Day 25 Part 2 - Bunratty Castle and Folk Village
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| All about Bunratty Castle |
As I was so close, I thought I might as well go and take another look at the Bunratty complex. I had been at least twice before, but it's a shame to be so close and not go in.
The Castle is very imposing, but I didn't like the stairs you have to climb to even get into the first levels...I was hanging on to the railing for grim death!!!
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| Dining Hall |
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| Great Hall |
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| Great Hall |
That was a high as I was going.... I'm not big on stairs these days!
Glad to get back down and go outside.
The village was quite interesting and displayed lot of different houses that were typical of what they would have been like, back in the day.
So here's a little sample...
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| The Mountain Farmhouse |
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| The Mountain Farmhouse Explanation |
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| The bedroom inside the Mountain Farmhouse |
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| Dining Room inside the Mountain Farmhouse |
Most of the poorer cottages only had 3 rooms. When I was reading the material from the Corofin Genealogy Centre, they mentioned the cottage on our Curtin land had 4 rooms.
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| The Blacksmiths Forge |
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| Explanation of the Blacksmiths Forge |
I didn't go in there, as there was quite a crowd. (You can see them in the pic above!!)
The next one is Loop Head cottage. In previous trips I've been to Loop Head, it's just past Kilbaha, where I met Teresa and Betty's niece Eileen last week .... (or was it the week before??) Loop Head has a famous lighthouse and is very coastal. You can see the nets hanging on this cottage..
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| Loop Head Farm House |
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| Explanation of Loop Head Farmhouse |
One more... this is called Golden Vale and is the cottage of a well off farmer.... sorry the explanation is not very clear...
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| Golden Vale |
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| Golden Vale Farmhouse |
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| Bedroom in Golden Vale - notice all the religious memorabilia! |
Actually all the buildings had heaps of religious statues and pictures. During the English occupation, four-fifths of the country was Catholic, and I think to shove it up the English, they were very blatant and obvious in their exposure of religious items.
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| Travellers' Caravan |
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| Beautiful Irish Trees |
So, that's only a snapshot, but I could've spent a whole afternoon in the area. But my main focus today, was to meet Madeleine and chat about our common family history. This was just the added extra!!!
It really is well done and worth a visit if you "ever go across the seas to Ireland"!!!
Wonderful MC. Can’t believe how quickly the time is flying for you. Great that you have had the time and are enjoying delving into your ancestry … and what a bonus to be able to meet up with the folk that you have! Loving hearing all about the history of buildings and way of life that seem to ooze at every corner. It a privilege to be included in your blog. Xox .
ReplyDeleteThanks KK. It's been an amazing time. You're right about the history... it just surrounds you.
DeleteOnce again your pictures and stories of Bunratty Castle and outer buildings are full of detail and history. You have been so generous in sharing your travels! Enjoy 🇮🇪
ReplyDeleteI love sharing my travels. That's why I travel.. to write blogs!!! 😊
DeleteLoving all the history and the beautiful old houses and what a cute little caravan. Col
ReplyDeleteYes the Travellers are very much a part of Irish history.
DeleteHi Moira. I was reminded of my visit to Bunratty Castle when you mentioned the stairs! The pics are fantastic! I’m responding from Mildura where we have gathered to farewell the Mercyvsisters after 119 years. It is also grand final day as you know so I’m looking forward to watching it quietly this afternoon before other events begin! Your time away is going fast now, Annette.
ReplyDeleteI've got the footy on now. Set my alarm for 5.20am to watch it. Enjoy Mildura. Many years of history there too!!
DeleteYou can just feel the history shaking g through those photos. Just have ave to get to Ireland and see for myself. Xx
ReplyDeleteThink Ireland might have to be next for you. Your grandies would love it too!!!
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