Sure, it's a soft day in Ireland! In other words it's raining again. As someone said earlier, it only rains in Ireland on days that end in "y".
Anyway, up and at 'em....
We started the day with an optional extra to Bunratty Castle. Having studied Castles with the Year 4s this year, I was really interested to go and see one live. It was a great excursion. The castle was built around 1425, and during the 16th and 17th centuries became a stronhold for the O'Brien family, who pledged their allegiance to the King. In return for giving up their Chieftain status, they were made Earls in the British system. Thus they became the Earls of Thomond. It was a well preserved castle and had a Great Hall, and murder hole and the staircase was just as described in our history studies of castles.
Bunratty also hosted a Folk Park which was a little similar to the Ulster Folk Park, and had many thatched cottages, each one set out in the furniture and design of the times (19th Century).
If you're sick of looking at thatched cottages you might notice my brand new Irish hoodie in vibrant green. An Irish person would never be seen dead in it, but I love it!
We had a very short visit to Limerick, and really only stopped to take photos for a few minutes. We stopped at the Treaty stone where the Treaty was signed between the Williamites (William of Orange) and the Jacobites (Catholic followers of King James) - I think. All this history is doing my head in! Anyway, the Catholics lost - I know that much- and the Penal Laws followed which sent the priests into hiding, and thus began the hedge schools and Masses celebrated right out in the mountains.
The other parts of Limerick that we saw were the River Shannon, and King John's Castle.
Our next stop was Adare, where again we were given the opportunity to look at the thatched cottages. There were three things against this.... it was our lunchstop, there were souvenir shops aplenty, and it was still raining. Poor old thatched cottages got the cursory glance and we moved on to food, loos and shopping.
I haven't talked about toilets much lately, but it has to be said.... For a country with as much water as Ireland, you'd think you could manage to flush a loo. But each one is unique in all the world. You're never sure if you have to pump the handle, or just give it one big push, or just wait and pray! The showers are also in the realms of the great unknown. There is never one so simple as to have a hot tap and a cold tap. There is always a combination of dials and plugs, and when combined with the bath, you're never sure where the water is going to come out... Nor what temperature it will be. I've learnt now not to hop under until I see what water is coming out of where, and how hot or cold it is. Aaaaahhh the intricacies of life on the road!
Anyway, back to the travelogue. After lunch we travelled through Limerick and into Kerry. They love their Gaelic footy and hurling down here, and nearly every house flies a flag with the County colours.It's sad but true that my County - Clare - has
the colours blue and gold. There are some trials in life that you just have to put up with...!
We stopped for a view of the Killarney lakes, which was just beautiful. The sun just popped out for a few minutes... just made everything seem even more mystical.
Our last stop was at yet another souvenir shop, but this one was very upmarket... They had some lovely knitware (which is a bit wasted with Perth weather anyway!), but the ones on special were 180 Euros - nearly $400AUD. The ones on the shelf were
260 Euros for a simple Cashmere cardigan. Wow..... not in my budget! But they did greet each one of us with an Irish Coffee which was lovely (although a bit sweet for me!)
Now here we are in Kenmare which is on the water at the beginning of the Ring of Kerry, which we do tomorrow. Nice hotel with free access to the Interent in the lobby (I hope it works ok). Having tea at Casey's Pub tonight. Last night I had Boiling Bacon and Cabbage - that's real tucker! Wonder what I'll have tonight....???
PS Had Irish Stew for dinner tonight - very nice! :)
Anyway, up and at 'em....
We started the day with an optional extra to Bunratty Castle. Having studied Castles with the Year 4s this year, I was really interested to go and see one live. It was a great excursion. The castle was built around 1425, and during the 16th and 17th centuries became a stronhold for the O'Brien family, who pledged their allegiance to the King. In return for giving up their Chieftain status, they were made Earls in the British system. Thus they became the Earls of Thomond. It was a well preserved castle and had a Great Hall, and murder hole and the staircase was just as described in our history studies of castles.
Bunratty also hosted a Folk Park which was a little similar to the Ulster Folk Park, and had many thatched cottages, each one set out in the furniture and design of the times (19th Century).
If you're sick of looking at thatched cottages you might notice my brand new Irish hoodie in vibrant green. An Irish person would never be seen dead in it, but I love it!
We had a very short visit to Limerick, and really only stopped to take photos for a few minutes. We stopped at the Treaty stone where the Treaty was signed between the Williamites (William of Orange) and the Jacobites (Catholic followers of King James) - I think. All this history is doing my head in! Anyway, the Catholics lost - I know that much- and the Penal Laws followed which sent the priests into hiding, and thus began the hedge schools and Masses celebrated right out in the mountains.
The other parts of Limerick that we saw were the River Shannon, and King John's Castle.
Our next stop was Adare, where again we were given the opportunity to look at the thatched cottages. There were three things against this.... it was our lunchstop, there were souvenir shops aplenty, and it was still raining. Poor old thatched cottages got the cursory glance and we moved on to food, loos and shopping.
I haven't talked about toilets much lately, but it has to be said.... For a country with as much water as Ireland, you'd think you could manage to flush a loo. But each one is unique in all the world. You're never sure if you have to pump the handle, or just give it one big push, or just wait and pray! The showers are also in the realms of the great unknown. There is never one so simple as to have a hot tap and a cold tap. There is always a combination of dials and plugs, and when combined with the bath, you're never sure where the water is going to come out... Nor what temperature it will be. I've learnt now not to hop under until I see what water is coming out of where, and how hot or cold it is. Aaaaahhh the intricacies of life on the road!
Anyway, back to the travelogue. After lunch we travelled through Limerick and into Kerry. They love their Gaelic footy and hurling down here, and nearly every house flies a flag with the County colours.It's sad but true that my County - Clare - has
the colours blue and gold. There are some trials in life that you just have to put up with...!
We stopped for a view of the Killarney lakes, which was just beautiful. The sun just popped out for a few minutes... just made everything seem even more mystical.
Our last stop was at yet another souvenir shop, but this one was very upmarket... They had some lovely knitware (which is a bit wasted with Perth weather anyway!), but the ones on special were 180 Euros - nearly $400AUD. The ones on the shelf were
260 Euros for a simple Cashmere cardigan. Wow..... not in my budget! But they did greet each one of us with an Irish Coffee which was lovely (although a bit sweet for me!)
Now here we are in Kenmare which is on the water at the beginning of the Ring of Kerry, which we do tomorrow. Nice hotel with free access to the Interent in the lobby (I hope it works ok). Having tea at Casey's Pub tonight. Last night I had Boiling Bacon and Cabbage - that's real tucker! Wonder what I'll have tonight....???
PS Had Irish Stew for dinner tonight - very nice! :)
I'm sorry but boiling bacon and cabbage sounds disgusting! Please tell me the cabbage was at least green and not boiled to murky grey (memories of growing up in the UK!). I must admit I admire the hoodie and can't imagine why no one in Ireland would wear one. Thatched cottages have a mistique if there own don't they - not sure if I would like to maintain one though.
ReplyDeleteHave fun in Killarney.