Tripping, Part 3; Ireland

We took a two hour ferry ride from Scotland to Northern Ireland. After driving up to the North coast and checking into our B & B, we headed out to Giant's Causeway. We were able to spend about an hour climbing around the amazing rocks and enjoying the sound of the ocean and beautiful sunshine (notice no jackets!) .

"The Giant's Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. The tops of the columns form stepping stones that lead from the cliff foot and disappear under the sea. Most of the columns are hexagonal, although there are also some with four, five, seven and eight sides. The tallest are about 39 ft. high."

Then we drove further down the coast to experience going across the Carrick-de-Rede rope bridge. It spans 20 meters and is 30 meters above rocks and the ocean and goes out to a little island than was once used by fisherman. It was quite a thrill.

The view from the island was pretty spectacular also.

The next day, we went to Belfast where we toured the Parliament Building, the Botanical Garden and the Ulster Museum with the Book of Kells.

That evening we drove down to a town closer to Dublin and stayed in a hostel for the night.

We made a quick trip to the Hill of Tara..

"The Hill of Tara, known as Temair in Gaelic, was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland – 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In ancient Irish religion and mythology Temair was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the otherworld. Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site." http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk/irelandtarahill.htm

Spent the next day in Dublin mostly riding the city tour bus and seeing the sights around town.

We found the Molly Malone statue was unveiled by Lord Mayor Benjamin Briscoe. (Not related but interesting.) A cute old guy was performing at the statue.

Jessica and I went out to walk on the peat but made a wrong turn and never found it. We got lost for a bit and had to go through some thick shrubbery but had a nice walk along the coast.

That evening we went to eat at a pub and listen to some live Irish music.

Attended church and then headed out to see some more of the countryside. Found a really nice cottage to stay in for the next three days outside of Kilkinney.

Monday morning we went down to Waterford but everything was closed due to a bank holiday. We finally found the crystal factory and were able to do a really interesting tour through.

Jessica shows off a world tennis championship trophy

Alyna with the Superbowl trophy

I found a really great piece that would look great in Dennis' office that I could have gotten him for Father's Day but he didn't want a $2000.00 crystal globe. Oh, well. It was a good offer.

We found a very picturesque bridge

Kilkinney Castle had closed before we got there but were able to get close.

It was still a fun place for a couple of pictures.

Ireland was a great place to visit and we got enough of a taste of it to know that it would be fun to return and spend more time. Now it's time to pack up and get ready to catch the ferry back to England and our flight to Germany.