Scraps of paper and bits of string: ireland

We got up at a pretty good time and enjoyed our first full irish breakfast! We even tried the black and white puddings. They are different! :) After about a 30 minute halt as we tried to figure out the GPS in the car (with two people at the hotel trying to help us), we were on our way. We drove about 45 minutes to Newgrange, walked into the visitor center and found out a bus was leaving in 5 minutes. So we walked out to the bus and enjoyed about an hour at the site. Then, back to the visitor center, the car, and on our way again. We had about a two-hour drive ahead of us as our next stop was Dunluce Castle almost as far north in Irleand as you can go. This was one of Kaitlyn's must do as her only goal on this trip was to find a castle run and get pictures taken of her in her cloak looking epic. I'm not sure we got the most epic pictures but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the castle. We had just enough time to drive down to Giant's Causeway and enjoy the sites there before searching for B&B #1 (Glenleary) and dinner. Here is a picturelog of the day!

A view of the prehistoric structure known at Newgrange. This structure is 5,000 years old and, although the outside wall you see here has been restored, the doorway and everything inside is completely original. Very cool to think we walked inside something that old.

The door of Newgrange and rocks with art on them outside. The walls are restored but everything else is where it was found when they excavated. What is cool at Newgrange is that the top of this door is perfectly aligned with the sunrise of the winter solstice. At that time, the sun rises and floods the chamber inside with light. The only time it see light. I don't think we give prehistoric people enough credit. They were brilliant in many ways.

Another mound just off the hill from Newgrange.

Waiting for our turn inside the chamber. It is pretty small and only holds about 15 people. Everyone wants to be inside during the winter solstice so they hold a lottery every year. You cannot buy these tickets!

Some structures on the grounds. They are really only about a foot high but from this angle look massive. We have no idea what they were but loved them!

Another "structure" on the grounds. We wondered if it was a map of the chamber. In case you are wondering, it isn't.

A structure just barely off the main hill. Loved the peep holes going all the way through.

Kaitlyn studied Newgrange in here folklore class last tri. They talked about how the chamber was built. Well, this structure (the one with the peepholes) was built in the exact same manner so you see her giving Wells a lecture on this building technique. Riveting isn't it? :)

The side of Newgrange. Loved the boulders along the bottom. They all had etched carvings on them.

Another view of the peephole building. The guide thinks it was built by someone just to show off and not for any real purpose.

Start line here! :)

You can't park at Newgrange. We had to cross a bridge and follow a trail to the bus parking and then were transported to the monument. These chairs were on the trail. We all loved them and want to find a garden where we can make some of our own.

The river we crossed to get to the buses. Took this pic on our way back. It was so serene. Our first real taste of the Irish countryside and we were enamored.

On to Dunluce Castle. It was much colder in the north and we bundled up. This is part of the visitor quarters. There were 10 rooms in this section, we only found 8 hearths.

Wells checking to see if the hearths really went all the way to the sky. Yup!

Kaitlyn looking at the visitor's quarters from the stable area.

The kiddos illegally climbing the southern guard tower.

A picture of the stables and visitor area from the castle. There was a main area that was attached to the mainland. Then a very small bridge that connected to the castle, which was poised out on the point. Great defense but suicide if you were caught unawares.

The cove where attacks would have come from (or so my warriors tell me).

The latrine. HAD to take a picture on that!

Floor in the area that would have been the lord's main rooms.

Climbing around feeling epic. Even in flip flops.

A view of the castle from outside the grounds.

You could walk down to the shore under the castle. Directly under the castle is this cave. Mermaids Cave it is called.

Wells, looking for mermaids. Or communing with Poseidon. Not sure which he actually accomplished.

In true Irish fashion, Kaitlyn walked around barefoot.

The stairs we climbed to get back to our car from the shore and cave. I had a lecture on defense as we climbed. I have to say, I am very impressed with the knowledge of my children on this subject. They really have been doing research.

On to Giant's Causeway. This is looking at the road we are about to take. We walked all the way down and around the point to see.....

This very cool rock formation. Naturally occurring hexagons, in stone. You walk along the beach and there is literally a line where the hexagonal stones start.