H is for Heritage: a long past Irish history

Next stop in our quest for Ireland’s history was 12thC Irish High Crosses and the fine example of the ‘Doorty’ Cross in the village of Kilfenora on the southern fringes of the Burren.

We then headed for the stone heritage monuments just off the R480, the 5000-year-old Poulnabrone Dolmen. It is a portal tomb (reminds me, looking forward to season 2 of Outlander!) and a dramatic abstract scene.  The stones of the dolmen seem elegant and timeless on their raised mound above the karst.

Poulnabrone Dolmen

T is for a Tower House: Dunguaire Castle, Kinvara.

Kinvara from the top of Dunguaire Castle.

 

Tower Houses dot the landscape here in the west of Ireland and the well-preserved Dunguaire Castle, built in 1520, was our first stop in County Clare. 

The setting looking out over Kinvara and Galway Bay is so lovely particularly in the sun shine  and I could see why it is one of the most photographed places in Ireland.

And we add our photos too.

W is for Wild Atlantic Way: road tripping in northwest County Clare

Fascinating erratics 

Beauty of a limestone wall.

 A day out, touring the Wild Atlantic Way in County Clare.

Wild beauty indeed of the limestone mountain scenery of The Burren and Corkscrew Hill, to Murrooght with its limestone pavements dotted with erratic’s, and the constant backdrop of the restless Atlantic Ocean.

By the time we got to the Cliffs of Moher, the weather we has seen coming over the Aran Islands enveloped the cliffs in a blanket of cloud and rain was threatening. We had had a glimpse, started out to walk but sanity prevailed and we made our way back home.

Limestone pavement

View from Corkscrew Hill.

"In every land, hardness is in the north of it, softens in the south, industry in the east, and fire and inspiration in the west."