Welcome to Ireland!

Day One...

It's one thing to drive along the wrong side of the road and spot a castle through the trees, quite another to park and walk up the well-worn path to experience one "close-up" so to speak. To think that these were built without cranes and lifts is mind boggling. This imposing edifice is Ross Castle (Caisleán Ross in Gaelic), built during the first half of the 15th century. I learned so much while touring Ross. We have toured many castles over the years but our guide cleared up many of  the questions I had in my mind. 

The only portion of this castle that is not a ruin is the largest portion you see in this picture. We learned what each floor was used for and were amazed to learn that servants were sleeping in quarters the size of a large walk-in closet, on straw with about 10 people to a room. The Chieftain and his wife were the only ones to sleep in an actual bed, in a reclining position (answering the question of why the beds were so short).  All of the children and personal servants would sleep on the floor. The reason for sleeping in a reclined position was respiratory problems due to open fireplaces and lime whitewash on the walls which would flake off. The reason for the whitewash was two-fold: the walls were plastered with a mixture of pigs blood, horsehair and sand then whitewashed with the lime to kill the lice and bugs that would gather on the walls.  Also as a decorative element!  They ate off of pewter plates (hello lead poisoning!). No wonder the life expectancy was so short (only 42 years). That and the castle raids.

One of the many "Jaunting Cars" for hire to tour the lakeside grounds.

Taken from the bridge overlooking Lough Leane ("lake of learning" Loch Léin in Gaelic)

Notice the duck on the top right scratching his head! 

Gracie and Grandma on the battlement.

The Irish always have a tale. Legend has it that O'Donohue Mór, the Chieftain who built the castle, still exists in a deep slumber under the waters of Lough Leane. On the first morning of May, every seven years he rises from the lake on his magnificent white horse and circles the lake.  Anyone catching a glimpse of him is said to be assured of good fortune for the rest of their lives.