アイルランドの観光スポット

アイルランドは穏やかな田園風景が広がる場所ですが、大西洋岸に近づくにつれてダイナミックな大自然が広がっていきます。その中でもクレア州にあるモハーの断崖は、大西洋に聳え立つ高さ120メートル、全長8kmの断崖絶壁で、アイルランド中でも壮観な眺望を誇るスポットです。 モハーの断崖の中間地点には、円形の石造の塔であるオブライアン塔が建っています。この場所からは、ゴールウェイ湾に浮かぶアラン諸島などを見ることができ、アイルランド屈指の景勝地として有名です。モハーの断崖の地域の生態や歴史を知るためには、体験センターを訪問することをお勧めします。この建物は、自然の景観を配慮し、崖に続く斜面の中に周りの風景と溶け込むように建てられています。

北アイルランド、アントリム州の海岸線沿いに4万もの玄武岩の石柱群が連なるジャイアンツ・コーズウェイ。ジャイアンツ・コーズウェイ（巨人の石道）の名は、アイルランドの伝説の戦士フィン・マックールがスコットランドの敵ベナンドナーに戦いを挑みに行く為に造った石の道にちなんでつけられました。 ベナンドナーは、スコットランドへの帰り道にこの石の道を二つに裂いたと言われ、これが現在の北アイルランドの海岸沿いとスコットランドの島スタッファに残る石柱群だと言われています。 伝説はそれなりに興味深い話ではありますが、地学者達はジャイアント・コーズウェイが形成された理由に別の見解を持っています。火山活動です。ユネスコの世界遺産に指定されたジャイアンツ・コーズウェイには、この自然の驚異を一目見ようと毎年多くの観光客が訪れています。

アイルランドで一番人気の観光スポットと言えば、何といってもギネスストアハウス。クリーミーな泡で有名なこの黒ビールの発祥地で、世界一新鮮な出来立ての美味しいギネスビールを味わおうと世界中から人々が集まります。 ギネスストアハウスがオープンしたのは2000年11月。それ以来、毎年何万人もの見学者がパイントグラスの形をしたタワーを訪れ、ビールのマルチメディア体験を楽しんでいます。館内は7階建てで、ギネスの製造過程や、この伝説的ビールが作られた歴史的背景などが映像や体験型の展示などで紹介されています。ギネスストアハウスは見学者が五感を使って楽しめるよう工夫が凝らされています。カラフルでユニークな歴代の広告を見て、大麦を触り、香しいホップの匂いを嗅いで、天然水の滝の音を聞きき、最後に完成品のビールを飲んで味覚を満足させましょう。 最上階にあるグラビティバーでは、360度のパノラマビューでダブリンの風景を一望しながら、出来たての新鮮なギネスビールをパイントで試飲することが出来ます。

600年の歴史を誇るブラーニー城は、頂上の城壁にブラーニーストーンと呼ばれる石があることで有名です。その不思議な石にキスをすると雄弁になれるという言い伝えがあります。しかしながらこの石にキスするためには仰向けに寝転んで、身を乗り出しながら壁についている石にキスするというアクロバットの姿勢で挑まなければなりません。 数々のリーダーやエンターテイナーがこの石にキスし、雄弁になったことでこの石が有名になり、観光客も跡を絶ちません。ブラーニーストーンも有名ですが、ブラーニー城の広大な土地には美しい庭園や奇岩があることでも有名です。ロック・クローズと呼ばれる古い奇岩やサークルストーンが点在している小径があり、ウィッシング・ステップスや魔女の石と呼ばれる面白い石もあります。

Since opening its doors in 2012 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage, Titanic Belfast has rocketed to the top of Northern Ireland’s tourist attractions, drawing over a million visitors in its first year. It seems fitting that the city should host the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience; after all, this was the city where the world’s most luxurious ship was built and first launched. Today, the area of Belfast Harbor that once housed the RMS Titanic has been renamed the Titanic Quarter and is dominated by the towering silver façade of the Titanic Belfast, a remarkable building fashioned from four ship-hull-shaped wings. The futuristic building is home to the state-of-the-art Titanic Belfast exhibition, which spreads over 6 floors and includes interactive discovery zones, full-scale reconstructions, real-life accounts and mind-blowing special effects.

リング・オブ・ケリーは、アイルランド南部アイベラ半島を一周する全長180kmの周遊路です。青い海に白浜が広がり、紺碧な空がとても印象的な美しい景観が広がります。 観光都市であるキラーニー、風光明媚な自然景観で有名なキラーニー国立公園やレイン湖、そしてケンマール、スニーム、ウォータービル、ガーシービーンなどの美しい町並みを通ります。道中には、大西洋に面した複雑な海岸線と美しい海、湖畔に佇む古城や城壁や歴史的建造物などが見学できます。

A busy fishing port and one of Ireland’s largest Gaelic-speaking towns, Dingle (An Daingean in Gaelic), effortlessly bridges the gap between old and new. Historic pubs and a lively folk music scene nod to the traditional, while the town’s cosmopolitan youth award it a reputation for creativity, cemented by a packed schedule of annual arts festivals. Dingle’s charming activities are simple, but nonetheless enchanting – walking along the rugged coastal cliffs, tucking into fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant or joining the locals for an afternoon pint of Guinness. Hidden away on Ireland’s southwestern coast, Dingle is at the heart of the Dingle Peninsula, and a popular starting point for both the Dingle Way long-distance hiking trail and the Slea Head driving route, which loops around the scenic headland, passing by Europe’s westernmost point at Slea Head.

