Hello!
We are back in London after a wonderful few days in Dublin. It has been a while since we have written a post. Today we will focus on what we got up to on our last two days in Ireland and then later in the week we will write about our week back in London.
On Sunday we were fortunate enough to be able to get out into the country. Allan took us +- an hour North of Dublin to county Meath. Once you leave Dublin it doesn't take long before you reach real country. The countryside was covered in snow that had melted and re-frozen and became slippery if more than once person had stood on it. There were lots of sheep and cattle grazing outside even though it was freezing cold with ice everywhere. Lots of people were also out walking their dogs. Bron felt sorry for the pooches as none had jackets on!
First stop was Newgrange. Newgrange is one of 40 passage graves in the area which at first glance looks like a mound of grass circled by white stones. Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth are the three larger tombs, with the remaining 37 being smaller. Newgrange is older than the pyramids and is the only tomb that is open to tourists. The tomb is made of stones and has not leaked in 5000 years! The interesting thing about the tomb is that sunlight only enters the centre of the tomb on 21 December, the winter solstice, for 15min at 9am through a light box above the door. The other tombs also have a light box but some are positioned to receive light at sunset on the winter solstice and a few at the summer solstice. It was very interesting walking around and we enjoyed the views of the Boyne valley afforded by being on a hilltop.
Next stop was the Hill of Tara, seat of the high kings of Ireland. Tara is an open site in winter with tours only running in the Summer months so we were free to wander around at our leisure. Although it is only a grassy hill with some interesting mounds on it, it was a very mystical place to visit. The 360° views of the valley from Tara are absolutely amazing and made magical by the surrounding fields covered in icy-snow. Sheep wander freely on the hill side and their cloven hoof prints can be seen in the ice. The different circles and mounds on the hill are places where the high kings of Ireland were said to be inaugurated, the banqueting hall and places of burial. Even if you believe that Tara is only a mythical site, it is still worth a visit!
We had a very yummy lunch of homemade soup and bread at the local cafe after our wonderings. There was also some fun and games when we tried to leave as several cars were sliding around, unable to gain purchase on the ice.
We made it just in time to go around Trim Castle. We had missed the last tour for the day but the friendly curator allowed us to wander around the grounds as he was 'still full of Christmas cheer', lucky for us! It was sunset time and the warm glow of the setting sun added to the mystery of the castle. The castle, fortifications and grounds are mostly ruins now but one can still get an idea of what living there was like at that time. We really enjoyed this castle as it was clearly built for defense of the city and for protection of the people should there be a siege compared to the oppulence of say the palaces of the Tudor times.
The last stop of the day was to Mullingar, about an hour outside of Dublin. Here we met up with Wendy, a friend of Justin's and Allan's from UCT. We visited a typical pub and enjoyed each other's company before it was time to head back to Dublin. All in all, it was a really great day and we are glad we were able to get out into the country. Thanks Allan for taking us and sight seeing with us!
On Monday we had a very easy day. The day could be summed up by lunch at our favourite Dublin Cafe, Keogh's and making our way to the airport. Keogh's is a very cosy cafe in the city centre and our favourite snack are the mixed berry scones with a mug of hot chocolate! Our plane only landed at 10pm but we made our way back to Raynes Park using the tube and overland trains by 12pm.
This week we have been hanging out with Shell and Graham and doing more of the touristy sight seeing, but more of that next time!
Hope your week is going well!
x
The passage grave at Newgrange
The view from Newgrange
Bron and Allan at the Hill of Tara
Views of frozen fields and sheep grazing at the Hill of Tara
Bron trying to work out faded ancient Gaelic!
Snow fight!
Trim Castle and fortifications
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