Ireland, Day 2, June 10

The bottoms of the cross bases were hollowed out and used as safes for valuables. The valuables would be tucked under the cross when the raiders drew near. After the raid was over, the inhabitants were allowed to return to the castle and they were able to retrieve the valuables. Below is one of the oldest crosses in Ireland. It's a replica, of course. The real one is inside the castle.

An old fresco. It's gorgeous in person. It has fallen off the walls due to the humidity over the centuries.

An old graveyard. This is also an active graveyard. There are a very few people allowed to be buried here because the ground is so rocky. Only a handful of people were able to sign up several years ago, and they have gradually been passing away and buried here.

The lady I asked to take this photo did not speak English. I only found that out after she had my camera in her hands. I think 'photographia' gets the point across, no matter what romance language you speak. But it does explain why we are teeny-tiny in this picture.

This lovely castle is the castle at the Rock of Cashel. Legend says that when God banished the devil from heaven, the devil flew over Ireland looking for a place to live. As the devil flew over this part of Ireland, he took a bite out of the land, and dropped it here. The Rock of Cashel is the result of this bite.

(See that rock on the ground? That chunk fell out of the tower to the left during a thunderstorm in the late 1800s. Some thunderstorm.)

The Castle Cashel was built at the zenith of the pile of rocks. The views from up here were amazing. It was easy to see why this spot was seen as an ideal place to build a defensive structure. This view is from the walls looking toward the city of Cashel below.

My sweet husband in front of Castle Cashel. Me by the sign at the bottom of the Castle Cashel. I said it was built on a hill, right? It was a pretty steep climb.

The majority of the structures were built in the 12th and 13th centuries. They are being restored right now due to damage from mold and mildew. The roof is made of limestone, and over the centuries the water has been soaked into the walls and roof structures. The frescoes popped off the walls because of this. They are doing (experimental) repair of the walls and roof.

I enjoy history, so hope you enjoy your history lesson(s). There's more to come. :)

Sorry about all the photos. There's too many good ones to cut out!!