Teresa's Visit

My friend, Teresa, was headed to the UK for an event and decided to swing through our little hometown for a quick visit.  I can't say the weather cooperated for them, but they came at a great time. The town of Killaloe was having their annual Brian Boru festival and had a lot of events going on.

That morning Jeff and I took the kids down to the Sunday market and fed the ducks.

We had a lot of ducks.

Our ducks included a little baby who was pretty quick at darting in for pieces of bread.

In the shadow of the cathedral, across from the market, they were setting up a 'military camp' as part of the festival. This included an animal magic show. The show was made up of rescue birds including peregrine falcons, owls, vultures, and many more.

I spent about 15 fascinating minutes talking with the gentleman who ran the animal magic show.

Another festival event included tours of the cathedral. This is open at any time for people to see, but we were taken to areas normally closed, including the top of the tower.

Teresa and I, just before the start of the tour

The Anglican cathedral is oriented east-west and shaped like a cross.

Our tour guide, and the broken cross that was brought by one of the deans who was a carpenter by trade.

Some very old books that were kept in the tower

The cathedral's bells.

The view from the tower -- the Viking Boat races were on while we were doing our tour.
This is looking back towards Ballina, across the river.

The view looking towards Killaloe.

We were privileged to have them ring the bells for us. We also could have rung them ourselves, but didn't.

Teresa and Ken at dinner that night at Flanagan's