This mornig we left Adare, with the ultimate aim of visiting the city of Limerick, the Cliffs of Moher, and arriving safely at our next hotel in Knock.
Along the way to Limerick, we stopped for a coffee and comfort break in the picturesque town of Adare, the most expensive place to own property in the entirety of Ireland. This is largely because of the heritage preservation orders on many of the older buildings that are still thatch-roofed, and descendent from the manor properties occupied by manor tenants.
I wish we had more time to explore the town, but there was a cathedral waiting for our attention!
From Adare, we continued on to the centre of the City of Limerick and a visit to St Mary's Church of Ireland Cathedral. We had the luxury of a guided tour offered by some volunteers from the cathedral community, who shared with us the 850 year history of the building, the way in which was ravaged in the past - especially by the forces of Oliver Cromwell - and the efforts to restore it and return it to a building fit for the worship of God.
While there are certainly elements within the building that are beautiful, the overall effect of the building left me rather cold. There was something 'missing', and I wasn't the only member of the group that mentioned or observed it. It was almost like the building, originally intended for the worship of God, had been transformed into something else, a place where people visit and wander and look, but don't engage in the primary purpose of the building. That effect may have had something to do with the glossy brochures and the entrance charge - but it could also just be about me.
There was small highlight for me - as I was walking out from the grounds I happened upon a small stone, almost by chance, that marked the connection of the building with the Order of Malta dating back to the early 1200s. The connection has echoes with my own connection with St John Ambulance, since the two orders claim similar foundations.
After having a quick bite to eat, we headed off from Limerick towards our next destination, the Cliffs of Moher, with some trepidation. Why, I hear you ask. Because the rain had set in and was of a nature as to make us question whether we could actually visit the Cliffs!
But being people of faith, we set out in hope nevertheless and after one final stop for coffee, we proceeded to the Cliffs...and were pleasantly surprised that the rain eased off as we got closer and eventually stopped. There was even an appearance of sun at one point!
All of which meant that we were able to experience the picturesque majesty of the Cliffs of Moher without any inclement weather and could wander up to the tower to view everything in its grandeur.
Having been to the Cliffs before, I thought I wouldn't appreciate their spelndour as much this time as on my last visit. But I was wrong. The sight of these cliffs, which have stood the assault of the Atlantic winds and waves for aeons, still filled me with delight and awe.
The weather was kind to su during our visit, and even the winds from the Atlantic seemed to behave themselves. After our visit, it was back on the bus to head towards our next destination where we would be housed for two nights, Ireland's National Eucharistic and Marian Shrine at Knock.
