Ireland Land

 Wicklow Mountains
          
The Wicklow Mountains, called the "Garden of Ireland", are a range of mountains running southeast from Dublin through County Wicklow. The mountains are a popular weekend and holiday retreat for Dubliners looking to get out of the city for fresh air and various recreational activities.

While the Wicklow Mountains themselves are not all that tall (the highest peak is 925 m/3,035 ft), the landscape is stunningly wild and markedly different from the typical green grassy plains of the Emerald Isle. Set up as a National Park, the 20,000 hectres (almost 50,000 acres) encompass serene lakes and deep glacial valleys that are dotted between the mountains, offering visitors the chance to fish, kayak, and hike among other activities. Plus, Ireland's highest waterfall, Powerscourt, is located in the park as well.

Besides those that come to enjoy the great outdoors, the Wicklow Mountains also attract people wanting to visit the ancient monastic ruins of Glendolough, which is tucked away into one of its valleys. This monastery is believed to have been established by St. Kevin and is now a pilgrimage site frequently visited by Catholics.

Ring of Kerry

   

The Ring of Kerry is a amazing route passing through some of the most beautiful scenery is southern Ireland. The route is circular and around 110 miles (180km) in distance. It passes through Killarney with its lovely National Park alongside Lough Leane, around Iveragh Peninsula, passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen and Killorglin.  

Along the way there are beautiful views - particularly at Ladies View in Killarney National Park; castles, forts and historic houses including Derrynane House, home of Daniel O'Connor; the impressive glacial valley of Gap of Dunloe; St Mary's Cathedral in Killarney; Skellig Michael - a sheer rocky island in the Atlantic which housed a monastery and now a nature reserve; Torc Waterfall and Ogham stones which contain carvings of the Old Irish language.
If you prefer a slower pace and want to walk or cycle through this part of the world, The Kerry Way follows almost the same route but on quieter roads.