TRIM CASTLE AND THE HILL OF TARA

​Thursday, June 13th – Tracey’s birthday.  The plan was to ride my newly acquired motorcycle up to Drogheda to meet up with the Motorbike Women Ireland group for dinner. Peter would follow by car and we’d then spend a couple of days exploring more northly sites that were on our list of things to see. Thursday dawned with huge winds and rain, not expected to improve on the way north. I seriously considered riding anyway – I have ridden in worse, and the way the weather changes here, it might not be so bad after an hour or so.  All through breakfast I thought about riding, even knowing I probably shouldn’t. Finally I heard Tracey’s voice in my head – “Not today, baby girl. Not today”.  Much to Peter’s relief I said I would leave the bike and go with him in the car.

The decision was validated by increasing wind and rain along the way, meaning we didn’t make the first stop at Portlaoise to check out the Rock of Dunamase. I wasn’t that disappointed, being a little saturated with castle ruins.  Besides, we had planned on stopping at Trim Castle a bit further along the road, one of the most striking castle ruins still standing.  We did stop in Portlaoise for gas and a bite to eat though, and learned - from the gas station story boards of all places – that John Kinder Labatt – the found of Labatt’s brewery in Canada, is from Ireland!

Begun in 1175 and taking over 30 years to build, Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman structure in Ireland. Located in the heart of County Meath, the keep is 3 storeys tall, with 20 sides. If that wasn’t enough, it was surrounded by a ditch, curtain wall and moat, making it practically invulnerable.  We didn’t go inside the castle, as that could only be done by tour which would not be for another hour.  Though the rain was steady, we wandered the grounds and took a bunch of photos, of course.  The grounds are extensive and it was a good hike to go all the way through them.  The barbican gate was fascinating, with its arrow slits and guard areas. It made me think of when Derry was doing LARP on Vancouver Island and someone came off the grounds after a round and said “Who is that F*&^%NG archer that keeps nailing everyone?!”   Derry was that F*&^%NG  archer and so I thought of him sitting in one of those arrow slits going “Yeah….I dare ya…..try to breach the moat.”   As a point of interest, Trim Castle was featured in Braveheart as well.  As much as I despise what it stands for, it is a marvel of medieval engineering and construction.

The rain cleared a little and, having spotted the oldest bridge in Ireland, had to go for a stroll over it.  On the way, we stopped into a little visitor centre and the representative there told us how to get to the bridge and also about the bakery at the corner of the bridge!  I think he’s on commission because if you go into that bakery, you are NOT coming out empty-handed. Making the trip across the bridge and back, complete with obligatory photos, we stopped at the bakery and left with a hot sausage roll for Peter and carrot cake for me. Energy for the road. 😊

With plenty of day left before dinner with the riders, we stopped at the Hill of Tara for Tracey. She had loved Tara when we were there in 2011 together. We left ribbons and wishes at the fairy tree, felt the history of the site and drank in the astounding view of all of the counties of Ireland.

The Hill of Tara has been identified as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland and the site contains several mounds and earthwords, including a passage tomb.  A standing stone on the site is believed to be the Stone of Destiny and there appears to be a ceremonial avenue.  The fairy tree, where you can make a wish and tie a ribbon on the tree, has since uprooted from wind, but another immediately beside it has taken over the role. 

What used to be an open field at the Hill of Tara is now a little bit more controlled in order to protect the site from an increasing number of visitors every year.  While this is necessary for the preservation of it, somehow a bit of the magic is lost.  

Leaving Tara, we headed for our BnB in Slane. Frank has created several private little cabins, equipped with little kitchens, private bathrooms, good-size bedroom and wee living space that are just lovely. The units are so comfortable and we really enjoyed our stay there. I left Peter there and drove up to Drogheda to meet the Women Bikers Ireland group. Four were able to get there and we had a grand time getting to know each other. I left them each with a t-shirt and I received a snood with their logo on it. I feel very cool, and it was also a great thing because I forgot mine at home!  We plan to gather next weekend down here for a ride/visit.  Looking forward to that! 

You meet the best people when you put yourself out there.