We had an early start in Killarney and left under cover of darkness so that we could make it to all of our stops today. First on the list after gassing up was Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The castle is a large and remarkably well preserved and original castle from the 1300s that has seen expansions and battles over its many years. We climbed up and down nearly all of the castle’s chambers and spiral staircases and enjoyed the brilliant views from the roof.
Pleasantly, since we’re deep in the off-season, we were one of the only small groups of visitors to the castle and the folk park. The park has dozens of buildings that are either replicas or, more often, were simply relocated from their original locations to showcase life in various roles and statuses in Ireland from the 18th and 19th centuries. Praise the off-season! We walked around leisurely and had our fill of Irish living history.
After a little time, though, the fact that we were the ONLY four people walking around a miniature complete town started to unnerve us a little - Stepford / Twilight Zone style. Rue the off-season! We left the park around lunch before we could be made permanent additions. We stopped for a short traveling lunch and then continued on to the Burren and the famed Cliffs of Moher. The pictures certainly do not do these windy wonders justice!! We were trekking around for hours as Jenna led us on a six km hike to Hags Head at the far western tip of the cliffs. Don’t worry, moms (and Simon’s work colleagues)! We didn’t stray too close to the edges!!
After we made it to Hags Head, we hightailed it back another 6km to return to our noble steed, Seamus - parked near the visitors’ center, before the few hours of sunlight we got each day ran out. We did, however, pause to get a brilliant view of the sun wrestling the clouds as it set behind us.
Kevin then navigated some of the narrowest and windiest roads we’ve seen yet and got us safely to Galway where we checked into our lodging for the night and then hit the town of Galway for some delicious fish and chips (or chicken and chips if you’re into that sort of thing) at McDonagh’s. Finally, it was time for some traditional Irish music and a pint at Tig Coili.
We ended our night several hours later, voices weary, at Taafes, where we tried to join in but mostly just watched Galway’s residents sing and cry and sing some more in revelry to the greatest Irish drinking songs and ballads. What a blast of a night. The craic here was great!
Pleasantly, since we’re deep in the off-season, we were one of the only small groups of visitors to the castle and the folk park. The park has dozens of buildings that are either replicas or, more often, were simply relocated from their original locations to showcase life in various roles and statuses in Ireland from the 18th and 19th centuries. Praise the off-season! We walked around leisurely and had our fill of Irish living history.
After a little time, though, the fact that we were the ONLY four people walking around a miniature complete town started to unnerve us a little - Stepford / Twilight Zone style. Rue the off-season! We left the park around lunch before we could be made permanent additions. We stopped for a short traveling lunch and then continued on to the Burren and the famed Cliffs of Moher. The pictures certainly do not do these windy wonders justice!! We were trekking around for hours as Jenna led us on a six km hike to Hags Head at the far western tip of the cliffs. Don’t worry, moms (and Simon’s work colleagues)! We didn’t stray too close to the edges!!
After we made it to Hags Head, we hightailed it back another 6km to return to our noble steed, Seamus - parked near the visitors’ center, before the few hours of sunlight we got each day ran out. We did, however, pause to get a brilliant view of the sun wrestling the clouds as it set behind us.
Kevin then navigated some of the narrowest and windiest roads we’ve seen yet and got us safely to Galway where we checked into our lodging for the night and then hit the town of Galway for some delicious fish and chips (or chicken and chips if you’re into that sort of thing) at McDonagh’s. Finally, it was time for some traditional Irish music and a pint at Tig Coili.
We ended our night several hours later, voices weary, at Taafes, where we tried to join in but mostly just watched Galway’s residents sing and cry and sing some more in revelry to the greatest Irish drinking songs and ballads. What a blast of a night. The craic here was great!
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