Photos are SOOC straight out of the camera, no time to edit!!
September 10 2015
IRELAND'S PRETTIEST TOWN BUNRATTY CASTLE AND FOLK PARK.
After breakfast today you will meet with your new driver/guide and travel over the Conor Pass and
via Tralee. t
Nope, we are lucky that Mick will continue to be our driver.
Some photos from Emlagh House where we spent the night. Breakfast was good but the first place that didn't serve until 8AM so we had messaged Mick that we would be later than our planned 9AM start. This was also the slowest breakfast service we encountered, not finishing until after 9.
Taken last evening.
Conor Pass
Conor Pass or Connor Pass (Irish: An Chonair) is one of the highest Irish mountain passes served by an asphalted road. The 456-metre (1,496 ft) high pass connects Dingle, on the south-western end of the Dingle Peninsula, with Brandon Bay and Castlegregory in the north-east.
The scenic road leading to the pass weaves its way around the sharp cliff faces and past high corrie lakes.
A corrie is an amphitheatre-like valley head, formed at the head of a valley glacier by erosion - corrie (from Scottish Gaelic coire meaning a pot or cauldron).
We had stopped at the Windmill Restaurant in 2005 for lunch.
The pretty town of Adare is regarded as Ireland's prettiest towns. You will make a stop here to explore the town.
John and I had been here several times before and it really is a pretty town. I had also shopped here in the past, buying a lovely green jacket and shawl.
What a shock to see that several of the cottages had burned down in June 2015!!
You will bypass Limerick City and travel to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park where we include entrance and a guided tour of the famous castle. Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland.
Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Adjacent to the castle is Bunratty Folk Park where you can enjoy the sights, sounds tastes, scents, of this enchanting place as you stroll from house to house or around the charming village street complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and of course McNamara’s pub!
There will be time for lunch perhaps at Durty Nellie’s beside the castle and nearby are The Woollen Mills where there is a chance to buy a wide range of Irish goods and souvenirs at great prices.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - just some highlights. We decide to have lunch within the park at Mac's Pub. I have smoked salmon and the others have the seafood chowder. Again we skip the Woollen Mills.
I am drawn to the green but suppress my urges!
In the mid-afternoon you will check into Dromoland Castle for 2 nights in 2 Queen Anne rooms (upgraded rooms may be possible on request). With a reputation built on its unparalleled warmth and hospitality, you will understand just what a special experience it is to stay at one of the finest 5 star hotels in Ireland. The balance of the day and the evening are free to enjoy the wonderful facilities at Dromoland.
Dromoland Castle is our destination for two nights. A REAL CASTLE!
We were greeted immediately by the staff eagerly awaiting to assist us with luggage and our car. We climbed the steps to the lobby area, which was filled with antique furnishing and armored knights guarding the reception.
John and I had been here several times before and it really is a pretty town. I had also shopped here in the past, buying a lovely green jacket and shawl.
What a shock to see that several of the cottages had burned down in June 2015!!
I'll post more of the town and the church in separate posts.
Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Adjacent to the castle is Bunratty Folk Park where you can enjoy the sights, sounds tastes, scents, of this enchanting place as you stroll from house to house or around the charming village street complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and of course McNamara’s pub!
There will be time for lunch perhaps at Durty Nellie’s beside the castle and nearby are The Woollen Mills where there is a chance to buy a wide range of Irish goods and souvenirs at great prices.
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - just some highlights. We decide to have lunch within the park at Mac's Pub. I have smoked salmon and the others have the seafood chowder. Again we skip the Woollen Mills.
I am drawn to the green but suppress my urges!
In the mid-afternoon you will check into Dromoland Castle for 2 nights in 2 Queen Anne rooms (upgraded rooms may be possible on request). With a reputation built on its unparalleled warmth and hospitality, you will understand just what a special experience it is to stay at one of the finest 5 star hotels in Ireland. The balance of the day and the evening are free to enjoy the wonderful facilities at Dromoland.
Dromoland Castle is our destination for two nights. A REAL CASTLE!
We were greeted immediately by the staff eagerly awaiting to assist us with luggage and our car. We climbed the steps to the lobby area, which was filled with antique furnishing and armored knights guarding the reception.
Dromoland Castle (Irish: Drom Ólainn) is a castle, now a 5-star luxury hotel with golf course, located near Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare. Its restaurant, the Earl of Thomond, was awarded a Michelin star in 1995.
Our room. Time to get some laundry done and I have a well-deserved nap. John does too!
Hi Jackie. The b and b I help out at. .breakfast is 7.30/ 9.30 weekdays and 8 /10.,at weekends. Most don't come down until gone 8 or even 9.,..
ReplyDeleteSo many beautiful places to see, what a pity the weather wasn't kinder to you. Fancy staying in a castle - how magnificent .
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots... the expression of contentment of that goat is priceless!
ReplyDelete