By Jane D. O’Donoghue
Special to PRIME
A favorite destination for our family is Ireland. Our roots are there. When the chance to take one more trip arose, I sent out word and eight responded immediately. Those who could take time from work began preparing for the journey. One granddaughter, Siobhan, a computer whiz, searched and booked venues, air flights, car rentals and anything else necessary. This enabled us to travel with ease.
Our first stop was the ancient, mystical and beautiful site of Newgrange. This is older than the pyramids and begs as many questions. Who were these Stone Age people who, with mathematical knowledge and vision, created the passage tombs in the Boyne Valley over 5,000 years ago? At the Winter Solstice, the rising sun's rays align precisely along the length of the stone passage to the basin stone at the end. You leave with eerie feelings of awe and mystery.
Other sites throughout the country were studied and explored, raising questions of the significance of the artwork carved in huge stones. Worth the visit was a museum nearby. Our tour guide was a noted Irish archeologist Muiris O'Sullivan, an author, professor of Archaeology at University of Dublin College and a team member in many excavations. He also is a cousin of my late husband.
From Dublin we stopped in Galway for several days. This ancient town, established in the 1100s, offers strolling crowds, buskers, bookstores, gourmet restaurants, jewelers, a university and a roaring river. The Corrib, is renowned for salmon fishing. The famed claddagh ring was designed in this town. A little bit of everything included an aquarium worth visiting. We enjoyed the nightlife, too.
Continuing south along the west coast, our drive along the Burren meant stopping often to admire the view and snap one more picture. This is a seemingly deserted place with huge rocks strewn throughout, stone fences of varying designs yet even sheep and cattle survive in spite of the bleakness. The famous Cliffs of Moher rise majestically and offer an outstanding spectacle of the oceans and caves lining the waters below. A stone lined walk invites you to the top.
We finally arrived in Dingle, County Kerry and drove to our rental along the Slea Head Drive in Ventry. Again, a breathtaking ride along this way took us to the beach, where my son, Tom, went swimming and we watched. This drive offers mountains, shore and winding roads. Our base now allowed us to take rides into town for food, entertainment and some genealogy investigation. The lure of smoked salmon, brown bread and seafood chowder invited us as well.
In Dingle Bay, a lone Bottlenose Dolphin named Fungie has survived since 1983. Short rides in a tour boat invite him to come investigate. My great-grandson, Seamus, was thrilled when Fungie swam and jumped in and out of the water next to his side of the boat. It was the highlight of his trip.
So many details beg reporting, I could write a book about the country. We finally found the town of Reask close by where my grandmother lived and emigrated from. We also identified a standing carved stone, on the remains of an ancient monastery.
This small island country has a fascination for my family and me. We must revisit some areas, and discover others. A deeper study and understanding of the country's history calls me, too.
The changes in roads and the economy since our first trip in 1979 are noticeable, yet the Irish remain the same friendly, caring people willing to stop and talk with visitors at the drop of a hat. We will return when more can join us.
Jane D. O’Donoghue is a Hungry Hill native and retired school librarian. Her writing has appeared in local and regional publications.
