July 2, 2004: After arriving at the Shannon airport, we obtained our rental car and located a bed and breakfast in Bunratty with an available bed. We found a place to eat dinner across the street from the Bunratty Castle, shown here with Roz.
July 2, 2004: There was a light rain, and the temperature was in the upper 50s. Roz was feeling a bit cold.
July 3, 2004: View from Bunratty Castle
July 3, 2004: This is us at the top of a part of Bunratty Castle.
July 3, 2004: On our first morning in Ireland, we toured the inside of the Bunratty Castle, and I took this picture looking out from the top of the castle.
July 3, 2004: This is looking out from the top of Bunratty Castle over some rooftops.
July 3, 2004: Some of the rooms in Bunratty Castle had been restored.
July 3, 2004: Our next stop was at the Minnocks Farmhouse B&B just outside Birr. This is a working farm, and the dog shown was rounding up the dairy cows and bringing them in just after we arrived.
July 3, 2004: Our next stop was at the Minnocks Farmhouse B&B just outside Birr. This is a working farm, and the dog shown was rounding up the dairy cows and bringing them in just after we arrived.
July 3, 2004: This is the Minnocks Farmhouse, where we stayed for our second night.
July 3, 2004: This is Roz in front of The Thatch bar and grill, where we ate dinner.
July 3, 2004: Cows grazing near the Minnocks farmhouse
July 3, 2004: After dinner, we set out to try to find Leap Castle (shown here, one of the most haunted castles in Ireland) so that we could visit it the following day. The central structure was built during the 1200s, and the two wings on either side were added during the 1700s or 1800s. It was burned in 1922 during Ireland's war for independence.
July 3, 2004: Part of the wing that has not been restored.
July 3, 2004: Part of the wing that has not been restored.
July 3, 2004: Another building sits to the side of the castle, and possibly once sheltered livestock or slaves.
July 3, 2004: The driveway coming into the entrance to the castle.
July 3, 2004: The driveway coming into the entrance to the castle. There are a couple of flights of steps sitting to the side intended for future rennovations.
July 3, 2004: Part of the wing that has not been restored.
July 3, 2004: Rosalind by the gates to Leap Castle.