"One of the greatest things in human life is the ability to make plans. Even if they never come true - the joy of anticipation is irrevocably yours. That way one can live many more than just one life."

Maria Trapp-The Story of the Trapp Family Singers - Ch. 12 p. 4

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

- St. Augustine

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Loughcrew

So far, my favorite day in Ireland was the day we spent on a private "hackney" (taxi in which you prearrange payment rather than run a meter) tour of County Meath with the wonderful Harry Hall. Having Mr. Hall show us the ancient, beautiful and historically significant places of this lovely area made us feel as if we were finally in Ireland, seeing the real Ireland. Sitting in the front as Harry drove the back-roads and chatted away about everything from Irish Republicanism to his best goal in hurley was such a treat. 

Then we got to climb Loughcrew.
Truly this was the most stunning and beautiful we've seen Ireland so far. You really can't quite get the scope of it in pictures or video. To be surrounded on all sides by such a view and the unique light and shadow that is the every changing sky in Ireland was simply breathtaking. 


Loughcrew is one of the less well known neolithic sites in Ireland. Most people go to Newgrange where there is an interpretive center and bus tour. As I wanted to see more than just Newgrange, I asked that we not be locked into that tour, but rather climb Loughcrew and explore it ourselves. Harry knew where to pick up the key for the cairns and we drove to the car park at the base. Since Harry thought of everything, everywhere we went, he had walking sticks for us. It only took about 20 minutes to climb the hill. Mountains around here are really just sloping hills. We could've climbed it faster, but the grass was slick from being wet and I had to keep stopping to take pictures. :) At the top we paused to admire the view and talk about what we were seeing before going into the passage tombs. Harry must've been watching the sky well, because just as we entered the cairn a rainstorm broke loose! We explore around inside until the rain passed and then emerged for our walk down the mountain. Before leaving this amazing place, I made Doug sing what he could of St. Patrick's Breastplate. :) It just felt right.

Off to worship and visit with the "evangelist" at Killkenny Presbyterian Church. More posts on our day yesterday and our trip in general to come later today. We've decided to take a day to rest and absorb all we've seen and done in our first week, rather than walk the sights of Kilkenny. There's just always more to see and do - you have to make yourself stop and take it all in at some point. Today's it for us.

4 comments:

  1. My favorite part is Amy telling Doug the lyrics to St. Patrick's Breastplate. :)

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  2. Funny thing is, I can't carry a tune in a bucket but I do love singing and can sing almost all our church songs by heart if I'm in worship. I just only sing when no one can hear me or in worship when I can be drowned out in the beauty of everyone singing together. Doug has the beautiful voice, but can never remember words. Together we make a whole person, I suppose. :)

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  3. That's exactly how David and I are! I can memorize songs at the drop of a hat, but please don't ask me to sing it! David on the othe r hand sings so well, but cannot remember the lyrics.

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  4. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree :)

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