Ancient burial grounds, cemeteries, graveyards, tombs, etc.

We went to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetary on Sunday.  It is a short ride from where we are staying. I think I was the most interested in going, but everybody enjoyed it well enough and the weather was lovely.  There was much discussion about the fact that we were walking on dead people and all the various words for cemetery were discussed.

There is something about these ancient sites that fascinates me.  These large stones were moved and formed into elaborate graves over 5000 years ago.  We don't know what they looked like then or if they were painted or carved.  When you look out on the Irish countryside you see various collections of rocks and so also it is amazing that somebody looked at all of those and realized there was actually a pattern which was repeating itself in these particular fields.  At Carrowmore there is one large central cairn (burial mound) and then satellite cairns which are much smaller.  Although for the size of the rocks and the technology of that time, they are all impressive sites.

There was also a time in my life when I did some extensive reading on gaelic history and mythology.  I even briefly took Irish Gaelic at Catholic University in college and considered graduate study  in that area (but the more practical side of me did take over - something I certainly don't regret).  So it was a very neat place to be and to share with the boys.  They at least enjoyed the walk and Harry indulged us and listened and read about the stones and the people under them in the visitor centre.

Here are the boys in the central cairn.

This is the most complete array at Carrowmore.  Robert could fit inside.  I think Harry could too, but he was too old to deign to do that or perhaps a bit creeped out :-)

Kevin and Harry entering the sacred circle.

This is a view of Knocknarea in the background of this cairn - up on the top is a white cairn where it is said that Queen Maeve is buried.  It has not been as extensively excavated as Carrowmore.  Queen Maeve was a famous warrior queen of Ireland and so it is something of a sacred site.  

In modern society, I sometimes think we don't slow down enough to appreciate those who came before us.  Here is a way that an ancient people has not only noted the passage of those they loved and admired, but given us a view into their society.  I never knew my grandmother on my mother's side and even my mother did not know her well because she died when Mom was only a child.  Yet, I have heard about her and feel like I have an idea of her.  I like to think that I come from a line of strong, educated women.  Sometime in the past year I discovered that we are also women who brought children into their lives a bit later than other women of their day (although this is not as true for me, as women have children older now).  My great grandmother was also well into her 30s when she gave birth to my grandmother.  It is a somewhat unique history.  

I do not think we should dwell to heavily on the past, but it is a good thing sometimes to look at our family history and the history of our nations to see where we have been and try to figure out where we are going.  Only God knows what we can truly expect in the future, but as children of God and people living on this delicate earth, it may be wise to remember that our lives are brief in the sweep of history and yet we can affect what happens around us and in small ways make it a better world for us and our children.

So I will step off my soapbox and make Harry's breakfast :-)