Day 11 - Bunratty Castle
Finally, it has come to this, our final full day in this land of Scholars and Kings. The mood at breakfast is somewhat somber, or perhaps it is just the fact that, for one more time, we have had to set our bags out for a move to another hotel. Our last night will be in Limerick. The name itself portends much.
This day is planned to be light in activity. The only item officially scheduled is a trip to the Bunratty Castle and Folkpark. However, Alex has once again added a brief side jaunt to our itinerary. This is to a quaint pottery shop - Ballymorris Pottery. Alex always includes a personal gift for each person on the tour. On this tour, the men received a quite handsome spirits flask. The women each received a unique hand made ceramic plate. Yes, they were made at Ballymorris Pottery. The visit ended with an exciting demonstration by Nigel of his ability to back the extremely large coach down a gravel road. There was no room to turn around nor could we drive on out. Once again Nigel wowed the troupe and received a large round of applause.
From Ballymorris we proceeded on to Bunratty Castle. Before entering the grounds, we opted for lunch at one of the local pubs. I had the fish and chips. In fact, this was the only fish and chips I ate on the entire trip. This is a mystery for which have no explanation.
In the Irish, Bunratty Castle is Caisleán Bhun Raithe, which means "Castle at the Mouth of the Ratty". The site of Bunratty Castle was the location of a Viking camp dating to 970AD. The first defensive structure was a “motte and bailey” earthen work built in 1250 by the Normans. The lands were later granted to Thomas de Clare who built the first stone structure. It was destroyed in 1318 when the Normans razed the town and killed the son of Thomas de Clare. It was rebuilt by the Normans and was again destroyed by Irish Chieftains in 1332. In 1351 it was again
rebuilt by the Normans as a tower castle. It was immediately stormed by the O’Brien clan and has remained in Irish hands since that time. (Not to say it hasn’t changed hands, but all hands have been Irish.) It stands today as the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland having been restored a recently as 1954.
Within the grounds of the castle is the Bunratty Folk Park. The park began with the relocation of a single structure to the site. Several structures later, it became evident that this had potential. Now over 30 structures are housed on 26 acres including a walled garden and animals such as deer, pigs and geese. It was a pleasant way to wile away the afternoon.
Finally, this came to an end and we boarded the coach for the trip back for our farewell meal. Most of us will be heading out at 6am in the morning with only a quick breakfast. Others, including Amy, have later flights and will sleep in. So this will be our last meal as a group.
The plan for the meal was, on completion, to move upstairs where Alex would do a few farewell tunes. However, as dinner finished, we planned a small parting ceremony for Alex and Linda. Jan Irwin and Florence Simpson had selected a set of crystal wine glasses which included a swirl of green crystal at the base of the bowl in recognition of Ireland given on behalf of the troupe. Alex and Linda graciously accepted the two presented (with four to be shipped to Tennessee later). We offered a toast in acknowledgement of their engagement and, being in the city of Limerick, I felt it was appropriate to offer the following words:
And not to let Nigel off the hook, I shared the following:
Before repairing to the conservatory for Alex’s performance, Nigel took a minute to summarize our entire 10 day itinerary and to voice his appreciation to us for our company.
So we began this journey eleven days earlier as invaders to this land even as many others have in the past. This land has been conquered many times over the centuries, but many times it has repulsed the invaders and come away victorious. Together, we have shared a journey of nearly a thousand miles! Now it is time to evaluate the success of our venture. I believe in the end we accomplished what we set out to do...we came out winners in this endeavor even as this land and its people won us over. And so, at the culmination of our journey, it is not the winning or the losing that matters, it is the transfer of cultures that comes out on top. And we all came away having accomplished our own personal goals. Tomorrow we leave. Who among us will return?
Crioche!
This day is planned to be light in activity. The only item officially scheduled is a trip to the Bunratty Castle and Folkpark. However, Alex has once again added a brief side jaunt to our itinerary. This is to a quaint pottery shop -From Ballymorris we proceeded on to Bunratty Castle. Before entering the grounds, we opted for lunch at one of the local pubs. I had the fish and chips. In fact, this was the only fish and chips I ate on the entire trip. This is a mystery for which have no explanation.
In the Irish, Bunratty Castle is Caisleán Bhun Raithe, which means "Castle at the Mouth of the Ratty". The site of Bunratty Castle was the location of a Viking camp dating to 970AD. The first defensive structure was a “motte and bailey” earthen work built in 1250 by the Normans. The lands were later granted to Thomas de Clare who built the first stone structure. It was destroyed in 1318 when the Normans razed the town and killed the son of Thomas de Clare. It was rebuilt by the Normans and was again destroyed by Irish Chieftains in 1332. In 1351 it was again
rebuilt by the Normans as a tower castle. It was immediately stormed by the O’Brien clan and has remained in Irish hands since that time. (Not to say it hasn’t changed hands, but all hands have been Irish.) It stands today as the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland having been restored a recently as 1954.
Within the grounds of the castle is the Bunratty Folk Park. The park began with the relocation of a single structure to the site. Several structures later, it became evident that this had potential. Now over 30 structures are housed on 26 acres including a walled garden and animals such as deer, pigs and geese. It was a pleasant way to wile away the afternoon.
Finally, this came to an end and we boarded the coach for the trip back for our farewell meal. Most of us will be heading out at 6am in the morning with only a quick breakfast. Others, including Amy, have later flights and will sleep in. So this will be our last meal as a group.
The plan for the meal was, on completion, to move upstairs where Alex would do a few farewell tunes. However, as dinner finished, we planned a small parting ceremony for Alex and Linda. Jan Irwin and Florence Simpson had selected a set of crystal wine glasses which included a swirl of green crystal at the base of the bowl in recognition of Ireland given on behalf of the troupe. Alex and Linda graciously accepted the two presented (with four to be shipped to Tennessee later). We offered a toast in acknowledgement of their engagement and, being in the city of Limerick, I felt it was appropriate to offer the following words:
There once was a couple from Tennessee
Who were betrothed in Dublin fair city
May the Lord up above
Look down on their love
And they live happily for all of Eternity
And not to let Nigel off the hook, I shared the following:
There was a fine coachman, one Nigel Murray
Who ferried us about Ireland in a hurray
But I stand here today
Before you to say
Not one of us had the first worry!
Before repairing to the conservatory for Alex’s performance, Nigel took a minute to summarize our entire 10 day itinerary and to voice his appreciation to us for our company.
So we began this journey eleven days earlier as invaders to this land even as many others have in the past. This land has been conquered many times over the centuries, but many times it has repulsed the invaders and come away victorious. Together, we have shared a journey of nearly a thousand miles! Now it is time to evaluate the success of our venture. I believe in the end we accomplished what we set out to do...we came out winners in this endeavor even as this land and its people won us over. And so, at the culmination of our journey, it is not the winning or the losing that matters, it is the transfer of cultures that comes out on top. And we all came away having accomplished our own personal goals. Tomorrow we leave. Who among us will return?
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