Ireland

Where are my people at?

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Grampa & Gramma
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Ireland

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Here are some pics of Ireland, but only a small part of our whole inventory! It's hard to pick out a dozen from a hundred! But here goes:
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One of our favorite stops is Newgrange, a 5000 year old chambered tomb near Tara and Navan. On december 21 the rising sun shines to the chamber at the far end of the 100-foot-long entryway.
One of our favorite stops is Newgrange, a 5000 year old chambered tomb near Tara and Navan. On december 21 the rising sun shines to the chamber at the far end of the 100-foot-long entryway.
We visited the National Stud near Kildare, and learnd more about the care, feeding, and breeding of race horces than we thought we wanted to know, but it was very interesting, and a recommended stop on our list now!
We visited the National Stud near Kildare, and learnd more about the care, feeding, and breeding of race horces than we thought we wanted to know, but it was very interesting, and a recommended stop on our list now!
We got to the National stud Farm because the weather was sunny and we wanted to visit gardens while it was, and the Japanese Garden is right next to the Stud. We had 3 days of sun and gardens!
We got to the National stud Farm because the weather was sunny and we wanted to visit gardens while it was, and the Japanese Garden is right next to the Stud. We had 3 days of sun and gardens!
Russ & Judy
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Grampa & Gramma
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Re: Ireland

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One of our favorite "old" places is Clonmcnoise on the River Shannon. It was started as an abbey in about 500 AD by St. Ciaran and became a large religeous center by the end of the 12th century. It was plundered repeatedly by the Vikings, the Normans, and the Irish!
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Most of the buildings are ruins but there were three or four "churches" or chapels, and the obligatory round tower.
Most of the buildings are ruins but there were three or four "churches" or chapels, and the obligatory round tower.
There were several classic "high crosses" here and they have been preserved indoors because they were made of easily carved sandy limestone which weathers. They have biblical stories carved on both sides. The one in the picture is a replica.
There were several classic "high crosses" here and they have been preserved indoors because they were made of easily carved sandy limestone which weathers. They have biblical stories carved on both sides. The one in the picture is a replica.
We also stopped at the Rock of Cashel, near Cashel. This is an old castle site which was converted to a cathedral in the 12th century, and although much of it is in ruins, there is still an active chapel and cemetary there today. It is an imposing site, high above the surrounding rurtal countryside, with the town behind it to the left. Some time after WWII a visiting priest took (with permission) some of the fallen wall rocks back to Wisconsin where his parish was building a church. so an interesting connection! A lot of restoration has taken place here since then
We also stopped at the Rock of Cashel, near Cashel. This is an old castle site which was converted to a cathedral in the 12th century, and although much of it is in ruins, there is still an active chapel and cemetary there today. It is an imposing site, high above the surrounding rurtal countryside, with the town behind it to the left. Some time after WWII a visiting priest took (with permission) some of the fallen wall rocks back to Wisconsin where his parish was building a church. so an interesting connection! A lot of restoration has taken place here since then
This is a 12th century Norman fortified village at Kells, south of Kilkenney. The walls and towers are in perfect condition, but the church, castle and other buildings are partially in ruins. Restoration is in progress and this will be an outstanding place to visit.
This is a 12th century Norman fortified village at Kells, south of Kilkenney. The walls and towers are in perfect condition, but the church, castle and other buildings are partially in ruins. Restoration is in progress and this will be an outstanding place to visit.
Waterford Crystal is a great stop to make, especially on Sunday when there are no tourist busses and only a few people on each tour! Molten glass is taken from the furnace and placed into a steel mold and blown into shape, and 9 when cool, the top and or bottom is cut off to give the desired shape, in this case a tall vase.
Waterford Crystal is a great stop to make, especially on Sunday when there are no tourist busses and only a few people on each tour! Molten glass is taken from the furnace and placed into a steel mold and blown into shape, and 9 when cool, the top and or bottom is cut off to give the desired shape, in this case a tall vase.
The pattern for each piece is ground in on these wheels, then "smoothed out" in an hydrofluoric acid bath.
The pattern for each piece is ground in on these wheels, then "smoothed out" in an hydrofluoric acid bath.
Russ & Judy
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Grampa & Gramma
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Re: Ireland

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We visited Dublin one rainy day and saw a few of the sites, took a double decker bus tour.
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This is Sweet Molly Mallone, or as the guide would say, the Dolly with the Trolley, or the Trollop with the Scollop.
This is Sweet Molly Mallone, or as the guide would say, the Dolly with the Trolley, or the Trollop with the Scollop.
We went out to Connemarra, west of Galway, where friends from Australia live. Very rocky country, wet and misty as the west coast should be! Kylemore Abby is a 19th century estate built by a Liverpool industrialist and now a Benedictine Nunnery and girls school. It has great formal and market gardens and the building is open to show off the grand furniture, pictures, etc.
We went out to Connemarra, west of Galway, where friends from Australia live. Very rocky country, wet and misty as the west coast should be! Kylemore Abby is a 19th century estate built by a Liverpool industrialist and now a Benedictine Nunnery and girls school. It has great formal and market gardens and the building is open to show off the grand furniture, pictures, etc.
The rhododendrons were madly blooming all over Connemarra!
The rhododendrons were madly blooming all over Connemarra!
Russ & Judy
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Grampa & Gramma
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Re: Ireland

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We are lucky to have friends in Ireland to visit.
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Leo and Eileen worked for Kennecott in Cairns when we were in Brisbane. They are Irish and retired to Clifden in Connemarra after moving around the world a few times. We spent a very fine evening with them at their home some 10 km south of Clifden.
Leo and Eileen worked for Kennecott in Cairns when we were in Brisbane. They are Irish and retired to Clifden in Connemarra after moving around the world a few times. We spent a very fine evening with them at their home some 10 km south of Clifden.
The Murphys and June Jelm are friends from St. Paul's, SLC, who now live in Dublin and we were glad we could have a reunion dinner with them.
The Murphys and June Jelm are friends from St. Paul's, SLC, who now live in Dublin and we were glad we could have a reunion dinner with them.
We usually had a good pub lunch and then fixed a light supper at home. We rented a cottage at Portlaoise (Port Leash) west of Dublin and did day trips from there. This worked really well!
We usually had a good pub lunch and then fixed a light supper at home. We rented a cottage at Portlaoise (Port Leash) west of Dublin and did day trips from there. This worked really well!
Russ & Judy
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