Ring of Kerry Excursion Breakdown: Architecture-Style
Thanks to my marvelous luck, I realized right as we left campus that I had left my camera sitting on the kitchen table. Woe me. To open this post I would like to thank Ashton Randalow for allowing me access to her photos as well as her camera this past weekend!
Destination One: Lismore Castle, County Waterford.
Located on the outskirts of Lismore, IE, this castle's location was chosen by King Henry II and then built for Prince John in 1185. Built in the Norman style of the era, the castle features the traditional medieval elements found in castles of this period. Open roofs (known as gorges) allowed for guards to stand on the highest points to watch for approaching threats. Five-hundred years later the property was sold to the Boyle family. Here, world renowned scientist Robert Boyle grew up (off and on due to education and family tradition). Fast forward to the 18th century; here the castle passed into the hands of the Duke of Devonshire due to his marriage to Charlotte Boyle. To this day, the property is still a home for the Devenshires. A few facts on the interior: The Lismore Castle is a 12 bedroom/bath along with additional recreational rooms such as a library, drawing room, and banquet room. Behind the property are the frequently-visited stacked gardens. The gardens alone receive an estimate of 12,000 visitors per year.
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| River Blackwater, a natural "moat". |
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| The side of the Lismore castle peeking out! |
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| Unfortunately, Lismore Castle is a private residence therefore this image is only a taste of what the castle has to offer. |
Destination Two: Muckross House, Killarney
Facing one of the many beautiful lakes of Killarney National Park, this Victorian era home fits right in along with it's breathtaking views. The Muckross House broke ground in 1839 and finished just 4 short years later -rather short when considering it's detail. Designed by William Burn, the house was designed to take on the rather popular Elizabethan Revival style. A gallery of bay windows give the well-designed home a bit of structural support for it's unique style. Unfortunately, reconstruction and a short length of time for a visit left little room for a deeper look at the structure of this home. There was something rather enchanting about the placement of this home. It reminded me of when you were discussing the reflection pool and the purpose it served for the Taj Mahal. I saw the location of this property to be something of the same idea. When I sat down and took in the landscape that surrounded the structure it felt like a moment out of a dream. The beauty of the home seemed to blend in with the sight of the surroundings; something I would like to think the architect intended when designing the home.
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| Side view of the Muckross house |
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| The front of the home seemed to be undergoing a minor facelift. |
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| I mean come on, the view of this place was surreal. |
Destination Three: St. Mary's Cathedral, Killarney
After visiting the St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin I thought it would be rather hard to top it's beauty. However, St. Mary's definitely stole the spotlight in it's less-detail but equal splendor. Unlike St. Patrick's I did not feel like I was in a museum but more so a true place of worship with a beating heart. The cathedral, dated back to the Neo-gothic style, began it's journey of construction in the midst of the Great Famine of Ireland. Although uncompleted, it's beginning use was a refuge for the sick and dying until it's completion in 1855. Unlike most gothic style cathedrals (often dark with little natural lighting), I found the interior to be rather well-lit. It was hard to not throw out my newly acquired vocabulary to identify the nave as well as groin of the cathedral. It was nice to have the opportunity to spend a little more time here than at other locations, as I found the cathedral to be one of peace and comfort; even among the frenzy of camera flashes and loud whispers.
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| Nave along with a few pointed arches |
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| Taking it all in. |
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| Stained glass with a pointed arch frame to provide support. |
Although it can be rather difficult to find the right elements to describe structures and places such as these, i'm truly beginning to appreciate the application that comes with the lessons you teach us. Instead of seeing cold stone and empty pews, I now see the hands that carved every stone and the minds that diligently worked to create a masterpiece that would endure for centuries to come.
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