After visiting John we flew from England to Ireland, landing in the Dublin Airport. We rented a car and headed to our Bed and Breakfast in Slane, Meath County. On the way we stopped at Skerries, a sea port town on the east coast.
This was an interesting round tower. I need to look up the history. We shopped at a grocery store in Skerries, and enjoyed a delicious scone in the cafe upstairs!
We encountered this group of cute school girls who let me take their picture :). I love their uniforms!
Looking back on the town of Skerries
We decided to stop at Newgrange, a passage tomb from the Neolithic period of about 3200 BC, but there were no more buses going to the site. Instead we took a bus to Knowth, another passage tomb. There are several tombs in this area, and we found them very fascinating.
We crossed the River Boyne on a walking bridge. We followed a beautiful trail to the buses.
We spent about an hour at Knowth before the last bus had to return us to the visitor's center.
Ancient celtic designs were inscribed on the stones at the base of the mounds.
Bill entering the passage tomb
Evening light coming into the passageways
Leaving Knowth
Crossing back over the River Boyne
Our Bed and Breakfast (a hostel) in Harlinstown, Slane, Meath County
Our room was so "country" and cozy! Our hostess could not do enough for us. The first thing she did was give us some eggs from her chickens. When we left she gave me a very sturdy shopping bag to keep some of my purchases in. We found the Irish to be very friendly and personable.
We left the next morning for Newgrange. This is looking back on the area where we stayed the night.
Irish cows :)
I called these "tree tunnels." They were everywhere...so beautiful!
We got on a bus to Newgrange from the visitors center. It is one of the largest of the passage tombs. The official name is Bru na Boinne meaning "Archaelogical Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne."
More celtic art
This is where the sun enters during the winter solstice
A home on the grounds from a later period
These huge stones were brought from quite a distance away!
Newgrange: during the winter solstice, the sun enters the passageway lighting up the very center of the tomb. We experienced a simulation of this, and it was amazing.
Walking from the bus back to the visitors center
Such a beautiful trail; crossing the Boyne River below
A country home
Bill
Looking across a farmer's field at Knowth up on the hill
Before leaving the area we stopped at a farm and enjoyed all of the things this woman made by hand from her sheep's wool.
We headed across Ireland after visiting Newgrange, and this was one of our first stops.
Donaghmore was a monastery founded by St. Patrick in the 5th century, and the tower was built later in the 11th or 12th century. The entry was placed above the ground with a ladder that could be drawn up in times of invasion (especially by the Vikings).
It was fascinating looking at the old headstones.
We passed a pharmacy in Delvin, Westmeath, and stopped at a bakery to enjoy a treat :).
This was so flaky and delicious! It had a little bit of raspberry filling :).
We finally arrived in Doolin (called the music capital of Ireland), and saw this beautiful graveyard on the way to our Bed and Breakfast.
We found our B&B down this road, but we determined we were unable to stay there. Our room had no windows, there were heavy smokers staying in the home, and the baby had chicken pox! It was getting rather late, but we were fortunate enough to find another place nearby called St. Catherine's. It was a very clean and wonderful bed and breakfast! When we were settled in, we headed to the pubs to get a meal and to listen to music. We were not disappointed!
We listened to traditional music (on traditional instruments like the horn pipe) in each of these pubs. We didn't stay out too late, though, because the atmosphere was a bit noisy, smoky, and rowdy.
The next morning we explored more of Doolin.
Crossing over this stream revealed a typical scene where the water is darkened by peat.
I love a windy day by the sea, and I was not disappointed!
Water pouring off a cliff
Leaving Doolin
Looking back on Doolin as we head to the main road.
We drove to the Cliffs of Moher which were amazing.
Raven at the Cliffs of Moher
We backtracked a little to Lisdoonvarna because there was a festival involving dancing (stemmed from an ancient courting festival). We watched couples dance, and then Bill wanted to explore a store with fishing tackle.
As we continued on toward the Dingle Peninsula, we passed beautiful Askeaton Friary, founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1389.
Monks walked, prayed and meditated around a central cloister.
Becky and Bill
We were joined by a tour guide (who does programs on TV about Askeaton). He came to lock the Friary but he gave us a fascinating personal tour instead!
The original mortar contains tiny shells and marine animals.
We passed through Ballyvaughan, one of the most quaint and beautiful areas of Ireland. I would love to go back there one day to see more of it.
Soon we came to The Corkscrew Hill. It was a stunning view!
We arrived in Dingle (on the Dingle Peninsula) late in the evening and took these pictures the next morning.
We left Dingle and explored the peninsula along the Slea Head Drive. This was a stone restaurant with an interesting rounded roof.
Dunbeg Fort is one of the oldest promontory forts in Ireland.
These beehive houses were probably single family dwellings. They may date to the 12th Century when the incoming Normans forced the Irish off of their lands and out to the periphery of the Dingle Peninsula. No mortar was used!
The peninsula has some very stunning views!
Becky and Bill (in the background is one of the areas where Star Wars was filmed)
We drove to Kilmakedar Church, founded by St. Maolcethair who died in 636.
Kilmakedar Church
Most of the present church was built in the 12th century.
This is looking into the older part of the church.
Leaving the Dingle Peninsula, we headed across the southern part of Ireland toward Kinsale.
We stopped in Kilarney and walked around St. Brendan's College.
St. Mary's Cathedral was nearby.
Vivid red ivy grew on the buildings.
We Drove south of Kilarney through Moll's Gap, a rugged and beautiful area of lakes and hills.
We made it to our destination that evening and stayed in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast called Rivermore. It was just outside of Kinsale. The hydrangeas on the grounds were beautiful!
Before entering Kinsale, we got sidetracked by a sign that said "Old Head." We were able to drive through this gate which was for club members only (the guard was very kind to us).
Old Head is a lighthouse, but the land surrounding it is a prestigious golf course.
We entered the club house, went out on the veranda and took this picture, and then promptly left!
Several of these amazing fossils decorated the club house.
Kinsale was a very beautiful port!
Bill accidentally went the wrong way up a one way street, and this lovely woman guided us in the direction to go :).
Bill and I listened to stories from this local Irishman. He was delightful!
We drove north to Cashel to see the Rock of Cashel. I believe it is the largest castle in Ireland.
Next we drove to Kilkenny and enjoyed touring the castle there. Bill's grandmother was a Kilkenny!
View from the castle
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