Everyone wants the gift of eloquence, and some say the Irish have it, well, the gift of the gab anyway. So, how are they so blessed? It's all down to the Blarney Stone. For over two centuries people have been coming to Blarney Castle in the south of Ireland to kiss this stone set into the battlements in the hope of gaining a silver tongue. It used to be that you were hung over the battlements from above by your ankles, these days there's less risk involved in leaning backwards from the parapet walkway while holding securely to a metal railing. The origins of this magic stone are still debated. Was it Jacob's pillow, St Columba's deathbed pillow, or the stone that gushed water for Moses? Was it brought to Ireland after the Crusades or given to the Irish by Scot Robert the Bruce in gratitude for helping him defeat the English in 1314? We'll probably never know. But after you kiss it, tour the ruined castle, visit elegant 19th century Blarney House, wander around the lake.

Just outside of Dublin, Dalkey Castle entertains and informs with live actors from the Deilg Inis Theatre Company who reenact typical scenes from what life was like in Ireland in the 1500s. You might see an archer shooting a longbow, a barber offering haircuts, or a cook making traditional meals of the day. There is also an interactive time line in the Heritage Center that begins from the early Christian era and works its way through the Viking period, Medieval times, the Victorian era, and finally modern times in Dalkey. The Writers' Gallery features literary and creative connections to Joyce, Beckett, Bono, and Maeve Binchy. From the castle battlements, visitors can admire panoramic views of the sea and the mountains. You can also explore an early Christian church and graveyard dedicated to St. Begnet on the castle grounds. Historical and literary guided tours of the castle are available, and they will walk you through the fascinating history of Dalkey Castle.

The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass formed by glacial ice a couple of million of years ago. The valley winds its way for 6 miles (10km) between Macgillycuddy's Reeks and the Purple Mountains. Along the way it passes five lakes, or loughs, Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake, and Black Lough. The River Loe connects the lakes. Over the river at one end is the Wishing Bridge where it's promised that wishes made while crossing the bridge will come true. At one end of the valley is Kate Kearney's Cottage, these days a bit of a tourist trap but useful for a snack and restroom. At the other end is Lord Brandon's Cottage from where you can get a boat back to Killarney. The best way to explore the gap is by hiking through or riding a bicycle. No cars are allowed but you can go by pony-trap. These seat four people and roll slowly through the valley the old-fashioned way.

Here on Aghadoe Hill stand the ruins of the 12th century Aghadoe Church and Round Tower. There was a monastery on the site since the 7th century, however, founded by St Finian Lobhar, and no wonder as the views are sublime and perfect for a life of contemplation. There are lakes and at night the town lights of Killarney twinkle, alongside the flood lights of Ross Castle in the distance, although that is a bit more recent dating from the 15th century! To appreciate the landscape, you'll find a few benches nearby so bring a picnic. Although ruined, there is still plenty to see of interest at Aghadoe Church. The Romanesque door is well-preserved, there is a carved crucifixion scene on another sandstone block, two ca rved faces on the eastern window, and an Ogham Stone - carved writings in the ancient Celtic language. Not much is left of the Round Tower. It is really just a small stump of the sandstone building standing in an old cemetery.

Belfast Castle sits high above the city on Cave Hill, looking the very picture of baronial splendor (it's built in the Scottish Baronial style, like the Queen's house Balmoral). There's been a castle on this site since the 12th century, but this one dates from the 1860s. It was built by the 3rd Marquis of Donegall. It went wildly over budget and, as the Marquis' fortunes had changed, nearly didn't get finished at all. Today it's a working castle, earning its keep with wedding receptions, conferences, an antique store and an adventure playground. At the visitors center you can find out all about the history of the Castle Hill site. Noticed a cat motif around the place? It's all down to a legend that says all will be well with the castle's residents as long as there is a white cat in situ.

The James Joyce Tower is known for being featured at the beginning of James Joyce's Ulysses. Today it is a museum which houses letters, photographs, and other personal possessions from Joyce. The museum also contains rare editions of his work and other interesting items such as the original key to the tower, a plaster bust of Joyce made by Milton Hebald, and two plaster death masks of Joyce made by Paul Speck. Visitors can also visit the living quarters which still show signs of the tower's original purpose, defense against Napoleon. Though the tower never saw any action, the massive outer door, reinforced against attackers with sheet metal, bolts, and bars, still stands here. You can also see a trap door leading to the artillery storage room below. The only windows are narrow and angled to protect from cannon attacks. A narrow winding staircase leads to the roof where there is a circular gun deck. From the roof, you can enjoy panoramic views across the Dublin Bay.