Killaloe

After the usual routine of class, we took cars out to Killaloe (KILL-A-LOO), a small town on Lough (Lake) Derg about 25 minutes outside of Limerick (the Shannon River runs into the lough). It was, for sure, an absolutely gorgeous lake town—as my pictures suggest. Thankfully the weather cooperated, though it sprinkled a bit on the way back. The cathedral—where the picture to the right is from—dated back to the 12th century, though the origins of it date back from a few centuries earlier. King Brian Boru made the area on top of the hill, where another church now stands (here, the picture of the cometary, below) the de facto capital of Ireland some 200 years earlier. With a steep hill on either side, both running down to the river, it must have been a formidable fortification in its day.

We sat over looking the river and had a lecture on the EU's transition into a single currency. The town was truly the idyllic example of the Irish towns I imagined; little shops and pubs lined the winding streets, and many beautiful houses were perched on the hillsides, all probably with spectacular views. The bridge spanning the river was only one lane: it required stoppage at lights on either side to avoid gridlock.

Tomorrow, again, we head to the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. I can't wait—should provide for some spectacular photos as well.