Ireland

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I found Ireland to be peaceful, friendly, and very beautiful. My trip to Ireland in 2002 was quite extensive as I traveled to every major city around the island nation. Ireland is doing very well because of its membership in the European Union and its future looks quite bright. I returned to Ireland, visiting friends in Dublin in 2009. My most recent trip was to Cork, Blarney, and Dublin in 2013.

Celtic tribes settled on the island from 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; six northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups.

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Dublin 2002


Galway 2002


Killarney 2002


Dublin 2009


Dublin 2013


Cork, Cobh, and Blarney 2013