We're back from our week in Ireland.
We stayed in the picturesque city of Tralee (pronounced Tray-lee by the locals), on the southwest corner of Ireland, in County Kerry.
Our apartment had a spectacular view of the water and mountains.
We spent our first full day exploring the Dingle Peninsula, with its beautiful, green rolling hills, ancient ruins, beaches and castles.
This is what's left of Minard Castle, built by the Knights of Kerry in 1551, and destroyed by Cromwell in 1650.
It sits up on a hill overlooking the ocean, with crashing waves below.
We visited the ruins of Kilmalkedar, a 12-century Irish Romanesque church. In front of the ruins is what's called an "ogham stone," a pre-Christian relic, which stood in this spot 900 years before the church was built. The hole was drilled into the ogham stone to be used as a way for people to seal a deal. They would stand on the graves of their ancestors in front of the church and "swear to God" by touching thumbs through the hole.
Let me demonstrate...
It was a rainy, cold day on the Dingle Peninsula. Luckily for us, it meant we were all alone everywhere we went...even to Inch Strand, a four mile long sandy beach, east of Dingle Town. It felt like our own private beach.
The next day we took the ferry and visited the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, a five mile long series of dramatic cliffs, some of which soar over 650 feet above the Atlantic.
If only you could see the people on the cliffs behind me...squint at the top of the cliffs in the photo below...and you'll see the craziest bunch of lunatics who ever lived. These people were literally on their bellies, leaning over the cliffs, snapping photos--in a completely restricted area. They actually had to climb a fence and walk along the edge of the cliffs, where signs warned of imminent DEATH. People were bringing their small children! There were a multitude of older, out of shape, clearly unfit individuals making their way out to the edges of the cliffs. In the past, strong breezes have carried many people over the edge. On average, 10 to 12 people fall from the cliffs every year. Cue "Here comes Debbie Downer!" I was sweating just watching them.
After seeing the cliffs, we visited "The Burren," which is a very rocky part of Ireland, rich in prehistoric and early Christian sites. It has over 500 Iron Age stone forts, and places like Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb over 4,000 years old.
It also has places like Leamaneh Castle, the ruins of a 15th century fortified manor.
On our last day in Ireland, we visited the County Cork, where my family is originally from. I had with me a letter from my grandfather's cousin, who lived in the city of Macroom, a small market town in the valley, along the River Sullane.
The Macroom Castle above was once owned by the father of William Penn, who was born in Macroom and later became the founder of Pennsylvania.
It was fascinating for me to see this place where my not to distant ancestors lived. I found the gravestone for my grandfather's cousin and his wife, who passed away in 1999 and 2007, respectively. I had hoped to find them, but it was not to be.
And there you have the story of our stay in Ireland. Good Lord! Look at the time! It's already after 6pm...time for a drinky drink. Hope you're having a great weekend wherever you are...
Cheers!
I've seen people doing that mad thing on the Cliffs of Moher and like you, I could barely watch. It's like they're competing to win the Darwin Award or something. Glad to see you're safely behind a fence in the photo.
Posted by: Limecat | April 11, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Re: the cliffs. We call it "thinning the herd." Great pics. Thanks. Someday I will get to Ireland....
Posted by: babelbabe | April 11, 2009 at 01:14 PM
I rode a bike around the Dingle Peninsula 157 years ago, but the only pics I took were of ruminants and a lazy slug oozing across the road. Yours = much better.
Question: In the ogham stone photo, is that a fairy orb in front of your tummy or (Officially Starting a Rumor Here) do you have a bun in the oven???!!!!??? (Welcome "home!")
Posted by: Lynn | April 11, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Lynn--The only "bun" in my "oven" is a Cinnabon. Jesus. I'm never eating again.
Posted by: eurolush | April 11, 2009 at 04:04 PM
It's the babyspirit orb!!! The mystical glowing white light! In FRONT of your (flat, 17 inches in diameter) tummy.
Hoo boy, am I ever in trouble now...
Posted by: Lynn | April 11, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Does no one else see that globe of light???? Please!! Help me out here!!!!!
Posted by: Lynn | April 11, 2009 at 05:04 PM
One last thing: at least I made you a cheerful pastry-eating hippo and not a weathered rhino with maniacal eyes...
Posted by: Lynn | April 11, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Oh, Lynn, you're in TRUBBLE.
Posted by: B. | April 11, 2009 at 05:20 PM
Lynn--You will be forgiven, but only if you send a very large box filled with chocolate (dark, please) and write a Shakespearean sonnet about my stunning good looks.
Love, Happy Hippo
Posted by: eurolush | April 11, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Is that drinky drink going to be a Guinness by any chance?! I spent a year studying at Trinity in Dublin and my one trip to Dingle was gray and wet as well--but it looks like you had some sun too--fantastic!
And yes, Lynn, I do see the orb, but I'm just discreet enough not to mention it!
K x
Posted by: kristina | April 11, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Welcome home!
Beautiful snaps! I especially like the 4th one down. I'm sure you were quite dignified, but I would've stood there, looking at all that beauty, and bawled like a baby.
Posted by: Tuli | April 11, 2009 at 06:34 PM
oh, I too saw the glowing light...
I am so jealous.
I have another blog friend who is FROM that part of Ireland. Such a beautiful place!
Happy easter to yoooooou
Posted by: fifi | April 11, 2009 at 07:53 PM
I saw that glowing light too !
Those people on the cliffs gave me the screaming heebie jeebies.
Your photos are beautiful of course.
Happy Easter dear Irish German American friend..
Posted by: Mary | April 11, 2009 at 08:21 PM
Oh my what a wonderful trip. I am so jealous! The one place I want to go. Beautiful photos! I can not even imagine how beautiful it was in real life!
Posted by: Spruce Hill | April 11, 2009 at 09:17 PM
How much fun is THAT?? It's official: I'm hiring you to plan our trip to Ireland next summer. Only I have to go way up north, Malins Head, where my family is originally from, 'kay? Also, could you come along and take our vacation snapshots? Thanks~
Posted by: alex | April 12, 2009 at 05:43 AM
I love your trips, they bring us so many nice photos and descriptions and info and laughter and joy! Followed by hooplas (uh Lynn?).
Happy Easter to all of you Eurolushes and friends.
Posted by: Paola | April 12, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Oh that looks lovely. I love all that rugged beauty.
Meanwhile, it's bucketing down here in Sydney.
Thanks for visiting. Eleanor is really teasing you isn't she...we had a great night last Thursday.
Posted by: M | April 13, 2009 at 02:24 AM
Teasing you? Moi? NEVER. I am sharing the love.
And it's SO GOOD to have you back in blogland!!!!!
P.S. I really like your boots in all those photos. I know I'm really shallow...but could you do a shoe post one of these days and feature those boots please?
Posted by: Eleanor | April 13, 2009 at 07:16 AM
one of my all time favorite places I ever visited was Ireland. I bought myself a lovely painting of the Cliffs of Moher--no dangling cliffside for a shot that would turn out blurry for this chick!
Posted by: green girl | April 13, 2009 at 12:39 PM
The reason why they are all attempting to jump off the Cliffs is to escape all the weird people trying to sell things like Celtic Sarongs and ElectroHarp music.
So glad that you are safely home. You were obviously invigorated by the trip because I spy you in your new header HOLDING UP A TREE. Your dedication to nature knows no bounds.
Posted by: Alice C | April 13, 2009 at 06:46 PM