A very  interesting day…and evening.  About halfway between Shannon and Limerick is Bunratty, a very small town that developed around a castle. Bunratty Castle is surrounded by the Bunratty Folk Park where all different kinds of historical cottages, businesses, and manor houses provide a living history of Ireland. There is even a Fairy trail for kids because fairies are important to Ireland. It is like a smaller version of Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. We spent most of the day exploring the Park and then returned this evening to attend a medieval banquet in the castle. It was absolutely the best meal that I’ve had in Ireland, with the sweetest and smoothest mead I’ve ever tasted. The entertainment was terrific and included a young lady who played the Irish harp.

While we were in the Park this afternoon, we had a chance for a lengthy chat with Mary Anne, who was serving as the publican. We learned that the castle and park are owned and operated by the government. We chatted about many different things and she was able to answer a couple of questions for us. We asked if the children are taught Gaelic in school and found out that their language is Irish, and that all children are required to take three classes from first grade through high school. Those subjects are Irish, English, and Math. All children, everywhere. They also have total immersion schools which is where her children went. School was completely taught in Irish for the first eight years. These kids can test out of taking Irish in high school. 

The second question or observation that we brought up regards the architecture — and prosperity — evident all over the parts of Ireland where we’ve been so far.  Below are some examples of houses, both new and ok’d ones in ruins.There is a real sameness to the style of both new homes as well as the old tumbling down ones. The vast majority of houses are rectangular with the entrance in the middle of the front wall. Often the entrance won’t be flat, but will have a small patio, foyer, or sunroom around it. In addition there are new, and large homes everywhere, but are still in the basic rectangle that’s been used forever.  We learned that this style is called a bungalow and are located all over. The government requires that all houses be built in this style for aesthetic reasons and the only people who deviate from this style are ones with political connections. She did confirm that Ireland

 is really affluent, thus the large number of new and expensive homes/bungalows. She added that Covid had taken a toll on commerce and that employers can not find employees. This started because of the government’s enhanced unemployment benefits, but continues because workers now won’t tolerate abusive behavior, sexual harassment, or bullying from management or other employees. When it happens, the former employees walk away leaving managers with no one to manage.  In addition many workers over the years came from Poland but now that Poland is becoming prosperous they are returning back to their own country. There are lots of Ukrainians coming in, but they don’t speak English which limits their usefulness to the work force.

Altogether an interesting day. 

Bunratty Castle, Folk Park, and Medieval Dinner

           Mary Anne in the pub