On Wednesday, we drove to County Clare to visit Bunratty Castle. We stayed in a normal hotel, but visited the castle that evening (for the banquet) and the next day. After touring the castle and the grounds - you saw how the "middle class" back then lived, too - I have determined I would not have survived back then. I am not ok with meat hanging on the wall for months. It was rainy for some of our tour, but it was still very fun and we saw so many interesting things. The picture below was taken in the garden on the castle property. The picture does not do the view any justice, it was so beautiful.
The picture below was taken at Durty Nellies, a pub across the street from the castle. It was after the banquet and after dad kept calling Pat, Kieran's dad, "My Lord" all night. Let's just say a lot of wine was consumed by all. :) It was my parents 25 year wedding anniversary that night, too. Also, see how Patricia is not too fond of the random townies in our photo... ha!
A picture of the Church on the castle property. It wasn't a castle but it kind of looked like one...
Me, at the top of the castle, in the rain. I made sure Kieran got the Irish flag in the shot, too.
The King and Queen of Bunratty.....in North Face jackets. Ha!
Me and Mom at the castle, after the banquet, drinking coffee and trying to sober up a bit before walking over to Durty Nellies. Pat was singing traditional Irish songs with other partygoers after the banquet, it was fun and, naturally, we were the last people to leave the castle. I am sure they wanted to throw us in the dungeon at that point.
There was a banquet where you would eat dinner like it was medieval times...when you walked into the castle, you were greeted as a "Lord" or a "Lady" by people dressed up like they did in the 1600s. You were given mead, which is a wine made out of honey, and a piece of bread dipped in salt to ward off evil spirits...interesting. Then you were ushered into the banquet hall and could only eat your meal (including the soup) with a "dagger" (knife). That means you slurped your soup like the last drink of your cereal bowl. There was harp, violin and singing all through the meal, too. It was fun....probably kind of like "Medieval Times" in the suburbs, but cooler because it was in an actual castle. I have determined, though, that castle living is too rough for me. :)
Hellooooooooo?
The picture below was taken at Durty Nellies, a pub across the street from the castle. It was after the banquet and after dad kept calling Pat, Kieran's dad, "My Lord" all night. Let's just say a lot of wine was consumed by all. :) It was my parents 25 year wedding anniversary that night, too. Also, see how Patricia is not too fond of the random townies in our photo... ha!
A picture of the Church on the castle property. It wasn't a castle but it kind of looked like one...
Me, at the top of the castle, in the rain. I made sure Kieran got the Irish flag in the shot, too. 
The King and Queen of Bunratty.....in North Face jackets. Ha!
Me and Mom at the castle, after the banquet, drinking coffee and trying to sober up a bit before walking over to Durty Nellies. Pat was singing traditional Irish songs with other partygoers after the banquet, it was fun and, naturally, we were the last people to leave the castle. I am sure they wanted to throw us in the dungeon at that point. 
There was a banquet where you would eat dinner like it was medieval times...when you walked into the castle, you were greeted as a "Lord" or a "Lady" by people dressed up like they did in the 1600s. You were given mead, which is a wine made out of honey, and a piece of bread dipped in salt to ward off evil spirits...interesting. Then you were ushered into the banquet hall and could only eat your meal (including the soup) with a "dagger" (knife). That means you slurped your soup like the last drink of your cereal bowl. There was harp, violin and singing all through the meal, too. It was fun....probably kind of like "Medieval Times" in the suburbs, but cooler because it was in an actual castle. I have determined, though, that castle living is too rough for me. :)
Hellooooooooo?
3 comments:
Great pictures, I'm so glad you're updating your blog while there, I feel like I'm on vacation!
how fun that you're parents went with you! Funny how now that we're grown-ups, vacations WITH parents are considered cool!
Sounds like you all had a lovely time. i guess i need to find me a irish man to have that much fun and a great place to visit.
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