Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet

Another sunny Irish day awaited us as we set off for the Cliffs of Moher.  Along the way we stopped at the Rock Shop in Liscannor to buy some souvenirs.  I learned that the area is famous for their limestone flagstones that have random patterns on the surface made by sea worms millions of years ago.  They make very attractive patios.

The Cliffs of Moher is one of the top tourist attractions in Ireland and have millions of visitors a year.  The sunny weather attracted many other tourists from around the world.  The visitor center and gifts shops are built into the hills so as not to take anything away from the natural beauty of the site.  There are 2 trails that run along the top of the 200m cliffs.  We first set off for O'Brien's Tower which is all that remains of a castle on this site.  Notice the size of O'Brien's tower so you can judge the scale of the cliffs in the picture that feature it in the background.

The team at the gates of Cliffs of Moher

The shops are part of the hill

O'Brien's Tower on the cliffs

Looking south

A closer look at  O'Brien's Tower

The team at the foot of  O'Brien's Tower

We next ventured south on the other trail.  After about 500m the paved path gave way to a gravel path away from the cliff and a dirt path along the edge of the cliff.  A sign warned of extreme danger but most people chose the dirt path.  Some went close to the edge to get the shot they desired.  I am happy to report that there were no deaths by falling.

O'Brien's Tower on the top of the cliff

Can you see O'Brien's Tower?

Marilyn enjoying the view

Dwight pondering the beauty

Spectacular

This rock is about 50m high

On the drive back, Liz attempted to take pictures of some of the country homes.  She now has a nice collection of pictures of hedges and blurred houses.

Bunratty Castle is at the mouth of the Raity river where it joins the Shannon River west of Limerick.  Bunratty means "mouth of the Raity" in Gaelic.  The castle has grounds that allow you to experience life in the Middle Ages.  We walked through the grounds and arrived at the castle where Patrick the butler greeted us on the drawbridge.

The castle drawbridge

The history of he castle

Jim and Marilyn checking if the cottage is locked

More thatched roofed cottages

Entering the castle we climbed a spiral staircase to the third floor Great Hall and were immediately handed a glass of mead.  A fiddle and harp provided background music as we awaited the arrival of the Earl.  We met some people from Lansing Michigan and chatted and shared vacation stories.  After the Earl was introduced, we learned about some of the customs of the castle and were entertained by some traditional Irish songs.

Harp and fiddle ensemble

14th century tapestries in the Great Hall

A Coat of Arms in the Great Hall

A hand carved wedding wardrobe

Irish singing in the Great Hall

When dinner was announced, we went down the spiral staircase one level to the banquet hall.  Our table was just inside the door.  We had a couple and their mother from Fort McMurray and the host of an Irish cooking show on TV at our table.  Neven Maguire had a TV crew who was taping him.  I was in the background of the shot when the server put the main course on plates.  Neven promised us a copy of his cookbook for everybody at his table!
  

The Earl is announced

Dwight and Marilyn enjoying the banquet

Jim and Liz surprise the waitress with their Lady and the Tramp impression 

Dwight and Marilyn feed each other dessert.  How romantic.

A harpist plays after dinner

Lady Marilyn on the Earl's throne

Lord James ponders on the throne

The meal had four courses: We began with a spiced parsnip soup with fresh stoneground bread.  Next was spare ribs, the main was chicken with small potatoes and root vegetables.  Dessert was rastin which is a fruit of the forest mousse.  Coffee was served on the way out.

After dinner hall sang along to "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "Take me out to the Ball Game" and we listened to several Irish songs including some in Gaelic.  The last song was "Danny Boy", my mother's favourite.  I videoed it for her.

On the way to the car in the dark, the "snake bite" attacks first done at Rhuthin Castle in Wales in 1984, were recreated.  Dave your participation was missed.  

Liz makes her escape from the castle

The "snake bite" counsel reconvenes outside the castle

Dwight gets into "snake bite" mode

Liz is attacked by Marilyn in the dark.  A dose of anti venom was required later.

It was a quiet evening back at the cottage after another awesome day in Ireland.