"A Boy in his car went "beep, beep"!
Cause covering the road
There were sheep.
He braked and he went
And for cover he sent
The sheep and their shepherd, Bo-Peep!"
Since we were traveling to Limerick, I thought it would be a good way to start the blog today, with a Limerick. This one happened to be true. In the mid west, buffalo stopped traffic..here in the Emerald Isle, Sheep!
I do believe we got our first taste of real Irish weather today, cloudy, damp, chilly with the wind blowing through you! Bad day to try to see the glorious sites on the Dingle Pennisula! But I did get a few good shots to share. I could tell though that without the rain and fog, it is a beautiful place to see. I was surprised to see such beautiful beaches and further surprised to see the Surf Boards! Surf's Up Dude! and these guys...don't know them, didn't talk to them, but their craziness was blog worthy! They had to be freezing out there!! We had on long sleeves, coats, scarfs, hats and were still cold!
We made what they call the Slea Head circle, stopping at the Irish Famine Cottages. The more I read here about the Irish Famine, the more I realize how horrible it truly was. The suffering so many endured is unbelievable. The main house was built by the Earl of Cork in the 1840's. The smaller structures were the peasant cabins inhabited through the Irish Potato Famin from 1845 to 1850, which is when we believe the first McCormicks emigrated to America. Ireland lost 2 million of its population during this time period, either to death or emigration. To get to the cabins we have a bit of a climb up a hill side. I had such an eerie feeling. First of all, for a while we were the only ones there...the wind was whistling around us and the buildings were cold and damp. I could just feel the suffering as mothers watched helplessly their children die, and then most likely died themselves, to be thrown in a common grave. This was a site I will not forget. Main cottage first, peasant cottage following.
Scenes from the Dingle Pennisula
We did not get to Limerick in time to tour King John's castle nor St. Mary's Cathedral. We did walk down the River Shannon to see the outside of the buildings. After a quick lunch/dinner at Burger King, and a short walk around the area we went to the room to blog and rest up for tomorrow. I am a bit disappointed in Limerick. The town, or at least the part I have seen is not nearily as charming as the other places we've seen. It is a more modern city and not as well maintained as even Dublin or Killkarney! The city just looks dirty! I hope to drive around a bit tomorrow before we head out to Bunratty Castle so my mind can be changed!
With that I will close from the Emerald Isle for the evening. Early to bed for me! ....d
With that I will close from the Emerald Isle for the evening. Early to bed for me! ....d
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