Clare turns four today. We woke her early to get out of the farmhouse with enough time to get to the Bunratty Castle and enjoy the folkpark. I made Clare her favorite peanut butter and jelly toast and put four candles in the corners, as is tradition in our house. She was nearly too tired to blow them out, but she made her wish and did her duty!
The drive North up to the Shannon area was rainy, but uneventful. We watched the hills roll by and the rain swish down. Along the way Tom saw about four properties he wanted, and we dreamed about Irish real estate the whole way through.
Clare was convinced that if she sang a little song that the sun would come out in time for us to enjoy the Bunratty Folkpark, so she began a little ditty. Sure enough, when we rolled into the parking lot, the clouds lifted and the sun shone. She sure was proud of herself.
Bunratty is a restored castle and grounds, and they have many thatched cottages that include period furnishing and interiors. We wandered the castle and park grounds, pet a donkey and a horse, fed some scraggly Irish wolfhounds, watched two plump and beautiful Irish women peel apples for pies, and ducked our heads into a few re-created Irish cottages.
After a beer or two at the original Durty Nellie’s pub just outside the grounds, we headed to the Bunratty Lodge to unload for the last time and rest a bit before dinner. Mary, the proprietor suggested a restaurant called The Red Door, and it sure didn’t disappoint. It was perhaps the most expensive meal we had had, but it surely was the best. After and appetizers of mussels, the stuffed chicken breast with hazelnuts and cheese, duck confit, fresh halibut, stuffed ham, and pasta for the tot were wonderful entrees. They brought out ice cream (with Jello underneath: a kid’s dream) with a candle, and Clare and Colin got to wish on their respective birthdays again.
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