#955 Galway, Ireland

When I rented a car in Ireland, I drove coast to coast, and the first place in the west that I aimed for was Galway.

A beautiful port town, with pretty harbor-front houses, it was memorable even if it was raining, although maybe I remember it because it's where I had to pay 1000 euros to fix the dent in my rental car because I didn't pay attention to where I was reversing...

Regardless of that, it is a pretty place, with castles (Lynch's Castle, Menlo Castle), canals, cemeteries and a nice pedestrianized main street. While being the third largest city in Ireland, it feels like a cozy quaint town as well.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galway
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-underrated-cities/12

#972 Bru Na Boinne, Ireland

Translating to 'the Boyne Palace', the Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth Neoliltic passage tomb complex is one of the most amazing ancient sites in Europe. Built in around 3200BC, it predates the Egyptian pyramids by around six hundred years. At one time a grain storage ("new granary") and at another time quarried, it is surrounded by Celtic Arthurian myth.

It had an unknown purpose (burial place for kings?), but I do know that it has mystical calendar qualities. I would absolutely love to be there when the sun lights up the 19m passageway lined with 43 upright stones on the December solstice to illuminate the chamber for 17 minutes. Lottery places only!

It's also amazing because the complex drainage system means no water has gotten in in it's centuries of existence. I found the carved kerbstones extremely beautiful -- triple spirals and other patterns. 

It really is a massive mound -- 100m diameter. 97 boulders of the kerb ring stop the mound from collapsing, with 12 decorated kerbstones remaining.

Source: Lonely Planet Ireland 7th Edition