St Peter's Parish Church, Hartshead, West Yorkshire |
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St Peter's Church is in the village of Hartshead in the county of West Yorkshire, which is west of Dewsbury and near Hartshead Moor. There were Christians in this area in Saxon times and there remains the base of a late Saxon cross not far from the church. The Normans built the first stone church here in the 12th century. The only remains of this building are the South Doorway and the Chancel Arch. In 1662 a major restoration began. Little remains of this restoration because in the late 19th century the Victorians rebuilt the church in Neo-Norman style. This was one of the four churches served as Vicar by The Revd Patrick Bronte between 1810 and 1815. He met his wife Maria Branwell here in 1811 and they were married in Guiseley. Rev Patrick and Maria were the parents of the Bronte sisters, Anne, Charlotte and Emily Bronte. Legend has it that Robin Hood was buried in this parish in the grounds of Kirklees priory. |
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Size: 4x12 in (10x30 cm) £15 |
Size: 8.25x25 in (21x63 cm) £28 |
Size: 13x39 in (33x99 cm) £46 |
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This Site features panoramas, panorama pictures, photographs, images and panoramic images from the following places, towns, cities, countries and locations
Achill Island, Co. Mayo West Coast of
Ireland
Achill Island (Irish; Acaill, Oileán Acla) in County Mayo is the largest
island off Ireland, and is situated off the west coast. Achill is attached
to the mainland by Michael Davitt Bridge, between the villages of Achill Sound
and Polranny, so it is possible to drive onto the island. This is a causeway
and swing bridge which allows the passage of small boats. A bridge was first
completed here in 1887, and replaced by the current structure in 1949. Early
settlements are believed to have been established on Achill around 3000 BCE.
A paddle dating from this period was found at the crannog near Dookinella.
The view is from Achill Island looking east.
Ashleam Bay, Achill Island, Co. Mayo, Ireland
The stretch of the Atlantic Drive between Cloughmore and Ashleam meanders for about 4.5km before ascending a small hill to a vantage point that looks down into Ashleam Bay. This small, pebbly cove, sometimes known as Portnahally, is enclosed by rocky cliffs some 80-100ft high. Here the road descends in a series of hairpin bends overlooking the inlet of Ashleam Bay. Continuing up the other side of this valley you have the choice of turning right through Ashleam village and back towards Achill Sound, or turning left to continue along the Atlantic Drive route until you reach the seaside village of Dooega. This picturesque fishing village boasts one of Achill's five Blue Flag beaches. About four miles along the Atlantic Drive from Cloughmore the road rises steeply (cyclists may need to dismount and walk here) to a vantage point that overlooks the spectacular rocky cove of Ashleam Bay. This bay consists of a pebbly beach enclosed by steep rocky cliffs and it is a well-know Achill landmark.
Audley End House, Saffron Walden, Essex
Audley End House is an early 17th-century country house
just outside Saffron Walden, Essex. It is renowned as one of the finest
Jacobean houses in England. It was formerly the site of a Benedictine
monastery (Walden Abbey), granted to the Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas
Audley in 1538 by Henry VIII. It was converted to a domestic house
for him, known as Audley Inn. This dwelling was later demolished by
his grandson, Thomas Howard (the first Earl of Suffolk and Lord Treasurer),
and a much grander mansion was built, primarily for entertaining King
James I. More...
River Shannon at Limerick
This is a view of the river Shannon taken
from Arthurs Quay in Limerick looking across to Clancy Strand showing
Sarsfield Bridge on the left and Thomond Bridge & King Johns Castle
to the right. The River Shannon, Ireland's longest river, divides the
West of Ireland (mostly the province of Connacht) from the east and south
(Leinster and most of Munster). The river has been an important waterway
since antiquity. First mapped by Ptolemy, the river is 386 km (240 mi)
long, and thus it exceeds the length of all other rivers in Ireland and
also those in England, Scotland, and Wales. The river flows generally
south from the Shannon Pot in County Cavan before turning west and emptying
into the Atlantic Ocean through the 113 km (70 mi) long Shannon Estuary.
Limerick city stands watch at the point where the river water meets the
sea water of the estuary. Only east of Limerick is the river no longer
affected by the tides
Charlestown, Cornwall
Charlestown, near St Austell in Cornwall is an amazingly pristine, unspoilt example of a late Georgian working port. It was constructed between 1791 and 1801 by Charles Rashleigh, after whom it is named, a member of the local landowning family, in response to the growth of the growth of the local mining industry. Originally built to export copper and import coal, it was soon being used for the export of China Clay. It was designed by John Smeaton, the man responsible for the Eddystone Lighthouse. In 1790 the settlement was known as West Polmear and had a population of 9 people, this had swelled to 3184 by 1911 in its heyday. By the 19th Century various associated businesses were established in sheds and warehouses around the harbour such as pichard curing, shipbuilding, brick making and lime burning. Charlestown harbour has several times been transformed into historic ports like Bristol for film and television productions. It has starred in an adaptation of Jane Austen's "Persuasion" and films such as "The Three Musketeers" (1993 version), “The Voyage of Charles Darwin", the "Onedin Line" “Hornblower” and "Poldark" have all had some scenes shot here. A company called Square Sail own and operate a fleet of tall ships, one or two of which can often be found at anchor in the harbour, and are sometimes open for tours. The best-known tall ship to regularly visit the port was the Maria Asumpta, launched in 1858 and was the world's oldest working square-rigger. The Maria Asumpta ran aground May 1995 and broke up on the north Cornish coast, with the loss of three of her sixteen crew.
Balloons over Route 66 near Pontiac America,
U.S., United States of America.
Hot Air balloons over Route 66 near Pontiac. U.S. Route 66, (also known as
Route 66, The Main Street of America, The Mother Road and the Will Rogers Highway)
was a highway in the U.S. Highway system. One of the original federal routes,
US 66 was established on November 11, 1926, though signs did not go up until
the following year. It originally ran from Chicago, Illinois through Missouri,
Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California before ending at
Los Angeles for a total of 2,448 miles (3,939 km). Route 66 was a major path
of the migrants who went west, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s,
and supported the economies of the communities through which the road passed.
People became prosperous due to the growing popularity of the highway, and
those same people later fought to keep the highway alive even with the growing
threat of the new Interstate Highway System. US 66 was officially decommissioned
(that is, officially removed from the United States Highway System) on June
27, 1985 after it was decided the route was no longer relevant and had been
replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Portions of the road that passed
through Illinois, New Mexico, and Arizona have been designated a National Scenic
Byway of the name "Historic Route 66". It has begun to return to
maps in this form.
