Glendalough
Just south of Dublin city, tucked into the Wicklow mountains, is the ancient monastic site of Glendalough. It hosts the site where Saint Kevin lived in the 6th Century AD and the monastic settlement that flourished here from the 11th Century AD. It includes a visitor center, the ruins of the site of the monastic settlement and trails that take you through the bucolic setting to lakes and beyond. We ventured down one trail to have lunch at the big lake that Glendalough is famous for. We then joined the group for a history lesson about the settlement as well as explored the ruins.
Many people stay at stay at Glendalough for longer day hikes and even camping. I can see this being something we venture to do on a return trip to the Isle.
Many people stay at stay at Glendalough for longer day hikes and even camping. I can see this being something we venture to do on a return trip to the Isle.
Dublin
After Glendalough, we completed the journey north into Dublin proper. It was a huge scenery change from mountains and gravel roads to the hustle and bustle of the biggest city in Ireland.
After checking into our Hotel the Trinity City Hotel and fine dining at Eden bar and grill, we were able to rest up for a big day of walking Dublin.
We started our day by meeting our local tour guide who gave us a walking tour of many of the highlights of the city. Through Temple bar, past the big Anglican churches, to Dublin Castle. We heard stories of what made Dublin unique in its history and culture and the fierceness of its people.
We then had the opportunity to enter the gates of the famed Trinity College, massive and intimidating. The institution was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. We walked with both tourists and students on historic soil. The Book of Kells was our destination here, an ancient book, handcrafted by isolated monks, and bringing the bible to life through their artistry. It is located at the library of Trinity. The tour takes you through the history of the Book of Kells, a viewing of a few pages of the book as well as other similar articles dictated by the isolated monks. Finally you end up in the most beautiful library we have ever seen; the kind you see in movies of the Elizabethan era.
Afterwards we had free time to do as we pleased for the rest of the day. We chose to learn a bit more about Irelands history by visiting the National Museum of Ireland, located only a few blocks away from Trinity. A highlight there was an exhibit called "Kinship and Sacrifice", about human remains that were well preserved in Irelands peat bogs.
We then lightened things up by heading over to the Guinness Storehouse for a tour and pints in the Gravity Bar taproom that boasts the best views of Dublin. The self-guided tour was really well done. Pro-tip, to avoid long lines, order your tickets in advance. You will thank yourself.
Its quite a walk from the Trinity area to Guinness, so be prepared. You can easily take public transportation there. But since we have a penchant for churches and church architecture, we chose to walk, stopping in many of these houses of worship along the way.
We ended the day with a performance of Riverdance Dublin at the Gaiety Theatre.
After checking into our Hotel the Trinity City Hotel and fine dining at Eden bar and grill, we were able to rest up for a big day of walking Dublin.
We started our day by meeting our local tour guide who gave us a walking tour of many of the highlights of the city. Through Temple bar, past the big Anglican churches, to Dublin Castle. We heard stories of what made Dublin unique in its history and culture and the fierceness of its people.
We then had the opportunity to enter the gates of the famed Trinity College, massive and intimidating. The institution was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. We walked with both tourists and students on historic soil. The Book of Kells was our destination here, an ancient book, handcrafted by isolated monks, and bringing the bible to life through their artistry. It is located at the library of Trinity. The tour takes you through the history of the Book of Kells, a viewing of a few pages of the book as well as other similar articles dictated by the isolated monks. Finally you end up in the most beautiful library we have ever seen; the kind you see in movies of the Elizabethan era.
Afterwards we had free time to do as we pleased for the rest of the day. We chose to learn a bit more about Irelands history by visiting the National Museum of Ireland, located only a few blocks away from Trinity. A highlight there was an exhibit called "Kinship and Sacrifice", about human remains that were well preserved in Irelands peat bogs.
We then lightened things up by heading over to the Guinness Storehouse for a tour and pints in the Gravity Bar taproom that boasts the best views of Dublin. The self-guided tour was really well done. Pro-tip, to avoid long lines, order your tickets in advance. You will thank yourself.
Its quite a walk from the Trinity area to Guinness, so be prepared. You can easily take public transportation there. But since we have a penchant for churches and church architecture, we chose to walk, stopping in many of these houses of worship along the way.
We ended the day with a performance of Riverdance Dublin at the Gaiety Theatre.
Bru Na Boinne
Our final full day on the tour. Or as we like to call it, the day of the dead. You will see why. Trying to stay in the moment, we headed on the bus taking us north to UNESCO World Heritage site of Bru Na Boinne, about an hours drive north of Dublin. Located in the countryside, it is a site of a series of 3 tombs, dating before Stonehenge and the Pyramids. We visited and were able to enter one of the tombs called Newgrange. We were not sure what to expect from this visit, but it far exceeded our expectations. The visitor center was informative, the tour excellent and the peace and spiritual connectedness one feels at this site makes it clear why it was chosen by the ancients to house them into eternity,
From here we went back to Dublin where we visited Glasnevin Cemetery. Still active today, it was the first public cemetery in Ireland, an initiative by the great Irish Hero Daniel O'Connell. O'Connell is also buried here, and his site it prominently displayed with a high standing tower that you can ascend. We had a tour of the cemetery that spoke of O'Connell and many other heroes of the Irish Revolution and Easter Uprising who are buried here.
From here we went back to Dublin where we visited Glasnevin Cemetery. Still active today, it was the first public cemetery in Ireland, an initiative by the great Irish Hero Daniel O'Connell. O'Connell is also buried here, and his site it prominently displayed with a high standing tower that you can ascend. We had a tour of the cemetery that spoke of O'Connell and many other heroes of the Irish Revolution and Easter Uprising who are buried here.
Finally our tour group gathered for our farewell dinner. We shared stories, drinks, desserts and well wishes to one another before we all went our separate ways. I must say, we shared this tour with some outstanding fellow travelers and citizens of the world.
Until next time.
Keep on travelling.