Fred’n’Sue’s Peregrinations

…… the subject is the light …..

Éire – 2 September – Newgrange and . . .

Well that’s the way to start a bran new day – just get on with it and leave us alone 😊

Best way (so we are told by the science) to overcome jetlag is light and motion (ours that is) – so today was about the Newgrange World Heritage site, Kells (as in the Book of), Spire of Loyd, Hill of Slane and a towpath walk along the banks of the River Boyne (as in the Battle of) . .

Our Newgrange visit commenced with a greeting from these little guys – European Robin and Chaffinch followed by a guided tour of the Knowth passage tomb (outside only, the chambers are unsafe 🥲 – consisting of the main tomb and 19 satellite tombs, the oldest dating from 3400BCE.

Knowth Passage tomb – largest megalithic passage tomb in Europe

Below: Entrance to eastern passage

Below: Some of the 19 satellite tombs

And some of the “artwork” in the form of petroglyphs on the 127 stone around the foot of the mound.

Then to Newgrange Passage tomb which we could enter but no photography allowed.

Then a short drive (single lane roads and passing lay byes – for tractor pulled earthmovers 😖) to Kells – St Columba’s Church not open in spite of the signage.

Kells Round Tower minus its cap – thinking we will find a lot more of these

Next Stop – Spire of Loyd; a faux lighthouse/folly adjacent to a communal grave for victims of the Great Famine for whom a workhouse was constructed to house ca. 600 but “provided” for over 2000 – very moving . . .

Last stop !!! Hill of Slane where St Pat defied the King of (there were so many of them) and lit a fire at Easter ca 430 – led to the conversion of the King to Christianity and the spread of the religion throughout Ireland.