Tag Archives: castles

The Imperfect Can Sometimes Rock

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When it comes to old castles, our family likes them less perfect, and more, well, imperfect.  The perfect castles tend to come complete with tour guides and the admission cost that tends to come with them.  (Although I’m mixed on that…those admission costs could help in keeping these wonderful old castles intact for another generation to enjoy.)  But we love to explore these wonderful rocks on our own sometimes, and just imagine.  🙂  Don’t miss the beauty in the imperfect.  Blessings, Lisa

“Grace makes beauty out of ugly things.”  – U2, “Grace,” ATYCLB

My Favorite Game

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Back to my favorite blog game….the “what is your eye drawn to in the photograph” game!  Not a very catchy title, so I must work on that.  Anyway, check out our photo of the Bunratty Castle dining room and let me know what your eye is drawn to the most when you look at the picture.  Maybe it indicates some deeper meaning, and maybe it doesn’t.  🙂  But it’s fun, and hey, that’s something.  Blessings on your day, Lisa

Doorway to Adventure

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Just a step, just crossing over the threshold, leads to a new adventure.  Step boldly and in faith today.  Slainte, Lisa

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““Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

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“Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.” – Leo Buscaglia                               Quotes

 

Watch Your Step; Adventures Ahead

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The best of Ireland is seen on your feet.  Hiking, walking, climbing, stepping around, through, over and under rocks and castles and field offerings and walls.  I’m not the best of hikers, but when I go to Ireland, I find the best hiking boots I can find; ones that I don’t care if they get dirty.  (because they will!)  We drive down curvy, crazy, tiny roads, find something we like, park, and explore.  The places we like best are the places with no tour guides and no crowds.  The forgotten priories or crumbling castle ruins.  The field of sheep who are pretending to ignore us.  A wonderland of past and present collide with astounding beauty and nostalgia.

Low ceilings and curvy staircases in ancient castles

Torc Waterfall, Co. Kerry…look closely in the middle of the waterfall and you’ll see my son & husband who hiked up. 🙂

Eask Tower near Dingle, reached by ascending through a well-used field.

The stone-filled Burren

The amazing Ballycarbery Castle near Caherciveen can only be reached by going through this muddy field. Yay for mudboots! 🙂

The Long & Skinny of It

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I am curious about all the long and skinny windows all over Ireland’s ancient ruins.  At first I thought, the forts would have these thin windows in order to shoot their arrows at the invaders without getting shot back in return.    But I have found them on old churches and abandoned cottages in the woods as well.  Time spent researching this on the internet has proven inconclusive, so the mystery remains momentarily as I keep searching.  The smaller windows might have been easier to construct, and also keep the cold wind and rain out better.  Anyone who has information about this mystery, please enlighten me.  🙂  Meanwhile, here are some pictures…the long and skinny of it.    Slainte, Lisa

Window of an abandoned small cottage in the woods outside Killarney

A window of an ancient church ruin in County Kerry.

This definitely appears to be an arrow slit window in Bunratty Castle.