Boyne Valley and Trim

Wednesday morning after breakfast we headed out to the airport to pick up our car. Kev was nervous about driving, but I assured him he could do it. The cab driver let him sit up front and gave him pointers. The rental car company didn't give us the compact car they described over the phone. It was more like a Camry and was supposed to be the size of a Corolla.  We rented the mifi so we could use the maps on our phones and have access to Internet the rest of our trip. (The B&Bs had wifi and lits of cafes and pubs, but we were able to use this walking down the streets.)

We got on the motorway heading north to the Boyne Valley. Once we took the exit we realized that the blue dot on our maps was not keeping up with us, so we followed the signs the best we could.
We did make it to Boiyne Visitors Center and they took us to see Newgrange. Newgrange is a Stone Age monument that was constructed over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.) during the Neolithic period, which makes it older than Stonehenge and Great Pyramids of Giza. Newgrange is a large circular mound with a stone passageway and chambers inside. It was built by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, however Newgrange is now recognized to be an Ancient Temple. It is part of a complex of monuments built along a bend of the River Boyne known collectively as Brú na Bóinne.  Knowth (the largest) and Dowth were not open this time of the year.

We had a wonderful lunch at the cafe in the visitors center before heading out.

We  planned on seeing the sights in Slain on our way to Trim, but like I said we were flustered and just kept going. Driving along the small country roads with no street signs. At onepoint I was in tears and told Kev we were tking the car back in the morning and going home. A little dramatic I know.  After turning around many times, we finally made it to Trim.

It took us a minute to find teh B&B. The street it was on was not the street address list on teh website. After driving down the road several times. I got out to walk and find it. I went up to the house that I thought it was by looking at the dot on the map and I almost got bitten by the dog. I ran a street over and it was there. I guess the address listed was a back entrance. On arrival at the Highfield house, Geraldine greeted us with coffee and fresh scones. We chatted for a few minutes in the parlor before going up to our room. The room was very spacious and lovely.

 

  

The view of Trim from our room.

Once settled, we walked along the Boyne River looking at the mid evil ruins.

  

Trim Castle

Yellow Steeple

Sheep Gate

This beautiful flower called Golden Yellow Gorse grew everywhere.

We stopped at Regan's to have a drink.It is a small traditional pub located at St. Peter’s Bridge. It claims to be Ireland’s second oldest pub. In the background you can see the ruins of St John’s Priory. It was nice to relax  in front of a warm fire and listen to the locals chat away at the bar after the hustle and bustle of Dublin. They also were one of the six pubs in Ireland that carried Smithwick's Blonde, which was delicious.

Trim Castle all lit up at night.

 

By the time we walked back to town most restaurants were done serving, so we grabbed a bite from a take out place.

I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to see Slain, but like I said it was crazy and Kev and I didn't need to be frustrated with each other. If we ever get the chance to go back we will definitely visit Trim again and stay at the Highfield House.