BUNRATTY CASTLE - EASTER SUNDAY

We walked up to the church on the hill for 10am mass celebrated by a priest who raced through parts of mass but yet seemed to forget others. We made brunch and then headed off to Bunratty Castle and Folk park, forced to abandon our plans to peruse the Aran Islands due to the weather.

Bunratty Castle was constructed in the 16^th C. and served as home to the MacNamara’s and O’Brien’s. It was abandoned in the 19^th C. and then restored in the 1950s. The folk park has various village houses and environs that depict village life through the late 1800s—everything from one-room thatched roof homes to an estate house, chickens, pigs and Irish Wolfhounds. We wrapped up the day with a warm meal at Brogan’s in Ennis that was reminiscent of a Thanksgiving meal--so much food crammed on one plate! Awesome!

Irish Wolfhound

CLIFFS OF MOHER

The extreme physical exertion required of Croagh Patrick afforded us a late start today. Well, for most of us. Lee was missing when the rest of us woke up. Turns out he was gallivanting about Doolin on his own. Once the remaining 8 were finally up, we grabbed some lunch at Fitzpatrick’s then set off on a gentle drive to the Cliffs of Moher, spent a few hours in awe of nature, snapped some shots of a rainbow and baked the kids a gourmet dinner from a supermarket tray (pork loin, potatoes, carrots) while the parents enjoyed a night out at McGann’s.

GOOD FRIDAY - CROAGH PATRICK

Croagh Patrick

Today, we made our pilgrimage to the top of Croagh Patrick, The Holy Mountain.
http://www.croagh-patrick.com/visitorcentre/holy-mountain

We are still trying to decide if the way up or the way down was more frightening. It took us a little over 2 hours to reach the summit and I kept praying I’d see an apparition of the Virgin Mother when I got there. Instead, I was reminded not to whine every time the barefoot pilgrim passed me. The path is far from smooth—covered with rocks and debris the entire way. In some spots, the loose rocks created an avalanche, causing us to slip and slide up and down the outrageously steep incline. This is one of those experiences where, half way through you think, what on earth have I just gotten myself into? Three quarters of the way through, you want to turn back and go have a hamburger. Once you reach the summit and have a little snack you begin your descent only to realize the way down is even more treacherous than the way up. You finally reach the bottom only to be humiliated by the fact that all the kids reached the bottom 30-40 minutes ahead of us and were warming themselves in the café waiting for some cash for snacks.

Anyway, we arrived prepared for whatever the mountain could throw at us--we had rain gear, hiking pants, hiking boots, some fruit, walking sticks and cameras. The weather was misty, rainy and cold. We couldn't believe some of the people climbing this thing. There was a barefoot man in a short-sleeved shirt, big kids, small kids, folks in Keds, folks in running shoes, old people, a few dogs. There was a school group in matching shirts carrying a cross up the mountain. A few of the boys actually stopped and gently applauded the barefoot pilgrim, who continued silently, bleeding, down the mountain, rosary dangling from his hand. It was a painful, cold, inspirational, exhausting day and I'm so glad we did it together.

The man who started it all!

We made it!!!!!

Names spelled out with stones way, way down in a valley. 

This was an more "gentle" part of the path!

Caroline, CJ, Jackie--wiped out after their pilgrimage.

FAMILY FUN IN ENNISTIMON - More Photos

The kids hanging out with some local asses.

ENNISTIMON, MUSIC, and PUB HOPPINB IN DOOLIN

Enjoyed a much-needed sleep-in at Tigh Amou last night.  This morning, we granted permission to the kids to head out collecting firewood while we enjoyed our tea and coffee. Yes, we allowed them to venture out on their own. After all, with more cows than human residents and CJ armed with his Bear Grylls hunting knife, we weren't really concerned about their safety. Later, we found our way to Ennistimon.  We walked to the River Hotel and around the stream and then grabbed some lunch at Teach Bia before grocery shopping at the SuperValu.  The kids befriended a stray dog and promptly named him Doug.  Returning back to the house in Doolin, we were ready for a night of venture.

We walked from the house into downtown Doolin visiting the shops along the way.  First stop was Gus O’Conner’s for a few pints.  As we moved to the next location, McGanns, the kids squeezed through a stone fence and live electric fence to run to the top of a "mountain," frightening some cows along the way. Chris encouraged the kids to experience the electric fence by suggesting, "It won't hurt. It will just be like...therapy!" They experimented with electric current via a blade of grass. That was the science lesson for the day. Next is a cultural immersion in local nightlife! 

Now, we have occupied a prime table in McGann's--right next to the band. Turns out our abundant electronics display is not acceptable so, after some ridicule, we put away our gear and focused solely on the musicians. The kids seemed to love it but, after a while, Abby, Claire, and CJ went outside for a change of scenery. When we all finally left, we found them dancing with the village idiot/drunk—something about a pirate dance and the cotton-eyed Joe.. We admit, a lesson in poor judgment on our part and it won't happen again even though CJ was packing a serious knife.

It must be noted that driving in Ireland is absolutely the hair-raising, white-knuckled adventure we were warned about. Imagine driving on the wrong side of a small, country road from the passenger's seat with full stone walls serving as guardrails. The roads are frighteningly narrow (Texans beware). We are thankful we took out the full insurance because clipping the roadside stones and brambles is unavoidable whilst dodging the tour buses careening down the other lane. 

This speaks for itself

Bar & Undertaker-one stop shop! Brilliant!

View of sea from Doolin

The kids roaming with the local cows (after the "science" experiment).

McGann's

Interesting conversation between Annie and Jackie regarding speaking other languages in America--Annie: "The Founders spoke English." Jackie: "But we are a melting pot and we should reflect that!" Annie: "I don't recall Fritz on the Mayflower." (And that was the history lesson of the day.)