Newgrange and Trim Castle
On April 4th we went on a trip organized by the SWAP program to New Grange and Trim Castle. Our first stop was at the Castle in County Meath. We got to wander around the ruins before heading into the main building and were taken on a guided tour. Trim castle was built in 1176 and took over 30 years to complete. Its main purpose was as a defensive castle, so most of its attributes were built for that reason. The stairs inside the castle were built to make an invasion difficult (and proved to be very difficult for us to climb as well). They were spiral staircases with “trip and tumble” steps. All of the steps were built in different shapes and sizes to make if difficult for enemies to gain access. We had a very hard time making our way up and down them but the view from the top was worth it. This Castle was also used in the movie Braveheart, and the tour guide told us a funny story about Mel Gibson and Irish extras throwing things at him.
On April 4th we went on a trip organized by the SWAP program to New Grange and Trim Castle. Our first stop was at the Castle in County Meath. We got to wander around the ruins before heading into the main building and were taken on a guided tour. Trim castle was built in 1176 and took over 30 years to complete. Its main purpose was as a defensive castle, so most of its attributes were built for that reason. The stairs inside the castle were built to make an invasion difficult (and proved to be very difficult for us to climb as well). They were spiral staircases with “trip and tumble” steps. All of the steps were built in different shapes and sizes to make if difficult for enemies to gain access. We had a very hard time making our way up and down them but the view from the top was worth it. This Castle was also used in the movie Braveheart, and the tour guide told us a funny story about Mel Gibson and Irish extras throwing things at him.
NEWGRANGE
Next we went to N
ewgrange, which was one of our top things to do while in Ireland. It was a great experience. The tomb was built before the pyramids, about 5000 years ago. Newgrange was built in the Neolithic period and they believe that it was built by a farming community. The do not know too much about the tombs purpose but they believe that it may have been used to mark the beginning of spring, when days begin to get longer. Above the entrance to the tomb is a small window (called a roof box) that during the winter solstice aligns perfectly with the sun and it illuminates the entire tomb. We were given a demonstration during our tour inside. It was really neat and would be amazing to see the real thing! Sadly we weren’t allowed to take any photo’s while inside the tomb. But it is really small inside compared to the size of the mound.
ewgrange, which was one of our top things to do while in Ireland. It was a great experience. The tomb was built before the pyramids, about 5000 years ago. Newgrange was built in the Neolithic period and they believe that it was built by a farming community. The do not know too much about the tombs purpose but they believe that it may have been used to mark the beginning of spring, when days begin to get longer. Above the entrance to the tomb is a small window (called a roof box) that during the winter solstice aligns perfectly with the sun and it illuminates the entire tomb. We were given a demonstration during our tour inside. It was really neat and would be amazing to see the real thing! Sadly we weren’t allowed to take any photo’s while inside the tomb. But it is really small inside compared to the size of the mound.
