Pics of the Bunratty Folk Park and the FEAST

Here we are at the Bunratty Folk park surrounding the castle. It was like a living village and we got to stroll through the ages as we went from cottage to frame house to manor. I became slightly obsessed with the cottages, where peat fires burned with their distinctive smell and where sonsy matrons made fresh scones with eggs from the hens penned outside and butter freshly churned. Ah... treats for all the senses! This blue house below was another of my favorites, with its rose trellis and white fence. I want to move in directly!
The main thoroughfare through the town.
Lots of walking but with the help of some Butler's chocolate the kids were troopers! (Gary stayed home to work on his papers. He's been here before so it's okay.)


THE FEAST! Here we are being welcomed in the main hall, welcomed by our "butler", serenaded by lace-bodiced wenches and tights-clad lords, given lovely juice to drink and offered bread and salt as a welcome appetizer (they used salt as a preservative as well as a flavoring agent). The harpist and the violinist (who was educated at Julliard!) were excellent!
Then we moved on to the dining hall to start the feast. Loved the candlelight and the costumes - touristy, but they definitely added to the atmosphere. The girls adored the girl in blue, who had the loveliest soprano voice!
The dinner consisted of four courses: savory potato soup with soda bread, spare ribs (or honeydew melon wedges), roast chicken with sauce and veggies (excellent!), and a fruits of the forest custard for dessert. We were so happy - and so were our tummies! Spencer especially appreciated the fact that he got to use a "dagger" to eat, and nothing else. Utensils were not allowed!
We adored our server, Eamos, who was great with the kids. Appreciated his dulcet tenor tones as well!
Delightful day from start to finish!