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Dawros Bay is ringed with small beaches such as this one at Rossbeg (Route 1, Stage 8)

What’s in a name?

Because of the history of the island, most places in Ireland have both Irish and Anglicised names. Visitors to Ireland generally find the Anglicised names easier to recognise, read and pronounce – something which could be crucial when following or asking for directions. Purely for pragmatic reasons, therefore, this guide tends to use the Anglicised versions.

Appendix B gives a few of the original Gaelic placenames with an explanation of their meanings.

Built heritage and architecture

Ireland has megalithic structures and other prehistoric remains of the highest order. The Iron Age ring fort of Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands is one of the star attractions, but there are countless other interesting and well-preserved sites.

Ireland is also blessed with some fine early Christian architecture. Skellig Michael monastery is one of the best preserved early Christian sites in Europe. A feature unique to Ireland are its round towers, dating from the 9th to 12th centuries and usually part of a monastic settlement. These thin stone towers, commonly 25–30m high with a conical roof, served as bell towers and places of storage as well as a lookout. There is a fine example at Killala in County Mayo.