September 12-13, 1998

September 12-13, 1998

This morning we tour nearby Bunratty Castle, which is a tall near perfectly square Keep. It was the site of many Irish battles and is much restored. Exploring is a lot of climbing up and down narrow dark stairways into damp cold rooms with no running water, electricity or toilets. Living in a medieval castle even for a king was probably unpleasant. We skip the folk park outside the castle. I don’t feel the need in seeing their displays of Irish country life. I lived it visiting Aimee’s uncle.

I wanted to play golf at the famous Ballybunion golf course but it rains almost every day in Ireland. You have to have a flexible schedule to enjoy golf here. I guess there is a reason they call Ireland, the Emerald Isle. Instead we turn east and spend the night at a B&B in the town of Cashel.

Ireland has thousands of castles and I wouldn’t mind seeing them all. Aimee is tired of castles and said, “no more”. I try to tell her the ruins on the hilltop above us, called the Rock of Cashel, are of a religious site and not a castle. We stroll among the ruins after dinner. Cashel was the seat of the kings of Munster, the southwestern province of old Ireland. In 1101 the king donated the fortress to the Church.

The next morning we drive to Dublin and catch a flight back home.