Blogs from County Meath, Ireland, Europe

Remember, you'll probably have to scroll down to see more photos. Bru na Boinne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves one of the most archaeologically significant prehistoric landscapes in the world. In addition to megalithic art, Bru na Boinne includes a number of Neolithic burial chambers. There was a Visitor Center then a good bit of a walk then a shuttle bus to one of the tombs. It's over 5,000 years old, perfectly catches the sunrise on the winter solstice, and is constructed from rock (some very large) and quartz from the surrounding hundreds of miles, an organized project for Stone Age people. This was the last full day with our Road Scholar tour. From Bru na Boinne, we drove towards Dublin for our last dinner at a hotel near the airport. After dinner, ... read more

An early morning before we hit-the-sack. “McNeills on Howth” (the Top House ) where we are staying had a 5 member old blokes band (just a little younger than me but looked way older and definitely unfitter!!) playing music from the 1970’s that was loud, good rock and dance music that had us up on the floor. Jane, again was going off, cutting up the dance floor while I made sure I wiggled enough that I didn’t fall over. The sunshine had us up a little over 5 hours later that we hit the deserted streets and explored for a few hours before checking out a place for a cuppa. From there it was back to shower and head to Dunboyne to meet with Maria Farrell’s parents. Peter and Deirdre were awesome hosts. It was like ... read more

Tuesday 28thApril. This morning I was going to join a guided walking tour of Derry, before heading south back towards Dublin. However, as I headed across the river into town, the rain started again, and by the time I had found my destination it was raining pretty steadily, plus it was freezing cold, so I abandoned that plan and headed south, inland. The weather improved once away from the coast. I went to the Ulster American Folk Park, which is about what life was like in Ireland in the early/mid nineteenth century, how it led to the large-scale emigration, what it was like for emigrants going to America, and what it was like when they arrived there. They have a lot of relocated buildings, both Irish and American, the original house of the emigrant family whose ... read more

Sat 3 May 2014. Barronstown, Rathkenny, County Meath. We arrived at the farm house in Rathkenny on Tuesday 29 April about 3pm. It took us about 4 hours to get here from Portballintrae, as we stopped a few times for a little look around and for lunch. On arriving here we finally got to see the new addition to the property. Chris and David have kept the new building in theme with the surrounding property and it complements the older thatch house. In saying that the new house has all the comforts of home, although no TV, so we are little behind in the news and daily event, however the peace and quiet is very serene. Anyway as I said the house has all the comforts of home, fully heated, comfortable beds and views to die ... read more

Before you go on, Dear Reader, just be warned...this was one of the funnest days ever, so if you are feeling overly cynical, get yourself a nice cuppa or a perfect Guinness and relax. Our last full day in Ireland dawned with, what else, more clouds and intermittent sprinkles, but a nice warm temperature and lots of what we call in Oregon "sucker holes." Niamh had decided that we really needed to experience the full Irish breakfast before we left, so we sat down to eggs, rashers, sausage, black pudding, roasted tomatoes, toast, marmalade, butter, coffee, and Fea's JOOSH (translation: juice). We were almost done with this amazing meal when Niamh realized she had gotten beans and mushrooms as well but forgot to cook them...I think we did JUST FINE without. Shawn, as an employee of ... read more