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All of the pages are narrated by Liz (me) and the narration will vary in
size—when I have more pictures, there'll be less text (in theory). Most
photos will have text if you place the cursor over the image. If you click the smaller
images, a larger version will open in a new window.
The collection on this site is only part of the hundreds of photos we
took in Ireland. If you want to see all of them, you need to stop by.
A much drier and warmer Josh and I left Lahinch and headed up the coast toward
Sligo. On the way north
we drove through the Burrens—a
stunning view we did not expect. While driving we saw signs for the
Aillwee Caves and decided to stop.
It was one long tunnel and not quite as interesting as the Dunmore Cave, but the tour
guide was amusing.
With the tour of the Aillwee Caves done, we continued onto Sligo.
The B&B for Sligo was a blind choice and it worked out rather well.
Our room contained a booklet full of local information and it had...
...a bidet.
Once settled at our residence, we went into the city of Sligo and toured the
Sligo Abbey.
Our guide was informative and
interesting, and I believe we would not have appreciated the history within the walls—what was left
of them—without her.
Apparently, after Sligo Abbey was abandoned by the friars, it was used a cemetery. During
the Cholera Epidemic, bodies were buried on the grounds that weren’t quite dead yet.
One woman, who's name I don't remember, lived at the abbey as the caretaker. One night,
she saw a person who was not quite dead rise from his grave and wrote about it in her
journals. Years later, when her son was ill, she read to him from her journals, including
this story. Her son was Brahm Stoker. (cue thunder, lightning, and music)
After Sligo Abbey we had just enough time to visit the
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery.
Not enough time for a tour, but enough time for photos. If I had to pick one thing I regret from this
trip it would be that we didn't have time to climb to Queen Maeve's tomb. It's small and a good reason
to go back. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I had black and white film in my case so all of these photos are
in black and white.
The evening in Sligo was the most magical evenings in my memory. Josh and I
wandered the city looking for dinner. We decided on a fast food place around
8:30 pm. We sat at the side counter eating a pizza listening to 80's music. I’m
not sure why it left such a deep impression, but it is a night that will never be forgotten. |
 "The entrance to the gift shop and cave entrance.")
 "Inside the cave")
 "Moss (or something) growing within the cave thanks to the lighting.")
 "Can you see the water droplets?")
 "Slightly blurry and possibly upside down. But it's more of the cave!")
 "Back outside")
 "Looking toward the sanctuary from what would have been outside the abbey. Is that what it's called?")
 "Standing where the civilians prayed. The Friars prayed beyond the arches. The slabs on the floor are cemetery stones.")
 "Even plants need to pray.")
 "I believe, the roof was included in the stone harvesting for new construction centuries ago.")
 "The wall where the Friars prayed, seperately from the community.")
 "Another view.")
 "The walkway around the inner cloister.")
 "The inner cloister.")
 "One of the many headstones.")
 "A view from the second floor")
 "This, I believe, was the Friar's dorm area.")
 "A final shot from the side of the ruins.")
 "Some really old bones are buried here.")
 "Can you see the path or doorway to the main pile?")
 "Another cluster")
 "It was such a beautiful day.")
)
 "The bump on the mountain on the horizon is Queen Maeve's tomb.")
