We have just gotten home from our trip to Ireland where we drove in a rental car around the countryside, navigated the roundabouts the best we could, and remembered most of the time to stay on the left side of the road. There was only one mishap. It was teaming rain and we were on a winding VERY narrow road when we ran over a sharp rock and split a front tire. We got to really appreciate how nice the Irish people can be from that near calamity. That aside, our trip was a wonderful experience with thrilling scenery, fun people, pretty good food and much to drink, lively music, and yes, a bit of magic. We did find a leprechaun but no pot of gold.

Day 1: After an easy 6 hour plane ride we arrived at Shannon Airport and spent the first two nights at the Ardsollus Farm B&B located in Quin in County Clare, which served as our home base for exploring Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren. On the first day we visited Bunratty Castle and Folk Park which was a good introduction to Irish history and culture. It was raining but we learned right off to do like the natives and not let the rain dampen our spirits. It was an important lesson because the wind and rain dominated the weather pattern almost the entire time we were in Ireland.

We were greeted by rain and wind.

The Ardsollus B & B is a working farm. The hosts, Loretto and Pat Hannon, raise cattle and horses. Many of their horses have been prize winners in prestigious jump horse shows. Below, a young girl works one of the horses.

Bunratty Castle, as it is referred to today, originally was a fortress erected in 1251 consisting of a wooden tower on a moat. The present structure, built in 1425, has undergone many alterations. Bunratty Park is a reconstruction of homes and environment of Ireland over a century ago. It tells a good story.

The Gardens of the Castle are beautiful.

The flower gardens are lush but you do not see much in the Ireland we saw in the way of vegetable gardening.

Inside the Castle, the Dungeon is a major focus of interest. We saw few Americans. Most of the visitors were Irish and here in the West spoke mainly Irish.

Looking down into the dungeon we see a hapless individual.

A lady’s chamber.

Every man a King. A young man assumes a position of authority.

A relief on the wall depicts daily life.

The Kitchen.

Baking pies to be served in the Tea Room.

The Blacksmith.

Mitch stands in front of a poor farmers’ house.

Mitch meets a pig.

A beautiful lace curtain hangs in the window of one of the more affluent homes.

That evening, we had dinner at the local Abbey Tavern in Quin where we had our first taste of roast Irish lamb. It was succulent, tasty, tender and delicious, accompanied by the usual “potatoes three ways.”

Black faced big horned sheep are most commonly seen grazing in the countryside. They are very hardy and can withstand the harsh climate. They not only are a meat source, they also provide the wool for the famous Irish woolens.

A sign we noticed in Clifden for “probably the best craft shop in the west.” Perhaps a bit of Irish malarky.