Galway – Ireland Galway stands along the western coast of Ireland where the River Corrib flows into Galway Bay along the Atlantic shoreline. The city developed as an important medieval trading port and later became a cultural center for the surrounding region. The historic city center contains narrow streets lined with colorful buildings, traditional pubs, […]
Donegal – County Donegal, Ireland Donegal lies in the far northwest of Ireland where rugged mountains, deep valleys, and dramatic coastal cliffs meet the North Atlantic Ocean. The region is known for its wild landscapes, traditional Gaelic culture, and historic coastal villages. Much of the surrounding countryside forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a […]
Cahir Castle – County Tipperary, Ireland Cahir Castle stands on a rocky island in the River Suir in the town of Cahir in County Tipperary. Built in the 13th century by the powerful Butler family, the castle is one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Ireland. Massive stone walls, towers, and defensive battlements surround the […]
Blarney Castle – County Cork, Ireland Blarney Castle stands amid rolling countryside just northwest of the city of Cork in southern Ireland. The present castle was built in the 15th century by the MacCarthy dynasty, one of the powerful Gaelic families of the region. The castle is most famous for the Blarney Stone, set high […]
Cork – Ireland Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city, lies along the River Lee in the southern part of the country near the Atlantic coast. The city developed as an important port and trading center during the medieval period and later became a major hub for commerce in southern Ireland. Much of the historic city center sits […]
Ring of Kerry – County Kerry, Ireland The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s most famous scenic routes, forming a circular drive through the rugged landscapes of County Kerry in southwestern Ireland. The route winds around the Iveragh Peninsula, where mountains, lakes, and dramatic coastal cliffs overlook the Atlantic Ocean. Travelers along the route […]
King John’s Castle – Limerick, Ireland King John’s Castle rises prominently on the banks of the River Shannon in the historic city of Limerick. The fortress was built in the early 13th century during the reign of King John of England, at a time when Norman rulers were strengthening their control over Ireland. The castle’s […]
With temperatures in the units this week, the Potomac River and the Tidal Basin were frozen over. After freezing to get some of these pictures, we spent the day in the Sackler and Freer Galleries (and mad a couple quick stops in the Hirshhorn and Air and Space Museums).
Buda Castle – Budapest, Hungary Buda Castle occupies the southern portion of Castle Hill, rising high above the Danube on the western side of Budapest. The site has served as a royal residence since the Middle Ages and was repeatedly expanded and rebuilt as the political center of the Hungarian kingdom. The castle complex today […]
Orava Castle – Orava Region, Slovakia Orava Castle occupies a dramatic limestone cliff rising above the Orava River near the village of Oravský Podzámok in northern Slovakia. The fortress is built in a series of terraces that climb steeply up the rock face, with defensive towers and walls stacked one above another along the ridge. […]