Beyond the Pale
Photo Gallery - Ireland 2016
Sara and Martha walk a path in the Burren. It wasn't a particularly cold day, but it was breezy and chilly on the exposed high ground of the Burren.
The Burren is a unique limestone land mass in Co Clare, Ireland. Its unusual ecology supports arctic, Mediterranean and alpine plants side by side.
The Poulnbrone megalithic tomb is one of more than 90 megalithic tombs which survive in the Burren and is probably the best preserved. Archeologists have dated its origins to between 4200 BC and 2900 BC. The remains of 33 persons were found beneath it.
The Poulnabrone dolmen was constructed by ancient people to commemorate their dead.
The landscape of the Burren resembles cracked pavement -- the large pieces are known as clints and the crevices between them are called grikes.
At the time of our visit (mid-May), the Burren was in bloom with many interesting wild flowers. I believe this is bird's foot trefoil.
Early purple orchid, in bloom on the Burren, Co Clare
Poulnabrone Dolmen
Geologic "pools" are etched in the limestone by slightly acidic rainwater. These are known as karmenitza.
Annis stands at the site of the Poulnobrone Dolmen in the Burren, Co Clare
Molly at the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a megalithic portal tomb in the Burren, Co Clare
A section of limestone "pavement" in the Burren. In ancient times, this landscape had sufficient topsoil to support farming. Megalithic people lived on the heights of the Burren and left their mark in the form of tomb sites and stone fences -- more than 5,000 years old.
A view of the Burren from a distance.
A view of Ballyvaughn Bay from a vantage point in the Burren
Ballyvaughn Bay in the distance, viewed from the overlook on the corkscrew drive up into the Burren
Martha, Sara and Annis with Ballyvaughn Bay in the background
Molly, Sara and Annis with Ballyvaughn Bay in the background
At the Cliffs of Moher. Photo by Annis Householder.
Flowers growing among the moss in the stone walls on the drive up from Ballyvaughn Bay
As we started up the path to the Cliffs of Moher, I turned to take a photo of my sisters helping Mom navigate the wheelchair up the path. Then I realized that the image looks like they are mugging Mom and trying to take her purse! Sara suggested we could post it on Facebook and tell everyone "Mom's paying for everything on our trip!"
The Cliffs of Moher -- 700 feet of sheer drop to the Atlantic Ocean
The Cliffs of Moher
Even on "calm" days, the surf crashing at the base of the Cliffs of Moher is impressive.
O'Brien's Tower, built in 1835 by Sir Cornellius O'Brien, marks the highest point on the Cliffs of Moher. On a clear day, the view from the tower allows sight of the mountains of Kerry to the south and Twelve Bens in Connemara to the north.
O'Brien's Tower at the Cliffs of Moher. Photo by Martha Clark.
From left: Annis, Sara, Molly and Martha with Roberta at the Cliffs of Moher
Photo from 1992 - Steve and Martha, looking over the sheer drop (700 feet) at the Cliffs of Moher
Martha at the Cliffs - photo from August 1992
Steve, at the edge of the Cliffs - photo from August 1992
Photo from 1992 - Steve at the edge of the Cliffs of Moher
The Doolin Bay with its impressive surf
The waves at Doolin are notoriously dangerous. A week before our visit, an American tourist who went too far out on the rocks was caught by a rogue wave, thrown back on the rocks and seriously injured.
We were awed by the power of the waves at Doolin, which -- even from a distance -- were impressive.
The churning surf at Doolin, with the Aran Islands visible on the horizon. Photo by Annis Householder.
Doonagore Castle at Doolin - a fairytale place (privately owned.) The tower dates to the 16th Century.
Doonagore Castle near Doolin
Doonagore Castle, near Doolin, Co Clare
Martha in Co Clare (reminiscent of a similar photo from 1992 in Co Mayo)
Martha Clark. Photo from 1992 in Co Mayo
Doonagore Castle, near Doolin
Castle Doonagore. Photo by Annis Householder
Near Doolin -- the village is out of view, nestled closer to the coast
On the drive north from Doolin, along the western coast of Ireland
On the drive along the coast north of Doolin -- rock climbers on the top. Photo by Annis Householder.
Linnane's Seafood Bar at New Quay (between Ballyvaugh and Kinvara) -- highly recommended!
From left: Molly, Sara, Roberta, Annis and Martha -- at Linnane's Seafood Bar in New Quay