Performance at Christ Church, in Dublin, Clonmacnoise, March 30

Christ Church founded was sometime after 1028.   Historic old buildings.... evidence of inspiration from people long ago.  The United States is so young.  Even our oldest buildings represent a mere 400 years.

 Looking up.  Pictures just don't portray the real majesty of these massive cathedrals.  It is an honor for Glenbard to perform here.  The kids scurry around getting chairs and music stands set up for orchestra and then adjust for the different instruments for the band performance.  The choir performs a capella.

I would have liked to hear the pipe organ here.  It must have a huge sound to match this building.
 Our guide explained that religion was based on 3 things, first God, then the "lord" meaning the landowner and last the poor people.  So churches were adorned with magnificent arches, sculptures, murals, stained glass to thoroughly awe the people,  and emphasize the huge gap between the "haves" and "have nots."  When we saw all the crypts and statues of famous soldiers and other dignitaries inside the church, somehow the concept of worship and Glory to God sort of got lost.
I was so busy listening to the choir sing, the orchestra play and the band performance, I didn't take any pictures.  Not to worry, there are 3 more performances

March 30 First stop on way to Galway  Monastery at Clonmacnoise founded in 545

You can see the overcast sky but you can't feel the cold rainy drizzle and the wind. By now, I was wearing 4 layers to keep warm.  What a change from Arizona!!!!

This is one of the many round towers found throughout Ireland.  They were the early warning lookouts and a place to escape to.  The entrance to the real inside was gained by a ladder which could be pulled up to prevent the bad guys from getting in.  Our guide said the invention of gun powder eliminated the need for these heavy fortifications and castles.  However, at the time a sturdy fortification was a really good idea.  Sturdy hardly describes how well they were built as evidenced by how many centuries they have remained intact.

 Our Monastery Guide explained that the monks combined the pagan circle image to a cross as a means of bringing Christianity to the people.  Our tour guide mentioned that the people converted to Christianity peacefully.

 They asked us to be careful not to step on graves.

 Other than the entrance building, this was the only modern building on the grounds

 There are too many crumbling ruins all over Ireland to designate them as historical sites.    This is outside the monastery. Enough exploring the monastery.  Jim and I headed to the coffee shop for some warmth.  Incidentally, coffee is always brewed with instant coffee.  We are asked if we want black or white coffee.  Americano coffee is more like expresso.  Who cares!!!  We need something warm!!