I haven't written on this part of my trip, because it was the end of our time in Ireland, and who would want to let go of those kind of memories? But we all know that my finishing a story it doesn't mean that the story is over. For me it seems with each picture I get images of days and that makes for great times that can be relived as often as I want to re-explore Ireland! So here's another chapter.
The most beautiful and the most inspirational part of the journey was our visit to the Rock of Cashel. Often known as St. Patrick's Rock, this was originally the residence for the Kings of Munster. Found in County Tipperary it was an absolutely beautiful day when we visited. The Rock was given to the church in 1101. While we were there much of the site was being restored, but the tour still got us in much of the Cathedral anyway. The most awe inspiring part was the view from the Rock which was really fabulous.
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| This is a copy of the Cross of St. Patrick on the Rock. The original is inside the main building to keep it from weathering any more. |
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| While we were here there was quite a bit of restoration going on! |
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| This is the west side where the bishop lived. |
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| The wall of the cathedral has no stained glass windows, but the wholes remaining are the home for many nesting birds. |
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| I loved the arches! That and the gravel floor gave a real echo of the past. |
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| The cemetery just outside the cathedral goes back centuries. What made this part of the tour extra special was the view of the surrounding fields - we could see for miles! |
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| The round tower, typical of many found in Ireland was really beautiful. |
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| The out side view of the cathedral. |
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| The side chapel in the side of the cathedral had many murals that because of the damp climate are fading or mildewing. |
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| This is one of a few of the murals and carvings that still exist in the chapel. |
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| I could not get enough of the views from the Rock. |
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| After a tour of the Rock we headed into the village below. Good food and shopping here! |
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| More of the views from the cemetery. |
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| A shot of the village. |
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| This was one of the many fields that graced the hillsides of Ireland. I was blown away by the many colors of green that the spring holds here. |
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| The Rock has a sheer face on the East side. There were two small boys climbing like monkeys on the face and it made me VERY nervous! |
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| Another view. |
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| We boarded the bus and headed out to Kinsale and the ocean. I really love the signposts in Ireland! (Take time to click on the picture to see the various places we could have gone!) |
On the bus we were finally heading further West and away from the large cities of the East and into the rural farm communities and fishing villages of West Ireland.