The Deserted Village, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
The Deserted Village is located on the southern slopes of Slievemore Mountain in the townland of Slievemore on Achill Island. The village is divided into 3 segments, locally known as Tuar, Tuar Riabhach and Faiche, names associated with grazing. The settlement itself has no name, being referred to locally as Slievemore, Slewmore, the Boley (Booley Village or, most frequently the Deserted Village. On Bald’s map of Mayo (1809), four placenames occur at Slievemore: Tauler-More, Tourmahiuig, Reealtee and Baal, Reealtee depicting ‘The Star’ (Realt) and Baal which survives in Bal of Dookinella. The townland of Slievemore comprises 3722 acres (1506 hectares) and is the third largest townland on Achill Island. The island and townland are dominated by Slievemore Mountain, at 2214 feet (671m), the highest mountain on the island. The geology of the area comprised schist, mica schist and quartzite, interspersed with small deposits of minerals such as malachite, haematite, tourmaline, cobalt and copper. Ceramic evidence from archaeological excavations indicates that the latest phase of settlement spanned the 17th to the 19th century.
Houses of Bergen Norway
Bergen is widely regarded as one of the more beautiful cities of Norway. The
oldest part of the city is on the north side of the bay of Vågen.
Here you find Bryggen, a number of old, wooden houses from the early 18th
century, the product of rebuilding after a fire in 1702, done in the style
of the medieval buildings that stood on the site before the fire. Six houses
(to the left, see picture) were rebuilt after a fire in 1955.
Brooks Aqueduct, Alberta
Brooks is a city in Alberta, Canada. It became a city
on September 1, 2005 and is located 168 kilometres (104 mi) east of
Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway and 10 kilometres (6 mi) east of
Veterans Memorial Highway. Originally, the area of Brooks was used
as a buffalo hunting ground for the Blackfoot and Crow natives. After
Treaty 7 was signed in 1887, homesteaders moved into the area to begin
dry land farming. The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railroad saw
more settlers move to the area of Brooks. By 1904, Canada Post was
interested in putting a post office in the settlement, however the
area was still unnamed. By a Canada Post sponsored contest, the new
area was named after Noel Edgell Brooks, a Canadian Pacific Railway
Divisional Engineer from Calgary. The Village of Brooks was incorporated
in 1910, and became a town a year later. To encourage immigration and
growth into the region in the early part of the century, the Canadian
Pacific Railway began the construction of major irrigation works. These
works included the two mile long Brooks Aqueduct, constructed over
2½ years and completed in 1915. The aqueduct is featured on
the city crest. In 1935, the C.P.R. transferred control of these works
to local farmers and the Eastern Irrigation District was formed. Irrigation
has allowed Brooks to become a service center for livestock, grain
and vegetable producing industries.
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta. It is located
in the south of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains,
approximately 80 km (50 mi) east of the front ranges of the Canadian
Rockies. Before the Calgary area was settled by Europeans, it was the
domain of the Blackfoot people whose presence has been traced back at
least 11,000 years. In 1787 cartographer David Thompson spent the winter
with a band of Peigan encamped along the Bow River. He was the first
recorded European to visit the area and John Glenn was the first documented
European settler in the Calgary Area, in 1873. Calgary's most well-known
event is the Calgary Stampede, which occurs every July. The view if from
Calgary Tower.
Carrick Kildavnet Castle, Achill Island
Carrick Kildavnet (or Kildavnet) Castle is a late 15th century fortified
Tower House set at the water's edge with remains of a boat slipway which
ran from the back of the castle. It is associated with the famous sea-pirate
Grace O’Malley (Granuaile) and was probably built by one of her
ancestors. It is about four storeys high and stands to full height. There
is no stairway from the ground or first floor levels and access to the
upper storeys is not possible. It is vaulted above the first floor and
a hole at the corner of this vault is the only access to the higher levels.
There appears to be a small mural chamber at the first floor. The tower
has a machicolation at roof level in the middle of the three walls on
the landward side. At one corner is the base of a short stretch of bawn
wall with remains of a round flanking tower. The castle has many small
defensive loops with larger windows at the higher levels, including one
over the doorway. Some of the loops have slopstones which are visible
from the outside.
The Lighthouse at Chipiona, Cadiz
Sitting on the coast in the far west of the province of Cádiz, the
town of Chipiona which dates back to Roman times, lies at the mouth of
the Guadalquivir river 52km from the city of Cádiz. The name of
the town is derived from the old “Chipiona” Lighthouse, which
is the oldest and most notable monument in Chipiona. The lighthouse is
situated at Punta del Perro at the south of the river Gadalquivir. It
was built to warn ships away from the large rock, Piedra de Salmedina.
Despite the ighthouse´s presence, this rock has been responsible
for many wrecks over the years. Visitors can tour the 69 metre high lighthouse
and climb the 344 steps leading to the very top of the lighthouse. It
is the tallest in Spain and remarkably, the third tallest in the world.
On a clear day, you can enjoy views of up to 25 miles of the entire area,
which are truly magnificent. They include sea views and other sights
such as the cloister of the Sanctuary, the Cuzmán el Bueno Castle
and the parish church, as well as the typical fish traps, for which the
area is so famous.
The Church of St Nicholas Canewdon Essex
This 14th Century Church, with it's 15th Century Tower and Porch, stands
on a hill, 128 feet above the marshes. The oldest part of the Church
is the outside wall of the North Aisle which contains many Roman bricks,
presumably from an earlier building. Legend has it that while the 75
foot tower stands, there will always remain six witches in Canewdon.
Every time a stone falls from the tower, one witch will die, & another will take her place. It is also said that if
you run anti-clockwise round it on Halloween, the Devil will appear. Canewdon
is renowned for its witches & witchcraft.
St Clements Church, West Thurrock, Essex
St Clements Church in West Thurrrock is an interesting Grade I listed building
surrounded by a churchyard in which are a number of rare plants. The
church became redundant in 1977 but came into the care of the neighbouring
Proctor & Gamble factory in 1987 to mark the company's 150th anniversary.
After restoration it was rededicated to Community Use in 1990 to commemorate
P & G's 50 years in Thurrock. Well known for being the location for
the funeral in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, the remarkable history
of the church is told in The Story of St. Clement's by History Society
Patron Christopher Harrold. More...
Besalu Catalonia Spain by Mike Shinners
Besalú is a medieval town in the Catalan comarca of Garrotxa,
in Catalonia and is located at the meeting point of three regions: Alt
Empordà, Pla de l'estany and Garrotxa.. Bisuldunum, as its origins
suggest, was a fortress between two rivers: the Fluvià in the
south and the Capellades in the north. The town was once more historically
important being the capital of the county of Besalú, whose territory
was roughly the same size as the current comarca of Garrotxa. Wilfred
the Hairy, credited with the unification of Catalonia, was Count of Besalú.
At various times the county extended as far as Corbieres in France. The
town was also the birthplace of Roman Vidal a medieval troubadour. The
town was was designated as a historical national property ("conjunto
histórico artistico") and became part of Barcelona in 1966.
The town's most significant feature is its Romanesque bridge over the
River Fluvia built in the XIIth Century which features a gateway at its
mid point. The church of Sant Pere was inaugurated in 1003. The town
features arcaded streets and squares. The town also features a restored
Mikva, a ritual Jewish bath dating from the XI or XII century, located
in the lower town near the river. Catalunya, Basque Region, Northern Spain. More.....
Chicago Skyline Illinois by Mike Shinners
Chicago is a major city in the state of Illinois. The name "Chicago" is
the French rendering of the Miami-Illinois name shikaakwa, meaning wild leek
(an analogical extension of the original meaning of "skunk"). During
the mid-18th century the Chicago area was inhabited primarily by Potawatomis,
who took the place of the Miami and Sauk and Fox people. The first non-native
settler in Chicago, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, was Haitian and arrived
in the 1770s, married a Potawatomi woman, and founded the area's first trading
post. In 1803, the United States Army built Fort Dearborn, which was destroyed
in 1812 in the Fort Dearborn Massacre. The Ottawa, Ojibwa, and Potawatomi later
ceded the land to the United States in the Treaty of St. Louis of 1816. On
August 12, 1833, the Town of Chicago was organized with a population of 350,
and within seven years it grew to a population of over 4,000. The City of Chicago
was incorporated on March 4, 1837. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Chicago
experienced rapid rebuilding and growth.[3] During Chicago's rebuilding period,
the first skyscraper was constructed in 1885 using steel-skeleton construction.
The origin of Chicago's nickname as "The Windy City" is debated.
The most common explanation had been that the phrase was created by New York
newspapers in the 1880s during a national debate over which city would host
the 1893 World's Fair, making reference to the long-windedness of the city's
supporters. However, "Windy City" was used as early as 1876 by Cincinnati
papers. As a result, the name remains in common usage. Sears Tower, Chicago
Bears, Navy Pier, Michigan avenue, Chicago Tribune.,
Coast of Co Clare in Irelands Mid West
Panoramic view from the Burren looking towards The Cliffs of Moher
Clew Bay, Co Mayo
Clew Bay (Irish Cuan Mó) is a natural ocean bay in County Mayo.
It contains Ireland's best example of sunken drumlins. According to tradition,
there is an island in the bay for every day of the year. The bay is overlooked
by Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain, and the mountains of North
Mayo. Clare Island guards the entrance of the bay. From the southwest
part of the bay eastwards are Louisburgh, Lecanvey, Murrisk, and Westport;
north of Westport is Newport, and westwards from there lies Mulranny,
gateway to Achill. From the south side of the bay, between Clare Island
and Achill, Bills Rocks can be seen.
Colchester Castle Essex
Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Colchester (The Saxons called the town Colneceaste; and the Domesday Book (1086) mentions it as Colcestra.) was the first capital of Roman Britain. The castle is constructed over the massive vaults of the ruined Roman Temple of Claudius (AD44). The temple became a main target of the rebels led by Queen Boudica who attacked the town in AD 60. Ordered by William the Conqueror the castle is the work of Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester who was also responsible for the design of the White Tower, the central Keep of the Tower of London, which has the same ground plan. Building began circa 1076 under the supervision of Eudo Dapifer (who became the castle's steward on its completion). Building stopped in 1080 because of a threat of a Viking invasion from King Cnut of Denmark but the castle was completed by around 1100. In 1215, the castle was besieged and eventually captured by King John following the altercation with rebellious nobles that eventually led to the Magna Carta.
Conor Pass Co Kerry, South west Ireland
The Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland. It is situated on the
Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, on the road that crosses the peninsula
between Dingle Town and the coast the other side. The Mountains the Pass
crosses are the Brandon Mountains and contain Ireland's second highest peak
Brandon Mountain at 3127 ft. From Dingle Town the road runs some 4 1/2 miles
rising to 1500 ft as it winds its way to the pass. There are wonderful views
of the coast. At the Pass there is a carpark where you are confronted with
this magnificent sight. The road then carries on down towards Brandon Bay
past cliffs, a waterfall and lakes.
Llyn Crafnant in North Wales
Llyn Crafnant lies in a beautiful valley in North Wales where the northern
edge of the Gwydir Forest meets the lower slopes of the Carneddau mountains.
The head of the valley offers a profile of crags which are silhouetted at
sunset, and many people regard the lake as one of the most beautiful spots
in North Wales. Indeed, the Forest Park guide (2002) states that "the
(view along Llyn Crafnant) is one of the most breathtaking views in all Snowdonia." At
63 acres it is the best part of a mile long, although it was clearly once
much longer - its southern end shows the evidence of centuries of silting.
Crafnant takes its name from “craf”, an old Welsh word for garlic
and “nant”, a stream. Even today the valley of Afon Crafnant
smells of wild garlic when it flowers.
Cullera
Cullera is a municipality in Valencia in the Land of Valencia, situated
in the Ribera Baixa comarca. Cullera is situated at the mouth of the
Júcar river, 40 kilometers from the capital of Valencia. The mountain
of Cullera is the last mountain in the Iberian range before the Mediterranean
Sea. It has an altitude of 233 meters. The historical parts of the city
are to the south, and the modern tourist district is to the east, looking
to the sea. The economy in Cullera is traditionally based in agriculture,
with rice and oranges as important crops. At the top of the mountain,
there is a fortress built in the 13th century over the old Moorish fortress.
It once was walled, although those walls no longer remain. Located there
are the rest of the old towers, forming part of the old walled area on
the mountain. Within the fortress, there is the sanctuary of the Virgen
del Castillo, patron of Cullera, whose festival is celebrated the week
after Passover. The view shows a fishing boat on the river Júcar
returning to port with the mountain in the background.
