Ireland

Our flight arrived in Dublin very early the morning of March 15, before much was open, so just we walked around Dublin for a while. This is the Ha'penny Bridge over the River Liffey. Usa ...

2009-01-10T08:08:46Z

Chuck
Our flight arrived in Dublin very early the morning of March 15, before much was open, so just we walked around Dublin for a while. This is the Ha'penny Bridge over the River Liffey. Usa ...

Looking east from the Ha'penny Bridge

2009-01-10T08:04:50Z

Chuck
Looking east from the Ha'penny Bridge

Another view of the Ha'penny Bridge

2009-01-10T08:07:33Z

Chuck
Another view of the Ha'penny Bridge

The Spire of Dublin on O'Connell Street

2009-01-10T08:05:13Z

Chuck
The Spire of Dublin on O'Connell Street

The General Post Office. Note the artwork by Julian Opie in the lower right; similar works can be seen in many cities, including downtown Indianapolis.

2009-01-10T08:05:11Z

Chuck
The General Post Office. Note the artwork by Julian Opie in the lower right; similar works can be seen in many cities, including downtown Indianapolis.

Bridge connecting Christchurch Cathedral to the Synod House

2009-01-10T08:08:07Z

Chuck
Bridge connecting Christchurch Cathedral to the Synod House

Christchurch Cathedral belongs to the Church of Ireland, but is officially also the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Dublin. Though the building was lost to the Church of Ireland during the Refo ...

2009-01-10T08:09:12Z

Chuck
Christchurch Cathedral belongs to the Church of Ireland, but is officially also the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Dublin. Though the building was lost to the Church of Ireland during the Refo ...

Me in front of the iconic gate at the Guiness brewery

2009-01-10T08:05:12Z

Chuck
Me in front of the iconic gate at the Guiness brewery

The tour of the Guiness Storehouse included an exhibit of Guiness advertising through the years. I found this Alice in Wonderland-themed ad particularly interesting.

2009-01-10T08:07:43Z

Chuck
The tour of the Guiness Storehouse included an exhibit of Guiness advertising through the years. I found this Alice in Wonderland-themed ad particularly interesting.

The tour ends with a tasting on the seventh floor with a panoramic view of Dublin; here is the Wellington Monument seen from there.

2009-01-10T08:07:14Z

Chuck
The tour ends with a tasting on the seventh floor with a panoramic view of Dublin; here is the Wellington Monument seen from there.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

2009-01-10T08:07:58Z

Chuck
St. Patrick's Cathedral

Resting place of author Jonathan Swift, who was also Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral

2009-01-10T08:08:07Z

Chuck
Resting place of author Jonathan Swift, who was also Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral

Altar at St. Patrick's Cathedral

2009-01-10T08:04:45Z

Chuck
Altar at St. Patrick's Cathedral

Stained glass window in St. Patrick's Cathedral

2009-01-10T08:06:44Z

Chuck
Stained glass window in St. Patrick's Cathedral

Courtyard at Trinity College

2009-01-10T06:18:26Z

Chuck
Courtyard at Trinity College

Trinity College library

2009-01-10T06:21:58Z

Chuck
Trinity College library

The old library at Trinity College. In here is the Book of Kells, a beautifully illuminated manuscript of the gospels which dates to about 800 AD. There's a very nice and extensive exhibit ...

2009-01-10T06:21:28Z

Chuck
The old library at Trinity College. In here is the Book of Kells, a beautifully illuminated manuscript of the gospels which dates to about 800 AD. There's a very nice and extensive exhibit ...

Sculpture outside the library at Trinity College

2009-01-10T08:06:21Z

Chuck
Sculpture outside the library at Trinity College

Gate at the entrance to St. Stephen's Green, a park in Dublin

2009-01-10T08:09:02Z

Chuck
Gate at the entrance to St. Stephen's Green, a park in Dublin

Grey Heron in St. Stephen's Green

2009-01-10T08:08:37Z

Chuck
Grey Heron in St. Stephen's Green

Gazebo, fountain, and flowers at the center of St. Stephen's Green

2009-01-10T08:05:07Z

Chuck
Gazebo, fountain, and flowers at the center of St. Stephen's Green

Statue of the Fates in St. Stephen's Green.

2009-01-10T06:20:19Z

Chuck
Statue of the Fates in St. Stephen's Green.

Flowers in St. Stephen's Green

2009-01-10T06:22:41Z

Chuck
Flowers in St. Stephen's Green

Statue of Molly Malone on a Dublin streetcorner

2009-01-10T08:08:09Z

Chuck
Statue of Molly Malone on a Dublin streetcorner

We took a tour of Croke Park, the fourth-largest stadium in Europe. It's the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association and is used primarily for hurling and Gaelic football.

