After a short walk, it was breakfast downstairs. Toast and banana again before heading out of Tralee still following the Wild Atlantic Way. We have pretty well been on it since the Ring of Kerry. First Stop, Fenit, where there is quite a large wharf which we could see when we crossed Conor Pass yesterday.
We were looking for a coffee. No luck here, nor at Ballyheigue a little further along. After driving around Kerry Head (not as pretty as Slea Head and the Dingle Peninsula) we headed for the car ferry which crosses the Shannon River at Tarbet. Quite a large ferry with at least 40 vehicles on it. It took 20 minutes to cross and cost 19 Euro. Once on the northern side of the river, we headed for Cratloe near Bunratty Castle. We had an Airbnb booked for the night and were also booked for the Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle.
We had a bit of trouble finding our B&B. Both the GPS app we were using on my phone and the directions on the Airbnb app (using google maps) on Jill's phone took us on Wild Goose Chases. Eventually, we found our bed for the night, showered and set off to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for a 5:30 start.
The banquet was a fun evening with quite a theatrical performance from our guests in the vein of medieval Ireland. The meal was interesting with only a knife to eat it with. Good that they were happy to cater for Jill's dietary requirements. The castle itself is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland today. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times.
The route took us through Ennis which was just setting up for a week-long festival. And it was buzzing. People everywhere and a large stage set up for music and dance. The official opening was set for 2:30 but in the meantime, we were entertained by a school group of a least 20 Irish Harps. It sounded terrific. Hard to believe it was coming from just one type of instrument. There was also a little Irish dancing and singing before we left. While there we also had lunch and finally found a coffee at Costa (brought back memories of our last trip to the UK where we visited Costa regularly as we were always assured of a reliable coffee.
We had a bit of trouble finding our B&B. Both the GPS app we were using on my phone and the directions on the Airbnb app (using google maps) on Jill's phone took us on Wild Goose Chases. Eventually, we found our bed for the night, showered and set off to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for a 5:30 start.
We had a little time to explore the folk park - a glimpse of an Ireland of the past, a stroll from house to house around a charming village street complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and even a McNamara’s pub!
The banquet was a fun evening with quite a theatrical performance from our guests in the vein of medieval Ireland. The meal was interesting with only a knife to eat it with. Good that they were happy to cater for Jill's dietary requirements. The castle itself is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland today. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times.