The Sanctuary of the Virgen del Castillo, Cullera
The Sanctuary of the Virgen del Castillo lies within the
grounds of an 13th century castle which is joined to the Santa Ana chapel
and the Moorish queen’s tower (the Torre de la Reina Mora) and sits
on the mountain called Muntanya de l'Or (Mountain of Gold), also known
as Les Rabosses, a solitary rock spur above the town of Cullera near the
mouth of the Júcar (Xùquer) river. The Sanctuary may
be accessed by road but there is also a pathway known as the calvario. The
Virgen de Castillo is the patron of Cullera whose festival is celebrated
the week after Passover. The castle was built over an old Moorish
fortress which was once walled although those walls no longer remain. Located
there are the rest of the old towers forming part of the old walled area
of the mountain.
Beach Front at Cullera
The view is from the Platja del Marenyet looking across to Platja St.
Antoni, Platja Raco de Santa Marta, Cala Cap Blanc, Platja de L'Illa
o Punta Negra, Platja El Far, Cap Blanc and Far del mediterraneo o de
Cullera.
Deal Castle Kent
Deal Castle is among the earliest and most elaborate of a chain of coastal forts, which also includes Calshot, Camber, Walmer and Pendennis Castles. Most were built at great speed between 1539 and 1542 by order of King Henry VIII, who feared an invasion by the Catholic powers of Europe. Its squat, rounded turrets were designed to deflect incoming cannon balls, and acted as platforms from which to fire barrages from increasingly sophisticated artillery pieces. The fort guarded the sheltered anchorage of ‘the Downs’ – the stretch of water between the shore and the hazardous Goodwin Sands, a graveyard of ships. At the centre of Deal Castle is a round tower, strongly constructed to carry guns on its roof. Around its base are six small semi-circular bastions that overlook the outer wall. This has six more massive rounded bastions, one of which forms the gatehouse. These outer bastions originally had space for four guns on their flat roofs and a further three guns in rooms below. The design of the castle meant that a total of 66 guns could be mounted, and a further 53 handguns could be fired through firing-loops at basement level. Around 1570 the six outer bastions were filled with earth, probably to strengthen the gun mounts on the roof. The defences were never put to the test during the Tudor period and it wasn't until 1648, during the Civil War, that the castle finally came under siege. The castle ceased to have a defensive role by the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815, but it remained the home of the Captain of the Castle until the Second World War.
Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Dedham Essex by Mike Shinners
The present Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Dedham has stood as a witness
to the centuries since 1492. Work started in the year that Columbus discovered
America. It was completed before King Henry VIII became Defender of the Faith
and before he made himself head of the Church in England.
Doolough Pass, the Gem of Mayo
Glencullin Lough and Doolough (Black Lake)(Irish: Duloch) photographed
from the Dhulough Pass Road. The Irish Potato Famine lasted from 1845
to 1849 and saw Ireland's population halve due to deaths and emigration.
In March 1847, a large number of starving people gathered in Louisburgh
to seek assistance from the relieving officer. He told them that they
would have to apply to the Board of Guardians who were to meet next day
at Delphi Lodge. This was ten miles away across some of the most remote
and mountainous countryside in Ireland. They spent the night in the open,
and started to walk to Delphi the following day. When they got there,
the Board of Guardians were at lunch and could not be disturbed. When
they finally did meet with them, the people were refused help. That day
it rained and snowed and there was a piercing wind. On the return journey
to Lousier, over 100 of the starving were blown into Doolough by the
fierce wind where they died. The memorial commemorates those who died
at this point. The inscription reads: TO COMMEMORATE THE HUNGRY POOR
WHO WALKED HERE IN 1849 AND WALK THE THIRD WORLD TODAY FREEDOM FOR SOUTH
AFRICA 1994, HOW CAN MEN FEEL THEMSELVES HONOURED BY THE HUMILIATION
OF THEIR FELLOW BEINGS. MAHATMA GANDHI IN SOUTH AFRICA.
An interesting event at the time was one initiated by the Choctaw Indian
Nation in America on hearing of the Irish tragedy. They fundraised for
the starving in Ireland, raising US $170, a considerable sum of money at
that time. Their own history is one of sadness too and they named the journey
from their own lands to the reservations 'The Trail of Tears'. In 1997,
commemorating 150 years since the famine, the Chief of the Choctaw Nation
walked the 'Famine Walk' along with hundreds of others, thus forging further
the links between our two peoples, both with tragic histories. The road
through the valley twists and turns for another 20 miles bringing us to
the village of Leenane and back into County Galway. John B. Keane's "The
Field" was filmed here and this sleepy little village has been recorded
on celluloid for posterity. The village offers welcome sustenance to the
tired traveller after their long drive.
Dover Ferry Port in Kent
Dover Harbour is Northern Europe's busiest ferry port. The Port complex also includes the South of England's newest cruise terminal and marina. Over 16 million passengers travel through Dover annually. At the eastern side of the harbour is the main passenger terminal with seven ferry berths. The companies operating out of the Eastern Docks are P & O Stena Line and Sea France. In the Western Docks are the Hoverspeed Catamaran/Fast Craft terminals, Hovercraft along with the Cruise Liner terminal and the entrance to the marina and inner harbours. The Port of Dover, backed by the famous White Cliffs, is situated in Kent in southeast England and is the UK's closest point to Continental Europe. As such, Dover has always been of importance to cross-Channel traffic. Every day of the year, frequent cross Channel ferries travel operate Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk in France. The Port of Dover is also a busy port for cruise shipping and a Mecca for pleasure boat owners. Originally established in 1606, Dover Harbour Board is responsible for the administration, maintenance and improvement of the Port at Dover, managing and piloting what is one of today's busiest drive-on, drive-off terminals in the world. Dover Port History. The deep cleft in the hills formed in prehistoric times by the River Dour has always protected small ships plying across the Channel. The Romans even built a "Pharos", or lighthouse, on the cliffs on the east side of the valley. Royalty has taken a keen interest in the Port of Dover throughout centuries. Richard Coeur de Lion departed from Dover on the Third Crusade and in 1422 Henry V was brought back through Dover after his death in France. King James I gave Dover Harbour Board its Royal Charter in 1606 placing the Lord Warden and his "Board" in charge of running the port of Dover. The Port of Dover has gradually developed throughout the centuries to become the vast artificial harbour of 1050 acres it is today with depths of water up to 10.5 metres and berthing for ships up to 300 metres in length. Since WWII, further development of the port has taken place to keep pace with demand for both passenger and freight traffic. In 1978, a £12m Hoverport was opened at the Western Docks and, in 1953, Dover's first two drive-on drive-off ferry berths were opened at the Eastern Docks. This marked the end of cars and even coaches being craned on and off ferries. In the first year, Port of Dover expected to carry about 10,000 vehicles but demand was actually ten times that figure. In the last year, the Port of Dover was used by over 18 million passengers & 3 million cars, as well as over by 1.8m freight vehicles.
