A beautiful day for a tour of Newgrange outside of Dublin. This is the place where they uncovered the 'Bru na Boinne' site. Sounds sacred because it is. This is different than anything we had ever seen in our travels.
Located in the rolling hills of Newgrange, it appears to be located on more of a natural park. Quiet with only the birds singing. A green, lush walkway heading to the Visitors Centre is welcoming and beautiful.
A protected eco site, just ask these wee frogs. Definitely happy where they are.
From afar I would have no idea of the significance of this mound on the hills. It is a sacred spot devoted to some form of Sun God ritual. Dating back to 3200 BC, it makes this mound 500 years older than the Pyramids of Giza. 5000 years old....unbelievable and totally surreal.
Below are huge sacred stones purposefully placed for some significance. Majestically sitting almost as a protection of sorts.
The entrance to the chamber is open for only a few visitors at a time. The stone right at the doors opening is referred to as the 'Entrance Stone.' At first they called this a 'Passage Tomb' but the new thinking is that it is an 'Ancient Tomb.'
No photos are allowed in....which is unfortunate because Deb and I opted to go in and see it for ourselves with a guide.
OMG! It is very low, we had to bend down to squeeze in, sometimes sideways. Extremely narrow passage of over 60 feet long. Only lit by the low light they have placed inside.
It then opens up to a small igloo type area. Bones and ashes were found placed on a granite bowl shaped object inside when they discovered this place.
The walls, of stone, are decorated with the same type of designs as the 'Entrance Stone' below.
200,000 tons of stones and dirt were above us while we visited the sacred spot.....but I couldn't think about that while I was inside or I never would have been able to stay. If you are claustrophobic, don't think about that either. How many people get to see this in their lifetime?
Who wants to miss that opportunity....not Deb and not me.
It feels very solemn here. Nothing is really known about the builders of this mound.
Maybe they are coming back? Who knows?
A sacred stone....looks like a Sentinel guard.
This mound and a few more smaller mounds that haven't been excavated yet are located in this farm area. Can you imagine having such a view of something so special in your backyard?
Photos of the surrounding acres and acres of green pastures.
My buddies....the sheep of Ireland.
Brilliant coloured bushes along our pathway.
The biggest Bumble Bee I have ever seen. He has a lot of work to do...that is a huge flowered bush.
Earlier in the day we made another stop at more of the same sacred mounds. Located in the fields behind a church on top of a hill. It is called the Hill of Tara.
A serene, peaceful but almost haunting church next to the sites. Eerie.....
Surrounded or should I say watched by these huge birds called Rooks or Raven possibly. Note: According to superstition, there must be six ravens in the Tower of London or else the monarchy, the kingdom and the Tower itself will fall. The Hills of Tara were the seat of the Irish Kings? Interesting.
If we could see this area from an aerial point of view, this green pasture would look like 'crop circles.' Difficult to see it while walking around.
A great deal of Irish History happened here.
This 'Mound of the Hostages' below is dated from about 2500 BC.
The entrance into it, but no tours today.
The views of the Emerald Isle from here are inspiring. Truly glorious.
Below is a picture of Ireland's "Stone of Destiny" otherwise known as the 'Lia Fail.' According to tradition it was the seat of the High King of Ireland.
Our very noisy guardian bird. With tons of friends.
This hill is called the 'meeting place of heros.'
This is the place where St. Patrick was in the prison when he spoke out against the king.
As well in 1798 United Irishmen had a camp here in preparation for a battle against the British. 400 died on this hill that day when they were attacked and defeated.
And Daniel O'Connell gathered 750,000 Irish peasants on this hill to hold a 'peaceful political demonstration' in Ireland. He was an freedom fighter....the year 1843.
Below is the area that was excavated by British Israelis in the 20th century who mistakenly thought the people of Ireland were part of the 'Lost Tribes of Israel?' They were digging, searching for the Arc of the Covenant.
Not to be disrespectfully, but it actually looks like a golf course?
A very interesting place to visit, and on another visit, I would love to see it from the air.
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