Running around in Ireland

1 October 2011

Like anyone NEEDS a reason to go to Ireland, but I signed up for a half marathon in Galway on October 1st to give me a good reason to go! 

We flew into Dublin and spent the night there near the Temple Bar.  The next morning we took the Luas tram into downtown and walked around.

We walked to Trinity College.  The campus is beautiful and it was so fun being back in a college atmosphere. 

The real reason to go there was to see the Book of Kells.  Which is a manuscript of the first four books of the bible that were transcribed by Celtic monks around 800AD.  It is beautifully painted and intricately decorated in Celtic artwork. 

The Long Room of the library holds an incredible collection of books and manuscripts.  Not to mention the room itself is gorgeous. 

From Trinity College, we walked through St. Stephen's Green to St. Patrick's Cathedral. 

St. Patrick's

Christ Church Cathedral

I loved these colored doors and ivy. 

That afternoon we drove to Galway to get settled before the race.  We had a nice evening at a pub and turned in early.  We were awakened by a "hen party" trying to get in our room around 4am.  At least the race didn't start until 11am.  So I braved the cool 55F overcast weather and ran my first half marathon.  I beat my target time by 6 minutes!  Chris was supposed to run with me, but he had a bit of bad luck when his ankle lost a fight with some some stairs so he was out of running commission.  After the race I got cleaned up and we had a good lunch of fish and chips Then we headed for the coast to the Cliffs of Moher.

They are beautiful even in cloudy weather. 

We could see the Aran Islands, but sadly no Puffins. 

On the way back to Galway.

The next morning we took a little detour on our way back to Dublin through Athenry. 

Dominican Cathedral first built in 1241.

Athenry Castle built before 1240. 
Galway and Ireland in general were so beautiful.  I can't wait to go back and spend more time there.