Dublin City and the River Liffey Ireland by Mike Shinners
Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath) is the capital and largest city in
Ireland, near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River
Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. Founded as a centre of Viking
settlement, the city has been Ireland's capital since mediæval times.
The name Dublin is an Hiberno-English derivative of 'Dubh Linn' (Irish, meaning
'black pool'). Historically, in the traditional Gaelic script used for the
Irish language, 'bh' was written with a dot over the 'b', viz 'Du? Linn' or
'Du?linn'. The French speaking Normans omitted the dot and spelled the name
variously as 'Develyn' or 'Dublin'. The common name for the city in Modern
Irish is 'Baile Átha Cliath' ('The Settlement of the Ford of the Reed
Hurdles'), which refers to the settlement, founded in 988 by High King Mael
Sechnaill II, that adjoined the town of Dubh Linn proper at the Black Pool.
Panorama of Dublin between the Ha'Penny bridge and O'Connell bridge by Mike
Shinners
Edmonton Alberta and the North Saskatchewan River by Mike Shinners
Edmonton is the capital of Alberta. It is the northernmost major city in North
America and is situated in the central region of the province, an area with
some of the most fertile farmland on the prairies. The first inhabitants
gathered in the area which is now Edmonton around 3,000 BC and perhaps as
early as 10,000 BC, when an ice-free corridor opened up as the last ice age
ended and timber, water and wildlife became available in the region. In 1754,
Anthony Henday, an explorer working for the Hudson's Bay Company, may have
been the first European to enter the Edmonton area. His expeditions across
the Canadian Prairies were mainly to seek contact with the aboriginal population
for the purpose of establishing fur trade, as competition was fierce between
the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company. In the nineteenth century,
the highly fertile soils surrounding Edmonton helped attract settlers, further
establishing Edmonton as a major regional commercial and agricultural centre.
Edmonton was also a major stopping point for people hoping to cash in on
the Klondike Gold Rush in 1897. Incorporated as a city in 1904 with a population
of 8,350, Edmonton became the capital of Alberta a year later on September
1, 1905.
Ely Cathedral Cambridgeshire
Ely Cathedral (in full, The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided
Trinity of Ely) is the principal church of the diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire,
England, and the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Ely. It is known locally
as "the ship of the Fens", because of its prominent shape that
towers above the surrounding flat and watery landscape. The first Christian
building on the site was founded by Etheldreda, daughter of the Anglo-Saxon
king of East Anglia, who was born in 630 at Exning near Newmarket. She
acquired the land from her first husband, Tondberct, chief of the South
Gyrvians, and after the end of her second marriage to Eegrfrid, a Northumbrian
prince, set up and ran a monastery on the site in 673. When she died,
a shrine was built to her memory in the Saxon church on the same site.
(Incidentally, the common version of Etheldreda's name was St. Awdrey,
which is the origin of the word tawdry - because cheap souvenirs were
sold at fairs held in her name.) The monastery, and much of the city
of Ely, were destroyed in the Danish invasions that began in 869 or 870.
Read more...
The Ceiling of Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire
Ely Cathedral (in full, The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided
Trinity of Ely) is the principal church of the diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire,
England, and the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Ely. It is known locally
as "the ship of the Fens", because of its prominent shape that
towers above the surrounding flat and watery landscape. You can read
about the history of the ceiling by clicking HERE
Estepona Port in the Province of Malaga Andalucia by Mike Shinners
Estepona is a town and municipality in the region of the Costa del
Sol, southern Spain. It is located in the province of Málaga,
part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. Estepona is renowned
for its beaches, which stretch
along some 21 km of coastline. It is a popular resort and holiday destination.
Estepona has an active fishing port, with daily auctions for a wide variety
of seafood.
Field of Rapeseed near Ingatestone in Essex
The view shows a field of rapeseed (Brassica) near Ingatestone in Essex. Rapeseed (Brassica napus), also known as rape, oilseed rape, rapa, rapaseed and (in the case of one particular group of cultivars) canola, is a bright yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage family). The name derives from the Latin for turnip, rāpum or rāpa, and is first recorded in English at the end of the 14th century. Rapeseed is grown for the production of animal feed, vegetable oil for human consumption, and biodiesel; leading producers include the European Union, Canada, the United States, Australia, China and India.
Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
Fishguard (Welsh: Abergwaun = "Mouth of the River Gwaun") is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The name Fishguard is from old Norse fiskigarðr = "fish catching enclosure", and indicates that there may have been a Scandinavian trading post here, although there is no historical record to confirm this. It was once a marcher borough. Owen, in 1603, described it as one of five Pembrokeshire boroughs overseen by a portreeve. The Norman settlement lay along what is now High Street between the church at its north end and the slight remains of a Norman motte at its south end. Lower Fishguard developed as a herring fishery and port, trading with Ireland, Bristol and Liverpool. In the late 18th century it had 50 coasting vessels, and exported oats and salt herring. The port declined in the latter half of the 19th century. Fishguard's ancient Royal Oak pub saw the signing of surrender following the last invasion of Britain in 1797. The whole story is told by the Fishguard Tapestry, which was created for the 200th anniversary as a deliberate echo of the Bayeux Tapestry, and is on display in a hall near the town centre. Fishguard Harbour opened in 1906 and today is used by ferry passengers to Ireland.
Fuengirola, Malaga, Andalusia.
Fuengirola is a large town and municipality on the
Costa del Sol in southern Spain in the province of Málaga and
the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is a major tourist resort on
the Costa del Sol, with more than 8 km of beaches, and home to a mediæval
Moorish fortress. The town has its origins in Phoenician, Roman and Arab
civilisations. The foothills of the mountain range behind the town to
the south are the site of an Arab castle, which contains remains of an
early Ibero-punic or Phoenician settlement, later occupied by the Romans,
which became a town known in antiquity as Suel. Suel was identified by
the Roman historian, Pomponius Mela, as one of the towns of the coast,
and was cited by Pliny in the 1st century A.D. as a fortified town or
oppidum. A later historian, Ptolemy, identified it during the 2nd century
as being located in the region of the bastulo-penos or Phoenicians. The
inscription on the pedestal of a statue found near the castle mentions
Suel as being a Roman "municipium". A funeral urn found in
the same area has an inscription containing the word "Suelitana".