2009-01-10T08:05:37Z

Chuck
We took a tour of Croke Park, the fourth-largest stadium in Europe. It's the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association and is used primarily for hurling and Gaelic football.

Note the Irish-language name of the stadium, Páirc an Chrócaigh, above this entrance.

2009-01-10T08:01:27Z

Chuck
Note the Irish-language name of the stadium, Páirc an Chrócaigh, above this entrance.

View from one of the upper stands at Croke Park.

2009-01-10T08:06:50Z

Chuck
View from one of the upper stands at Croke Park.

The Temple Bar area the night before St. Patrick's Day

2009-01-10T08:06:06Z

Chuck
The Temple Bar area the night before St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

2009-01-10T08:05:18Z

Chuck
St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

Carriage in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin

2009-01-10T08:03:05Z

Chuck
Carriage in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin

The Marching Illini in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

2009-01-10T08:03:58Z

Chuck
The Marching Illini in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

Performers in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

2009-01-10T08:01:01Z

Chuck
Performers in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

Performers in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

2009-01-10T07:58:52Z

Chuck
Performers in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

Owl balloon in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

2009-01-10T08:00:21Z

Chuck
Owl balloon in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

Dragon balloon in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

2009-01-10T08:01:06Z

Chuck
Dragon balloon in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

Cathedral High School (Indianapolis) Marching Band in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

2009-01-10T07:59:35Z

Chuck
Cathedral High School (Indianapolis) Marching Band in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Dublin

The Caffe Cagliostro in a region of Dublin that seemed to have a lot of Italian restaurants

2009-01-10T06:18:58Z

Chuck
The Caffe Cagliostro in a region of Dublin that seemed to have a lot of Italian restaurants

The Spire of Dublin behind the statue of Daniel O'Connell on O'Connell street, Dublin

2009-01-10T06:18:30Z

Chuck
The Spire of Dublin behind the statue of Daniel O'Connell on O'Connell street, Dublin

2009-01-10T08:00:52Z

Chuck

Temple Bar area the evening of St. Patrick's day. Note that it's still fairly early as it's still light out.

2009-01-10T08:03:41Z

Chuck
Temple Bar area the evening of St. Patrick's day. Note that it's still fairly early as it's still light out.

On the morning of the 18th, we rented a car and left Dublin. Our first stop was Kilkenny Castle. No pictures from the inside here, as they weren't allowed on the tour (in fact, we had to c ...

2009-01-10T08:01:20Z

Chuck
On the morning of the 18th, we rented a car and left Dublin. Our first stop was Kilkenny Castle. No pictures from the inside here, as they weren't allowed on the tour (in fact, we had to c ...

View of Kilkenny along the River Nore from the grounds of Kilkenny Castle

2009-01-10T06:20:26Z

Chuck
View of Kilkenny along the River Nore from the grounds of Kilkenny Castle

Garden outside Kilkenny Castle

2009-01-10T08:00:55Z

Chuck
Garden outside Kilkenny Castle

The Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick's Rock, seen approaching Cashel

2009-01-09T11:26:10Z

Chuck
The Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick's Rock, seen approaching Cashel

View approaching the Rock of Cashel

2009-01-10T08:02:06Z

Chuck
View approaching the Rock of Cashel

Ruins of the church at the Rock of Cashel

2009-01-10T08:02:14Z

Chuck
Ruins of the church at the Rock of Cashel

Ruins of the church at the Rock of Cashel. The oldest buildings on this site date to the 12th century, while the main church was built in the 13th.

2009-01-10T06:21:40Z

Chuck
Ruins of the church at the Rock of Cashel. The oldest buildings on this site date to the 12th century, while the main church was built in the 13th.

Ruins of an abbey in Cashel, seen from the Rock of Cashel. Throughout our trip we saw numerous ruins of churches and castles both in cities and dotting the countryside; if we had stopped at ...

2009-01-10T07:58:22Z

Chuck
Ruins of an abbey in Cashel, seen from the Rock of Cashel. Throughout our trip we saw numerous ruins of churches and castles both in cities and dotting the countryside; if we had stopped at ...

The Rock of Cashel also has a relatively recent (and still active) graveyard, with graves dating in the 18th-21st centuries.

2009-01-10T07:58:23Z

Chuck
The Rock of Cashel also has a relatively recent (and still active) graveyard, with graves dating in the 18th-21st centuries.

