Ireland – Day 3 – Oct. 6, Bunratty & The Dingle Peninsula

Note from Wednesday’s travels – The photos from Liscanor are actually at the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs were unbelievable, as you can tell in a couple of my photos. But, you really can’t see any of parts of the cliffs, and I don’t have photos for a strange reason. We had beautiful weather while we were in Ireland, and it was too sunny the day we were there. They had a week of rain before Wednesday, but the sun was so bright it was shining directly into my camera. I’m not going to complain about the lack of photos due to sunshine.

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Every evening, Linda and I would sit and go through the guidebooks, pamphlets and maps, and plan our next day. Actually, Linda did almost all of the planning. I was just happy to be in Ireland. And, she did a wonderful job. She picked the Groupon special that found us the villa in Adare. I didn’t tell you that we had a place bigger than any apartment I ever lived in. In had three bedrooms, four full baths, a living room, dining room, full kitchen, a sunroom, and a little reading room. Washer/dryer, dishwasher, wine bar, fireplace. So, we’d sit in the evening and plan the next day.

So, poor Kevin. On Thursday, October 6, we did an eleven-hour day on the road, 9-8. Our first stop on the trip was Bunratty Castle and the Folk Park, which included houses with the story behind them as to who might have lived there. One of the houses had been moved from the runway at Shannon Airport (Kevin read that on the flyer, and I didn’t believe him until I saw the sign that said that). The castle is still used for those medieval dinners. And, you could go in every room, including up to the top of the castle. Ok. I’ll admit I’m scared of heights, and those were steep, curving, well-worn steps. I didn’t go up to the top. I stayed in the Great Hall, and listened to the guide while Linda and Kevin climbed to the top. Photos now, and I’ll tell you about the Great Hall when we get to those pictures.

The antlers on the wall are from the Great Elk, and they’re 10,000 years old. They were found in the bogs of Ireland.

And, the chairs at the table? People have said the lord’s wife sat at the lower one. Not true. His secretary sat there, and took notes. That’s where he held court and heard complaints. Women were not allowed in the Great Hall. The guide showed us a small window on the second floor. Women could watch from there. And, he also showed us the small holes in the walls for the lord’s spies to watch.
After the castle, we did the buildings in the folk park. Check out the doorways. I’m only 4’10 1/2. The doors aren’t much taller than I am. And, check out the thatched roofs.
Linda

Kevin and the cottage moved from Shannon Airport’s runway

Linda

From Bunratty, we drove along the Dingle Peninsula, along the “Wild Atlantic Way”. (I have lots of photos.) I just love the skies of Ireland.

Are the beehive huts (clochans) monastic huts? These stone huts can be seen on the Dingle Peninsula, but nothing I could find actually gives the age. I’ve seen everything from 8th-12th century. On the Skellig Islands, they were built for dwellings by monks. There’s actually little information I could verify. However, the cross is at the site. Notice again the doorways in comparison to my height.

Just along the road

Check the door to the cave

The next pictures are from Dingle.

We ended our day by at Adare where we went to Pat Collins Bar for dinner. For me, fish and chips. (Have I said I love Irish pubs?)

10 Comments

  1. Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses
    Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses on October 30, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    I am loving my trip to Ireland via your photographs and stories. Thank you, Lesa. What a great trip you guys had!

    Reply
  2. Beth Hoffman
    Beth Hoffman on October 30, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    All I can say is WOW!

    Reply
  3. Lesa
    Lesa on October 30, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    I have a couple more days to share, Kaye, but they'll have to wait until next weekend. We had a wonderful, wonderful trip!

    Reply
  4. Lesa
    Lesa on October 30, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    Thank you, Beth. I just can't get over Ireland's beauty.

    Reply
  5. Laurie Fagen
    Laurie Fagen on October 31, 2016 at 6:03 am

    Keep the photos coming! I love Ireland, was there last two years ago. Beautiful country! Looks like you had fabulous weather, too!

    Reply
  6. Reine
    Reine on October 31, 2016 at 9:14 am

    So beautiful, Lesa! Thank you!

    Reply
  7. Gram
    Gram on October 31, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    Thanks for the photos…do you think people were shorter when these doorways were created or did they make them so people had to bend/bow to enter?

    Reply
  8. Lesa
    Lesa on October 31, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    The next photos will be this coming weekend. I have book stuff to post this week. (smile) But, I do have more photos!

    Gram, I think people really were shorter then. I don't think the ordinary person made their doorways low.

    Reply
  9. Grandma Cootie
    Grandma Cootie on October 31, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous photos, and you look like such happy travelers, which always makes the trip special. Thanks again for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Lesa
    Lesa on October 31, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    We were happy travelers, Grandma. We had a great time together. We all enjoy laughing, and we did laugh a lot.

    Reply

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