Moving further north in Ireland we came to Derry. We took a trolley tour around the town and learned some history about Ireland.They still have the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. It really is strange that this still goes on in Ireland.They have a lot of murals on walls that show about the troubles in Ireland.We went further north and came to a World Heritage site called Giant's Causeway. Layered basalt columns left by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.After leaving here went stopped at another interesting place.It's called Carrick-a Rede Rope Bridge.You experience the thrill of crossing over the rope bridge that is 30 meters deep and 20 meters wide.This was a real thriller for me as I don't like heights.One way to conquer your fears. On the 9th we will take the ferry to Scotland.
We moved along to the Dingle Pennisula and we loved it here.Dingle has something for everyone beaches,walking trails,pure Irish music,beautiful scenery and Gaelic language.The coastline consists of steep sea cliffs broken by sandy beaches.This has always been a area of the Gaelic language and was hit hard during the potato famine.You can see along the highway where the stones houses were abandoned many years ago.Today because of poor conditions the government has stepped in and subsidizes the region in order that the Irish language and culture survive.There are newer homes everywhere in Ireland and quite large.We spent a couple days in Dingle because we wanted to go to a few pubs at night and listen to their music.lots of fun.Continuing along we stopped to see the Beehive huts and it was raining heavily.The beehive huts have stood for more than 4000 years.It's hard to imagine stones setting here for that long.
Beehive Hut
Driving along we came to the Gallarus Oratory which is a stone church built 1300 years ago.Everything over here is ancient.The next day we went to the Cliffs of Moher.The Cliffs of Moher are a Unesco World Heritage sight.For 5 miles the cliffs soar as high as 650 ft. above the Atlantic.The cliffs are dramatic and there are walking trails to walk along.
I may have to post my photos later as I'm having trouble transferring to blogger. We spent the night along the beach and were rewarded with a beautiful sunset.The following day we drove along the coast and the Burren area.The Burren is a unique,windblown limestone wasteland that hides flora,caves and history.As you drive along you will come to Poulnabrone Dolman.This is a portal tomb made with stones and looks like a table.It's over 4000 years old.This is a very desolete place but interesting.It continues to rain but it hasn't stopped us from sightseeing.We drove the Inishowen route and stop in Donegal to see the castle and old friary.We spent the night at the visitors center and they were putting in electic for rvs traveling and spending the night.Very nice of them.
We drove along the Berea Coast and had a interesting drive.We encountered narrow roads,breathtaking scenery and some desolete countryside.We made a few wrong turns and didn't know where the GPS would take us. We drove the 120 mile Ring of Kerry and wasn't to impressed with it.They had narrow roads and buses coming from the other direction almost running us of the side.We ended up in Killarney and went to see the Muchross House and National park.Tomorrow Dingle.
After leaving Dublin we headed west and stopped at Cahir Castle.It is one of Ireland's largest and best preserved castle.Our next stop was the Rock of Cashel.This castle sits high on a hill and overlooks a beautiful valley.It was the seat of ancient kings of Munster.This rock was fought over by clans for hundreds of years.The chapel is undergoing some restoration so they have some scaffolding.There is also a Celtic cross graveyard.Continuing on we drove over the beautiful Glen of Aherlow valley.
The next day we went to Cobh,if your of Irish decent there's a good chance your ancesters left from this port.The first steam-powered ship made a transatlantic crossing from Cobh.
After visiting Cobh we arrived in Kinsdale and wanted to see Charles Fort.this fort is a star shaped one and was occupied by the British until the civil war in 1922.In 1923 the interior buildings were torched by the IRA to keep it from being used by the free state during the Irish Civil War.After visiting the fort it was getting late so we spent the night in a parking lot at the church in Kinsdale.
While in Wales we met a couple that were from the US but have lived and taught school in Germany for many years.While in Brecon we walked into town and they had a nice market going on where you could shop and sit and listen to the music.There was also a beer festival going on and the 4 of us stopped for a beer and a bite to eat.Here's Ed and Michele.
The next day Sam and I went to Pembroke Cadtle and St. David's Cathedral.Pembroke Castle is one of Wales restored ancient castle and also went to St.David's Cathedral.After seeing the castle and cathedral we went looking for a place to stay for the night.We are leaving tomorrow on the ferry to Ireland.We spent the night at amarna overlooking the water.It was pouring rain.Hope this weather gets better when we get to Ireland.
After leaving camp today we wanted to see St. Fagan's open air museum.The is not like a museum in that it is all outside.They have 40 different buildings they moved here to show how the Welsh people worked and lived.There is also a Manor house and gardens and in a very nice setting.Because it started to pour down rain so we didn't get to visit all of the buildings.The weather here is awful.If you want to see things you have to just get out and go.They tell us that this isn't normally like this in July and August.We hope we'll get sunshine soon.