The largest marker in the graveyard, the Scully monument. The top was destroyed when it was struck by lightning in the late 20th century.

2009-01-10T08:01:29Z

Chuck
The largest marker in the graveyard, the Scully monument. The top was destroyed when it was struck by lightning in the late 20th century.

The remains of the Scully monument.

2009-01-10T08:00:01Z

Chuck
The remains of the Scully monument.

Graveyard at the Rock of Cashel, overlooking the Irish countryside

2009-01-10T07:57:18Z

Chuck
Graveyard at the Rock of Cashel, overlooking the Irish countryside

High cross in the graveyard at the Rock of Cashel

2009-01-10T08:02:49Z

Chuck
High cross in the graveyard at the Rock of Cashel

Ruins of the church at the Rock of Cashel

2009-01-10T08:00:08Z

Chuck
Ruins of the church at the Rock of Cashel

The Rock of Cashel lit at night

2009-01-10T08:00:17Z

Chuck
The Rock of Cashel lit at night

Me in front of Cahir Castle. The oldest part of the castle dates to the 12th century.

2009-01-10T07:59:42Z

Chuck
Me in front of Cahir Castle. The oldest part of the castle dates to the 12th century.

View from Cahir Castle, overlooking another tower of the castle towards the river Suir. This was my favorite castle of those we visited, as most of the castle was open for exploring without ...

2009-01-10T07:59:52Z

Chuck
View from Cahir Castle, overlooking another tower of the castle towards the river Suir. This was my favorite castle of those we visited, as most of the castle was open for exploring without ...

Dining hall in Cahir Castle

2009-01-10T08:00:02Z

Chuck
Dining hall in Cahir Castle

Courtyard of Cahir Castle

2009-01-10T08:03:29Z

Chuck
Courtyard of Cahir Castle

View of the countryside seen from part way up the Knockmealdown mountains

2009-01-10T06:20:27Z

Chuck
View of the countryside seen from part way up the Knockmealdown mountains

View of the countryside seen from part way up the Knockmealdown mountains

2009-01-10T06:19:50Z

Chuck
View of the countryside seen from part way up the Knockmealdown mountains

Matt and I at the Knockmealdown mountains

2009-01-10T08:03:36Z

Chuck
Matt and I at the Knockmealdown mountains

Sheep on the road. This wasn't the only one we saw, by far.

2009-01-10T08:01:08Z

Chuck
Sheep on the road. This wasn't the only one we saw, by far.

Stone bridge in a little park we pulled into.

2009-01-10T08:01:33Z

Chuck
Stone bridge in a little park we pulled into.

River flowing through the park

2009-01-10T06:23:13Z

Chuck
River flowing through the park

Lismore Castle. We didn't go in, since the castle isn't open to the public.

2009-01-09T14:46:52Z

Chuck
Lismore Castle. We didn't go in, since the castle isn't open to the public.

Lismore castle is, however, the birthplace of chemist Robert Boyle.

2009-01-10T08:01:36Z

Chuck
Lismore castle is, however, the birthplace of chemist Robert Boyle.

"The Jameson Experience" in Midleton, near Cork. Once used as a distillery for Jameson Irish Whiskey, it no longer functions as such but does have tours.

2009-01-10T06:13:49Z

Chuck
"The Jameson Experience" in Midleton, near Cork. Once used as a distillery for Jameson Irish Whiskey, it no longer functions as such but does have tours.

Water wheel at the Jameson distillery.

2009-01-10T06:28:14Z

Chuck
Water wheel at the Jameson distillery.

World's largest pot still. We're standing on the second floor here, but the pot extends through the floor and sits on the first floor.

2009-01-10T08:00:12Z

Chuck
World's largest pot still. We're standing on the second floor here, but the pot extends through the floor and sits on the first floor.

Robert's Cove, near Cork, which we drove to for no other reason than that it sounded interesting.

2009-01-10T08:01:16Z

Chuck
Robert's Cove, near Cork, which we drove to for no other reason than that it sounded interesting.

This is about all there is to the village of Robert's Cove.

2009-01-10T08:02:21Z

Chuck
This is about all there is to the village of Robert's Cove.

Dog in Robert's Cove

2009-01-10T06:20:08Z

Chuck
Dog in Robert's Cove

Blarney Castle

2009-01-10T08:02:48Z

Chuck
Blarney Castle

Me kissing the Blarney Stone, at the top of Blarney Castle.

2009-01-10T07:59:54Z

Chuck
Me kissing the Blarney Stone, at the top of Blarney Castle.

