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Open thread: What are your family's favourite Irish heritage sites?

Discovering the past along with your future.

WE MIGHT NOT always take the time to realise it, but we’re incredibly lucky in Ireland to be surrounded by such beautiful heritage and landmarks.

Many of us will have experienced these Irish heritage sites for the first time with our families, on holidays around the country – and there’s no better time to rediscover them than in this year’s National Heritage Week, which starts tomorrow.

Maybe it was a trip down to Clare to visit the Aillwee Caves, gawking with wonder at the beautiful stalactites and stalagmites (and learning the difference courtesy of your Dad, of course).

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Or it could have been a cherished memory that happened just a hop and a skip from your own back garden.

One staffer from TheJournal.ie shared this memory of the Grange stone circle in Limerick, the oldest standing circle in Ireland:

One of my most treasured memories of my grandfather was cycling down to the Grange stone circle in the wee hours of the morning, just before the summer solstice. He leaned against the damp stones and watched the sun rise over the circle, hitting the uprights perfectly. My grandfather told me that the circle was over 4000 years old – older than the Pyramids, even – and that a mathematician back then had figured it out. I thought it was incredible.

Grange Stone Circle. Grange stone circle, 3km west of Lough Gur, Limerick bestbib&tucker bestbib&tucker

We all have great memories of exploring the heritage sites in our localities with our families. Discovering heritage is all about culture and shared histories, and there’s no one better to enjoy that with than your family.

So, we’re asking you – what was the best heritage site you ever explored with your family? Share your memories in the comments.

It’s time to explore all the rich heritage that Ireland has to offer – National Heritage Week, coordinated by the Heritage Council, returns this year on the 23rd of August until the 31st, will lots of great events on right around the country. Find out what’s on near you here and check out heritageweek.ie for more information. 

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