2024 Ireland Adventures - Northern Island Tour Part 5

 Here it is: The last day. I woke up feeling a little sad because it was my last day in Ireland, but then I pushed it aside and tried not to think about it. Besides, we had another full slate of activities.

I was looking forward to seeing Down Cathedral since it is the burial place of St. Patrick. And it just so happens that Sts. Columba and Brigid are also said to be buried here, fulfilling a prophecy by St. Columba that all 3 of the Patron Saints of Ireland would be buried together. And they were, but then the cemetery was desecrated with bones being strewn all over the cemetery. So, with that interesting tidbit, there is a stone to commemorate their burial in the graveyard...somewhere.

The baptismal font was the base of a cross from the 10th or 11th century

St. Patrick Window

Tile mosaics in the floor were designed after the Book of Kells

18th Century Organ

Close up of the stained glass behind the altar

We were treated to a presentation; I wish I had taken notes!

A replica of the Town Cross. The original is in the museum in Down.

The stone commemorating the burial place of Saints Patrick, Brigid, and Columba

Down Cathedral is now in the hands of the Church of Ireland. 

A replica of St. Patrick's Cross

The plan after Down Cathedral was to take a ferry across Carlingford Lough, except when we got there we discovered the ferry wasn't running. So, Tomás went to Plan B. He said it added a little bit of time, but it ended up being quite a find. Warrenpoint was a really charming town where we had lunch and then some time to wander around town. 

This is a great name for an inn right on the water. It's pronounced "Lock and Key"

Monument to the people who travelled from this point to New Brunswick, Canada during the famine. 

We met a couple more friends! This little one's owner was Australian; she was living in Warrenpoint.

We found a church! This is a St. Peter's Catholic Church. It was stunning.

I always like to look at the Stations of the Cross on the wall. Every Catholic Church has them.

Beautiful Celtic Cross in the floor.

The side of the altar was stunning.

A side altar

Looking back to the choir loft. I've never seen a ceiling in a church like this one.

The stained glass in the door was gorgeous.

St. Peter took 6 years to build; it was finished in 1840.

Our next stop was a detour. Tomás said this was a place he always wanted to go to so it was quite a treat to be able to walk up the hill at Flagstaff Point and reflect on this trip while taking in the beautiful Irish scenery for the last time.

The whole group

M, Tomás, and me with Warrenpoint in the background

A view of Warrenpoint

Slieve Foy

A view of sheep in a field as I looked through a hole in the stone fence

Our last stop was Monasterboice which was a monastery named for St. Buite. He died in 521 AD but the buildings that were there when he was alive are no longer here. The round tower is said to be the oldest building as well as the high crosses, dating back to the 10th century.

First View

Muiredach's Cross: the finest High Cross in Ireland

The attention to detail is incredible

View of the Round Tower

I believe this is the West Cross, the tallest High Cross

The North Cross is the oldest and plainest of the 3 High Crosses. Part of the shaft was replaced but the original is inside the gate along with a sundial.

We thought that was a perfect way to end our time in Ireland. Tomás dropped us off at our hotel where we said our goodbyes and I tried not to cry. (I hate goodbyes!) Our plan was to share the shuttle to the airport since our flights were supposed to leave around the same time. But, M's flight ended up leaving a couple of hours later than the original time, so I navigated the airport and customs by myself. I love that when you leave Dublin, you clear customs before you get on the plane so when you land in the USA, it's like it's a domestic flight. It was sad to say goodbye to Ireland once again.