Images of the Great Blasket Island

These are images of our second day, out on the Great Blasket Island. We were met by a dolphin as we ferried out to the island a place of high cliffs and fallen stone houses in various states of ruin and disrepair. The ground is covered with rough grass, wildflowers, thistles, tufts of wool and the leavings of sheep. Seals rest effortlessly on the edges of the crashing waves, and lie on the sun in the beach. Gulls circle in the distance and white caps and spray surround the distant islands. One woman remains on the island now, and the village is otherwise uninhabited.

The experience of being on the island was a reflective and spiritual experience for many of us. The silence, measured only by the crashing of the waves, the clear skies and bold geography of the place captivated us.

J.S.

Day 5 - Kilkenny

So far, we've all been incredibly busy making it difficult to find time to post and/or we've had marginal internet access to do it. We'll need to back fill text and photos over the coming days and should have an easier time to do this when we get to Dublin.

Today we began with a 4 mile forest walk at Claremorris Woods 20 miles south of Kilkenny. These are the lands around the former 17th century Claremorris estate comprising hundreds of acres of mature mixed forest and the remains of what was once the largest country home in Ireland - destroyed during the Irish Civil War in 1922. During the walk we serendipitously came across the old monastic ruin of Aghaviller, consisting of a small Medieval church and stump of an earlier Round Tower.

This afternoon was free time in the City - an opportunity for all to explore. A few of us climbed the 90 ft. 9th Century Round Tower and explored the 13th century cathedral of St Canice - the latter a marvel of design, construction and repository of centuries-old artifacts.
Peter K.

Sorry these are so sporadic, internet time is often hard to come by. We are so busy and sometimes just too tired. But we are having a good time and learning so much....
Tues. May 18 -
Another great day, though windy and rainy. Went to Kilkenny castle, which is right across the street from where we are staying. really beautiful. Then on to Kells Priory- the most extensive Priory in Ireland.Even tumbling down over the ages, you can feel the spirit of the place. Next, Fethard and an Irish history lesson Colum.He made it come alive. then dinner and music by the Keltic Kats. these guys are great. We are really getting to know one another and traveling well together.
Ireland is beautiful - everything that I expected and more.

Veneda Gabourel

Day 1 in Ireland

Landed at Shannon Airport at 6am Ireland time!! We were all rearing to go!!

Meet our bus driver, Kevin.
We headed to Dingle with a few stops along the way. We stopped at Leamahen Castle to take pictures.
We stopped next at Poulabrone Megalithis Tomb to look around and take pictures.

Headed to The Cliffs of Moher next. They were indescribable! There was a harpist playing on the stairs named Tina. She was absolutely beautiful! So much so that I was crying and Venita was as well.

Stopped at Ballyhaighy Beach for a bit.

We took a ferry over to Dingle where we were going to be staying for two nights. Cute town with a harbor.
Went to dinner and visited a pub to listen to traditional music.

Will continue later this evening.

Carole LaVanway