Roman baths were discovered in 1961 and, close by, the remains of a Roman
villa containing two sculptures, one of which is the well known "Venus
of Fuengirola" exhibited in the town's museum. A series of architectural
components, probably transported from the Mijas quarry during the Roman
era, were discovered in Los Boliches in 1984; these have now been mounted
to form a temple entrance, and can be seen on the promenade at Los Boliches.
The castle was built by Abderramán III in the mid-10th century.
The city of Suel ceased to be mentioned at the beginning of the Middle
Ages. After several centuries, the name of the settlement changed from
Suel to Suhayl, which became the name of the castle and surroundings
during the Moorish era. Suhayl became a fairly large settlement, which
included farmland and small villages. Most of the surrounding area seems
to have been used as pasture for the Moorish rulers' camels. One of the
most famous people from Fuengirola from this period is the famous writer
and scholar Al-Suhayli (literally the man from Suhayl) who lived from
1114 to 1185 and is now especially well known as one of its seven saints
of Marrakesh, where he was buried. But in the early Middle Ages the town
was set on fire and its inhabitants fled to Mijas. Suhayl became a mound
of ruins, and even its name was changed to the Romanised Font-Jirola,
after the spring arising at the foot of the castle, according to historian
Alonso de Palencia. In 1485, when only the fortress remained, the settlement
was reconquered by the Christian Monarchs. An attempt to repopulate the
site with 30 people failed, and in 1511 it was registered as uninhabited,
apart from the fortress and a watchtower. Land originally set aside for
Fuengirola was reallocated to Mijas. In the 17th century, a new urban
settlement developed, once the threat from Turkish and Moroccan pirates
disappeared, and at the beginning of the 18th century, an inn was opened
near the beach, offering accommodation to travellers, muleteers and seafarers.
A few huts were built nearby, forming a small village. The Battle of
Fuengirola took place in the area during the Peninsular War, on October
15, 1810, when approximately 200 Polish soldiers of the Duchy of Warsaw
defeated a mixed British-Spanish force numbering some 3,000 soldiers
under Lord Blayney. In May 1841, Fuengirola was detached from Mijas;
at the time its inhabitants were mainly engaged in fishing, agriculture
and trading with ships that dropped anchor in the bay. For over a century,
fishing and agriculture remained the main activities. It was only in
the 1960s that Fuengirola entered a new phase, to become a leading tourist
centre.
Gandia
Gandia (in Spanish: Gandía), with population over 77.000, is a city
and municipality in the Valencian Community, Eastern Spain on the Mediterranean.
Gandia is located on the Costa del Azahar, 65 km south of Valencia and
96 km north of Alicante. It was an important cultural and commercial
centre during the 15th and 16th centuries. It once had a university (15th
century). It has several important poets, Ausiàs March, writer
Joanot Martorell but is perhaps better known for the Borgia, through
their family title, Duke of Gandia. Today, Gandia is one of the largest
coastal towns and a thriving center of commerce and tourism in the Region.
There are two main zones, Gandia City where all the historical monuments,
commercial activity, shopping takes place and Gandía beach where
are concentrated all the apartments and summer residences used during
the summer season. Bars and nightclubs are concentrated in the Beach
area. As is normal for Spain, nightlife does not take off until well
after midnight. The beach and the town are actually some 2 km apart which
succeeds in separating the summer tourism from day to day living.
Gateway Arch St Louis Missouri by Mike Shinners
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial consists of the Gateway Arch, the Museum of Westward Expansion, and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. During a nation-wide competition in 1947-48, the design by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel was chosen for a 630-foot stainless steel arch as a perfect monument to the spirit of the western pioneers. Construction of the Arch began in 1963, and was completed on October 28, 1965, for a total cost of less than $15 million. The Arch has foundations sunk 60 feet into the ground, and is built to withstand earthquakes and high winds; it sways up to 1 inch in a 20 mph wind, and is built to sway up to 18 inches. A Grand Staircase leads from the St. Louis levee up to the base of the Gateway Arch. The Arch is known as the "Gateway to the West". The arch stands stands 630 feet (192 m) tall, and is 630 feet (192 m) wide at its base. It is the tallest habitable structure in St. Louis (taller than One Metropolitan Square, the tallest building), and the second tallest in Missouri (behind One Kansas City Place in Kansas City), as well as the world's tallest monument. The cross-sections of its legs are equilateral triangles, narrowing from 54 feet (16.5 m) per side at the base to 17 feet (5.2 m) at the top. Each wall consists of a stainless steel skin covering reinforced concrete from ground level to 300 feet (91 m), with carbon steel and rebar from 300 feet (91 m) to the peak. The interior of the Arch is hollow and contains a unique transport system leading to an observation deck at the top. The interior of the Arch also contains two emergency stairwells of 1076 steps each, in the event of a need to evacuate the Arch or if a problem develops with the tram system.
Claude Monets Japanese Gardens at Giverney
Claude Monet also known as Oscar-Claude Monet or Claude Oscar Monet (November
14, 1840 – December 5, 1926) was a founder of French Impressionist
painting. The term Impressionism is derived from the title of his painting
Impression, Sunrise. Monet was born to Adolphe and Louise Justine Monet,
both of them second-generation Parisians, of 90 Rue Laffitte, in the
9th arrondissement of Paris, but his family moved in 1845 to Le Havre
in Normandy when he was five. In 1893, ten years after his arrival at
Giverny, Monet bought the piece of land neighbouring his property on
the other side of the railway. It was crossed by a small brook, the Ru,
which is a diversion of the Epte, a tributary of the Seine River. With
the support of the prefecture, Monet had the first small pond dug even
though his peasant neighbours were opposed. They were afraid that his
strange plants would poison the water. Later on the pond would be enlarged
to its present day size. The water garden is full of asymmetries and
curves. It is inspired by the Japanese gardens that Monet knew from the
prints he collected avidly.
