Bunratty

Only last day, as my flight wasn't until 5pm, I headed south to Bunratty Castle and Folk village, which is not far from the Shannon Airport. As it was the middle of the week, there weren't many people around. The folk village has houses/cottages from across Irelands time and status levels. 

Colourful

Inside a smoky house.

The castle is impressive. Most of the pieces inside are random antiques, collected by the Earl and Lady in the 70s when they resorted the castle. They are from a range of eras and countries.

Bunratty Castle,

British armour.

a murder hole in the ceiling of the entrance

Draw bridge entrance

Main hall

They hold medical banquets in the main hall which sound really fun. (Maybe next time.)

Tapestry

Very large antlers.

You can climb the towers which I did. And I am still regretting that decision 4 days later - my legs still ache! But the view was good.

Top of the tower

View of the river.

Super steep and narrow stairs.

Turtle shells in the kitchen (no idea why)

Of course after climbing the first tower, I decided to climb the second one. Equally as steep!

Steep!

View over the village

Sneaky hole from the stairs over the main hall.

I found the perfect cottage. So cute and even has a mezzanine level.

2 bedroom cottage with open plan layout.

The original fold-up bed.

Posh place.

The Irish half door (or barn door)

They were setting up for their Christmas session and even paint the cottage walls.

REALLY large door knocker!

They have a really sweet fairy village on the way tot main house.

Toad stool

Red deer fairy hut.

Dragoon fly lake

The gardens from the main house were nice. I didn't go into the house as they seemed to be doing their Christmas stuff and I didn't want to get in the way.

Village church

I also found the village pub which had a peat fire burning. The smell is amazing. I want one! It was really cozy, sitting by the fire with a book and pot of tea. I only left because it was getting busy with a lot of noisy American tourists from a tour group. Everything was "so cute" and "quaint". 

The trip back was ok though I was at the airport really early. There is not a lot to do in Shannon airport. But I did finish my Christmas shopping! :) 

Spiddal and Ballyloughane

I got the courage to go out in the car in the Monday. Some of the roads are not how I would exactly describe a road. 

The weather was amazing for the rest of my trip. Sunny, clear blue skies. And freezing temperatures.
My hotel was near Ballyloughane beach and strand so I took a walk first thing.

Beach

Frosty seaweed.

Not caring about the cold.

I decided not to sit and enjoy the view

I really wanted to go to Spiddal, which has a craft village (which was mostly open). There was a glass shop I really wanted to visit. The GPS decided to take me an interesting route. I guess because the speed limit was 50 mph. But no one in the right mind would consider going that speed. I can't remember the name but there is an Irish name for these roads which basically means grass in the middle. Because the roads are so narrow, no one ever drives over the middle of the road and grass grows down the centre. Thankfully I only came across one person coming in the opposite direction. And he reversed. I was not looking forward to having to do that. But it did take me through some very lovely countryside. 

Spiddal craft village.

After lunch there (more soup!) I found the way to the beach.

I walked around the pier and along the shore line, over the rocks.

I spent the rest of the afternoon back at the hotel, some enjoying a liquor coffee in the bar next to the open fire. Before back into the cold and into town again for my last meal there. The seafood is amazing and I found a nice seafood restaurant. It was a bit over priced but tasty.