Subject: So. Studies/Sciences: Geography/Cultures

European Studies Series

Ireland: Irish Stories and Glories

The richness of Ireland lies not only in the beauty of the land, but also in the stories of its people; to truly appreciate the island, one needs to meet those who have lived here. We begin our historical tour in Dublin at the Kells Monastery, where the famous illuminated Bible manuscript, the Book of Kells, was discovered. In County Monahan we meet three bachelor brothers who work wonders in wood; plus we visit the largest Norman castle in the country, where the movie Braveheart was filmed. On the Cooley Peninsula we learn of its legends of the Children of Lir, the Brown Bull of Cooley, and prehistoric stone monuments. Next, to the town of Clones with it's stories of the 1840's Irish Famine and traditional Irish lace; then Lisburn with its history of Irish Linen; Limavady, where the tale of the beloved Irish ballad, Danny Boy, began; Londonderry, which is famous for its huge political murals; then one of the great Anglo Norman castles in the world is at Carrickfergus Castle. Traveling south, along the Shannon River, is the legendary medieval monastery of Clonmacnoise; along the coast at Annestown young lasses show their skills on horseback; we tour Wexford and relive the tragic experience of the famine emigrants aboard the ship Dunbrody. Along the Lakes of Kilarney is Muckross House and Abbey. In the Shannon region is Limerick Castle and the beautiful towns of Adare and Ennis. In County Galway stands the mythical and mysteriously carved Turoe Stone from the 3rd century BC. Knock Shrine is a famous pilgrimage site, called the "Lourdes of Ireland"; in Connemara is Kylemore Abbey; at Ballymount we visit a carriage-making shop; and in County Mayo we find Ceide Fields, the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world. Heading northwest we learn of the holy well of Tobernalt, Carrowmore, the largest group of megalithic monuments in all the British Isles and the reputed resting place of the legendary Queen Maeve. Produced by Trailwood Productions. 2009 JSCA 78 min.
Also See: Ireland; Northern Ireland 1: Belfast and the Antrim Coast; Northern Ireland 2: County Fermanagh; Ireland; The Land of Heart's Desire (Irish-Americans)