Birr

After leaving Killarney we headed north towards Tralee of the Rose of Tralee fame, then on to Listowel(home of many writers and a lovely lunch for us), up to Tarbut and the ferry across the Shannon R. We then followed the road around to the Cliffs of Moher. We were so lucky to have the sun for our visit as the last time I was there I remember freezing in the rain and wind. By that time it was about, 7.00pm and still light! We had a good run across to Birr and our lovely B&B across the road from the castle. This is the dining room where we had breakfast the next morning. The house was built in the mid 1700's and the owner was born in the house.

 Birr Castle is still used as a family home by the current Earl and has sections built in the 1400's, 1600's, and 1800's. We were given a tour by the butler (yes) who also does other jobs. He knew the plant names, history of the house, the family  and the area. The castle has secret rooms,  chandeliers of Waterford chrystal, furniture from all eras and fabulous tapestries. The castle has a moat and cannon, fabulous gardens, both formal and casual and the best children's playground -a castle. One of the previous Earls built a 6ton 70" telescope with a massive lens which enabled him to measure the temperature of the moon. NASA did this as well and was surprised at his accuracy. It was the only outside telescope. An amazing place.

Because one of mum's ancestors came from County Louth we spent the night in Droheda in a lovely B&B. The city is really quite big and it was good to leave the traffic in the morning.