Lahinch-Bunratty Castle - Adare - Killarney

Well apparently there are some pretty special people in Killarney at the moment, and you may be surprised to know that it's not just me!!! Seems that Charles and Camilla have decided that it would be nice to pop into Killarney while I'm here.... Wish I had known... I would've chosen a different town for tonight's stop!!!! Had traffic diversions and all.... The papers are describing it as a visit to the Kingdom.... apparently that is how County Kerry is known locally!

I was going to go into town and have a look around after I arrived but not sure I want to get caught up in all the tarradiddle! Might check it out after all the fuss dies down.

First things first - I had a lovely dinner at the Shannon's last night (Marie is married to Pat Shannon!)
It was just a lovely comfortable feeling to be among family. It was good to hear Marie say that she never worried when I was coming because they could just carry on as usual, and I just fitted in! That's a huge compliment!

Here are a few family pics..

Back row - Pat, Marie, Sean. Front row Ellen, Nora and Patrick

Marie, Moira, Sean, Ellen, Nora Patrick

The Sean took the camera

Marie, Moira, Pat, Ellen' Nora and Patrick

Patrick

So, it was with a hint of sadness and a bit of nostalgia that I left Lahinch this morning and set out on today's journey.

Today's journey. I took the blue road.

My target for today was The Heights Hotel in Killarney, which I had booked online. Last night I was thinking I would cross the Shannon on the ferry, but I've done that the last few times, so, after talking with Rosie (my host at Cois Farraige) at breakfast, I decided to go via Limerick and this time I went under the Shannon via the new tunnel.  It was good to go a different way and the drive was mostly very pleasant. Had quite a few motorways, which made for easy driving.

Rosie suggested a stop at Bunratty Castle and Adare, which is what I ended up doing!

I'd been to Bunratty Castle before - quite a while ago, when I was on a bus tour of Ireland and I had enjoyed it then.

Bunratty Castle

It was also a folk park and re-created many farming homes from the Clare and Limerick areas.
It was funny, but having just been immersed in my family history again and re-visiting our farm, I found myself wondering what life was like for my ancestors in the early days.... Which of these houses would be similar to where they lived??? I'm not sure if they were poor labourers, or if they were middle class farmers???

Here are a few of the model farmhouses...

The fisherman's house...

Fisherman's house

Their curragh

Brings back memories of Colm Cille again and his method of transportation. Also, yesterday at Spanish Point they talked about using the curragh to go out and view the  Spanish wreck.

The Shannon Farmhouse

Shannon Farmhouse

Poor Labourer's Farmhouse

Poor Labourer's Farmhouse

Inside Poor Labourer's Farmhouse

Inside Poor Labourer's Farmhouse

Then there's the rich farmer's house...

Lots of holy images in these houses!

Rich farmer's house

I guess nothing much changes under the sun....!

Here's just a few more pics inside the Castle to finish off this section...

Inside Bunratty Castle

The Great Hall

Fireplace

The Great Hall

Had a nice coffee there, and of course there was the inevitable gift shop.

One other observation - there were heaps of school kids there. As usual, I just said my "Thank you Jesus" prayers that it was not me taking the little loves on an excursion!!!! But, actually they are lucky to have such wonderful resources within reach.

Next stop was Adare. My memory of Adare from my last visit, was of the thatched roofed cottages in the main street.

Thatched Roof in Adare

I also went past the Trinitarian Monastery which was next to the car park....

Info about the Trinitarian Monastery

Trinitarian Monastery

Inside Trinitarian Monastery

Statue of St Anne - don't often see one of these!

I lit the usual candles and said the usual prayers for everyone....

Had a nice toasted sandwich in the pub. I like pubs best for lunch, because, as I think I've mentioned before they have good wifi and nice toilets, and they will usually make you what ever you would like to order.

Here's a few pics of Adare

Adarre Town

Adare Town

So, the rest of the day was a relatively easy drive until I got closer to Killarney and then we had road diversions etc because of all the security for Charles and Camilla. I was actually listening to the radio today and I love the local shows. I started off with Clare FM and you get all the local news and where the traffic is held up etc...  Then after lunch I swapped to Kerry FM and they had people covering the arrival of Charles and Camilla. At least I knew what areas to avoid! They had been to Tralee and then came to Killarney. I think they had already been to Cork.

Truly amazing timing to have them here whilst I was here!

I think I've heard the chopper go overhead as I write this, so it might be safe to go down the street now. But there's a wedding on at this hotel tonight and I might lose my parking spot.... Aaaah the things you have to consider on the road.

Actually I had a lot of trouble getting accommodation for both this hotel and tomorrow's. It seems Sat night accommodation is at a premium! But this is one of those traditional Irish hotels with big rooms and a sense of space.

It will do me just fine.