Granville, Manche Normandy by Mike Shinners
Granville is a coastal commune of the Manche (french name for the Channel)
département situated on the Cotentin Peninsula at the mouth of Bosq
and Pointe du Roc (Cap Lihou) which in part closes in the north of the bay
of Mont-Saint-Michel. Administratively, the island of Chausey is part of
the commune of Granville, which includes a small harbour. The town was founded
in 12th century and was taken several times by the English who strengthened
it in 1437. The town was founded in 12th century and was taken several times
by the English who strengthened it in 1437. In 1441, Louis XI granted a charter
so that the town once again became French. During the following centuries,
Granville was bombarded by the English in 1645 and 1803. Furthermore, the
town resisted the attacks of the Huguenots in 1695 and Vendean in 1793. The
old town preserves all the history of its military and religious past. The
lower town was partly built on land reclaimed from the sea. The upper part
of the old town is surrounded by ramparts from the 15th century. These are
entered through the drawbridge (Grand'Porte), the bloody theatre of the "Siège
des Vendéens" in 1793.
Greenwich from the Isle of Dogs
View Greenwich from the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf across the River Thames
Observatory, Cutty Sark, Royal Naval College
St Peter's Parish Church, Hartshead, West Yorkshire
St Peter's Church is in the village of Hartshead in
the county of West Yorkshire, which is west of Dewsbury and near Hartshead
Moor. There were Christians in this area in Saxon times and there remains
the base of a late Saxon cross not far from the church. The Normans
built the first stone church here in the 12th century. The only remains
of this building are the South Doorway and the Chancel Arch. In 1662
a major restoration began. Little remains of this restoration because
in the late 19th century the Victorians rebuilt the church in Neo-Norman
style. This was one of the four churches served as Vicar by The Revd
Patrick Bronte between 1810 and 1815. He met his wife Maria Branwell
here in 1811 and they were married in Guiseley. Rev Patrick and Maria
were the parents of the Bronte sisters, Anne, Charlotte and Emily Bronte.
Legend has it that Robin Hood was buried in this parish in the grounds
of Kirklees priory.
Honfleur
Honfleur is a harbour commune in the Norman département of Calvados,
located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine, very close to the
exit of the Pont de Normandie. It is especially known for its old, beautiful
picturesque port, characterized by its houses with slate-covered frontages,
painted many times by artists, including in particular Gustave Courbet, Claude
Monet and Johan Jongkind, forming the école de Honfleur which contributed
to the appearance of the Impressionist movement . The Sainte-Catherine church,
which has a bell-tower separate from the principal building, is the largest
church made out of wood of France. The first written mention of Honfleur is
a reference by Richard III, duke of Normandy, in 1027. By the middle of the
12th century, the city represented a significant transit point for goods from
Rouen to England. Hornfleur, Hornfluer, Honfluer, Hornflure, Honflure, Hornflur,
Honflur,
Isle of Dogs from Greenwich Observatory
The Isle of Dogs is a tongue of land enclosed by the river and which is home
to a collection of basins that make up part of the Port of London and which
once contained some of the largest warehouses in Europe. Their importance
in the second half of the 20th century waned considerably to the point that
an ambitious regeneration scheme was implemented in the 1980's under the
stewardship of the London Docklands Development Corporation. The name Isle
of Dogs is first recorded in 1588 , but had been in use for some years before
this. Brewer's 1898 Dictionary of Phrase and Fable attributes the name: "So
called from being the receptacle of the greyhounds of Edward III. Some say
it is a corruption of the Isle of Ducks, and that it is so called in ancient
records from the number of wild fowl inhabiting the marshes. The picture
below also shows a view of the Old Royal Naval College, designed by Sir Christopher
Wren. The future of the college was until recently undecided, as the Royal
Navy no longer needed it and is now occupied by the University of Greenwich
and Trinity College of Music. Canary Whart.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a UK overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the
Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. The territory shares
a land border with Spain to the north. Gibraltar has historically been an
important base for the British Armed Forces and is the site of a British
naval base. It is probably most famous for the geological formation the Rock
of Gibraltar. The name of the territory is derived from the original Arabic
name Jabal Tariq meaning "mountain of Tariq", or from Gibr al-Tariq,
meaning "rock of Tariq"). It refers to the Berber Umayyad general
Tariq ibn-Ziyad, who led the initial incursion into Iberia in advance of
the main Moorish force in 711. Earlier, it was known as Mons Calpe, one of
the Pillars of Hercules. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as "Gib" or "the
Rock".
Granville, Manche
Granville is a coastal commune of the Manche (french name for the Channel)
département, in France. Administratively, the island of Chausey is
part of the commune of Granville, which includes a small harbour. The town
was founded in 12th century and was taken several times by the English who
strengthened it in 1437. The town was founded in 12th century and was taken
several times by the English who strengthened it in 1437. In 1441, Louis
XI granted a charter so that the town once again became French. During the
following centuries, Granville was bombarded by the English in 1645 and 1803.
Furthermore, the town resisted the attacks of the Huguenots in 1695 and Vendean
in 1793. The old town preserves all the history of its military and religious
past. The lower town was partly built on land reclaimed from the sea. The
upper part of the old town is surrounded by ramparts from the 15th century.
These are entered through the drawbridge (Grand'Porte), the bloody theatre
of the "Siège des Vendéens" in 1793.
Guadalest
Guadalest, is a Valencian town and municipality located in a mountainous area
of the comarca of Marina Baixa, in the province of Alicante, Spain. The view
shows the reservoir below the town
Hastings, East Sussex
Hastings is a town and local government district in South East England,
in the county of East Sussex. Hastings was one of the Cinque Ports, but
its significance as a port declined after the 19th Century and its main
industry became fishing. It is best known for its connection with the
Battle of Hastings 1066, which actually occurred eight miles north of
the town at Senlac Hill; the battle is commemorated today in the town
of Battle. The battle took place on the 14th of October after William
had landed on the coast between Hastings and Eastbourne at a site now
known as Norman's Bay. During the battle William defeated and killed
Harold Godwinson, the last Saxon King of England, and destroyed his army
thus opening England to the Norman conquest. After the conquest, William
built the first Norman castle at Hastings, as depicted on the Bayeux
Tapestry, probably using the earthworks of the existing Saxon castle.
The view is from the West Hill looking east to the old town, the East
Hill and The Stade or 'landing place' which is home to Europe's largest
beach-launched fishing fleet.
