Tourist in Dublin ... well, Meath.

Last Saturday saw us up bright and early at the Nix's to have champagne birthday breakfast with Deirdre. mmm... yummy cake!! always goes down well with a bit of bacon & sausages :-)

After the morning celebrations, Rebecca and I drove out NorthWest into County Meath where we had 3 tourist sights to explore...

The Hill of Tara

"The Hill of Tara, known as Temair in gaeilge, was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland – 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In ancient Irish religion and mythology Temair was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the otherworld. Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site."

Well... thats what I copied from Mythical Ireland's website. For me, well... call me culturally shallow, I found it hard to see beyond a hill with 'bumps in the field'... Although Rebecca read out the historical significance of the place to me, my mind at the time, was more interested at these 2 guys with diesel remote control cars zooming around the field... :-) common they are cool!!



Slane Castle
This is the infamous setting of some of the greatest concerts in Ireland. Set in the Boyne Valley, artists including Bob Dylan; Rolling Stones; Robbie Williams; Red Hot Chillie Peppers and Madonna have rocked here in the past. With that said, it is deceptively small looking from the outside... (see photos) As it was closed we didn't go inside, but the concert is apparently set outdoors somewhere around it.



Newgrange

"The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC (or about 500years before the Pyramids and 1000years before the Stonehenge). The kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The 19 metre long inner passage leads to a cruciform chamber with a corbelled roof. It is estimated that the construction of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of 300 at least 20 years.

The passage and chamber of Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise (2 days before and after the shortest day in Winter). A shaft of sunlight shines through the roof box over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The dramatic event lasts for 17 minutes at dawn from the 19th to the 23rd of December."

Yes, you guessed it. The above was copied again... from Newgrange Ireland's website. I have to say, it was quite amazing to see. We were able to go through the low narrow path into the deceptively small chamber. Once inside, we were shown a simulated solstice sunrise by lights etc. You can put your name down to queue for a place to witness this sight for real but apparently the queue is 15 years long!! Luckily there is a draw that you can enter in for a lucky dip so hopefully we'll get to do it? maybe?