5/11/11

Hotels in Ireland don't seem to believe in double beds. When one is use to sleeping in a queen size bed, a very small twin can be almost dangerous.


The day began with a tour of Limerick and a stop at King John's Castle. Now this king ordered it built and it bears his name but, according to history, he was never in it. As with many of the older structures in Ireland, there are stories of battles, death, distraction, betrayal, the Irish fighting for their freedom and having a hard time getting it, associated with the castle. He is also the king associated with the Magna Carta and, as with most English monarchs, He is not remembered with any fondness in Ireland.

For me there is an odd feeling associated with walking around in a place built in the 13th century. The feeling was even moreso yesterday when we were walking around the Poulnabrone tomb which was probably build around 3000 BC.


I think having things around (all over the place) that are this old tends to give the Irish a different sense of time.
"When's the music gonna start?".
"When they get here."
"When's that gonna be?"
"When somebody shows up"
"How long they gonna play?"
"Till they quit."



Leaving Limerick we drove SW to the small town of Adaire. We were here in 2004 and we remembered seeing more thatched roofs.


Still a charming town with grand shopping and a beautiful park. It has won the "Tidy Town" competition a number of times. It also has a relatively new church started in 1232 with a part being added as late as 1884.

Following our visit to Adaire we drove to Machen of Ireland a store of some note specializing in things Irish of high quality and high price. To encourage browsers to freely and comfortably part with euros, they provided Irish coffee upon arrival. I was the recipient of another one as one person offered his to me and I thought it impolite to refuse. And, like my mother taught me, I kept my hands in my pocket when in the store.

From there we continued SW to Farranfore where we turned south to Killarney and the Holiday Inn where, saints preserve us, they had a room with a double bed. It may be the only one in Ireland.

This evening can only be described as exceptional. We went to a performance by Siamsa Tire (sheemse teere). To demonstrate the power of American labeling, I first thought a tire company with the name of Siamsa was sponsoring the event. Not so. Siamsa Tire is the name of The National Folk Theatre of Ireland and we saw a performance of "Clan Lir" wholly in The Irish using song, dance, and mime. They were stunning. The story is worth looking up if, like me, you are unfamiliar with it.

Shaun and Joan McMahon

Location:Killarney