Newgrange

The Frank Delaney book, Ireland, A Novel opens with a traditional Irish storyteller’s tale of “The Architect of Newgrange” inspired us to want to start our journey through Ireland with a visit to this 5,200 year old Neolithic monument to the ancestors. What we didn’t realize was the need to start at the Visitor’s Center to get tickets for the bus ride and guided tour. We got to see this ancient passage tomb from a distance before making the trip to the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre to learn there were no more tickets available for today. We did get to see a brief documentary and to walk through the museum. And we gratefully availed ourselves of the opportunity to get some pick me up beverages and a slice of orange cake to share four ways. Although we would have loved to take the tour we definitely appreciated the chance to ponder the deep human history of this island.