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Published: October 8th 2008
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I'm finally able to write about my last two days in Ireland...Nearly two months after my trip. But I so want to finish sharing, if only to have it all recorded somewhere. Since I am covering so much time in this entry and since it will be my last one I'm going to try to make it as abbreviated as possible in certain areas.
To start...On our last day with the tour we departed Galway at 8:30 in the morning and set off with Tommy for our cross-country trip. Our only stop of the day on the bus was at Clonmacnoise Abbey. This was my first look at an actual Celtic Cross. What a beautiful, ethereal place. And it was perfect for pictures.
From the Abbey Tommy drove us back into Dublin and dropped us off at our new hotel right in the city center. From here we were able to explore for the afternoon before meeting up again that evening for our farewell meal. We had missed St. Michan's church on our first stay in Dublin so we were all agreed that this would be our destination that afternoon. It ended up being a much further walk than
any of us expected. Once we arrived we were escorted down into a crypt via some very dodgy steep stone steps. There we found mummies. Yep, that's right...I said mummies. It was quite a strange and eerie experience, but one we all wanted to do. Dad even got to touch the hand of the oldest mummy there, a 800 year old Crusader. Mom and I were offered the chance, but it just seemed a bit too weird, touching the hand of a mummified person.
After a very long walk back through a part of town that was not frequented by tourists, we ended up lunching at McDonalds on a Big Mac & fries. We shopped a bit more, finishing up buying our gifts and souvenirs, then headed back for a rest at the hotel.
That evening Tommy picked us up for the last time and drove us to the Abbey Tavern. We all said our goodbyes to him as he would not be driving us back at the end of the night. It was a shame to say goodbye to Tommy, he was a wonderful tour guide. The Irish Spirit Tour would not have been the same without
Tommy O'Reilly. At the Abbey Tavern we were treated to dinner and a show. A band singing traditional Irish songs and the traditional step dancing. I wasn't as impressed with the show as I was with the one at the Arlington our first night in town, but they were different. We got to share this one with the rest of our tour group.
The next morning we had a tour booked with Bus Eirenn. Bright and early we made our way to the bus station via taxi and then set off north to visit the ancient tomb of Newgrange. We actually ended up on the same exact bus that we had been on all week. And when we told the tour driver that we'd been on the Irish Spirit tour on that bus he said Tommy's stuff was still in the glove compartment. Talk about conincidental.
Our first stop on the day tour was Monasterboice. This ancient monastic site was surrounded by farmland. Now just a quite graveyard with only remnants of buildings remaining. But still standing tall and proud after 1,000 years of Irish weather are three of the most remarkable Celtic high crosses in Ireland. Different
Monasterboice - Muiredach's Cross
This crossed was carved and placed on this spot in the 10th century, circa 923. It is one of the best remaining examples of a High Cross in all of Ireland. It is a scripture cross, with the carvings telling Biblical stories. from the ones we'd seen the day before that had been moved indoors for safekeeping with replicas in their original places, these proud reminders of the strong religious history of this island have been standing on this same hallowed ground for centuries upon centuries. I could've spent an entire day there in that place, but alas, given that we were on a tour bus, we only had a very short time.
Next stop was Melifont Abbey. There we were given a guided tour of the skeletal remains of the ancient abbey. Used as a quarry for construction materials during the 19th century, the remains were more sparce than usual, but still beautiful in their ruined state.
At last we arrived at our final destination. Newgrange. At the visitors center we were given stickers indicating our bus time. We had time to eat and shop before catching our ride out to the tomb. The first sight of it was breathtaking for me. Up close it was even better. The stones carved with ancient Celtic symbols that are older than the pyramids. It was so meaningful for me. We had time to walk all the way around the mound before
actually getting to go inside. As we entered the narrow passageway I remember saying to mom, "We're walking in a 5,000 year old tomb." One of those things that you never think you'll be able to do. We all stood inside the main chamber and the guide turned out the lights and simulated how the solstice sun would shine down the passageway to illuminate the room. Then we all milled about the tiny space inspecting the carvings on the wall. It was such an amazing experience and one I would repeat without hesitation. Newgrange was definately one of the highlights of my trip.
When we returned to the city we found it pouring down rain. The streets were flooded and cars were stranded. Our bus weathered it all well though. We disembarked on O'Connell Street very close to our hotel and ended up eating there at their restaurant for dinner. The night was filled with packing and preparations before our long flight back home.
All in All this trip was a marvelous experience all around. Ireland is a majestic place full of history, legend, magic and myth. I would love to go back some day and experience more
of it's beauty. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. Éirinn go Brágh (Ireland Forever).
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