August 21, 2012

Dysert O'Dea

St. Tola's High Cross

After a few days in Ireland, we learned to slow down and enjoy what we were currently seeing. This was not one of those days. We did not walk the few steps from the car park to see the High Cross up close or a little further to see the Round Tower. Just photographed them from the top of the castle. The high cross at Dysert O'Dea is referred to as Tola's Cross, Crusha Baunala or "the cross of blessing". It is from the 11th or 12th century, however, and there is no direct connect between the saint and this particular, late, high cross although one of the figures on the cross appears to be that of a bishop, perhaps St. Tola. St. Tola was the patron saint of "toothaches", the cross had a portion that could be taken out and was placed near the tooth in order to assist in healing. Dysert O'Dea Castle, Corrofin, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Dísert O'Dea, Cora Finne, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/5.6, 1/500 second, ISO 250.

Dysert O'Dea Church and Round Tower

I wish we had gone over to really look at it! The Dysert O'Dea monastic site is home to the Dysert O'Dea Church and the remains of a round tower. The church contains many long forgotten graves with some lovely crosses. The most interesting parts of the church are the east window, which is made up of three tall arches, and the beautifully carved doorway, made of four arches. The most significant arch is the first one, which is made of many faces (humans, dogs, and birds). The other three, inner, arches are carved with different patterns. The round tower survives as a five meter stump. The doorway is present near the top of the stump and there are two arrow-slit windows at ground level. Dysert O'Dea Castle, Corrofin, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Dísert O'Dea, Cora Finne, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/5.6, 1/400 second, ISO 400.

Dysert O'Dea Castle

Dysert O'Dea Castle, a tower house, was built in 1480 by Diarmuid O’Dea, Lord of Cineal Fearmaic. The uppermost floors and staircase were badly damaged by the Cromwellians in 1651. Repaired and opened to the public in 1986. When we arrived, a storm was about to hit. Before we could exit the car, the downpour began. We waited it out even though it didn't look like it would get much better, during a little lull, we quickly got out and ran to the door. By the time we got to the top of the tower, the sun was out and shining. Welcome to Ireland! Dysert O'Dea Castle, Corrofin, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Dísert O'Dea, Cora Finne, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/11, 1/200 second, ISO 200.

County Clare

County Clare

Between Kilfenora (Cill Fhionnúrach) and Ennistimon (Inis Diomáin) looking toward Lough Goller. I stitched three photos together to create this panoramic shot. County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/10, 1/400 second, ISO 200.

County Clare

Between Kilfenora (Cill Fhionnúrach) and Ennistimon (Inis Diomáin) looking toward Lough Goller. The play of light from the broken clouds on the varying shades of green was captivating enough that we stopped just to photograph it. County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/10, 1/400 second, ISO 200.

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher (AKA, The Cliffs of Insanity). The obligatory shot that all tourists get. Derreen, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Aillte an Mhothair, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/8, 1/250 second, ISO 200.

O'Brien's Tower

O'Brien's Tower is a round stone tower near the midpoint of the Cliffs of Moher built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien to impress female visitors. From the cliffs and from atop the watchtower, visitors can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges to the north in County Galway, and Loop Head to the south. Derreen, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Aillte an Mhothair, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/11, 1/500 second, ISO 200.

Cliffs of Moher

The iconic shot of the sheer vertical Cliffs of Moher ending in the water is what you always see. I really found the view to the north to be more interesting! Derreen, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Aillte an Mhothair, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/7.1, 1/200 second, ISO 200.

Newtown Castle

Newtown Castle

Newtown Castle was built circa 1550 for the O'Brien clan. It is one of only a few cylindrical tower houses in the area. In all of Ireland, only around 30 of the roughly 3,000 tower houses are round. In addition, Newtown Castle features an unusual pyramidal base, which makes it unique in all of Ireland. The tower has four upper floors. The ground floor and first floor feature vaulted ceilings. We took a little detour from the beaten path because we could see this castle. Knockatian, The Burren, County Clare, Munster, Ireland, (Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/8, 1/250 second, ISO 200.

The Burren

Karst Dome

The Burren (meaning "great rock") is a karst-landscape region in northwest County Clare. It is one of the largest karst landscapes in Europe. The region measures approximately 250 square kilometers and is enclosed roughly within the circle made by the villages Ballyvaughan, Kinvara, Tubber, Corofin, Kilfenora and Lisdoonvarna. It is bounded by the Atlantic and Galway Bay on the west and north, respectively. Knockatian, The Burren, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Boireann, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/8, 1/250 second, ISO 200.

Grike and Clints

The Burren (meaning "great rock") is a karst-landscape region in northwest County Clare. It is one of the largest karst landscapes in Europe. The rolling hills of the Burren are composed of limestone pavements with criss-crossing cracks known as "grikes", leaving isolated rocks called "clints". The Burren, County Clare, Munster, Ireland, (Boireann, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/8, 1/250 second, ISO 200.

Grikes and Clints

The Burren (meaning "great rock") is a karst-landscape region in northwest County Clare. It is one of the largest karst landscapes in Europe. The rolling hills of the Burren are composed of limestone pavements with criss-crossing cracks known as "grikes", leaving isolated rocks called "clints". The Burren is a fascinating place I where would like to spend more time.  When we visited, the wildflowers were pretty well gone for the year, so we missed some of the most gorgeous aspects.  Would definitely like to return and spend more time wandering around and discovering more of what makes this such an unusual place. The Burren, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Boireann, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/10, 1/400 second, ISO 200.

Poulnabrone Megalithic Tomb

Pied Wagtail

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii). A small, long-tailed and rather sprightly black and white bird. When not standing and frantically wagging its tail up and down it can be seen dashing about over lawns or car parks in search of food. It frequently calls when in its undulating flight. This description pretty well sums up this specimen we found at the car park. Poulnabrone Megalithic Tomb (dolmen), Caherconnell, The Burren, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Poll na mBrón, Boireann, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/6.3, 1/640 second, ISO 200.

Poulnabrone Megalithic Tomb

Poulnabrone Megalithic Tomb (dolmen). Poulnabrone dolmen is a portal tomb, dating back to the Neolithic period, probably between 4200 BC and 2900 BC. Portal tombs are found all over Ireland. The ones in the Burren are unique in that they use flat stones such as are found in that area. Others use much more massive stones, although most are substantially smaller in scale than this one. Caherconnell, The Burren, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Poll na mBrón, Boireann, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/9, 1/320 second, ISO 200.

The Burren

The combination of Burren karst meadow, pasture, and stone fencerows (no shortage of stones here) makes a vey interesting pastoral scene. Caherconnell, The Burren, County Clare, Munster, Republic of Ireland, (Poll na mBrón, Boireann, Contae an Chláir, an Mhumhain, Éire), August 21, 2012. f/9, 1/320 second, ISO 200.