August 2010 Trip to Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
(click on thumbnails to view larger picture)
Sunday and Monday, August 22 & 23, 2010
Sunday visited prehistoric passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth (built over 5000 years ago and older than the pyramids). Stayed overnight in Dublin (Kinlay House Hostel). Monday joined the Shamrocker tour and first visited Trim Castle (a 12th century Anglo Norman fortress). Then onto the prehistoric tombs at Lough Crew and a stroll of Enniskillen. Then onto Derry City where we took a tour around the city walls.
 Knowth tombs |
 Knowth tombs |
 Recreation of entrance to Newgrange |
 Rock art at Knowth |
 Rock art at Knowth |
 Entrance to Newgrange |
 Entrance to Newgrange |
 Trim Castle |
 Entrance to Lough Crew |
 Lough Crew |
 City walls of Derry |
 Paintings on side of buildings at Derry |
Tuesday & Wednesday, August 24 & 25, 2010
Tuesday took a coastal drive to Dunluce Castle (13th century). Then onto the Giants Causeway (an area of 40,000 basalt blocks formed from volcanic eruptions 50-60 million years ago). The weather here was rather cold and wet, Drove a few minutes over to Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge swaying 80 feet above the ocean. Journey into Belfast. Wednesday took a Black Cab tour visiting the murals of the Falls and Shankill Road (both Protestant and Catholic sides of the city). In the afternoon left to visit Monasterboice for intricately carved Celtic High Crosses. Visited St. Peters Catholic Church in Drogheda with severed head of Saint Oliver Plunkett.
 Dunluce Castle |
 Dunluce Castle |
 Dunluce Castle |
 Dunluce Castle |
 Giant's Causeway |
 Giant's Causeway |
 Giant's Causeway |
 Joanne on bridge |
 Joanne on bridge |
 Belfast - 'Peace Wall' similar to Berlin Wall |
 Monasterboice |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|