The Barren Burren and Sharing Night

Our final day of touring dawned with a light mist that ended by the time we got to our first stop – Poulnabrone. This a portal tomb dating back to 2500 to 2000 B.C. Despite its age, the standing stones are still upright and the capstone still on top. How people that long ago got the capstone up there is a mystery. We rode through the Burren, noting the contrast of the gray, cracked limestone areas with fields full of grass supporting cows. Lots of castle and church ruins here, too.
Our final destination was the visitor’s center at the Cliffs of Moher. The weather this trip was much more conducive to walking around and taking in the views than the last time we were here. The views looking down from the top are as breathtaking as what we had from below on the boat. The number of birds that nest in the cliffs is amazing. We kept looking for puffins, but only saw them when Dan went through the pictures he took.
Back at the hotel we dressed up just a little for our final group dinner, preceded by a short Moors and McCumber concert. After, we met as a group in a circle and each shared what was his or her most meaningful part of the trip. We have made 25 new friends and I’m sure we’ll see at least some of them again. This was the absolute BEST way to see Ireland.