Holy Trinity Church, Colchester
Holy Trinity church tower was built around the turn of the last millennium, circa 1000 AD and is the only surviving Saxon building in Colchester. The church is located on Trinity Street in the town centre. The tower features re-used Roman bricks, Basket windows and there is a unique arrowhead (triangle arches) doorway in west side of the tower, typical of the Saxon period. The remainder of the church is of different periods up to Victorian and, until recently, was the town's social history museum. The churchyard contains the burial place of William Gilberd, discoverer of electro-magneticism and Physician to Queen Elizabeth I.
Town Hall and Belfry (Befroi de L'Hotel de Ville)
Built in 1924, it took four years to complete the town hall replacing the
one destroyed by fire in the Place Rihour. The design, inspired by gabled
Flemish houses includes a 104 metre high tower which is supported by
two sculpted giants, Lyderic and Phinaert, legendary founders of the
city. The tower, accessible by lift, offers fantastic panoramic views
over the city. There is an impressive central hall studded with floral
pillars and displays of art work throughout the stairways, corridors
and meeting rooms, including a superb fresco by the Icelandic painter
Erro, telling the story of the town in the form of a strip cartoon. More.....
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to simply as Kew Gardens,
are extensive gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond upon Thames
and Kew in southwest London. Kew Gardens originated in the exotic garden
at Kew Park formed by Lord Capel of Tewkesbury. The Palm House (shown below)
was built by architect Decimus Burton and iron-maker Richard Turner between
1844 and 1848, and was the first large-scale structural use of wrought iron.
Killaloe Co Clare, Ireland mid west
Killaloe is the southernmost town on Lough Derg and is steeped in history,
it is the home of Brian Boru, Ireland's heroic High King (1002-1014) who
routed the Vikings from Ireland. Here he was born and reared, and here stood
his palace of Kincora. Killaloe is separated from its 'twin' town of Ballina
by a bridge over the Shannon. It is the centre of a beautiful and historic
district - a land of legend and story, endowed by nature with a beauty unsurpassed
along the Shannon basin. Killaloe is unique in having two little oratories,
built about three centuries apart. The gradual development of the art of
arched roofing can be traced through a study of these. In the 12th century
Killaloe emerged as the ecclesiastical centre of the newly formed diocese
of the same name
King’s College, Cambridge
King’s was founded in 1441 by King Henry VI. His first design was modest,
but by 1445 was intended to be a magnificent display of royal patronage.The
College Chapel, an example of late Gothic architecture, was built over a period
of 100 years in three stages. The Chapel features the world’s largest
fan vault, stained glass windows, and the painting “The Adoration of
the Magi” by Rubens.
King Johns Castle and Thomond Bridge, Limerick
King John’s Castle is located in English Town, on the King’s Island, at the heart of Limerick’s medieval core, on the southern bank of the River Shannon, a little above the Curraghgower Falls. It was built to defend the river boundary and bridge between the Gaelic kingdoms to the west and the Norman kingdoms to the east and south. It was also the administrative and military centre for the Norman kingdom of Limerick. Archaeological excavations have shown that it was built on the site of an earlier Viking fortification. The Viking sea-king, Thormodr Helgason, built the first permanent Viking stronghold on Inis Sibhtonn (King's Island) in 922. He used the base to raid the length of the River Shannon from Lough Derg to Lough Ree, pillaging ecclesiastical settlements. In 937 the Limerick Vikings clashed with those of Dublin on Lough Ree and were defeated. In 943 they were defeated again when the chief of the local Dalcassian clan joined with Ceallachan, king of Munster and the Limerick Vikings were forced to pay tribute to the clans. The power of the Vikings never recovered, and they were reduced to the level of a minor clan. The arrival of the Anglo-Normans to the area in 1172 changed everything. Domhnall Mor O'Brien burned the city to the ground in 1174 in a bid to keep it from the hands of the new invaders. The Anglo-Normans finally captured the area in 1195, under John, Lord of Ireland. In 1197 local legend claims Limerick was given its first charter and its first Mayor, Adam Sarvant. A castle, built on the orders of King John and bearing his name, was completed around 1200. Under the general peace imposed by the Norman rule, Limerick prospered as a port and trading centre. By this time the city was divided into an area became known as "English Town" on King's Island, while another settlement, named "Irish Town" had grown on the south bank of the river. A 1574 document prepared for the Spanish ambassador attests to its wealth: It is a five-sided castle, with high curtain walls surrounding a rectangular yard. The lower part of the walls was curved outwards to deflect missiles dropped from the battlements. Its massive gate towers and round corner towers were state-of-the-art features at the beginning of the thirteenth century. The corner towers jutted out to allow archers to fire on attackers in crossfire. In its early years King John’s Castle was probably surrounded by a moat, with a drawbridge leading from the double-towered gatehouse to a foregate or barbican. The castle courtyard had a banqueting hall, kitchens, military accommodation and stables. It did not have a keep or great tower. King John established a mint in the north west tower of the castle. King John pennies and half pennies, minted in Limerick about 800 years ago, can be seen in Limerick Museum today. It was under siege on many occasions particularly during the seventeenth century with the sieges of 1690 and 1691. The domestic buildings of the courtyard have been demolished but the remains of a thirteenth century hall can still be seen. In 1791, a military barracks was built within the castle. More than four hundred members of the British army lived here. They left in 1922. In 1935, Limerick Corporation removed part of the castle walls and erected 22 houses in the castle-yard. These were demolished in 1989 and King John’s Castle was restored and developed as a tourist attraction.
Fishing Nets on wall in Kinsale
Kinsale in County Cork is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable resorts of the south-west coast of Ireland. Famous for its beautiful yachting, sea angling, Dolphin & Whale Watching Trips, gourmet restaurants and golf. The Battle of Kinsale, fought in 1601 between a combined Spanish, an Irish force and English armies, was a turning point in Irish history. The harbour is guarded by two very fine star-shaped fortresses built in the 17th century, Charles Fort and James Fort.
Round Tower at Kilmacdaugh
Kilmacdaugh (Cill Mhic Dhuach) near Gort in Co Galway
has one of the finest collection of monastic buildings in the country.
The churches were plundered in the 13th century but the site remained
the seat of a Bishop until the 16th century. The modern diocese still
bears the name of the early monastery. The Round Tower was the place
of refuge for the monks in case of attack. The round tower leans two
feet out of the perpendicular and probably dates from the 12th century.
The overall height of the tower is just about 34 meters, making it the
tallest round tower in existence. Kilmacduagh has the greatest number
of windows of any existing round tower: 11. All are angle headed. The
five windows in the drum in ascending order face N, SSE, W, E and WSW. More.....