Witch Hunt

Kells Priory is situated alongside King's River, beside the village of Kells. It was founded by Geoffrey FitzRobert, brother-in-law to Strongbow, in 1193.

In 1324 the Bishop of Ossory, Richard de Ledrede, paid a lenten visit to the priory. Following an inquisition into a Kilkenny sect of heretics, Irish noblewoman Alice Kyteler and her maidservant Petronilla de Meath were ordered to appear before the Bishop to answer charges of witchcraft. The Bishop successfully prosecuted the heretics, however Alice Kyteler was able to escape to England. Petronilla de Meath was flogged and became Ireland's first heretic to be burned at the stake in Kilkenny on 11/03/1324.

The Glendalough Saint

Visit Glendalough and sing...
 
Fol di dol fol di fol day
Fol di dol rol di dol ad dy
Fol di dol rol di dol day
Fol di dol rol di dol ad dy

In Glendalough lived an old saint
Renowned for his learning and piety.
His manners was curious and quaint
And he looked upon girls with disparity.

He was fond of readin' a book,
When he could get one to his wishes.
He was fond of castin' his hook
In among the young fishes.

Well one evenin' he landed a trout.
He landed a fine big trout, sir.
When Kathleen from over the way,
Came to see what the old monk was about, sir. 

"Well get out o' me way" said the saint,
For I am a man of great piety.
And me good manners I wouldn't taint,
Not by mixing with female society.

Ah, but Kitty she wouldn't give in.
And when he got home to his rockery,
He found she was seated therein
A-polishin' up his old crockery.  

Well he gave the poor creature a shake,
And I wish that a Garda had caught him.
For he threw her right into the lake,
And, be Jaysus, she sank to the bottom.

By Hook or By Crook

Hook Head Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in Ireland, and one of the oldest in the world.  The present structure has stood for nearly 800 years.

The phrase "By Hook or by Crook" may have originated because of this lighthouse when Strongbow, the Earl of Pembroke, sailed into Waterford Harbour in 1170 and saw the lighthouse on one side and the church of Crook on the other, saying "We must take the town by Hook or by Crook".

Global Wildlife Center

My brother recently took his son to visit the Global Wildlife Center, located near Folsom, LA.  The center is the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the country, and home to over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world.  Check out his pictures!

Peterborough Cathedral

With its majestic West Front and atmospheric inner space, Peterborough Cathedral is rich in beauty, history, and culture and has something to offer everyone. It is considered by many to be one of the top ten landmarks in the United Kingdom.