Near Carlow Town, stands a large megalithic tomb named the Browne's Hill Dolmen. I am standing next to the granite monster for size perspective.
The dolmen is over 5000 year old
The dolmen has collapsed on one side. The capstone is believed to be the largest capstone in Europe, weighing well over 100 tons.
I stayed at a variety of types of lodging throughout my trip -- all reserved ahead of time using the Internet. Even though I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, it still seemed like opening an Easter egg when I actually set foot in my new home for the night. Glenart Castle Hotel was a highlight of my lodging.
Glenart Castle was built near Arklow, County Wicklow in 1750 by the Earl of Carysfort. A neat couple now owns the place and has renovated the bedrooms into a moderately-priced B & B (£ 35/night) while putting most of their time and resources into decorating and furnishing the large lounge areas. They have also fixed-up much of the 63 acres of gardens and woodlands around the castle. They will soon be doing most of their catering to larger functions -- exhibitions, private parties, conferences, and weddings. The next time I'm in Ireland, I won't be able to afford 'em.
Visiting the Atlantic surf was a treat since my only other experiences at an "ocean" have been the Gulf of Mexico at Galveston, TX and the Tampa Bay area.
Another pleasant surprise was the view of the boardwalk and Irish Sea from my very modest room with a balcony in Greystones, County Wicklow.
Powerscourt Gardens take up 50 acres of the 64 sq. mile Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow. The formal gardens were created in the 19th century and took decades to complete. I covered most of the grounds in a brisk walk ( because they were closing) which took about an hour. It was a breathtaking walk -- physically and visually.
Dublin Castle is more a palace now than a castle. Only the Record Tower (the round tower to the left) completed in 1258, survives from the original Norman castle. In 1907 the collection known as the Irish Crown Jewels was stolen from the tower and never recovered.
St. Patrick's Cathedral dates from the 5th century when St. Patrick himself baptised converts here. The present building, built by the Normans, dates from the 13th century. I listened to a choir rehersal inside the cathedral. Oliver Cromwell, during his 1649 visit to Ireland, converted St. Patrick's to a stable for his army's horses.
Hope, like the gleaming taper's light, adorns and cheers our way;
Near the Front Gate or Regent House entrance to Trinity College stands a statue here of the poet Oliver Goldsmith (1730-74). Within the college I toured the Old Library with its absolutely astounding Long Room holding 200,000 old books. Also worth seeing in the Old Library was the Book of Kells - a lavishly decorated copy, in Latin, of the four gospels from the early 9th century. (This is Ireland's #1 tourist attraction.)
And still, as darker grows the night, emits a lighter ray. -- Oliver Goldsmith.
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