An Irish Bus Ride Trivia Quiz

Answer: Baile Átha Cliath

Our flight from the United States landed at Dublin International Airport. The building in the photograph is of the old terminal at the airport, which is currently used as office space. The airport is located ten km north of Dublin, near the town of Swords. Dublin's name in Gaelic is Baile Átha Cliath.

While in Dublin we were able to tour the National Museum of Ireland and visit some pubs along the River Liffey before settling down for the evening.

Answer: St. James's Gate

Guinness is a famous Irish beer company that was established by Arthur Guinness in 1759. The first and most famous brewery of Guinness was established in the neighborhood of St. James's Gate in the city of Dublin. At one time the St. James's Gate Brewery was the largest in the world. Today, tourists are able to sample various varieties of Guinness beer after touring the facility.

The photograph shows the famous gate and cobblestone driveway that leads into the brewery.

Answer: Under a ledge at the top of the castle

Blarney Castle, located near the city of Cork, was first constructed in the 13th century. It had been destroyed and rebuilt in the year 1446. When the current castle was constructed a special piece of limestone named the Blarney Stone was incorporated into the structure.

It has become a tradition for tourists to kiss the stone as it is rumored to grant people the "gift of gab". However, the stone is quite difficult to reach. It sits under a ledge at the top of the castle. In order to kiss it, a person needs to lie on their back and lean out through a hole under the ledge, with only a few metal bars in place to prevent people from taking a deadly tumble. An attendant stands guard at the site of the stone to help hold tourists as they lean out to kiss it.

Answer: No

The Ring of Kerry is a road that circles around a mountainous area in the southwest corner of Ireland. Due to the narrow roadway, the terrain and the size of the vehicles, coach buses are restricted to travel in a counter clockwise direction around the Ring of Kerry.

This is done to help prevent accidents and keep traffic flowing efficiently around the ring. Passenger cars are allowed to travel in both directions.

Answer: Kilkenny

The tour around the Ring of Kerry begins at the town of Killarney. As the bus makes its way around the ring, you will be able to pass through the towns of Cahersiveen and Sneem. Depending on the tour company, you may be able to make a pit stop at these towns to eat, shop and stretch your legs. Once around the ring the coach bus will makes its return to the town of Killarney.

The structure in the photograph is of Kilkenny Castle, near the town of the same name. Kilkenny is not found along the Ring of Kerry.

It is located in the southeastern portion of Ireland.

Answer: Michael

The Skellig Islands are two small islands that lie off the southwestern coast of Ireland. The islands are known as Great Skellig and Little Skellig. Great Skellig is also referred to as Skellig Michael. Skellig Michael has an area of 54 acres and was once the site of a Christian monastery that was established on the island in the year 1066. Currently the island is uninhabited, but Skellig Michael draws in archeologists and tourists from around the world.

Answer: Bunratty Castle

The current Bunratty Castle was constructed around the year 1425. The site had been previously occupied by three other structures. Bunratty Castle was restored in 1956 and opened as a museum in 1960. In 1963, Bunratty Castle would begin holding medieval style banquets for tourists. For those on the tour who are not into the medieval scene, they can wait for their friends and family in a pub located across the road from the castle.

Answer: Shannon Estuary

Shannon Estuary is located in western Ireland. It links the River Shannon, which originates in northern Ireland, with the Atlantic Ocean. Shannon is also the name of the town where Ireland's third busiest international airport is located. The lighthouse in the photograph is located near the town of Tarbert on the southern end of the estuary.

At Tarbert, motorists can take a ferry (which is large enough to carry coach buses) across the Shannon Estuary to the town of Killimer on the northern side of the estuary.

Answer: Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are located on the western coast of Ireland in County Clare. The cliffs can rise up as much as 700 ft (213 m) above sea level. They provide tourists with a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean, when the weather is favorable of course. Ireland is notorious for its rainy climate which of course keeps everything looking green.

Answer: Limerick

Our trip came to an end at the city of Limerick, which lends its name to a type of poetry. One of Limerick's most notable tourist attractions is King John's Castle, which stands adjacent to the River Shannon. King John's Castle was constructed in the early 13th century and has been involved in several sieges on the city.

The city of Limerick is also only a short drive away from the previously mentioned Shannon Airport. The coach driver dropped us off at the airport, where we boarded our plane back to the United States.