Shell Guide To Ireland

"While this is a general Guide to Ireland, particular attention has been paid to antiquities and items of historic and artistic interest. ... The Guide is presented in the form of a gazetteer, i.e. the various items are grouped under alphabetically ordered principal entries. Under each such principal entry will be found, not only the features of interest of the place in question, but also sub-entries referring to places within convenient reach; also cross-references where these are considered necessary"--(Preface, vii)

As well as being a practical guide it's an exhilarating read... It is a delightful thing: anybody contemplaing crossing to Ireland for pleasure shouldn't think of going without consulting it. OBSERVER

The landscape of Ireland is rich with ancient carved stone crosses, tomb-shrines, Romanesque churches, round towers, sundials, beehive huts, Ogham stones and other monuments, many of them dating from before the 12th century. The purpose and function of these artifacts have often been the subject of much debate. Peter Harbison proposes in this book a radical hypothesis: that a great many of these relics can be explained in terms of ecclesiastical pilgrimage. He has constructed a fascination theory about the palace of pilgrimage in the early Christian period, placing it right at the center of communal life. The monuments themselves make much better sense if it looked at in this light—as having come into existence not through the practices of ascetic monks but because of the activities of pilgrims. He begins by searching the historical sources in detail for evidence of early pilgrimage sites. By examining their monuments he projects the findings to other locations where pilgrimage has not been documented. He goes on to describe monument-types of every kind and to identify pilgrims in sculpture surviving from before AD 1200. The Dingle Peninsula in Kerry proves to be a microcosm of pilgrimage monuments, enabling the author to reconstruct a tradition of maritime pilgrimage activity up and down the west coast of Ireland. Indeed, the famous medieval traveler's tale of the fabulous voyage of the St Brendan the Navigator can now be seen as the literary expression of a longstanding maritime pilgrimage along the Atlantic seaways of Ireland and Scotland, reaching Iceland, Greenland, and even North America.

The Complete Guide to Ireland's Birds includes the most up-to-date distribution maps and full descriptions of males, females, immatures, voice, diet and preferred habitat of over 300 species.

Let us guide you on every step of your travels. From deciding when to go, to choosing what to see when you arrive, Insight Guide Ireland, is all you need to plan your trip and experience the best of Ireland, with in-depth insider information on must-see, top attractions like Dublin, the Giant's Causeway, the Aran Islands, Connemara and the Wild Atlantic Way, and hidden cultural gems like the walls of Derry and the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick. This book is ideal for travellers seeking immersive cultural experiences, from exploring vibrant Dublin, colourful Cork and historic Derry, to discovering the wild west coast, the plains of Tipperary and the Glens of Antrim. - In-depth on history and culture: explore the region's vibrant history and culture, and understand its modern-day life, people and politics - Excellent Editor's Choice: uncover the best of Ireland, which highlights the most special places to visit around the region - Invaluable and practical maps: get around with ease thanks to detailed maps that pinpoint the key attractions featured in every chapter - Informative tips: plan your travels easily with an A to Z of useful advice on everything from climate to tipping - Inspirational colour photography: discover the best destinations, sights, and excursions, and be inspired by stunning imagery - Inventive design makes for an engaging, easy-reading experience - Covers: Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Shannon, Galway and the west, Belfast and Northern Ireland About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.