Photo Gallery: Relishing Ireland

July 9, 2017July 9, 2017 / Lon Hetrick / 1 Comment

I dream of taking my entire family—kids and grandkids—on a tour of Europe. I know there are lots of places to see in this world. But, for some reason it’s Europe that draws my imagination. Is it the history? My German roots? Dawn’s Scandanavian roots? My reformation theology? I can’t give you a single reason, I just know I’m drawn there. And I’d love to share the experience with my whole family.

Until that dream comes true, Dawn and I will relish our adventure touring Ireland with our middle child, Haley. Here’s some photos of us enjoying the Emerald Isle.

You may also enjoy these photo galleries:

Wild Ireland—Irish landscapes and stunning scenery
Taming Ireland—1,000 years of Irish stone architecture

Enjoy!

Haley sitting on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher

Dawn enjoying the Irish countrside, Dingle Peninsula

Dawn learning about the Kilkenny Castle drawing room

Haley at the Inch Strand Beach, Dingle Peninsula

Dawn and Haley at the Inch Strand Beach, Dingle Peninsula

Near Killarney National Park and Muckross House

Near Killarney National Park and Muckross House

Photo Gallery: Taming Ireland

July 2, 2017July 2, 2017 / Lon Hetrick / 2 Comments

Earlier this month we visited Ireland for the first time—perhaps, not the last. Great food, friendly people, ancient history, and amazing scenery greeted us in every town and roadside stop.

Here’s another 12 photos telling the story of our visit, this time with a mostly architectural theme. The Irish have been altering their landscape with the abundant stone found on their island for 1,000s of years. This gallery features stonework from The Round Tower at the Rock of Cashel (circa AD 1100) to present day Dublin.

If landscapes are more your thing, you’ll be amazed by the views in the previous gallery: Wild Ireland.

Enjoy!

Philosophers, The Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin

Taming the Landscape, The Burren National Park, Ireland

Exploring the Rock of Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland

The Long Room, Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Ireland

Life Takes Hold, Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Ireland

The 1,000-year-old Round Tower, Rock of Cashel

Ruined Cathedral, The Rock of Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland

European Robin, Dublin, Ireland

Plain of Tipperary from The Rock of Cashel

Gift Shop in the National Museum of Archeaology, Dublin, Ireland

Gothic Chapel, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, National Park, Ireland

House of Prayer, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, National Park, Ireland

Photo Friday: Wild Ireland

June 22, 2017 / Lon Hetrick / 5 Comments

Happy Friday!

I haven’t written much in the last two years—back surgery, recovery, building a new kitchen—but I hope to get back into the habit. And the easiest way is to share a few photos from our recent trip to Ireland, a wild, and aggressively green island, with the friendliest people I’ve encountered.

Here are 12 photos, mostly landscapes taken across 1,200 kilometers of travel, that illustrate the wild beauty of the emerald isle. If you enjoy these, give them a like and a share this post. Thanks for stopping by.