Friends, fries, and foraging. This week we went on a Celtic Boyne Valley Tour and Howth Cliff Walk. We drove to the Hill of Uisneach where you can see two-thirds of Ireland. This site is important in Irish Mythology because people were thought to have celebratory traditions on the rolling fields, decorated with monuments and earthworks. This location was the sacred center of Ireland because Irish gods were buried under a sacred tree. Next, we saw the Hill of Tara. This County Meath Hill was significant during the times of Ireland’s High Kings. The climb to the top revealed the Lia Fáil or the Stone of Destiny. I was honestly shocked at how small this stone was, because the tour guide at the Natural History Museum – Archaeology spoke highly, literally of the stone. Therefore, I was expecting a Stonehenge type structure at the top, but alas the pebble towered at a mere three feet high. The legend goes that if someone touched the stone and the heavens rumbled, they were fit to be the High King of Ireland. Our last stop of this day trip was to the Loughcrew Passage Crew. This gander through the fields revealed a plentiful pasture of cows. We also saw very interesting earthwork art of a sculpted head with plant features. I loved spending time with Stella and chatting during our walk.
On Sunday, we went to Howth. This location was stunning, after the bushwhacking portion of the hike. The tour guide commented that we all looked like a fit group, and we think that he changed the itinerary to be more adventurous for us. Thirty minutes later, we found ourselves modern dancing around thorny bushes and stepping over poisonous plants and animal waste. This hike was definitely unique! The cliffs were expansive and full of purple wildflowers. The weather was excellent, and the path was so close to the edge that I felt very appreciative for the present moment. After our adventure, we treated ourselves to some authentic Fish and Chips, which was delicious!
As this trip comes to an end, I am doing my best to soak in every moment with friends. This week, I enjoyed Bad Bob’s in Dublin with friends and enjoyed the live saxophone performance and bright lights. I am grateful for Tyler and Jackson for going on a Cloud Nine outing. I will miss late night game nights, chats, and tunes with my apartment.
I love how you have described the stone as a pebble and how you gandered through the fields to meet some cows. What a wonderful experience you have had. I’m so glad you got to spend so much time in Ireland. It will be trip you will never forget!
I am so happy that you are enjoying your time in Ireland with new friends. And now you are in Amsterdam. What a worllfds traveler you have become. Love Omi