This was a half day bus tour I took out of Dublin. I'm normally not fond of organized tours because you usually end up listening to a lot of babble and you don't get the complete freedom to roam where you please. However, I didn't have the time or energy to hitch a ride to Newgrange, so the tour was my only other choice. I'm definitely glad I did it though. Newgrange is a 4000 year old burial site (1000 years older than Stonehenge as I remember). It's not actually much to look at on the outside, but just the idea that it's been there for that long is mind-boggling (and inside was pretty cool). The tour also took us to other ecclesiastical sites. The first was Monasterboise, a cemetery and record tower (right). The Celtic cross in front of the tower (below) is one of the biggest in Ireland.
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The next stop was Mellifont Abbey... 
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...And finally, Newgrange, as seen from a distance (right), and looking at the entrance.
The last stop was the Hill of Tara, another ancient burial site. The church (obviously) is not part of the actual burial site. In fact, it's used not for religious services, but rather for a multimedia presentation about the Hill of Tara (with a big electronically lowering screen, big speakers, and electronically lowering window shades - quite the anachronism, huh? Neat show though). The cemetery and church looked really cool that afternoon amidst the mist, gray skies, gnarled trees, and squawking crows. If you'd like to find out more about Newgrange and the other burial sites in Ireland, check out www.knowth.com, link courtesy of Michael Fox. |
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