One of the wonderful things about Ireland is how medieval or prehistoric monuments are just around.  For some there’s little more than a small sign saying what the monument is and a fence to keep the sheep out.

The first one is Kells Priory, which I’ve mentioned before, but simply had to write about again because it’s so striking.  This enormous medieval ruin sits at the bottom of a grassy hill and there’s nobody there.  Seriously.  When we visited, it we were the only tourists there and only when we were leaving did we run into some tourists who were just arriving.

This second photo is of Jerpoint Abbey, which is also astounding and beautiful, though a little more touristy than Kells Priory–I mean, it actually has a visitor center instead of a sheep gate at the entrance.

The last photo is of one of the Ahenny High Crosses, which date back to the 8th and 9th centuries.

These pictures don’t do any of these places justice, but they may give you a taste of how beautiful Ireland is.  Now I understand why faeries came from this part of the world: when you’re in a place that’s so mysterious and misty and green, you can’t help but see sprites and pixies everywhere.

Kells Priory

In my imagination, this wasn’t a priory for real monks but actually a training ground for a brotherhood of warriors posing as monks.  *dun dun duuuuun*  There’s this young wannabe monk-warrior called Aeryck who has joined the priory because his beloved is betrothed to another and he has vowed to take a life of solitary contemplation.  When he arrives at the priory, he discovers the truth about the warrior clan and even worse: the clan is loyal to a ruthless knight who happens to be the man marrying Aeryck’s beloved.  So now he’s torn.  Loyalty to his brothers, which means being under the thumb of Sir knight or loyalty to his own heart?  *cue romantic music*  He chooses neither.  Instead, he runs off to join a band of pirates.  *arrrrrr matey!*