Ireland, 2010 - Quin Abbey

Quin Abbey was built between 1402 and 1433 by Sioda Cam MacNamara. According to the care-taker, it was built to pay tribute to God for having saved MacNamara's son from drowning in a near-by lake.




An impressive grave marker in the cemetery.


The cloisters.



Just one of many intriguing staircases in the abbey. We did get a bit lost while exploring the abbey, which is free to the public (as are all the others I've posted about so far), and visitors can roam about to their heart's content.



This is one of the upper-level rooms. It's strange to climb a few sets of stairs and seen green grass when you emerge.



A school tour arrived as we were finishing up. They were not allowed on the upper levels, so I teased them a bit.

Ireland, 2010 - Clare Abbey

Clare Abbey is just a few miles from Shannon Airport, and right off the highway, but it's like another world in the abbey ruins. I like ruins.




Some say there are spirits lurking among the stones. Some of them are kinda cute.


A raven perched atop the abbey wall.

Ireland, 2010 - Dysert O'Dea

Wildflowers on the walk from Dysert O'Dea castle to the monastery ruins.


The monastery.



Steps set into the stone wall. Access to the monastery from the pasture.



The Monk's Tower with the monastery on the left, ca 12th century. The castle was built in 1480.
Monastery interior arches.


Later ruins on the O'Dea archaeological trail. The site is so pristine that we felt like the first visitors since it fell to ruins. We did see one other group of tourists that day.


Leaving O'Dea, the road to the Burren.

Ireland, 2010 - Dysert O'Dea

A few photos from our trip to West Clare this June. Our first day-trip was to Dysert O'Dea castle, just south of Corofin.

Castle interior.



Views from the top of the castle.



The castle from a near-by pasture.

More to come...