Busy, busy day today! We started the day at Bunratty Castle. This castle is the most complete medieval castle in Ireland and is quite impressive. The castle was originally built in 1425 and took 25 years to build. It was unique to the times as it was built completely out of stone - not wood, so it could not be burnt down. We learned why the staircases and doorways in castles were so narrow (in case your students forget - so that only 1 person could fit through at any given time and the staircases to protect themselves in a swashbuckling sword fight). The entire castle has been restored to its medieval decor - and it completely decorated in 15th and 16th century furnishings. There was even a LONG (at least 20 feet long) dining table made with a single piece of wood that was over 500 years old!
On the grounds of the castle, there was a little folk park where we all walked around and were able to see some period homes and business, along with Bunratty cottage. As you can see from the pictures, Miss Debbie got herself into some trouble with the Bobbies here (HA). We ate lunch at the Corn Barn in the Folk park where the students were able to eat a traditional Irish lunch of Bacon and mash potatoes and cabbage. Most liked the bacon and mash potatoes. The cabbage was a little harder to sell.
Our next stop today was a local Bed and Breakfast which hosted a bread making demonstration and then let us try our hands at it. While the soda bread they were making was in the oven, they went out and played some Irish games and had a mini competition and Clan Walsh took the championship. Then it off to the tug of war - girls against boys and the Winner was.....drum roll please....THE GIRLS...2 out of 3 gos. We thanked our kind hosts for the lovely afternoon we spent with them and we off to the equestrian center.
Our dinner was quite good - vegetable egg rolls with sweet chili sauce, fish fingers, chips, mashed potatoes (see a theme here - they really DO like potatoes in Ireland), broccoli, carrots, salad, bread, chicken sandwich, and tomato soup. After rolling out of our chairs because we ate so much, we headed off for a show jumping demonstration and then we were able to feed and groom a couple of the horses.
Lights out at 9:45 tonight and not a peep from anyone. I guess we tired them out today. Tomorrow we are off to KIlarney for some boating, hiking and horse-drawn carriages.
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