ID,Title,Address,County,Blurb,X Co-ord,Y Co-ord,Phone Number,Email Address,Website ,Further Information,Image
1,Br£ na B¢inne World Heritage Site,Donore,Meath,"Br£ na B¢inne, which means the ?palace? or the ?mansion? of the Boyne, refers to the area within the bend of the River Boyne which contains one of the world?s most important prehistoric landscapes. It is located close to the east coast of Ireland approximately 40 km north of Dublin city, about 8km west of the medieval town of Drogheda and about 5km east of the village of Slane. The archaeological landscape within Br£ na B¢inne is dominated by the three well-known large passage tombs, Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth, built some 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic or Late Stone Age. An additional ninety monuments have been recorded in the area giving rise to one of the most significant archaeological complexes in terms of scale and density of monuments and the material evidence that accompanies them. The Br£ na B¢inne tombs, in particular Knowth, contain the largest assemblage of megalithic art in Western Europe. The natural heritage of Br£ na B¢inne is also of importance and it encompasses several Natural Heritage Areas. The Boyne River Islands are one of the country?s few examples of alluvial wet woodland which is a priority habitat under the EU Habitat Directive. Br£ na B¢inne was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in December 1993 in recognition of its outstanding universal value. The scale of passage tomb construction, the important concentration of megalithic art as well as the range of sites and the long continuity of activity were cited as reasons for the site?s inscription. Br£ na B¢inne Visitor centre is situated on the south side of the River Boyne overlooking the core of the World Heritage Site. The Centre contains exhibitions that describe the society that created the Neolithic tombs, their homes, dress, food, tools and weapons. Great emphasis is placed throughout the Exhibition on the building of the monuments; why they were built: how they were used; where the building stones were found and how these were moved to the site. The audio?visual show deals primarily with the solar alignments in the Boyne Valley. The extensive exhibition also contains a partial full-scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange as well as a replica of one of the smaller sites at Knowth.",702620,772760,Phone: 00353 (0)41 9880300 Fax: 00353 (0)41 9823071,brunaboinne@opw.ie,http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlandseastcoast/brunaboinnevisitorcentrenewgrangeandknowth/,http://www.worldheritageireland.ie/bru-na-boinne/,A
2,Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark,Doolin,Clare,"Just to the north of the Cliffs of Moher you will find the Burren, a strange and beautiful karst landscape with its own extraordinary geological, natural and cultural distinctiveness. Together these two complimentary landscapes form the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark. The Burren is home to a vast array of flora, including Arctic and Alpine flowers that grow surprisingly alongside Mediterranean species. There is also the staggering amount of history in the Burren region with over 2,700 recorded monuments, some dating back over 6,000 years. This has led to the Burren being described as ?one vast memorial to bygone cultures?. The Cliffs of Moher, standing 214m (702 feet) at their highest point, stretch for 8 kilometres (5 miles) along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland. From the Cliffs of Moher on a clear day one can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay, as well as the Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk mountains in Connemara, Loop Head to the south and the Dingle Peninsula and Blasket Islands in Kerry. O?Brien?s Tower stands near the highest point and has served as a viewing point for visitors for hundreds of years. ",504050,692100,Phone: 00353 (0)65 7072295 or 00353 (0)65 7086141,info@burren.ie or info@cliffsofmoher.ie,http://www.burrengeopark.ie/,http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/,B
3,The Copper Coast Geopark,Bunmahon,Waterford,"The Copper Coast is a stretch of the southern coast of Ireland in County Waterford. It is named for the historic metal-mining industry, the legacies of which now constitute a tourist attraction. This geologically diverse area contains records of Palaeozoic volcanism and the last ice age. The area was declared a European Geopark in 2001 and a UNESCO supported˙Global Geopark in 2004. At 90 square kilometres the Copper Coast is about the smallest Geopark in the Network. The Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark and Visitor Centre is located on the South East coast of Ireland, between Tramore and Dungarvan in County Waterford. It extends between Fenor in the east to Stradbally in the west and up to Dunhill in the north. The Copper Coast is an outdoor geology museum with a geological heritage that reflects the variety of environments under which the area has evolved over the last 460 million years. Sedimentary and volcanic rocks define a cross section through the core of an Ordovician age island arc volcanic system; closure of the Iapetus Ocean by the collision of 2 continents leading to the creation of Ireland ? as part of a desert dissected by large rivers; and, finally, the effects of glaciation during the Ice Age. Cross-sections of these rocks are exposed along the spectacular cliffs and are interpreted for the public at various points. For a brief introduction to these rocks, a stroll around the Geological Garden in Bunmahon will prove instructive. Copper was mined extensively in the area during the 19th Century. The Geopark?s name is derived from this activity, and the Copper Coast icon is derived from the conserved remains of a mine complex on a high point of the cliffs. Panels there explain how the mine worked. There is also a rich cultural heritage ? Neolithic dolmens, Iron Age forts, pre-Christian inscribed stones, ruined medieval churches and a spectacular castle owned by one community group. ",643940,599030,Phone: 00353 (0)51 292828,info@coppercoastgeopark.com,http://www.coppercoastgeopark.com/,http://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/the-copper-coast-unesco-global-geopark/15361,C
