Two hours from Cork we were looking for parking in the busy and narrow streets of Limerick to visit King John's Castle, located in the heart of the medieval quarter. This 12th century castle is right on the River Shannon, the site dating back to 922 when the Vikings lived here. The Castle itself was built on the orders of King John around 1200 during the first Norman Conquest of Ireland as a base to which to subdue the Gaelic Chieftains of the west. There are a lot of interactive displays within the building, recent archaeological information and great views of the city and river from the towers. Just before entering the castle I discovered a small closed shop with some very interesting political posters referring to the Provisional Government and the Troubles. There was a photo and song dedicated to Michael Gaughen, the IRA member who died of a hunger strike in 1974 in Parkhurst Prison on the Isle of Wight, performed by many Irish musicians including Christy Moore: Take me home to Mayo, across the Irish Sea, Home to dear old Mayo where once I roamed so free, Take me home to Mayo, there let my body lie, Home at last to Mayo beneath an Irish sky...
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| Posters I saw in a shop by the castle |
It was an hour or so to our next major stop on this seven week trip, one which we had been anticipating for a long time: The Cliffs of Moher! I have seen numerous videos of this essential Irish tourist must-see spot and expected massive crowds, howling winds, fog and cold. Were we pleasantly surprised! Our good luck of fine weather that has been dogging us since Day 1 in London met up with us after leaving Limerick and although we had come prepared with sweaters and toques we really didn't need them. We walked the whole length of these magnificent cliffs, often only a few feet from the 600 foot drop into the Atlantic below, the Aran Islands just visible to the north. If you crawled closer to the edge you can see puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes nesting in the cliff face and the occasional peregrine falcon diving overhead. Breathtaking and inspiring and a wonderful climax to the beauty of the UK and Ireland that we have had the privilege to find on our long journey.
GWS
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| blushing sea pinks |
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| A Special Protection Area with 20,000 breeding seabirds nesting on the cliffs |
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| Our Airbnb, the pink house! |
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