Kenmare to Limerick

Today we are on our way to Limerick. Our first stop was the village of Adare. Adare is one of the prettiest villages in Ireland and it has thatched cottages that are in their natural setting. As usual it was raining when we stopped in Adare, but it was a misting rain so not too bad. We did stop in a church and then made our way out to see the thatched cottages. We had about an hour here.

On our way to Limerick. We drove by St. Mary's Cathedral, didn't get to go inside. A lady on our tour did get dropped off here at the church as she was searching for her family roots. Her great grandmother was baptised in this church. She had to find her own way to the hotel. We then stopped at the Treaty Stone along the Shannon River and we could see King John's Castle across the way. We were able to get time to shoot some photos. We had people who live in Limerick Pennsylvania on our tour so naturally they had to have a group picture of them in Limerick Ireland.

Back on the bus we went. We were supposed to stay at the Radisson Hotel in Limerick but instead we were moved to the Bunratty Castle Hotel. This move was due to construction at the Radisson, which I think in the long run was a better move for us. We were right next to the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. If we had stayed at the Radisson, then we were tied to the hotel.

Made our way to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. We could spend as much as we wanted here because our hotel was just a five minute walk away. We first toured the castle. We got a guide to give us information about the castle first and we learned on why castles were built they way they were, for defense. Again we climbed a bunch of spiral stairs. This time we had our choice of 3 different staircases, which naturally we took. Somehow Jennifer and I got separated from Mom, but not to worry we found each other in the great hall.

After the castle we then made our way into the folk park. This is very neat, has working shops and eating places inside. It was so nice to be able to take our leisure time going through the folk park. We walked every inch of the place and saw everything. We ate lunch in pub inside the park. Just ate something light.

The park was starting to close up and get ready for their Irish Ceili. We didn't sign up for this optional. We ate supper in the pub Durty Nelly's. This pub was established in 1640 so very old. We ate with other people from our group here. At first we were seated in the restaurant part of the pub. This was huge meals and pricey meals. All we wanted were burgers. That is when we learned that we have to ask for bar food. Once we got that figured out, we were seated upstairs for the bar food.

They had very good burgers and Jen had a fajita. The beef was very tasty in Ireland. It was a very nice evening spent with our fellow travelers and relaxing. When we were leaving the pub, there were some outside tables. Mom decided that she was going to dance on the table and I had to take her photo. She told me to hurry before anybody saw her. Around the corner came Bernie our tour guide. She was caught red handed. He then had me and Jen get on the table and he took our photo. It turned out real nice.

Another woman was traveling with her mother and we had a standing joke on whose mother would dance on the tables first. My mother won. She is such a good sport and I have the photo evidence.

Back to the motel we went. Mom and I had a night cap in the bar. Jen was going to check out the swimming pool. Since Jen had the one and only key to the room, we had to go find her. We made it to the swimming pool after some searching in the hotel. They don't put the pools in the central part like in American hotels. There was a door propped open, so Mom and I decided to check it out. It was just an outside courtyard with a very pretty fountain. Once we made it to the pool it was closed. Found out that Jen never did make it to the pool as she couldn't find it.