In Black Valley (Kerry)

Black Valley is a remote place in County Kerry. Electricity came here in 1978. Before that date only sun and candles made kitchens of six small houses in the valley bright.



If you get the Black Valley you can find your mobile out of coverage. No calls to your family, just photos and memories.



Weather can change very quick here. Now you see the clouds...



... and after while you can see the highest Ireland's mountain Carrantuohill in the snow.



There is a lot of water in Black Valley. Some drops down from the clouds, some runs down from the mountains.



You can reach Black Valley only from Molls Gap or from Gap of Dunloe. Both roads are narrow, dangerous and long. And worth to make a lot of photo-stops.









There is only one walking trail through Black Valley. No buses, no tourists, no traffic jams. You can only see frightened donkey here, herd of sheep or one of vans with the company logo. Logo of Pendragon Tours. Enjoy.

Black birds on Moher Cliffs (Clare)

Black birds on Cliffs of Moher are waiting for the evening meal. I would say they are cheeky.

Benedictines are back in Fore Abbey (Westmeath)

Benectines monks are back in Ireland. After 473 years they came from Oklahoma to small abbey in County Westemeth. I had a big pleasure to be their guide on early medieval sites in Ireland. 

Benectines monks always stay in their monasteries. But in this case Prior Dom Mark Kirby made an exception and two of new monks were allowed to make a tour with experienced tour guide from Pendragon Tours. The first place we visited was Fore Abbey in Co. Westmeath. 



Ruins of the old abbey are open for visitors but I wanted to show more. Called few days before to make sure that somebody will welcome us. Joan opened her small coffee shop, gave us the keys to secret doors and serve up a nice cup of coffee and home baked cakes. 

Having a "magic" key I opened some doors to show my monks 15th centuries cells. In this time benedictine monks had a meals here, they sleep and read. There was about 300 monks in Fore Abbey! 



Brother Finnian opens door to Hermit's Cell. 

This cell was occupied for 700 years. The last monk passed away in 1616 here. 



Our next stop is Kells Heritage Town. Miss Carpenter is our guide here. She tells us the story about St. Columban. We are in 8th century now. Brother Elijah signs to the visitor's book as "Benedictines from Silverstream".



There are some High Celtic Crosses in Kells. Adam and Eve, Kain and Abel. The same old story.



The Irish Round Tower built 1000 years ago. One of the brothers tries to climb to the entrance. Vikings were here! And Book of Kells survived! 



Slane Hill. In 433 AD St. Patrick set a Paschal fire here. My monks go around the hill in silence.







The last stop in Monasterboice and two most beautifull Celtic Crosses in Ireland. Nobody here, just heritage, silence and monks.