Learning things I didn't even know I wanted to learn, in Ireland.

We started our morning at New Grange and Knowth and I have to say I was amazed. To actually get to see things that predate the Pyramids and Stone Henge, it blew my mind. These are places I'd never really heard about.... but wow and I glad Jason knew about them and that we got to see them. They were constructed about 3,200 BC during the Neolithic or Stone Age. Scientist still argue today what the purpose of them was but New Grange allows light to flow in perfectly on the Winter Solstice (similarly to Stone Henge). The refer to them as passage tombs as remains have been found in both... and let not forget the fact that there were something like 40+ smaller mounds filled with remains as well. Surrounding the big passage tombs or temples are what they refer to as Kerbsones (or massive bolders as I would call them) that have each been decorated with amazingly complexed designs. Some of the  facts that blew my mind was that many of the stones had to be brought from all over ireland and these stones weighed tons... I mean bigger than a smart car and this was before the age of the wheel. What a magnificant tomb or alter or sacred temple. I'm not sure what these individuals were trying to create but the space is breath taking. Secondly I want to say New Grange gets all the attention but Knowth was way more amazing from the outside. The reason New Grange gets all the attention is because you can go inside it. For more information check out this link.

Knowth

On top of Knowth. I think I look old here.

The passage way at Knowth. The inside of the this makes a cross.

The "head stone" and "fertility stone". Our guide was super eccentric and funny. Loved her! 

Some of the smaller mounds.

New Grange

The winter solstice sun pours in the upper area and floods the tomb with light. Inside you can see 3 different areas were they possibly laid their dead. The amazing part about it was that while inside you slowly climb so the light geometrically aligns perfectly. 

After our adventure to New Grange and Knowth we headed to get some food... and this is were I finally got it. Ireland is ALL about potatoes. We both got "mashed" and fired potatoes with our sets meals. Don't get me wrong it was delicious but wow. I'm sure I've gained like 15lbs from all the "chips", "mashed, bread, gravy that covers everything and whatever else comes standard with European meals... let me just say I can't wait to get some fresh veggies.

It was kind of nice to get out of the city and into Dublin. We had a couple of planned sites to see but had to cut a few because we didn't make it to New Grange the day before. Driving and parking wasn't so bad in Dublin but I did find some of the "baby on board" signs to be funny... espcially as they cut me off and what not but the one below was by far my favorite, which we found in a parking garage. 

The first thing we noticed was everyone was dressed likeWhere's Waldo. Turns out they were trying to break a world record.... they certainly broke my record of Where's Waldo sitings.

We decided we HAD too see the book of  Kells (click to read about it), which was at Trinity College. It really was pretty cool. Hart to believe how much energy and time was spent on manuscripts and decorations. I wish I had a picture but it wasn't allowed. Jason LOVED seeing the book of Kells but it was the library that blew my mind. I just love medical history and this library really allowed my mind to escape into that rhelm of things old texts and even skeletons. My favorite of which was a skull of a child that had it's adult teeth coming in and the "Irish Giant" skeleton. (The link takes you so something similar).

We then headed to see Parlament, which was closed but we got to see it. Then we finished up our day with a stop off at the Christ Church which I wanted to see. It is one of the oldest building in Dublin dating to 1030.  Quite pretty... but I really slacked on my photos.

Our night was spent sleeping soundly after a 2 hour attempt to get to our hotel. Oddly, we could see it but couldn't get to it. It was way funnier after I slept and told the check in staff that their internet policy was a rip off. :) I totally went American for a minute. He actually agreed and said he paid 30 pounds a month for his internet, cable and phone.... but that he couldn't do anything about their 24 hour/30 pounds policy. BTW 30 pounds = around $48.00. Hello painful exchange rate.