Christ Church Cathedral

Standing on high ground in the oldest part of the city, Christ Church cathedral is one of Dublin's finest historic buildings. It dates back to 1038 when Sitric, the then Danish king of Dublin, built the first wooden church here. In 1171 the original simple foundation was transformed into a cruciform stone church, though the present structure dates mainly from 1871 to 1878 when a huge restoration was undertaken. Only the transepts, the crypt, and a few other portions date from the medieval period.

Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government

Labbacallee wedge-shaped tomb

Labbacallee wedge tomb (Leaba Caillighe in Irish, meaning The Hag's Bed) is a large prehistoric burial monument, located 8km north of Fermoy in Co. Cork. Labbacallee is thought to have been built during the early Bronze Age, circa 1500 BC. The site is one of the largest Irish examples of a wedge tomb.

Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government

Corcomroe Abbey

This well-preserved abbey is picturesquely sited among the grey hills of the Burren, Co. Clare. The abbey is noted for its detailed carvings and other rich ornamentation, which are not commonly found in structures from this period. It features a typical cruciform church facing east, with a small chapel in each transept.

Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government

Bunratty Castle

Bunratty Castle in Co. Clare is a fine example of a larger type tower-house in Ireland. This particular structure was built in 1425.

Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle in Co. Cork was originally built as a stone castle in 1210. The present day construction was completed by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster in 1446 and is one of the strongest surviving tower-houses in the country, famous for its stone of eloquence.

Image courtesy of Dept. of Environment, Community and Local Government

Trinity Church, Glendalough

Trinity Church, one of the seven churches of Glendalough, Co. Wicklow is located outside the monastic city walls. It is an excellent example of an early Irish stone church or Daimliag. It dates from the eleventh century, and was probably built on the site of an earlier wooden church.

Oratory of Gallarus

The Oratoty of Gallarus on the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry was built over a thousand years ago and is the best preserved early Christian oratory in Ireland. It is built with the stones being laid at a slight angle, lower on the outside than on the inside, allowing rainwater to run off. This design has kept the interior relatively dry, despite the lack of mortaring, allowing the building to stay in excellent condition.

Athassel Abbey

An Augustinian Abbey at Athassel, Co. Tipperary. Large parts of the church walls and central tower remain, along with foundations of the monastery cloisters and other structures. Grave markers within the church walls attest to the priory's former importance.