Wet on the Cliffs

King John’s Castle

We are staying in a hotel in downtown Limerick
A great central location. We are awoken in the middle of the night to the sound of a women yelling away at someone (husband, girlfriend?). She was quite angry but we don’t know why because we couldn’t understand a word she was saying.

It is cool and misty as we head out to see King John’s Castle which was built between 1200 and 1210 AD. King John never actually stayed here but he did order it’s construction.

St Mary’s Cathedral

Our next stop is St Mary’s Cathedral. Built in the 1160s AD, it is one of the oldest buildings still being utilized for its original purpose in Ireland.

Inside the cathedral there is a strange art installation of an old woman with a tarantula body made from material with bells sewn on. While looking at the chapel, I back into it and it’s arms move and bells jingle…just about scared the bejesus out of me.

On the way back to the car, much to John’s horror, I stop in a woolen mill shop and start trying on sweaters. I can’t resist.

Bunratty Castle

We drive out of Limerick to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.They have a village of houses and buildings from all different time periods as well as the castle built around 1425.
I especially enjoyed the farm where I got to pet a friendly black faced sheep…yet another Irish bucket experience that I can check off my list.

We stop for lunch (homemade vegetable soup and bread) at the old tea house. The lady running it had to keep chasing chickens and juvenile turkeys out. During lunch I feel like I’m being watched and sure enough, there was a chicken staring at me from the other side of the window.

Clare Abbey

Our next stop is the ruin of Clare Abbey, about a twenty minute drive from Bunratty. Built in 1189 AD, it was once the largest and most important Augustinian Monastery in Clare County.

We have the whole place to ourselves…just us and the jackdaws. There are many people buried here from recent times to long, long ago.

St Bridget’s Well

Next stop is Saint Brigid’s Well. This is the oldest of St Brigid’s wells in Ireland and it is said that the grotto’s running waters have healing powers.

Some women and their daughters are running up and down the stairs around the grotto five times… they say this will bring good luck and that they hope to win the lotto. I’m not sure this is the type of healing power St Brigid had in mind.

Inside the grotto the walls and ceiling are covered with pictures of people, prayers and religious items.

Cliff’s of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are only a few minutes away. We park our car and the rain starts. We put on our waterproof pants and a few extra layers. The rain is really coming down but we still hike both sides of the cliffs which are so dramatic
At one point the rain is falling sideways in the heavy wind and actually stings in our faces. The sheep and cows that we walk past do not seem to mind.

Despite rain gear and waterproof shoes, we are still slightly damp when we arrive to our Bed and Breakfast in Doolin. Our host puts our stuff in the dryer.

After a hot shower, we head to the nearby Doolin Inn for supper, a pint and traditional Irish music.