I took A LOT of countryside pictures. It's surprising how much some of the countryside looks like WA!
Lots of sheep!
Steve said that forestry and raising sheep are the two main industries in the countryside outside Dublin.
Glendalough. It's an ancient monastic site about an hour from Dublin.
The view of the lake. We walked around and it was so pretty! Kind of cold but mostly sunny all day.
The entrance to the site.
First this place was a monastic site and since has been used as a cemetery. The monks that lived at the site are buried here and others too as they years have passed. It used to be where the monks lived and there were huts, and a kitchen, and churches for worship. Steve said that pretty much anywhere you walk around the site you are walking on ancient graves.
The tower, according to Steve, gives clues to the fact that it was a monastic site. People would come from all over the countryside to seek refuge and the tower would be lit in order to be seen from a great distance. The monastic sites provided refuge for all people-you would be protected upon entering.
If you know me at all you know I am fascinated by cemeteries and it was so awesome to see the old gravestones and especially the Celtic designs.
Church of St. Stephen. Where monks would worship.
Another view of the site.
The river near Glendalough. (PS Glendalough means the glen between the two lakes)
Forests.
Fields.
Green fields.
It rained a bit in the morning and then again on the way to Kilkenny. But at both places it was clear and sunny although a bit cold. Pretty nice weather for March.
Kilkenny. We walked all around 3 cathedrals before heading to the castle.
This was an ancient monastic site and you can tell because of the tower. The city of Kilkenny started here at this cathedral. The buildings were built by putting layers of stones on top of each other but this tower, although one of the oldest in Dublin, has been restored with concrete, which according to Steve ruins it.
More of the cemetery at this church
so pretty!
another church. Steve mentioned that Kilkenny has a lot of churches...and also a lot of pubs. haha
Inside. Love the stained glass.
This building was used for a long time as a residence for the elderly but also, during the potato famine, it was used as a soup kitchen to serve the community.
Dublin Castle!
View of the river
River and castle
This little shop was where I had lunch. I sat by the river and watched the castle and river and enjoyed the bit of sunshine.
This might be TMI but I thought it was funny because my mom would NEVER do this. I used a toilet on the street! It was 20 cents and was very strange because there was a lock but it wasn't one you turned-just a button and i felt like it wouldn't hold or something. Also, the sink first dropped a bit of soap into your hand, then water, then dryer-all in one.
The greens around the castle
so pretty!
Dublin Castle. It only had 3 sides. It was also left empty from around the 1930s and all of the stuff inside was auctioned off. Now it's being restored and you can tour it but I didn't want to spend the money. I did watch a free video about it's history though.
Me at the castle.
More of the greens around the castle.
Close up of the castle
Butler's house and gardens right across the street from the castle. It's a hotel now.
The entrance to the castle
A cemetery on the way out of Kilkenny back to Dublin
Such pretty countryside!
The tour was so great. I am glad I went with the tour I did because I got to see a lot more of the countryside and Glendalough and Kilkenny. It was really fun and nice to get away from the city for a day.
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