Spring Break, Part 2

Bob and the older kids loved our pictures of the Birds of Prey Center, so we took them there to see the birds themselves.

The staff explained that they like to rotate the birds they exhibit each day so that they all get a chance to fly and be out of their cages. That means we got to see three different birds than we did the last time. The first one was a crested caracara named Raul. The caracara has a bill like a hawk, but is in the same family as a falcon.

Next up was a vulture. It was an enormous bird, and when it flew right over our heads (there was a stand just behind us) we could feel the wind from its very long wings.

The third bird was a falcon, very similar to the one we saw on the first visit. Only the trainers hold them because they are a little skittish. Watching this one fly was truly amazing! It went so fast that we could barely see it as it dove to catch the bait the trainer was using.

The next day we braved the elements and ventured a little farther from home to see several famous attractions in County Clare. The first was the Cliffs of Moher. It was very impressive and beautiful! We had planned to take a boat trip to one of the Aran Islands and view the Cliffs from the boat, but rough seas canceled the boat trip and we had to settle for a land view, but it was worth the trip.

It was very cold and windy! We could barely hear each other over the sound of the wind and waves. Maybe the boat being canceled was a good thing!

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After the cliffs, we went to The Burren Center, a small museum that combined the science and history of the The Burren region of County Clare. It also had an adorable cafe that served a delicious lunch!

Just next to The Burren Center was Kilfenora Cathedral. This cathedral was built in 1189 on the site of an earlier monastery. It was dedicated to St. Fachtnan and is famous for having several well-preserved high crosses, such as this one. Another interesting fact is that the Bishop of Kilfenora is the Pope.

Our last stop of the day, quite close to the house, was Corcomroe Abbey. This abbey was founded in 1195 by Cistercian monks, who chose this spot for its remote location and fertile land. Its patron was Conor O’Brien, king of Thomond, an ancient kingdom in southern Ireland.

The architecture was beautiful. According to the plaques on the wall, there are several carvings in the abbey that are not found elsewhere in Europe. The cemetery on the grounds is still in use by local families. The abbey was in use until the mid-1500’s.

Sunset of the last day with everyone here.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Just after breakfast they headed to the airport, and just like that, spring break was over. How did seven days go so fast?

Everyone arrived home safely and jumped right back into their routines of school and work.

The rest of us here were a little sad, so we went for a nice long walk…

…and got an ice cream!

This wonderful little ice cream store is at the far end of the 8km walk along the shore by the house. It is owned by a local family that runs a dairy farm, so the milk and cream come right from the cows in the field outside! Delicious!

We are all so thankful for a wonderful spring break week and the whole family being together again.