Day 9: Ireland's Beauty (8/1/2016)

We had a full day of experiencing the beauty and history of Ireland. It was amazing!

On our way to the Burren, we stopped at Kilfenora Cathedral briefly to explore the home of the Doorty Cross. The Kilfenora Cathedral was dedicated to St. Fachtnan and built around 1189 on the site of an early monestary. The cathedral is said to be governed by the Vatican. It contains beautiful carvings throughout the grounds - on windows, grave sights, etc. Kilfenora's Irish name, Cill Fhionnurach, translates to mean the church of the fair white brow.

Kilfenora Cathedral - The glass roof allows for natural sunlight but protects the crosses inside from the elements.

Kilfenora Cathedral

Kilfenora Cathedral - beautiful carvings along the windows

The Doorty Cross

Our next stop was the Paulnabrone Portal Tomb in the Burren.

The Burren is a (limestone) rocky landscape in County Clare, Ireland that measures approximately 250 square kilometers. It's enclosed roughly within a circle of villages.

The Burren - rocky landscape covered in Limestone

The Burren - rain water has eroded parts of the limestone so walking was tricky!

The Paulnabrone Portal Tomb, in the Burren, is one of Ireland's most photographed arcaeological sites. It dates back from the Neolithic period. This monument has revealed a weath of information about the lives and burial customs of Ireland's very first farming communities.

Paulnabrone Portal Tomb

Paulnabrone Portal Tomb

Our next stop was the famed Cliffs of Moher. It is located on the Southwestern edge of the Burren in County Clare, Ireland. The cliffs ascend to over 700 feet stretching South for nearly five miles and are probably Irelands most visited tourist attraction. Unfortunately, they were very crowded when we arrived and the weather was not cooperative. But we did not let that stop us. We put on our rain ponchos and hiked up the hill to see what we can view. Despite the rain, wind, and fog we were able to see a little of the cliff's beauty.

Cliffs of Moher 

Cliffs of Moher - Lookout Tower

Cliffs of Moher

We loaded our very wet and cold group back onto the bus and headed back to the hotel. The boys were planning on getting rid of some energy by playing foot golf and some of the adults wanted to further explore some local areas.

Some of the adults got back on the bus to go visit Quin Abbey (or friary). Quin Abbey was founded around 1402. While other friaries were built on the site of other religious sites, Quin Abbey occupies the site of the Anglo-Normal de Clare fortress that was built around 1278 and destroyed in 1318. The church that later became Quin Abbey was founded by the MacNamara family around 1350. The last Friar, Father John Hogan of Drim, remained in the Abbey until his death in 1820. Around 1880, the Board of Public Works took over the Abbey and was made a National Monument. Our visit to Quin Abbey was probably one of my favorite parts of the trip. The beauty of the site was amazing. It was breathtaking to walk through the Abbey and think about the history and everything that had happened on these grounds. The photos do not do any justice to what we experienced.

Quin Abbey (view from street)

Quin Abbey

Old map of the Abbey made of painted tile

Where the alter used to be

Grave markers (old and new) covered the grounds

When we were done exploring Quin Abbey, we went across the street to enjoy a pint at The Abbey Tavern (TAT).

For more photos of our amazing day on August 1st, check out the photo album HERE.