Clonmacnoise, Trim Castle.

Our third Saint Mary's trip began at the monastery of Clonmacnoise, (pronounced as it looks). When we arrived at the site we watched a short film about the history of the monastery, during which the narrator enthusiastically described how Clonmacnoise has been a site "frequently used for prayer, teaching, and even rape and murder!" They were consistently attacked by the Vikings and Normans, and every time they would rebuild what was destroyed they were attacked and robbed again.

Here is a part of the monastery. There was also a very large cemetery all around the area.

Megan R. and I once again accidentally found ourselves in a position to take another lovely portrait like the one at Tara that we loved so much. I have a feeling this will be a theme on our trips.

Sitting in one of the doorways.

The sun was bright on this trip, and we ended up taking many candid closeups of each other. Because getting nice pictures with the bright sun proved difficult, we embraced the opportunity for more unique, unflattering shots.

A second angle, as if the first wasn't enough.

Our shadows. Megan R., Me, then Meagan D.


In order to avoid spreading the plague, they created this archway for confessions. You could whisper very quietly on one end, and hear everything perfectly clear on the other. It was very cool.



Then we thought it would be fun to try whispering our confessions into other rocks and walls to see if it had the same effect. It didn't work.

Before we left Clonmacnoise, Roberta, the SMC advisor in Ireland, caught us taking what she called a "desperate picture." That is until we pointed out to her how masculine the women's bathroom sign was. Then she appreciated it as much as we did. Now whenever we have to use the restroom we say in our manliest, most aggressive voices that we have to go to the "powder room!"


On our way to the next site we traveled through many small towns and down empty country roads, as is usual on our trips. This time we had to slow down quite a bit to get around an accident that I thought captured the quaint, country feel of Ireland:



Once we got to Trim Castle we learned that it was the largest castle in Ireland. We were shown all of the defense techniques, and there were some cool models of the castle and it's renovations through the centuries that we could see before we were led through the tour.


A very nice picture, thank you once again Miss Meagan Drone.


Here are a few different views of the inside of the castle as we were led up to the balcony.

Apparently Braveheart was filmed in this castle as well. I don't blame them, the inside was very cinematic.


We were led through the castle up and down winding "trip steps." These stairs were designed to make it difficult for attackers to run up, not only because they were narrow stairs, but because they were all at different heights and widths to confuse enemies running in the darkness. Even in the light, however, they were very difficult to walk up and down.

You could see little bird feet walking around on the ceiling! For anyone who knows me, you would know this was obviously one of my favorite parts of the tour.

There was a love message written on the wall in Gaelic from one of the Lords at the time to his wife. How romantic!

Every view from the balcony, which surrounded the entire castle, was incredible!

Here is Megan R. and I on one side of the balcony, taken my Meagan D. on the other.

The amazing Irish countryside, more than a picture could capture.


Beautiful view of the scenery.


Megan R. and I descending the dangerous trip steps as carefully as possible!

I don't know what happened here. I was very excited about a picture with Castle Street, but everything was happening so fast I ended up posing with super awkward hands. I demanded a new chance at the picture, as you can see below:

And Meagan D. insisted upon wrecking my second chance at a perfectly good photograph of me and Castle Street.

This restaurant was across the street from Trim Castle. This was the second take. The first take, as you can see below, didn't turn out the way I expected. The girls were cracking up, and I couldn't figure out why, until I turned around and saw the man run back behind the counter of the restaurant!

This is my favorite picture of the day! I went inside, introduced myself and told him that my last name was Castle, which is why I was taking a picture in front of his restaurant. It was a very funny way to end our trip.

Sláinte!