West Coast Holiday

What a treat!  The past four days were spent on holiday in the little coastal town of Fanore in County Clare.  Pictures can't begin to capture the beauty of the west coast.  It is rugged and wild.  Made even more so by high winds from a storm.  In spite of the weather we ventured forth to hike the Cliffs of Moher, explore the medieval castle of Bunratty and the demonstration village they had set up there, went tide pooling, trekked in a cave and met the birds at the Burren Birds of Prey Centre.  At the end of the day we came back to our vacation cottage to sit in front of a peat fire and listen to the wind.  It was a lovely time.

Cliffs of Moher on the west coast.

West coast of Ireland.

Tide pooling on the rugged Atlantic shore.

Our vacation cottage in Fanore, County Clare.

Clint's jellyfish.

The kids got a good laugh at the chicken in bloomers.

Main dining hall of Bunratty Castle.  There were several old tapestries hanging on the walls.

Clint with Batty, the African eagle.

Tessa holding Jess the barn owl.

Old thatched cottage at the display village at Bunratty Park.

HIstory of Malahide Castle

The pictures below are of our visit to Malahide Castle.  It was a fascinating insight into a family who has played an important role in Irish history.  The original part of the castle was built in 1185 for the Talbot family.  The first Talbot was awarded the grounds for his faithful fighting alongside William the Conqueror.  The Talbot family lived in the castle, which has been added to over time, for 800 years.  It was only recently sold to the Irish government.  Before the Battle of the Boyne, 15 of the Talbot heirs gathered in the Banquet Room for a last breakfast together.  14 of them perished in that battle.  The castle is surrounded by 268 acres of woodlands, park and a walled garden.  Each room was maintained from a different time period.  One interesting fact concerns the Drawing Room, which is thus named because the ladies exited to it when they withdrew from the men after the evening meal.  Fans were passed out to each lady as they entered so they could shield their faces from the heat of the fireplace to keep their wax based make-up from melting down their faces!  Not a very fashionable sight.  A very fun and educational day.

Pictures of Malahide Castle

The Banquet Room is still maintained as it was in Medieval Times.  Note the Minstrel's Gallery at the top back of the room.  This is where the entertainers would sit while they performed for the family and guests.  

Fireplace in the Drawing Room made from Italian marble.

Drawing Room set up as is still in the Georgian Period.  Everything is original.

Malahide Castle

Children's' Room

You can't tell, but Molly lost two top side teeth within a minute of each other.  And yes, the tooth fairy does come to Ireland.

Drimnagh Castle

Clint looking over the bridge at Drimnagh Castle.  This is the only flooded moat in the country of Ireland.

Ducks enjoying the moat.

A hornbeam alley, necessary in providing a shaded place for the ladies to walk thus retaining their prized pale complexions.

A year long apprentice program was held here to train Irish craftsmen how to build period appropriate stone walls.

The infamous murder hole.

Kayaking in Ireland

Kayaking on the lake.

Double rainbow over Drewstown House.

Round Tower in Kells.

Stair repair being done.

Plastering, lots of plastering!

Mist off the lake.

More plastering.

Hill of Tara and Becktide Abbey

St. Patrick at Hill of Tara.  This is where he met with the high king to petition the right to teach Christianity to the Irish people.

View from the Hill of Tara.

Bectide Abbey.

Portions of this abbey were used in the filming of Braveheart.