Ireland Trip - Megalithic Day

Wednesday was a Megalithic Day! Rain had descended, and we left our 'interesting' B&B at Kinvara, first passing Dunguaire Castle, then heading east across Ireland. I was hoping that there were a couple of sites on the way, but the GPS led us astray, so we gave up and headed to Slieve na Calliagh http://www.megalithicireland.com/loughcrew.htm a group of passage tombs. Rain was absolutely pouring when we arrived, so we had lunch in the car hoping for a reprieve. When it was obvious it wasn't coming, we put on our blue 'Maid of the Mist' rain ponchos and walked up to the Loughcrew Megalithic Tombs. It was surprising, in that there were National Parks guides inside to give us information on the site. I got quite a few nice photos, despite the rain. Coming back down the hill both of us slipped over – twice! The grass was really slippery, and we both hurt our left leg and shoulder. We still had some time in the afternoon so decided to bring forward the Knowth and Newgrange visit (which had been planned for the next day). This involved going to the visitor centre near Slane, and paying, (yes, we 'do' pay for things that really are worth seeing), for a bus tour to take us to Knowth, guide us around, come back to the visitor centre and then do the same for Newgrange. http://www.knowth.com/knowth.htm , Knowth has the largest Megalithic tomb in Ireland, and it has lots of smaller ones circling it, as well as Woodhenge. There were fascinating carvings on the stones at these tombs, very similar to some of the aboriginal art. The meaning of all of this is lost in the mists of time, and I liked the way the guides kept asking for people's take on it, as anything is possible. They explained that they are like cathedrals as they were also used for rituals. The big ones have solar alignments for the equinoxes. Newgrange was smaller but looked bigger, with its impresive quartz front. This was reconstructed years ago, and is controversial  some people believe the rocks were a frontage, and others a path. http://www.knowth.com/newgrange.htm and http://homepage.eircom.net/~seanjmurphy/irhismys/newgrknow.htm. We drove to Navan and stayed at the luxurious Ardboyne Hotel., which really didn't look much from the outside but was certainly nice inside.

Dunguaire Castle

 Loughcrew Megalithic Tomb

 Loughcrew Megalithic Tomb

 Loughcrew Megalithic Tomb

 Loughcrew Megalithic Tomb

 Our guide at Loughcrew Megalithic Tomb

 Loughcrew Megalithic Tomb

 Loughcrew Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb

Knowth Megalithic Tomb & Woodhenge

Newgrange Megalithic Tomb

Newgrange Megalithic Tomb

Newgrange Megalithic Tomb entrance (the black rock finish is used to distinguish the 'artificial' stone required for the steps, from the original finish of the white quartz.