After leaving the Ring of Kerry in the south of Ireland, we headed northward. Still in the Vounty of Kerry, we stopped at a heritage site, to see a small open air museum. It had cottages of workers and old machines and two men re-thatching a house, and Irish wolf hounds and Bog Ponies. I had never heard of this breed, but it is one. They are small, light- boned, hardy stock. They served the poor folk of Ireland in rugged conditions, especially after the great famine of the mid 1800s. Only 20 were left recently, but a preservation program has re-stocked the breed.
Old thatched roof
Newly thatched roof
Getting a thatched roof
A furnished cottage
The green machine on the right is a grinder for turnips, to feed to livestock.
We ended up in Limerick this evening. It has a strong round-towered castle from King John, and numerous beautiful stone churches and bridges and prominant buildings, and a huge ruined convent wall, and interesting alms and widows houses.
The Irish have had an extremely hard history, as we note at every turn. Yet they are the warmest, most cheerful, friendly folk one could hope to meet. A lesson for us all.
Wow. Really stunning. The thatched roofs are incredibly well done. An art.
ReplyDeleteYour last statement is one I have heard from everyone who has visited that country, most notably my youngest daughter who claims it is her favorite country for the friendly people. I long to visit myself. Thank you for the tour!