The Coat Visits Brian Boru

On arriving in Ballina, on the Shannon River, K is eager to visit Holy Island. Now her philosophy of a Blank Mind will be put to the test. Holy Island, Inis Cealtra, lies one kilometer off shore in Lough Derg, near Mountshannon. It was here that Brian Boru's brother was Abbot. The island has been holy since pre-Christian times, and has a long Christian history, a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years. Sacked by Vikings many times.
To cross to the island visitors rely on a local, Gerry Madden, to get them across. Phone calls prior to visiting had been unproductive. So K and companion go to Mountshannon to seek him for themselves. It seems the summer season has closed, and Gerry in need of a vacation himself, he is not to be found.
Two wildlife photographers come in from the lough in their runabout, serious photographic equipment on board. K begins a conversation with them inquiring where Gerry may be found. His boat, with trailer, is not in its usual place, ask at the hotel, they are family of his. The conversation turns to their photographic equipment. It turns out that one of them has been photographing local white-tailed eagles, that over the last ten years have increased in numbers. He has self-published two books, and postcards. Companion wishes to buy some postcards, K says no, we want to buy a book. With the book, the photographer gives them some postcards. This opportunity will not come again, one can not walk into a book shop and buy this book. He sells them from the boot of his car.
At the hotel there is only locked doors, perhaps the whole family has gone on vacation.
On the way back to Ballina there is a viewing point, where Holy Island may be seen at its nearest sight to the shore. The round tower can be seen clearly. K is tempted to take the Holy Island boat and row herself across.

Next stop, Brian Boru's Fort. After leaving the Rock of Cashel, Brian came here to be High King, He built a fort close to the River Shannon in a strategic spot, to intercept the Vikings as they tried to make to make their way up river to ransack Celtic villages.
Here K and companion meet a young family taking their new rescue dog for a walk. The children are about four and six years of age, Hannah and Leo. Hannah takes a liking to them telling her mother that she has made some new friends and they will look after her. Leo, the younger, prefers to stay with mum.
There is not much to see here, a round rise in the ground, quite steep, hollow in the centre. Trees have been planted here that would not have been here in Brian's time. Lough Derg narrows here to form the River Shannon which can be seen from the top of the fort, it is a very strategic spot., Brian chose it well.

Brian Boru's Fort on the River Shannon

Brian Boru built a palace, Kincora, at Killaloe. A palace of light, like no other. The ground is now occupied by the Catholic church.