Sadly, our last full day in Ireland had arrived.  After breakfast we reorganized all our suitcases - who would get all the dirty laundry?  :) 

     Another castle on my list had been Dromoland Castle so we set out to find it.  I didn't realize that it was a swanky hotel and golf course.  Golfing types were loitering around, nice cars dropping people off, etc.

     I've learned that a tower house was built there some time around the 15th or 16th century and the current building was completed in 1835.

    After driving around the castle we next went back to Sixmilebridge - on purpose! - to get out and look around.  (Photo below.) I just read that the town got its name because it is 6 miles from Limerick and 6 miles from Bunratty.

     Then it was back towards Bunratty for some window shopping and lunch. 

     We spent the afternoon at the Bunratty Folk Park. It is "a living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland" at the end of the 19th century.  There were farmhouses, village shops, houses with formal gardens, a church, a mill, cottages - all furnished and some with costumed reenactors working inside.  It was especially interesting to see the thatched cottages because it helped us imagine what Matthias' cottage would have looked like in its prime.

     And since Ireland had many farms at the end of the 19th century, there were lots of ANIMALS!

     When we first arrived we went right to the castle.  Again, once you are inside you can just wander all over.  Each corner of the castle had a narrow, winding set of spiral stairs that led to the top.  Doorways along the stairs opened onto bedrooms, apartments, kitchens, chapels.  It was tight quarters with people going up AND down at the same time.

     That night we went back for the Medieval Castle Banquet.  Upon our arrival we were directed to the Great Hall (formerly the banqueting hall and audience chamber) where young costumed people were playing fiddles and a harp and others handed out "The Bite of Friendship" - bread and salt,  juice to the kids and honey mead to the adults.  It was actually quite good!  One was my limit, however, or I wouldn't have been able to make it down the steps to the Main Guard which is where the banquets are held.  Back in the day this was where Bunratty's soldiers ate, slept and relaxed.

     After some theatrical announcements by the "Butler" we and the mass of people squeezed down the spiral staircases where we met Matt, who had sped down to save a good table.  A theatrical narration of the castle's history ensued, including the fact that the castle was built in 1425 AND is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland AND that it was restored in 1954 to its former splendour.

     While we dined sans utensils (except for spoons) on Braume Brose (soup & brown bread), Allowes Royal (spare ribs with sauce), Caudell ( chicken with potatoes, veggies, etc,) and Rastan (Fruit of the Forest Mousse on a Biscuit Base) the theatrical musical entertainment programme was performed by the young people doubling as wait staff.  There were songs, instrumental pieces and some group singing interspersed with theatrics.  One of the attendees was chosen to go to the dungeon - accessed by a door right off that room - and paid for his release with a song.  We all joined in on Take Me Out To The Ballgame.

     When the banquet was finished we left the castle.  While a bagpiper played.  It had been some good, corny fun and VERY expensive, but I think we were all glad that we went.  Back at the B&B we finished packing and then checked out and chatted with Deidre.  Our last night in Ireland ended with our nightly card game and then it was lights out.

     The next morning we were up early  and ate some cereal with milk that Deidre had left in the frig for us.  The trip to the airport was quick and uneventful as was our rental car return.  When we checked in for our flight we discovered that the flight time had been changed to a slightly later time, but that we had been upgraded to business class.  We filled the wait with - Yes! - playing cards and then enjoyed the trip home with movies, games and other distractions on the monitors at each of our wide, leather seats.

     Slogging through JFK was NOT pleasant.  It was 2 1/2 hours from the time we arrived at our gate to the time we got  to our car and the drive getting out of the NYC wasn't much better.  Next time - Boston!

Click here for the last page, a "kids'-eye" view of our trip.