I am in Ireland. This morning at the very early hour of 5.30 Tom and I left Brook Farm, boarded a plane and after a nice nap for me and some paper reading for Tom we arrived in Ireland. We are here in Mountshannon (see on map or a bit read a bit of tourist info) visiting his Aunt Jenny and Uncle James.
Before we came, I tried to be a very good girlfriend by packing for both us. Tom’s last exam ever was yesterday and he’s been horribly busy/stressed revising (studying), so I thought by packing for him I was doing my part to help. I was proud of myself. That was until we were on the way to the airport and Tom asked if I had the map Jenny sent us. Oops, the one thing I forgot. Luckily the place we hired a car from gave us a map, and when we got close, after driving down a few wrong lanes, I asked a couple of people in the village for directions and we did make it alright.
We spent our first afternoon here at Bunratty Castle. I must say this is one of the best castles I’ve ever been too! It wasn’t just the castle we got to see. Numerous old houses from around the county have been transported to this site to build an old fashioned village. A path lead us around all of the houses, which were each done up authentically inside. One even had bread baking over the open fire, as they would have done many years ago.
The castle was the grand finale of our day. It is such an impressive castle. It has loads of different spiral staircases leading up in each and every way. We went up one and all of the sudden found ourselves in the Great Hall. From each corner of this immense square room were further spiral staircases leading up to other bedrooms, chapels, private breakfast room, the Earl’s pantry and eventually up to the outdoor solars which gave gorgeous views of the countryside.
The one thing that surprised us about the day was the number of Americans at the castle. Especially seeing as we are out in the rural country and not in a city such as Dublin. I almost felt at home with so many Americans around. Oh, also the weather. It was warm and sunny about half of the afternoon disrupted by showers that each lasted only a few minutes. Luckily we came prepared with rain gear.
It was a wonderful outing, I had lots of fun and found it very interesting. I do love touring castles and old stately homes. We are back at Jenny and James’ now and James has just arrived home from work so I shall go.
More tomorrow on the next adventures we find on this island.
Love
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