Page 8 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – March/April 2016

TRAVE
Ireland – A Portrait
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The magical Emerald Isle of the North Atlantic known as Ireland is a legendary realm of exquisite landscapes steeped in historical significance.
Neatly kept white cottages, many with thatched roofs, are encircled by rolling verdant hills and lush meadows bright with scarlet and gold wild flowers – more often than not strewn with silvery-gray rocks. The entire countryside is criss-crossed by dark blue lakes and rippling streams where fly-fishermen cast their lures in the quest for salmon and trout.
Ireland’s first known inhabitants made their way from Scandinavia to settle in Northern Ireland at the mouth of the Lough Foyle 8,000 years before the birth of Christ. From that ancient beginning, the history of Ireland flows down through Stone Age hamlets to the Celtic migration; from the Viking occupation to the medieval Anglo-Norman knights domination, and finally to the modern world.
The land is littered with Neolithic tombs, remnants of once great abbeys and magnificent castles. Some medieval castles have now been authentically restored. In fact, visitors to the 16th century Bunratty Castle, near Shannon, can join in a sumptuous feast in the castle’s grand banquet hall while enjoying the Renaissance chorale melodies
of the Bunratty Castle Singers. Some castles, including the dazzling Ashford and Dromoland, invite guests to stay
the night in luxurious
bedrooms and dine in
elegant splendor in the
manner of the great Irish
royal families of yore. The
world famous Blarney
Castle is the seat of the
Blarney Stone, which if kissed, is said to bestow the gift of eloquence – something for which the Irish are noted.
For the some 40 million Americans who trace their ancestry to Ireland, a trip to the isle often takes on the aura of a pilgrimage. Each year thousands
of Americans come in search of their roots. For many American-born Irish descendents, the journey into the past begins with a record search at the Genealogical Office and the National Library in Dublin, or the Public Record Office in Belfast.
Yet, it’s the warmth and charm of this ancient land that is its real draw. One of Ireland’s most
widely acclaimed magnets is its friendly pubs where the Guinness ale and the patrons’ playful banter flows freely. And it’s here you’ll find Ireland’s very special appeal – its people.
NOT ANOTHER DAY.
ANOTHER WORLD.
Swim with a dolphin. Snorkel with thousands of fish. Play with a ray. The thrills go deeper at Discovery Cove®. This one-of-a-kind paradise has taken care of everything, so your family can relax and enjoy a day full of amazement and special connections. And your day at Discovery Cove gets you unlimited admission to SeaWorld® and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark®.
TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION, SEE YOU GUEST SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE.
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MEMBERS SAVE ON DISCOVERY COVE WHEN BOOKING AT AAA SCHUYLKILL COUNTY*
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MARCH/APRIL 2016
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