and this dead badger on the side of the road
I never noticed as I had my eyes heavenward on the Dysert O'Dea Tower house.
and its 10 foot door
If I had lived in the 15th century, I probably would have taken the kids' finds and cooked them up into a nice rodent stew in this pot.
Later, I would have sounded this "dinner bell" cannon to let them know grub was ready.
This castle was built in 1480 by Diarmunuid O'Dea . It was built as a memorial of the battle fought here in this field against the Anglo-Normans on May 10, 1318. The upper floors in the castle were damaged by Cromwellians in 1651 and it remained abandoned. An American from Wisconsin named ODay, researching family lines, bought this castle in the 70's and finally completed its repairs in 1983.
But, my kids again were off noticing the free roaming cows and calves, feeding them grass and
watching where they walked... and could have cared less about the castle tower. 
or the unique High Cross of Christ and St. Tola (an Irish Bishop) that Celtic Christians erected in the 12th century.
These crosses are "sermons on a stick" This one has the carving of the temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden and Daniel's courage in the Lion's Den. The back, hard to see in the fog, was covered in interlacing patterns and geometric designs and animal ornamentation.
Reminded me of our Native American Totem poles with their symbols and stories.
This old 8th century monastery was at the end of the field
It was surrounded by a cemetery of celtic crosses, a 15 foot stump of a round tower and had this fun Romanesque doorway with all sorts of funny animal heads that Natalie pointed out.
But probably the most unique thing in our travels, the most ancient was this Portal tomb from the Neolithic period roughly 4200 t0 2900 BC
This is called Poulnabrone Dolmen which in Gaelic means "hole of sorrows"
The dolmen consists of a twelve foot, thin, slab-like, tabular capstone supported by two slender portal stones which lift the capstone 6 feet from the ground.
Excavations underneath the monument uncovered 22 adults and children buried here. Personal items included a polished stone axe, a bone pendant, quartz crystals, weapons and pottery. In the Bronze Age around 1700BC, a newborn baby was buried in the portico, just outside the entrance.
But, my kids again were off noticing the free roaming cows and calves, feeding them grass and
watching where they walked... and could have cared less about the castle tower. 
or the unique High Cross of Christ and St. Tola (an Irish Bishop) that Celtic Christians erected in the 12th century.
These crosses are "sermons on a stick" This one has the carving of the temptation of Adam and Eve in the garden and Daniel's courage in the Lion's Den. The back, hard to see in the fog, was covered in interlacing patterns and geometric designs and animal ornamentation.
Reminded me of our Native American Totem poles with their symbols and stories.
This old 8th century monastery was at the end of the field
It was surrounded by a cemetery of celtic crosses, a 15 foot stump of a round tower and had this fun Romanesque doorway with all sorts of funny animal heads that Natalie pointed out.
But probably the most unique thing in our travels, the most ancient was this Portal tomb from the Neolithic period roughly 4200 t0 2900 BC
This is called Poulnabrone Dolmen which in Gaelic means "hole of sorrows"
The dolmen consists of a twelve foot, thin, slab-like, tabular capstone supported by two slender portal stones which lift the capstone 6 feet from the ground.
Excavations underneath the monument uncovered 22 adults and children buried here. Personal items included a polished stone axe, a bone pendant, quartz crystals, weapons and pottery. In the Bronze Age around 1700BC, a newborn baby was buried in the portico, just outside the entrance.Thankfully after a day of finding dead things...no crusty creature was found nearby and despite being cooped up and crammed in the back of our small car, where quarrels and contentions naturally are born, Steve didn't have to threaten to kill one of the kids and leave them behind for someone else to discover. It was a good day for everyone.
1 comment:
Ok, so I'm going to comment on the whole trip. WOW!!!! and WOW!!!! Did I say WOW!!! yet? So beautiful....very jealous!
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