First thing in the morning I took a stroll to the river walk in Adare. The road was busy, as usual, with many large coach busses passing through to take tourists on various tours. I saw some swans, dog walkers, joggers and school kids on their was to school. After I returned we had our tea and breakfast and then went on a guided tour of the Adare Castle. It was built from 1200 to 1215 CE using local black limestone and a mortar made of horse hair, lime and blood. Mark, our guide, said they were not picky about what type of blood they used which was a bit creepy. This castle is 95% complete perhaps that is due to the fact that is was abandoned just before the arrival of cannons in Ireland so it never had its walls tested in that way. The Normans built the castle half a century after they invaded Ireland in 1169. The Normans were able to conquer all five cities of Ireland due to their superior technology. The Irish disdained armor, did not have horses and did not have a tradition of killing folks in battle. Our guide told us that is someone was killed in a cattle raid the raid would come to a stop while the details of who killed who and how it was done was determined. At this point the killer may have to take on the duty of supporting the family of the man that was killed. We really loved the castle tour and then headed back into town to pop into the shops.
Great hedge trimming
Even a thatched porch
Information for all in the park
The bark on the stick looks a bit like a tiny fish
Tree lined walkway
A thatched gazebo
Passing the gate to the Manor
An old castle turned into a school. This was built by a Trinitarian sect of healers and hospital builders. This is the only monastery that they built outside France
Time to rise and shine
The tide is in
Back in town I passed the church
Blackbird
In the Heritage Center
Great umbrellas
Let us enter the castle
The bridge with the school behind.
Portcullis
A newfangled drawbridge
Before cannons arrows were the wepon of choice
The window on the left is original and the one on the right was built by the OPW craftsmen
Our guide, Mark, is getting his masters degree in history
Brecon Law had codified many rights for women that were later taken away. Women could diverse, own property, inherit titles and land and own businesses
This was the great hall
This window was unique to the castle. Perhaps it was the start of a renovation that was not sustained
These windows of the Norman style are the norm
We three beings..
These little ferns are actually beneficial to the castle walls that they grow upon. The plant eats the limestone and the roots help seal the wall like a mortar.
That is in contrast to the ivy that will breakdown the walls
Heavy rain has dislodged much debris
The grounds of the Manor
Doors in the exterior walls
An area in the castle that leads directly to the river
Stumble steps designed to make invaders fall
The black libestone
Down in the cellar these steps used to lead to the top floor
A heron in the trees
Little egret
Back in town
We stopped in for a bite of lunch at the Poppy Cup
It doubled as an art gallery
Tudor style
Lavender building
Row house whit different colored doors
Kegs and kegs of beer!
