CatMoore
Registered User
Posts: 22
(8/4/03 10:55 am)
 
Part 4b: Cashel, May 31-June 3, 2003

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Sorry it's taken me so long to post the final part of my trip to Ireland. Here goes the final leg of our journey!

The morning of June 2nd, we jump into our car early and decide to head to Bunratty Castle. I had been there during a visit back in 2000, but I knew my hubby would love it! We made the drive from Cashel to Bunratty in record time, and it was NICE to go early, because there was NO traffic around Limerick. As we drove up to the castle, my husband was already itching to start exploring all around the castle. We got there before a lot of the tourist buses, so we could explore everything without it being to crowded. It was as neat as I remembered, and he just LOVED it. We went up all towers, and took as many pictures that we could (I'll still have to try and upload some of these, but we had our digital camera, and took over 1,200 pictures!).

After going through the castle, we walked through the folk park, which was very nice and pretty (I didn't do this on my last visit). Finally, we did some shopping at the shop there, and decided to get some lunch.

We walked into Dirty Nelly's, and it was PACKED! I did want to eat there, but there was no place to sit, so we walked across the street to a place by the Blarney Woolen Mills Outlet. Whatever that place was, they had good food (I can't remember the name at all).

We did some shopping at the Woolen Mills (spent too much money), and then decided to make a treck to Knappogue Castle.

It wasn't that long of a drive, and the castle was pretty impressive. You could tell they focused more on the Medieval Banquets, but the decor was really something. We walked around for a bit, and then decided we had time for one more thing before heading back to Cashel. We decided to drive to Quin Abbey, and it was REALLY pretty. The Cloister area there was in excellent shape, and it was neat to see what the one at Athassel Abbey would have looked like. It was definitely worth the drive.

After Quin Abbey, we started the treck back to Cashel, and got stuck in traffic around Limerick (but not half as bad as the traffic in Dublin!). We drove by King John's Castle, and I wish we would have had time to see that one. I guess it's something for the next trip!

We made it back, relaxed for a while and walked around Cashel and window shopped.

The next day (June 3rd), was our trip back to Roscrea to drop off the car and take the bus back to Dublin. It was a sad day since our trip was coming to a close. We did get to see everything we wanted to, but it was still sad to be leaving soon! We made the trip back in the bus (which was PACKED!). It was a long trip, and all we wanted was to get to Dublin (it's had to go back to public transportation once you have had the freedom of a car!).

We made it to the Bloom's Hotel in Temple Bar for our final nite, and we didnt' do much of anything. We ate pub food at the Vat House, and just relaxed for our big trip home.

Goodbye Ireland!

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1675
(8/5/03 1:21 am)

Thanks!

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Hi Cat,

Better late than never! Seriously, thanks for stopping by to finish up on your trip report. I agree that Bunratty Castle & Folk Park are well worth seeing. Many people avoid them because they think it is too "touristy". But tourists go there for a good reason -- it's simply too good to pass up. Could the place you had lunch be the Creamery?

Please stop by on occasion to insert your "two cents" worth into the forum. It is people like you that make it the fun place that it is.

When is your next trip to Ireland?

Michele