Very quiet last night at the Celbridge Manor Inn and soon it was time for breakfast!!! We are only 15 miles from downtown Dublin so Tony suggested we have a leisurely breakfast and not leave until about 9:30am to avoid the traffic commuting into Dublin from Celbridge and points west. They are basically ‘dormitory’ (bedroom) communities that feed into Dublin . . .

. . . soon we we on the way passing through town and several large roundabouts. We are now ‘old hands’ at negotiating the roundabouts which of course since we ride on the left side of the road have taken a learning curve. It still feels to me like we are riding in the Tour de France when you whip through one of these. Luckily no accidents during the learning process!!!

We have been mostly on local and regional roads and several national roads, but this is only the second time we passed over one of the Irish ‘interstates’, this one heading in and out of Dublin.

I stopped in  a Topaz, the Irish version of a Kwik Trip for a little cookie about 10:30am . . .

and found they had a wide selection of  ‘solid fuels’ available, either for cooking or warming . . .

. . . including the prized Superior Polish Coal . . .

. . . and smoke-free, compressed Peat Logs!!!!

We all speak English but as with many communities and culture’s different words mean different things . . . Irish term = ‘Car Dismantlers’, United State’s equivalent = ‘Junkyard’!!!

Lots of nice homes out in the country along the roads today, this area is a suburb for Dublin . . .

There have been lots of gated homes with large elaborate gates, trellises, etc. . . but they would be hard pressed to beat one of the entrances to the Dunstory castle . . .

. . . which was open for tours, but by appointment only!!!!

We rolled through several more small villages on our way to Navan, our home for the next two nights.

The closer to got to Dublin the last few days, the more equestrian centers we seemed to pass. Here was a young lass out one of the local roads giving her horsey a little workout.

Tidy, I’m telling ya, tidy!!!

Along the way today we passed, and stopped at, the Hill of Tara, known as Temair in gaeilge. It was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland – 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In ancient Irish religion and mythology, Temair was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the otherworld. Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site.

. . . many of the designs have lasted through the eons . . .

. . . however, from the ground this area look like a series of golf course bunkers. Evidently some British Israelites came and scoured and dug up the area looking for the ‘Arc of the Covenant’ which they never found . . . but left the place trashed!!!

. . . one of the mounds . . .

where those unworthy may have been exiled . . .

. . . and with time on their hands, got creative!!!!

It was a short ride today and soon we were on the outskirts of Navan, or home tonight and tomorrow night as we enjoy a rest day. Actually, we will be riding 20k round trip tomorrow as we venture out to the Passage Tombs (more to come). But, here was a fun place . . . not sure I have ever heard of a ‘cattery’!!!! . . .

. . .  a short  way down the road I came upon this fellow who came out to sat Hi. He may have left the facility for a little walk about . . . and after I went by he returned to sauntering down the side of the road!!!

Our home for the night in Navan, The Hotel NewGrange. You can see from the velvet ropes in the front of the hotel, Tony had arranged ‘rock star’ parking for our bikes!!!!