Look out for deer??? No, Look out for Sheep

Today was my first full day in Ireland. A huge step up from the utter horror that was yesterdays debacle. We started by visiting Bunratty Castle and it was a really beautiful trip. But, I’m beginning to find out that much of Ireland is very, very beautiful. Anyway, back to the castle! The grounds are largely reconstructed to look like they would have in the functioning days of the castle with small cottages and a small village. They even had a woman making fresh cream from cows milk!

Baby Dicky and Toothless enjoying the grounds!

Bunratty Castle

Baby Dicky and Toothless make friends so quickly!

This is the village. Ignore the people, this place is a tourist trap.

     The castle was quite impressive. We were able to view the different rooms and they were decorated in the period themes. My favorite part was the tower, it had an absolutely stunning view. After Bunnratty we went back to Shannon to see if the airport either had 1. My bag or 2. My phone number. They didn’t and they did, respectfully. It’s beginning to look as though I will be purchasing an entirely new wardrobe while I’m here. I put all of my extreme valuables (lap top, nice jewelry etc.) in my carry on so it’s nothing too tragic, but it certainly is annoying. I had some of my favorite outfits in there! Not to mention a lot of new things that I had bought specifically for this. Fingers crossed that Air Lingus comes through for me!

     After Shannon we started our travels to Tullycross. I can’t be sure, but I’m fairly certain that it was a 3 or 4 hour drive. Along the way we stopped in a small town for dinner. It was so quaint, I can’t tell for sure but I think this is the sort of place where you buy meat from the butcher and bread from the baker. After lunch we ventured to Tullycross. We saw some of the most gorgeous scenery. This place really is green, they do not call it the Emerald Isle for nothing. There were fields, tons of livestock (everywhere! Even right next to busy highways) stone “fencing” everywhere. There were rollings hills and lakes, the ocean, and even Mountains. We’ve been fortunate to have beautiful weather for the first few days which allowed us a good look at everything. Oh yes, and sheep. There are sheep littered everywhere in the countryside. And we’re not talking behind fences peering out at you while they munch on their farm cultivated grass. These puppies are roaming wherever they please, and taking their sweet time crossing the road. It sort of reminded me of Meijer when people will stop in the middle of the isle to go about their business paying no mind to all the people around them. 

Completely untouched. This place is truly green.

Near Tullycross in Connemara 

Eventually you do pass what seems like miles of grazing land and enter a very foresty area. You’re no longer bothered by sheep but then you have to deal with extremely narrow roads. EXTREMELY. Oh, and speaking of narrow roads, in Ireland it’s apparently okay to park on the side of the road in either direction and on the traffic lanes. Honey Badger don’t care, neither do the Irish, but I digress. We found ourselves lost along the way, but a minor correction and Kristin knew where we were supposed to be headed. We are now all settled into our cottage for the next seven days (I’m sure we’ll have moved on by the time I’ve posted this). Sleep is calling me. Night!