Cliffs of Moher...

Next up on our tour of Ireland is the Cliffs of Moher.  Here is a little tidbit about them:

The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top visitor attractions. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South. The Cliffs of Moher take their name from a ruined promontory fort “Mothar” which was demolished during the Napoleonic wars to make room for a signal tower.
*source: http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/

O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs.  The tower was built in 1835 by local landlord Cornelius O'Brien as a viewing point for the tourists that even then were flocking to the Cliffs. On a clear day the view can extend as far as Loop Head at the southern tip of Clare and beyond to the mountains of Kerry. Look north and you might make out the Twelve Bens in Connemara (also known as the Twelve Pins) beyond Galway Bay. And unless it's visibility is very low you are almost sure to see the three Aran Islands to the west. 

The Aill na Searrach wave view point is at O'Briens Tower. Aill na Searrach is the place where the 40ft wave raises it's head several times a year. Surfers can be seen surfing the wave from this point.
*source: http://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/

Aftermath of Hurricane Irene...

I'll take it (view from my window).

A Beautiful Baby Boy is Born...

At 5:52am on Tuesday, August 16th, two of the best people I know welcomed their first newborn son into the world.  I'd like to introduce you to little Raymond Vincent, one of the cutest baby boys on the planet!  I was so happy to get to spend an afternoon with the little guy.

He's so tiny!

A mother and her son...

And this wouldn't be complete without a photo in his daddy's work hat...

The future the FDNY...

Bonding...

This photo was taken by my very awesome sister, Jaime.

St. John's Church in Knockainey

St. John's is the church located directly across from the street from my husband's aunt and uncle's bar.  I didn't get a chance to go inside the church but that didn't stop me from appreciating its beauty.  Here's a little tidbit I was able to find on the church.

St. Johns Church in Knockainey is one of Ireland most historical rural church. The church bell tower dates from circa 1600, and the 19th century church has beautiful stained glass windows, excellent acoustics, 17th century underground vaults and a graveyard containing centuries of mausolea. (http://www.ballyhouracountry.com).

Free as a bird...

A Glimpse into Hospital Co. Limerick...

So I've decided while posting all these photos from my recent trip to Ireland, I should give you a little history lesson about them.  And by history lesson, I mean giving you some info off of Wikipedia.

Your lesson today... Hospital, Co. Limerick.

Hospital (Irish: An tOspidéal) is a town in east County Limerick, Ireland. The town itself has a population of 1206 people as of the 2006 census but within a 2 km radius that number more than doubles.

The town acquired its name from the crusading Knights Hospitaller who built the archaeologically significant cathedral here in 1215. This cathedral has the remains of three interesting tombs, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Hospital is one of the Limerick's larger towns, and hosts a number of retail outlets and businesses. The town's secondary school was completed in 2000 and has over 650 students.  There is also a new primary school which was completed in the summer of 2004. Hospital is also home to one of Limerick's youthreach schools. The town also has its own GAA club (Hospital-Herbertstown GAA club)where they are joined with the village of Herbertstown. Limerick captain Damien Reale is a member of the club. There is also a soccer club in the town called Hospital Crusaders. Other recreational bodies include the local tennis and handball clubs.

I loved all the colors on the houses here...

Hospital Community Hall...

A local school (actually the very same school my father-in-law attended)...

A local bakery...

Sunset on the farm...

A Visit to an Old, Abandoned Church...

On the way back from horse riding somewhere in the green fields of Ireland, we decided on a whim to stop and take a look around at this old church.  This is Moor Abbey.  Here is a little history lesson

"Moor Abbey, otherwise known as Galbally, was originally founded by Donough O'Brien in the 13th century, but was apparantly re-founded in 1471, although plundered in the following year.  It was suppressed in 1540.  Shortly after 1570 the friars who had remained on in the building were massacred."

People say that you can still see the ghosts of those friars when you go inside the church.  We were not part of the lucky few, but what I did see was a beautiful one structure.

View from the outside entrance...

View from the inside:

A beautiful view from one of the "windows" (I say that in quotes because I am not sure if this was once an actual window or something else):

Entrance to the upstairs part of the church:

 The beautiful landscape surrounding the church: