Cragganowen

Today we went to Cragganowen, a park where they have recreated scenes from Ireland’s history. They even had a castle! This is a picture of a Cranog where there are two houses. A Cranog was a small island. Inhabitants would build their homes
on it.The people of the Iron age built their homes out of wood and mud. They also made thatched roofs. We also saw the Brendan, a boat built in the 1970s that is a duplicate of St. Brendan’s boat. according to legend, St. Brendan discovered North America first, 500 years before Christopher Columbus. A man, Thor Heyerdahl, sailed
the Brendan from Ireland to Newfoundland, proving that the legend of St. Brendan may be true.

Town

Wednesday we went into Limerick City.  We went shopping and to the Hunt Museum.  When we went shopping, I got a top with anchors and stripes on it.  My brother Simon got tons of rugby shirts.  Then we went to the Hunt Museum.  This museum was founded by Mr. and Mrs. John Hunt.  The museum is housed in the old Customs House, where sea captains would come to tell what goods they had and paid customs on them before they were allowed to sell them in Ireland.  The Hunt family donated their entire collection of rare artifacts.  We received a personal tour guided by a friend of my dad's family.  

Poulnabrone

Further down the hill from the Birds of Prey Center is Poulnabrone.  This ancient tomb was used in the year 2500 BC.  There were lots of rocks and beautiful spring flowers.  In the tomb are the remains of 33 people who were buried there over hundreds of years.  But strangely, about a thousand years later, an infant was buried was buried on the perimeter of the tomb.  What was special about that one baby - we'll never know...

Birds of Prey Center

Also on Tuesday, we went to the Birds of Prey Center, down the hill from the caves.  We saw a bird show with an owl named Huey, a Harris Hawk named Scruffy, and a peregrine falcon - Millie.  They are breeding the birds there in order to reintroduce them to Ireland.

Ailwee Caves

On Tuesday we went to an area of Ireland called the Burren.   The Burren is made up of porous limestone.  On the 2 hour drive north, we got to see lots of beautiful scenery.  Then we arrived at the 2 million year old Ailwee caves, which were discovered by a man and his dog.  The dog chased a rabbit down a "hole".  The man went after him with a candle.  The man waited 30 years before telling anyone about the caves.  Bears hibernated in the caves during the winter because it was warmer in the caves than outside (10 degrees C, or 50 degrees F).  All the time, stalagtites and stalagmites were growing.  Stalagtites grow on the roof and stalagmites form on the ground.  

Bunratty Castle

Here are videos of parts of Bunratty Castle.  I thought it was really neat to see what the beds and kitchens were like in the olden days.  As well as the videos there is a picture of me in front of one of the cottages.  In these cottages, there is a loft where kids have to go up on a ladder to your bed.  

Quinn Abbey

Today I went to Quin Abby. It was really neat! Did you know that it has no roof! It was originally a castle. The abbey was built in the 1430's.