July 4 - Driving Ireland Crazy

If I can drive in Dublin, Ireland without problems, then I can do anything. Rental cars here are bloody expensive, but that's including extra insurance. We need a car to get around Ireland's countryside, but while we are in Dublin we want to see several sights located about 40 kilometers north of town. Later we will head to the south for a taste of small town Ireland.

Sadly, today we got off to a late start so we missed out on our final destination: castletown House. A Georgian mansion. We may try and make up for that loss be seeing Powerscourt on the way out of Dublin.

On the positive side, today we had a great time learning about the ancient history of this emerald isle. We headed north on a newly lengthened M1 motorway. Driving was a breeze, but I was certainly tense at first. The sun was out and my navigator (Gene) was well prepared.

The first stop was the Bru Na Boine visitor Center. Then it was just a short shuttle ride to Newgrange and later Knowth. These two monumental tombs are about 5000 years old (dating before the great pyramids of Giza).

Both sites were awe inspiring and I believe they've helped bring a new understanding to be about the depth of my Irish heritage. It sounds strange to say, but I feel very "at home" here.

We ended the night in an Irish pub, eating a boxty (stuffed potato pancake) and drinking a Guinness. HEAVEN!