Day 5 Traveling to Limerick

Today was a travel day to the west coast of the island. Time for Margaret and Patrick to visit with their families. Time for us to meet their families, see 'their Ireland', and give them some time alone with their families as we strike out on our own.

Despite my assurance that we are absolutely fine wandering on our own, Margaret, bless her, was fussing a bit. We started the travel day with a stop in the village of Newcastle to visit one of Margaret's sisters. We assured her we would be fine wandering the village centre while she visited. Well, we never did make it to the village centre!

We started by wandering the grounds of Oakville House. Margaret's sister lived in Oakville at one time. On moving back to Ireland they named their house, as is often done here. The house here in Newcastle links back to their time in Canada.

Wandering down the street we soon had a sense of the history here as we discovered buildings from the 12th century. Stopping at the Church of Ireland to read about the ancient stones and historical landmarks, we met a local woman and spent the next half hour learning all about Newcastle, Gaye's life here, including coincidently her friendship with Margaret's sister, and the group of local women who keep the village clean and water all the flowers with her. It's amazing in Ireland just how much you can learn about someone you just happen upon!

Journeying on we walked along a country road that was beautiful, remote and littered with interesting sites! While stopping to take pictures of some ancient stone structures there was a terrific noise overhead and planes flew in formation clearly on some kind of practice maneuvers, so we stopped in the field to enjoy an air show!

By the time we made our way to St. Finian's Well and made our wishes it was well past the time we should have been heading back to meet the Murphy's. We stopped at The Rolling Doughnut (a doughnut truck) for treats for the Murphys!

Continuing on to Limerick we passed through several counties. When we reached Tipperary the rolling hills and lush glens vividly displayed Irelands many shades of green! It really is incredible just how many shades of green there are.

We stopped at a thatch roofed cottage in Nenagh for a carvery lunch and then arrived in Limerick in late afternoon. We have now settled in with Margaret's family and are enjoying Irish hospitality at it's best.

Oakville House

Old stone walls that line the village. 

12th century ruins 

The road to St. Finian's Well
Poppy grow wild here on roadsides like they do in Italy. 
Our own personal airshow.

Our first thatched roof!
Our view in our current stay.
Welcomed with tea and scones.

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