These were the days my friends... 21 June, 2005

I left Danno & Marcie Solstice morning and made my way out of Northern Ireland and back to my sweet, non-smoking Republic. As was my want I checked out a few of the sights that aren't on the maps. As I drove through Donegal I saw a sign that said "Passage Tomb". Curious, I followed the signs.

This was a passage tomb I found outside somewhere near Sligo. There were a few of these tombs scattered along the hilltops of Carrowkeel. You had to go through a fence, along a rutted, stone path, past the sheep and up to the top of the hill but the trip was well worth it.

This tomb had a wonderful view of the Co. Donegal (I call this...a tomb with a view...) and one can only imagine the time, effort and kind of community respect that the ancient people had for the passing of life that would have them cut stone and carry rock to make these tombs.

The insides were just as impressive...



After a bit more driving I drove into Donegal city only to discover a gorgeous old friary where it is said that one of The Four Masters once resided. This friary sat right along Donegal bay just outside the city. The ruins were impressive and one could easily imagine the monks working and worshipping the day away in such a place.


I had noticed this on the way to Derry and so when I found the sign that said, "Yeats Country" on my return trip I knew I had to stop. The sign led me to an old cathedral. Within the cemetery just outside the cathedral did lie himself. Its said that his great-grandfather was rector of the church, too.

Solstice in Mountshannon.
It took longer than I realized to make my way back to Mountshannon but make it I did. Luckily, the summer days in Ireland last quite a long time and since this was the longest day of the year I knew I was safe. I got back to the house and gathered up Dad and the kids and we headed out to celebrate the solstice.


We found our own little private dolmen just a few kilometers away. Its not exactly the Burren dolmen but it was all ours for the night. The girls, Emer and Laoise helped to celebrate the last day of the summer sun with sparklers and everyone did a little dance.

That's Laoise on the left and Emer on the right. And we're all convinced that's a faerie ring in the background...We laid a bouquet of flowers and a message of peace in the dolmen and slogged our way back out of the bog.
Point of Interest: This shot was taken without a flash at about 10:pm.