Author: Ms. R.

The largest cemetery in Ireland, Glasnevin Cemetery is home to an estimated 1.5 million burials and holds the graves of some of the most significant figures in Irish history. These range from the legendary Irish novelist Brendan Behan, to Éamon de Valera, former president of Ireland.  The cemetery is also home to O’Connell Tower, the largest round tower in Ireland, which contains the remains of the 19th-century Irish political leader Daniel O’Connell. He was known as ‘The Liberator,” and founded……

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In the year 79, Mount Vesuvius spewed scalding ash and lava across Pompeii and Herculaneum. As a pyroclastic flow surged, Pompeii was famously laid to ruin—its inhabitants killed, its homes and public spaces obscured under a terrible blanket. The city was snuffed out so speedily that many aspects of daily life were eerily preserved—a carbonized loaf of bread, delicate amulets and beads in a wooden box, even, scientists suspect, brain cells. Over decades of careful excavation, archaeologists have revealed……

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In front of Nagoya Station is the Meitetsu Department Store, and in front of its entrance stands an unusual mannequin known as Nana-chan. The gigantic mannequin stands 20-feet tall with a thin, long neck. The various costumes Nana-chan dawns are changed almost every month.  The mannequin was installed in 1973 when a new wing of the store, Seven-kan, opened. The statue was named after the Japanese word for seven, nana, which is homophonous with the common given name Nana. The……

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Monte Guardia is the highest peak on the island of Ponza, measuring more than 900 feet (280 meters) in altitude. Travelers to the island will spot a lonely ruin at the top of the peak that hearkens back to a forgotten form of technology used for communication. Il Semaforo was constructed during the 1800s around an older watchtower from the 1600-1700s. Nautical maps from the period label the site as the “telegraph.” At the time, an engineer by the……

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Over the centuries, Edinburgh has seen its fair share of crime and murderous plots. From the conspiracy to do away with the husband of Queen Mary of Scots, Lord Darnley in 1567— to the serial killer duo Burke and Hare. One particular event involved citizens uprising against governmental officials that resulted in a truly heinous act. In 1736, a series of events culminated with several people being injured, shot, and one public official meeting a nasty end. It all……

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Initially, this cube-shaped structure was designed as a mosque that was constructed during the Seljuq dynasty around the 10th-century. The structure originally contained a massive green dome, however, it eventually collapsed. It was then redesigned as a mausoleum for the Alavian family. Two senior members of the family reside in tombs located in the cellar of the building.  The Alavian Dome is a shining example of Persian-Islamic architecture. Nine stone stairs lead visitors into the structure. The interior of the mausoleum……

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Stepping into a taishū engeki show is like being welcomed into a wild and flamboyant secret society. As performers in outlandish costumes dance on stage, delighted fans dance along in unison from their seats. Somehow, everyone knows the moves. Periodically, an excited fan will scurry up to the stage with an envelope or wrapped gift, or will jump into the aisles looking for more room to wave a glow-stick. This might sound like a crowd of teenagers at a……

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Carnlough, a village located along the East Antrim coastline of Northern Ireland, is home to one of the most beautiful stone harbor ports in the country. The stone harbor as seen in Carnlough today was first constructed in 1854 by the Marquess Marchioness of Londonderry. It was designed to help develop the limestone export trade from the nearby Gortin Road Quarry. Eventually, a railway between the quarry and the harbor was created.  The harbor area now is now frequented……

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