After visiting the Hill of Tara on August 19, 2016, our day trip took us to four more locations, all with deep history. If you click on one of the pictures below, it will turn into a gallery which you might find easier to view.
The second stop on our tour was Trim Castle. This was where the movie Braveheart was filmed.
Unfortunately it was very rainy.
Trim Castle Grounds
Trim Castle Grounds. Our guide, Alec, told us that as a part of the contract for Mel Gibson to film “Braveheart” here, he had to agree to restore the castle to its state BEFORE renovations for the film. Also, many locals were extras in the film, including our guide. He’s one of the 3,000+ people on the field who showed their “bums.”
Trim Castle Grounds
Trim Castle Grounds
Third stop was Loughcrew Cairns, “Ireland’s best kept archaeological secret!” I’d say that’s accurate!
In order to reach the Carins, we had to walk uphill. VERY uphill.
That’s Alec our guide with the walking sticks.
This was the view about halfway up the climb.
Lots of sheep, and lots of yucky sheep stuff on the ground!
No where near the top…that’s me.
I ended up being the last one up the mountain, as it was very difficult for me. I had to take a break about every 5 or 6 steps. Man, was it an incline! But I didn’t give up.
At the top…the outside of the Cairns, which are ancient burial chambers.
The Witch’s Stone. Hopefully our wish will come true.
This is the reason to climb: Inside the Cairns: megalithic petroglyphs carved on the inside. The artwork is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000 years old.
Inside the Cairns: megalithic petroglyphs carved on the inside. The artwork is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000 years old.
On certain days of the year, the sun actually shines on specific areas.
Inside the Cairns: megalithic petroglyphs carved on the inside. The artwork is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000 years old.
Inside the Cairns: megalithic petroglyphs carved on the inside. The artwork is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000 years old.
Inside the Cairns: megalithic petroglyphs carved on the inside. The artwork is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000 years old.
Inside the Cairns: megalithic petroglyphs carved on the inside. The artwork is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000 years old.
Inside the Cairns: megalithic petroglyphs carved on the inside. The artwork is estimated to be between 3,500 and 5,000 years old.
On the outside
I present to you: Ireland!
View from the stop
On the way down. Once again, I was last, and proud to be last. I did it.
Our 3rd stop: Monasterboice. It was founded in the 5th century. The settlement was captured by Vikings around 968 AD.
The Round Tower and ruined Abbey at Monasterboice
One of the high crosses
The Round Tower, which was built as a lookout from future attacks.
Cross inside the ruined abbey
Inside the ruined Abbey
Round Tower with ruined Abbey
High Cross with Round Tower
Last stop: Drogheda. This is St. Peter’s Church.
This is the door behind which St. Oliver, saint of Peace and Reconciliation in Ireland, was kept hostage. Religious persecution was rampant, and Oliver (a priest at the time) ended being executed by being drawn, quartered, and burned.
This is St. Oliver’s head. Seriously. His decapitated head. It was preserved by the bogs and is on display in St. Peter’s Church as a part of the shine to St. Oliver.
The inside of St. Peter’s.
Inside this little exhibit is a splinter from the cross that Jesus was crucified on: The Relic of the True Cross
The inside front of St. Peter’s Church.
The outside of St. Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Steeple
As you can see, the day did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend Extreme Ireland’s tour. They offer day trips to a lot of other locations, too. To learn more about each of the locations from today’s post, please click on the links below.
*** All photographs that are a part of this gallery were taken by me, Jill Ocone, on August 19, 2016 and are copyrighted. It is illegal to reproduce or to take credit for my intellectual property contained on this post. Thank you for your compliance.
