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Published: June 28th 2009
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Carrowmore
Megalithic tombs of Carrowmore. Monday, June 22, Megalithic Fun in Sligo
Ireland is littered with leftovers from the bronze age, after all - stone is pretty durable. Sligo is home to the Carrowmore megalithic cemetery, a huge collection of dolmens and cairns dating from the bronze age or before the pyramids of Egypt. We visited Carrowmore Monday morning and were impressed by the size and number of the structures. Sadly there used to be many more tombs but the farmers scavenged the stone to build walls for their fields when the British passed a law requiring that all lands be enclosed.
Towering over the landscape is Knocknarea mountain, with the cairn of Queen Maeve visible at the very top. Legend has it that Queen Maeve is buried with full battle armor in this cairn, facing the north to protect her land from enemies. Regardless if the legend is true or not, it is a very beautiful climb to the top, with panoramic views of the Atlantic ocean on one side, Sligo and the countryside on the other.
The trail to the top is covered in small, slippery stones that makes the climb difficult. To add to the challenge, sheep from nearby farmer’s
We Made It !!
At the top of Knocknarea mountain. fields love this trail and leave their autographs in poo all along the trail. So you are constantly dodging rocks and poo the whole way to the top. Tiffany made a valiant effort to climb but only made it halfway and on the way lost her footing and almost took out her mom in a beautiful baseball slide that would have made any player proud. Alyssa and Erin went with me all the way to top but required much encouragement. But what a view !!
A Night of Music in Tubbercurry
When we first arrived in Tubbercurry, Teresa had suggested accompanying her to the local pub on Monday night because the Irish tourist board was hosting an evening of music, food and singing for all the B&B owners. By the time we arrived at Killoran’s the festivities were already in full force, with music and play in progress. We were treated to wine, food and very welcoming people in the pub. It was quite the event, and even local dignitaries from the town council were present and greeted us.
The music was amazing, and there was nothing like having a front row seat to enjoy it all.
Queen Maeve's Cairn
At the top of Knocknarea mountain. In between songs I was able to talk with some of Teresa’s friends and discovered that they remembered the Gilmore’s of Lavagh, but didn’t know the younger generations since they had married into other families. It was also interesting to hear them pronounce my surname in the authentic Gaelic way, like Gil-more, with an emphasis on the “more”.
Tiffany’s New Career
Finally the music came to a close, and we were about to depart Killoran’s, or so we thought. Teresa was engaged in conversation with one of her friends who was in the play earlier and he was quite the character. It didn’t take much before he was singing us a song and encouraging us to join in. He even got Tiffany to sing “Annie’s Song” by John Denver and she loved it !!
I couldn’t sing to save my life so I just grinned and enjoyed the performance. But Alyssa was mortally embarrassed by the whole affair, and hid behind me the whole time so she wouldn’t have to sing as well. Erin couldn’t sing either but she was enjoying Alyssa’s discomfort. Tiffany had such a good time that afterwards she said that she was ready
Alyssa on the Trail
Walking down the trail of Knocknarea. to buy tight lounge dress and sing in pubs the rest of her life. That gave everyone a good laugh as we headed for the door. This was by far the best night in Ireland.
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Alyssa
non-member comment
lol?
I didn't laugh at mommy's comment. I was emotionally disturbed. :O