s capital. Or, at the very least, it should be. The Guinness Storehouse tells the story of how Guinness is made and how this famous drink came to be one of Ireland’s best-known exports.

This historical building is central to Dublin’s and Ireland’s heritage, and has been continually updated to create a blend of fascinating indus-trial tradition with a contemporary edge. The seven floors bring to life the rich heritage of GUINNESS®, telling the story from its origins here at St. James’s Gate in Dublin to its growth as a global brand, known all around the world. The top floor, which has the Gravity Bar, is the most fun. There you get a complimentary pint of Guinness. You also get the most spectacular view of Dublin which is worth the admission price alone.

For more information, please visit: www.guinness-storehouse.com

GUINNESS STORE HOUSE

Walk in the steps of a Giant during your trip to the fifth stop on the tour! Get to know Finn McCool, a local legend in Northern Ireland who takes credit for building the curious Giant’s Causeway. Experience the wonder of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the other great attractions along Antrim’s Causeway Coastal Route including Bushmills Whiskey Distillery and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.

For more information, please visit: www.northantrim.com/giantscauseway.

THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

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The final destination on our journey is Newgrange, one of six massive megalithic ancient passage tombs, Newgrange was built about 5,000 years ago and is Ireland’s most famous prehistoric site. The tomb is older the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and Stonehenge in England.

It’s especially famous for a spectac-ular event on Dec. 21, also known as the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The tomb was built in such a way so that on this day, it is illuminated by a narrow beam of sunlight which shines through a specially designed roof box. Those who have seen this say its an unforgettable experience..

NEWGRANGE

Gaelic is Ireland’s official second language. Here are a few phrases, mostly simple, some useful and a bit whimsical to help you communicate.

PHRASE: ....................... SlaintePRONOUNCED:.............. slawn-chehMEANING:...................... Cheers

PHRASE:....................... SaolfadachugatPRONOUNCED:............. sailfaddahcoogitMEANING:...................... Longlifetoyou

PHRASE:....................... NílagamachbeagáinínGaeilge.PRONOUNCED:............. kneelah-gumockbyug-aneengayle-gehMEANING:..................... IspeakonlyalittleIrish

PHRASE:....................... NíthuigimPRONOUNCED:.............. kneehigimmMEANING:..................... Idon’tunderstand

PHRASE: ....................... LabreaataannPRONOUNCED:.............. lahbrahahtawow-innMEANING:...................... It’salovelyday

PHRASE: ....................... Cadisainmduit?PRONOUNCED:.............. coadissannimdwitMEANING:...................... Whatisyourname?

PHRASE: ....................... TapadhleatPRONOUNCED:.............. tapahlatMEANING:...................... Thankyou

Learn Gaelic

Irish Folklore

Ireland’s long history is riddled with ancient mythology and folklore. Ireland’s ancient societies, the Druids and the Celtics, believed in the power of magic and many of these beliefs spread to modern day legends told again and again across the country.

LeprechaunsYou may end up being the luckiest person alive if you ever manage to catch a Leprechaun but there again it could bring more than enough trouble for what its worth. A Leprechaun is a smart, devious little thing and who’ll do anything to escape capture even if it means turning you into a frog. They are the exception in the Faerie realm as they are the only Faerie that has a trade other than cattle trading. They are shoemakers.

The ShamrockThe three green leaves of the Shamrock is more than the unofficial symbol of Ireland and one of the marshmallows in Lucky Charms. The Shamrock has held meaning to most of Ireland’s historic cultures. The Druids believed the Shamrock was a sacred plant that could ward off evil. The Celtic believed the Shamrock had mystical properties due to the plant’s three heart-shaped leaves. The Celtic believed three was a sacred number. Some Christians also believed the Shamrock had special meaning- the three leaves representing the Holy Trinity.

Saint PatrickSt. Patrick was born in Britain to a wealthy family. During his childhood, he was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Ireland. During his years in slavery he converted to Christianity and once freed he did spend the rest of his life teaching the Irish about the Christian religion, but he was soon forgotten after his death. It wasn’t until many years later that monks began telling the tale of St. Patrick forcing all the snakes out of Ireland. Something he never could have done as there never were any snakes in Ireland.

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