Ireland Day 4

Today was 2 castles and a cathedral!  We drove to Bunratty Castle just outside of Limerick.  This castle was built in 1425 and has been restored to look like it would have in the 15-16th century.  The kids had a blast!! It was more super narrow circular stairs that curve sharply to the right...evidently this was so that you couldn't be ambushed on the stairs.  And, they must have been some very tiny leprechaun sized people because the doorways are very low and narrow.  

This lovely looking thing below is called a Murder Hole.  It is above the front door and if you were an unwelcome and/or uninvited guest they would open this trap door and dump boiling water, hot oil or the contents of the chamber pot on you.  Quite hospitable.  

 The thing that amazes me is how they have these incredible 600 year old antiques just out in the open.  No velvet ropes, no signs not to touch...nothing.  This was incredible...hand carved scenes from the bible.  I tried to get a couple of close up pictures of the unbelievable detail....

Here's Pap sitting in a 500 year old chair...

 There was a great tour guide who pointed out some of the unique features of the castle.  Like this hole in the wall of the Great Hall....

When the Earl would leave the room, a soldier would sit under this hole on the second floor above the hall so that he could listen to see what the crowd was saying without the Earl present.  That's where the expression "the walls have ears" originated!

We also learned that women were not allowed into the Great Hall.  So there was a window on the second floor so that women could peek in and see what was going on...

After the kids had their fill of climbing all over the castle and exploring all the different rooms, we made our way through the castle grounds where we found an awesome little tea shop.  So we had a cuppa tea and some scones...

I could totally get in to the whole afternoon tea everyday thing....just sayin'.

We then drove into Limerick to check out St. Mary's Cathedral. We were greeted by this cute little guy when we walked up and he led us to the gates of the cathedral and then trotted off on his merry way!

 The cathedral was breathtaking.  Man did they know how to build churches in 1168!!  When we walked up Thomas and Mandy both asked,"Is this a castle or a church?"

 The stained glass windows are enormous!

 The cemeteries are really very pretty too, because they are full of these big standing Celtic cross grave markers...

Just around the corner from St. Mary's is King John's Castle.  This was a military castle that guarded the city of Limerick.  It had a great interactive museum and just like the other 2 they climbed all over and up and down the whole thing!

There was a great view of the River Shannon from the top turret...

 On our way out of Limerick we drove through an enormous shopping area but we were all too tired to stop.  So, tomorrow's plan is to sleep in a bit and then head over to Limerick for some serious shopping time!

Irish Blessings,
Leslie