The Emerald Isle

What a time I've had in Ireland! It was a wonderful week, though I must admit parting with my family was difficult. I know I am doing this later that many people, but it's all new to me.

We flew into Dublin in a slight drizzle, and the rain barely stopped from that point onward. We spent the next day touring Dublin. This included a visit to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. I absolutely love tis illuminated manuscript. We saw bog bodies at the museum and P45 and P46 in the Chester Beatty Library. Papyrus 46 is one of the oldest New Testament manuscripts known to exist and contains Paul's letters.

We spent the next day driving to our cottage in Ballyvaughan. We stopped at Glendalough, a monastic complex, and saw its round tower, which is unique to Irish monasteries. Unfortunately the rain slowed us down, even forcing us to turn around at one point because the road was flooded. Upon our arrival at the cottage we discovered that the caretaker had lit a lovely peat fire for us. This was a welcome warmth and we proceeded to light fires every night of our stay.

Sunlight on the Burren

Our cottage was in the heart of the Burren, a barren rocky landscape in the west of Ireland. Monday was spent driving around the Burren - visiting megalithic tombs, old stone circle forts and high crosses. The day was rainy, but the historical monuments we viewed were well worth it. In Kilfenora, a village with several high cross, I had the best chowder I have ever tasted. The seafood all around was delicious, and I even had mussels once!

Sky Road, Co. Galway

We spent another day up in Connemara. This drive included some of the most beautiful scenery of our entire stay. Thankfully the rain let up enough for us to hike in Connemara National Park. I was joyful to see some Connemara Ponies inside the park. Later in the day we went horseback riding along some beaches. It was amazing! The beaches were gorgeous, and I had so much fun with my horse Monty.

Wednesday we went out and watched the enormous waves crash into Doolin Point. That evening we went to Monks, had amazing desserts and listened to live Irish music. 

On Thursday, we ventured out to Cork and Blarney Castle. The day began without a cloud in the sky. Heavy mist in the valleys gave the country a surreal, sort of magical feel. I kissed the Blarney Stone, which is supposed to give me the "gift of gab". It was an interesting experience, anyway. We ended our day with a visit to the Cliffs of Moher. These majestic cliffs plummet drastically into the ocean. Unfortunately we didn't see any puffins at the Cliffs of Insanity.

The Cliffs of Moher

Ireland was so beautiful, like a place straight out of a fairy tale. The rain was a bit annoying. We knew Ireland would be rainy - hence it's green expanses. But leave it the Childers to be there during one of the rainiest times in history (it was reported. that the floods in Dublin were the second worst ever recorded).