View of towers from the top of Blarney Castle.

2009-01-10T06:06:42Z

Chuck
View of towers from the top of Blarney Castle.

Tower at Blarney Castle.

2009-01-10T08:00:24Z

Chuck
Tower at Blarney Castle.

Wishing steps in the Rock Close, a set of rock formations on the grounds of Blarney Castle. Legend has it that if you walk up and down these steps, backwards, with your eyes closed, a wish ...

2009-01-10T08:01:28Z

Chuck
Wishing steps in the Rock Close, a set of rock formations on the grounds of Blarney Castle. Legend has it that if you walk up and down these steps, backwards, with your eyes closed, a wish ...

Tree with roots growing over a large rock in the Rock Close

2009-01-10T08:01:18Z

Chuck
Tree with roots growing over a large rock in the Rock Close

Witch's stone in the Rock Close. The witch who lives in the close is entrapped in this rock during the day, and only comes out at night.

2009-01-10T06:04:36Z

Chuck
Witch's stone in the Rock Close. The witch who lives in the close is entrapped in this rock during the day, and only comes out at night.

Sacrificial rock in the Rock Close. It's said that human sacrifices were performed by a pagan cult here.

2009-01-10T06:04:07Z

Chuck
Sacrificial rock in the Rock Close. It's said that human sacrifices were performed by a pagan cult here.

Rose in the garden on the grounds of Blarney Castle

2009-01-10T07:59:15Z

Chuck
Rose in the garden on the grounds of Blarney Castle

Another view of Blarney Castle

2009-01-10T08:01:07Z

Chuck
Another view of Blarney Castle

Bunratty Castle. We didn't go in this one, since we had already seen several castles, and admission to this (which included the adjoining folk park, a.k.a. living history museum) was rather ...

2009-01-10T06:18:10Z

Chuck
Bunratty Castle. We didn't go in this one, since we had already seen several castles, and admission to this (which included the adjoining folk park, a.k.a. living history museum) was rather ...

The Cliffs of Moher on Ireland's west coast.

2009-01-10T08:01:11Z

Chuck
The Cliffs of Moher on Ireland's west coast.

Here you can just make out people standing on the next cliff over, to give you an idea of the sense of scale. The cliffs are over 700 feet high at their highest point.

2009-01-10T08:00:10Z

Chuck
Here you can just make out people standing on the next cliff over, to give you an idea of the sense of scale. The cliffs are over 700 feet high at their highest point.

The Cliffs of Moher

2009-01-10T07:59:14Z

Chuck
The Cliffs of Moher

It was overcast and very windy when we were at the Cliffs of Moher. Here I am leaning into the wind.

2009-01-10T08:00:49Z

Chuck
It was overcast and very windy when we were at the Cliffs of Moher. Here I am leaning into the wind.

Another view of the Cliffs of Moher

2009-01-10T07:59:52Z

Chuck
Another view of the Cliffs of Moher

No comment.

2009-01-10T06:22:31Z

Chuck
No comment.

Looking down from the cliffs

2009-01-10T08:02:06Z

Chuck
Looking down from the cliffs

The tower in the upper right of this picture is where the picture of me leaning into the wind was taken.

2009-01-10T07:57:38Z

Chuck
The tower in the upper right of this picture is where the picture of me leaning into the wind was taken.

The Burren, a rocky landscape in western Ireland.

2009-01-10T08:01:39Z

Chuck
The Burren, a rocky landscape in western Ireland.

Ireland isn't all green!

2009-01-10T07:58:38Z

Chuck
Ireland isn't all green!

Galway

2009-01-10T07:56:26Z

Chuck
Galway

Swans in Galway

2009-01-10T06:16:01Z

Chuck
Swans in Galway

View of the Irish countryside as our plane took off

2009-01-10T07:58:03Z

Chuck
View of the Irish countryside as our plane took off

The Bruce Peninsula jutting into Lake Huron, seen from the airplane on my flight back. This was particularly interesting to me; the red circle in the lower left which I added is centered on ...

2009-01-10T01:21:39Z

Chuck
The Bruce Peninsula jutting into Lake Huron, seen from the airplane on my flight back. This was particularly interesting to me; the red circle in the lower left which I added is centered on ...

Chicago skyline seen from the air, shortly before landing. Want to see more? Matt's pictures from this trip are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattglasheen/sets/72157604303851932/.

2009-01-10T06:18:49Z

Chuck
Chicago skyline seen from the air, shortly before landing. Want to see more? Matt's pictures from this trip are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattglasheen/sets/72157604303851932/.