Queen of the Cashel

So, as a part of our time here at Maynooth we take six trips with Roberta, our go to person here who was a St.Mary's student. Aside from the fact that they severely cramp the ability for us to travel on the weekends, they have been informative thus far. Last weekend we went to Newgrange, an abbey, a graveyard, and the Hill of Tara. Side note: all the following photos where taken by me.

Newgrange:

Newgrange was a place I was very much interested in seeing. Unfortunately it was also disappointing. Turns out that the lovely white stone exterior, while made with the original rocks, was actually put up in the '60s because the original exterior collapsed on itself a few hundred years after it was built. Oh, and they wont let you take pictures inside. I have problems with places like that. Moving on...

The Hill of Tara:

The Hill of Tara was breathtaking. Just countless green hills as far as the eye could see. You can feel the magic of the area that seems to permeate from the ground. It's easy to see how the ancients would have believed that this place was significant and why St.Patrick would come here as well to convert people.

The best part about today's trip, and the sole reason for writing this entry, was going to see the Rock of Cashel.

The Rock of Cashel was gorgeous and sits, well, on a rock. A rather large rock. It makes for some beautiful views. As you can see below.

This is the place where the High Kings of Ireland would be crowned, and more importantly, because somewhere down my family line I'm related to him, Brian Boru was crowned here. At this stone:

Which had a Roman High Cross on top. But the best part? Trying to hug the stone and fit your arms completely around it. It is said if you can that you will never get a toothache again and never have to go to the dentist. So of course, because I dislike dentists, I had to give it a shot.

I guess I'm going back to the dentist, because there was no way I was getting my arms all the way around that thing. But I was still happy, mainly just to be in Ireland.

Cheers!