4,The Giant's Causeway World Heritage Site,Bushmills,Antrim,"Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, for centuries the Giant?s Causeway has inspired artists, stirred scientific debate and captured the imagination of all who see it. Is it the handiwork of legendary giant Finn McCool or the result of volcanic fury millions of years ago? The Giant's Causeway is evidence of  a tumultuous time in our earth's history, and has the added advantage of being accessible by foot. The peculiar landscape is made up of approximately 40,000  dark grey basalt columns. In 1986 is was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its  geological and geomorphological value. Why not experience the Giant's Causeway for yourself? Unlock the mystery and stories of the landscape in the exhibition area of our award-winning Visitor Centre, which comprises a caf‚ serving seasonal, regional fayre, and retail zone where you can pick up locally-sourced memories of your causeway trip in the form of beautiful souvenirs and handicrafts. Take a walking tour with one of our knowledgeable tour guides, or pick up an audio guide and go at your own pace. Climb the Shepherd's Steps and hike along the cliff-top trail to get a bird's eye view of the beautiful causeway coast. Giant's Causeway image courtesy and copyright of National Trust Images/John Millar.",694900,944460,Phone: 0044 (0)28 20731855,giantscauseway@nationaltrust.org.uk,http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway,http://www.giantscausewayofficialguide.com/index.html#visitor,D
5,Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark,Blacklion/Enniskillen,Cavan/Fermanagh,"The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark contains some of the finest landscapes in the north of Ireland.˙ Ranging from rugged uplands, lakes and forests through to gently rolling drumlins, the landscapes of the Geopark represent a complex Earth history dating back as far as 650 million years ago.˙ With evidence of mountain building and destruction; searing hot deserts and warm tropical oceans; and of icy wastelands and water-worn caverns, the rocks and landscapes of the Geopark are nothing short of amazing. Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is host to one of the finest show caves in Europe.  Visitors are guided through a fascinating natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages and lofty chambers while stunningly beautiful cave formations glisten all around. ",612770,835700,Phone: 0044 (0)28 66348855,info@marblearchcavesgeopark.com,http://www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com/,http://discoverbelturbet.ie/unesco-geopark/marble-arch-caves/,E
6,Skellig Michael World Heritage Site,off Iveragh Peninsula,Kerry,"The Skellig Rocks, Skellig Michael (also known as Great Skellig) and Little Skellig, are towering sea crags rising from the Atlantic Ocean almost 12 kilometres west of the Ivereagh Peninsula in County Kerry. Located at the western edge of the European landmass, Skellig Michael was the chosen destination for a small group of ascetic monks who, in their pursuit of greater union with God, withdrew from civilisation to this remote and inaccessible place. Some time between the sixth and eight centuries, a monastery was founded on this precipitous rock giving rise to one of the most dramatic examples of the extremes of Christian monasticism. The monastic community appears to have moved to the mainland by the thirteenth century but the island continued to be venerated as a place of pilgrimage in the following centuries. In the nineteenth century, two lighthouses were built on Skellig Michael, establishing its importance in Ireland?s maritime history. Skellig Michael is also one of Ireland?s most important sites for breeding seabirds both in terms of size of colonies and diversity of species. The well-preserved monastic remains have retained a strong spiritual after-life which appeals strongly to the human psyche. Visitors cannot but be awestruck by the physical achievements of these early monks which, when combined with the sense of solitude, ocean and bird sounds evokes a quiet sense of magic. This is beautifully expressed by George Bernard Shaw who, following a visit in 1910, described this ?incredible, impossible, mad place? as ?part of our dream world?. Skellig Michael is a wilderness site and a designated Nature Reserve.  The site presents a unique landscape and visitors must take care at all times. A visit to the monastery will entail a climb of 618 steps, ascending over 600 ft. (180 metres).  It is a demanding climb and any person with health issues should consider carefully their own physical limitations before exploring this part of the site.",424800,560800,Phone: 00353 (0)1 6476000,info@heritageireland.ie,http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-west/skelligmichael/,http://www.worldheritageireland.ie/skellig-michael/,F