Sorry I have been so slow in forwarding pics. Between the "reader" and then lack of internet, I've fallen behind. I'll try to catch up over the next few days with at least 2 posts a day.
This is a pic of the Ashbourne Marriott. They treated us very well and we caught up on lost sleep from the flight. A great start to the trip.
The trip from Ashbourne (Dublin Airport area) began heading north to the Hill of Tara. This is in the area known as the Boyne Valley. Some of the "finds" in the area date back 5000 years. The area is known as the ancient seat of the rulers of Ireland. The Hill was the traditional coronation place for the kings.
Coincidentally, there was a book store on the periphery. It made Sheila's day!
The books were in a cold, damp building and were weathering poorly. This became a browsing experience only.
On the site is St. Patrick's Church which has now become the visitor's center for the Hill. Unfortunately it was closed but nevertheless we enjoyed access to the Hill.
The Hill was the spiritual and cultural center (pre-Christian) for Ireland. Although it's not that clear in the pics (you'll need to take my word), the grounds were soggy, if not muddy. Up until the time of our arrival Ireland had experienced considerable rain and snow and everything showed the signs of winter. In the distance, if you look closely, you will see snow on top of the Wicklow Mountains which are a bit south and west of Dublin. No snow on the ground here but there were other things to keep eyes facing downward. Cows and sheep have free rein - and take advantage of it. Well, where they go ... let's just say they go. I certainly can recognize cow pies but now I am fully aware of sheep droppings. To make matters worse there was some other, third animal which had the run of the area as well and I still am unable to identify what it was. The remains from that animal suggested the poor beast was having problems. Suffice it to say, the area was well fertilized.
You can imagine the difficulty I had in navigating the grounds. Certainly someone watching from a distance might have concluded that I was performing some Irish Faery dance on the Hill as I moved around and about. Before returning to the car we shuffled our shoes on the pavement and dragged them through the taller wet grass and did everything possible to clean our shoes. We observed one couple remove one of their children's shoes and carry the child to their car. I can't remember seeing the shoes again after they removed them.
The only access to St Patrick's was a bit too narrow for Sheila and me.
Another pic of the church.
Some of the culprits who obviously needed a bath.
Next stop was further to the west, still in the Boyne Valley, along the Boyne River. The town is Trim and is the site for an Anglo-Norman castle (remains) which was used in the filming of Braveheart, thus the earlier reference to Mel Gibson. Sheila is standing at the entrance.
In action ...
On the grounds with the river behind some of the ruins.
The castle.
More of the castle.
Sheila peeking through a castle window for Mel Gibson?
Leaving Trim we travelled to Mullingar, Longford, and then to Tarmonbarry. Next installment: Tarmonbarry.
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