7 May 2022 Ireland! 2 likes Pronounced "cove", Cobh, Ireland is a seaport town in the south of Ireland. Cobh is most known for being the Titanic's last port of call in 1912 and has a museum memorializing those who passed.They are also home to St Colman's Cathedral, a beautiful Gothic styled Catholic church which was completed in 1919. While the landscape itself is incredible, I was mesmerized by the enormous Atlantic waves crushing the sides of the cliffs. A surreal night under the stars with Poulnabrone Dolmen–Ireland's oldest dated stone monument in the country.The dolmen is classified as a portal tomb and in the 1980's, the remains of 21 people were found within the monument. Carbon dating traces the tomb's use over a period of 600 years, between 5200 and 5800 years ago-almost 4000 years before Christ!Archaeological evidence recovered a variety of artifacts. From irisharchaelogy.ie, the artifacts included a "polished stone axe, two stone beads, a decorated bone pendant, a fragment of a mushroom-headed bone pin, two quartz crystals, several sherds of coarse pottery, three chert arrowheads and three chert/flint scrapers.Thus the burial evidence from Poulnabrone has given us rare glimpse into the lives of our early ancestors. It appears that they endured a relatively tough existence, that involved hard physical labour, childhood illnesses, occasional violent attacks and early deaths. Although only a small section of the community were deemed worthy of burial in the tomb, there is little evidence for gender or age discrimination, with both male and female remains present as well as young and old. Prior to interment their bones appear to have been stored elsewhere and this may indicate that they were venerated as ancestor relics. Why certain individuals were chosen to be buried in the seemingly exalted location of a megalithic tomb, however, remains a mystery." This restored 16th century castle sits on the shores of Galway Bay.The castle has strong roots in Irish literature with the castle becoming a meeting place for famous Celtic poets and playwrights George Bernard Shaw, Lady Gregory, and W.B. Yeats. Dún Briste, which is Gaelic for Broken Fort, is a remarkable sea stack on the Wild Atlantic Way which stands at 150 feet tall. Dún Briste formed around 350 million years ago and used to be connected to the mainland.In a great storm in 1393, a tidal wave collapsed the arch which stranded residents on the sea stack. According to North Mayo Tourism, "The storm abated and the people saw the point of the headland with its fort and farm, now only a pillar in the sea. Those who survived the storm were stranded up there. Ships ropes were used to lower them to sea level and escape. It has been named “The Broken Fort” ever since, and because they were all Gaelic speakers, “Dún Briste”. Patti and Dom"Madness in Mayo" in Ballina, IrelandThrilled to see my good friend Patti married to such a wonderful man in Dom. An incredible time with a bunch of new friends who welcomed me like family.Here was one special image I wanted to make for the newly weds. While we celebrated inside, I had a camera set up outside capturing two hours worth of star trails during the reception.After the reception ended, I pulled Patti and Dom out in front of Belleek Castle for about two minutes, grabbed a few shots and this is the final result. Ireland sheep farmers mark their sheep with unique colors to distinguish when they are lost or mixed up with neighboring farms. The backside of the 16th century Doonagore Castle in County Clare, Ireland. Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublin, IrelandJumping from one Ireland icon to another, Dublin’s Trinity College is home to one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.The Long Room is an architectural masterpiece and a book lover’s dream-however the main reason Trinity College is famous is that it’s the home of The Book of Kells.The Book of Kells contains the four Gospels written in Latin (on calfskin) and was believed to be created around 800 A.D in either Scotland or in Kells, Ireland.What makes the book so magnificent is that it’s artistry and visual impact is incomparable, especially for the time period.Although photos can’t be taken of the Book of Kells, I took a photo of the facsimile copy.If you look at Photo 6, the original Latin text for this photo translates to “The birth of Christ in Bethlehem of Judea. The wise men offer gifts and the children are killed. Return (of Jesus from Egypt to Nazareth)According to the Trinity College Library, “Abstract decoration and images of plant, animal and human ornament punctuate the text with the aim of glorifying Jesus’ life and message, and keeping his attributes and symbols constantly in the eye of the reader.There are full pages of decoration for the canon tables; symbols of the evangelists Matthew (the Man), Mark (the Lion), Luke (the Calf) and John (the Eagle); the opening words of the Gospels; the Virgin and Child; a portrait of Christ; complex narrative scenes, the earliest to survive in gospel manuscripts, representing the arrest of Christ and his temptation by the Devil. The Chi Rho page (folio 34r), introducing Matthew’s account of the nativity, is the single most famous page in medieval art.” If you look at Photo 6, the original Latin text for this photo translates to “The birth of Christ in Bethlehem of Judea. The wise men offer gifts and the children are killed. Return (of Jesus from Egypt to Nazareth)According to the Trinity College Library, “Abstract decoration and images of plant, animal and human ornament punctuate the text with the aim of glorifying Jesus’ life and message, and keeping his attributes and symbols constantly in the eye of the reader.There are full pages of decoration for the canon tables; symbols of the evangelists Matthew (the Man), Mark (the Lion), Luke (the Calf) and John (the Eagle); the opening words of the Gospels; the Virgin and Child; a portrait of Christ; complex narrative scenes, the earliest to survive in gospel manuscripts, representing the arrest of Christ and his temptation by the Devil. The Chi Rho page (folio 34r), introducing Matthew’s account of the nativity, is the single most famous page in medieval art.” Welcome to Killarney National Park Abandoned shipwreck in Galway, Ireland Atlantic waves crash in Doolin, Ireland. The seven story "Wonderful Barn" was commissioned as a famine relief project by Laura Katherine Connolly in 1743 to provide employment for residents. The seven story "Wonderful Barn" was commissioned as a famine relief project by Laura Katherine Connolly in 1743 to provide employment for residents. The Temple Bar Pub is one of the most frequented pubs in downtown Dublin, especially well patronized by the tourist visitors. According to Drinks International, Guinness its the fourth best selling brand worldwide in 2020. A bit of a glimpse into the pub culture of Ireland.The Irish are known for having a good craic-which is slang for having a good time or a laugh, usually involving conversations and music. I think that's why we got along so well. 🙂 The Quay's Bar, Dublin, Ireland On my way through Westport, Ireland, I met Aidan O'Sullivan (who I learned was a full time extra on Game of Thrones and Vikings!) and his young Irish wolfhound Maírtín for a walk in the park.My interest in the Irish Wolfhound is because they are labeled the tallest dog in the world, even taller than Great Danes and have a fascinating history. Their history dates as far back as 391 A.D. where Roman statesman Quintus Aurelius Symmachus pronounced that "all Rome viewed them (the dogs) in wonder."Protectors of property and livestock, the Wolfhounds also hunted deer, boar and wolves. They became incredibly popular and coveted due to their hunting prowess.After the last Irish wolf died off in the late 1700's, the Wolfhounds were soon to follow suit and were placed on a list called the “Notices of Animals which have disappeared from Ireland.”According to the American Kennel Club, in 1863, Captain George Augustus Graham decided to revive the Irish Wolfhound and acquired some dogs who were allegedly the remaining descendants of the Wolfhound. While doubts remained about the pedigree-less dogs, Graham settled on Scottish Deerhounds and a Great Dane cross to build a breed.The current day Irish Wolfhound is now a much loved pet, companion, and no longer needs to fear extinction On my way through Westport, Ireland, I met Aidan O'Sullivan (who I learned was a full time extra on Game of Thrones and Vikings!) and his young Irish wolfhound Maírtín for a walk in the park.My interest in the Irish Wolfhound is because they are labeled the tallest dog in the world, even taller than Great Danes and have a fascinating history. Their history dates as far back as 391 A.D. where Roman statesman Quintus Aurelius Symmachus pronounced that "all Rome viewed them (the dogs) in wonder."Protectors of property and livestock, the Wolfhounds also hunted deer, boar and wolves. They became incredibly popular and coveted due to their hunting prowess.After the last Irish wolf died off in the late 1700's, the Wolfhounds were soon to follow suit and were placed on a list called the “Notices of Animals which have disappeared from Ireland.”According to the American Kennel Club, in 1863, Captain George Augustus Graham decided to revive the Irish Wolfhound and acquired some dogs who were allegedly the remaining descendants of the Wolfhound. While doubts remained about the pedigree-less dogs, Graham settled on Scottish Deerhounds and a Great Dane cross to build a breed.The current day Irish Wolfhound is now a much loved pet, companion, and no longer needs to fear extinction Siobhan Manson danced professionally for 15 years with the Broadway phenomenon Riverdance.She now teaches up and coming Riverdancers and will also teach the occasional Galway tourist some of the traditional Irish dances like the Sean-nós brush dance. Siobhan Manson danced professionally for 15 years with the Broadway phenomenon Riverdance. The abandoned Minard Castle sits on the shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. A tree grew inside the courtyard of Muckross Abbey; a Franciscan friary which was built in 1448. The quaint downtown of Dingle
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