Back to Dublin

After our trip back to medieval Ireland, we drove the rest of the way to Dublin. Firstly, we needed to stop for lunch.

It turns out this hotel specialized in English style carvery. One thing that is apparent: the potato famine in Ireland is over. 

Linda is very partial to scones.

We grab a diet coke from MacDonalds for Linda on the way out from the shopping center.

As we continue our drive in the rain, we hit the main toll gates.

We arrive at the hotel that we will stay in before we fly into London on the morrow.

We unload the car before returning it to the car rental at the airport. The return was a vexing driver/navigator nightmare, but we (Doretha and myself) eventually got it back.

Doretha checks us in.

Linda watches over our luggage.

Here are a few photos of Barbara and Doretha's room. They had trouble with their WiFi. We didn't even though were only about 20 yards from their room.

Linda visits Barbara and Doretha's room.

We dine out at the Hotel's Bistro that evening. The desserts apparently weren't too bad.

Clonmacnoise

We left early from Galway with the ultimate destination being Dublin. But on the way we detoured off the M6 to visit the monastic ruins at Clonmacnoise. It was well worth the detour.

This has probably been the most difficult blog entries to do as there were so many good pictures to choose from. I probably had three times as many good pics as I used. Anyway it was about a 2 hours drive to Clonmacnoise in a light rain.

We go into the center where some of the more fragile and/more interesting pieces are housed.

An interesting sculpture.

Saint Ciaran founded the monastery in 546 AD. It became a major religious, trade, and academic center in Ireland. It was usually closely affiliated with whatever secular ruler was ascendant at the time. 

There were a number of abstract depictions of aspects of medieval/religious life at the monastery.

There were tremendous photo opportunities.

Here are a couple of exhibits of life at the time.

There were a number of decorated slabs on exhibit.

There were also a number of the more important large stone crosses housed inside the visitor center.

There was a slight drizzle, but that did not stop us from having a bit of a stroll through the ruins.

There were many interesting things to see amongst the ruins.