The Morgans Go European

May 13, 2018 Craggaunowen Castle and History Park, and the Brendan Boat

Craggaunowen is a 16th century castle and an archaeological open-air museum in County Clare, Ireland. The castle was built around 1550 by John MacNamara, and by the 17th century, it was left in ruins and rendered uninhabitable by the removal of the roof and staircase, and indefensible by removal of the battlements, at the time of the Cromwellian confiscations around 1653. The most recent restoration was done by John Hunt in the 1960's.

The Historical Park is a re-creation of how Ireland's pre-historic and early Christian people lived. Ancient homesteads and artifacts from over 1,000 years ago are recreated on this 50 acre site. You will see a crannog, ringfort, medieval castle and the Brendan Boat.

Craggaunowen Castle

Inside the main room of the castle.

Main room of the castle.

A bedroom in the castle. Comfy!

An upper room of the castle, perhaps for dining.

Same room as above.

Same room.

Bedroom of the lord of the castle.

View from the top of the castle.

The view.

Exterior of the castle.

Another side of the exterior.

Swampy, wet area surrounding the Crannog.

The hut where the clan met for meals and business.

The meeting hut. The walls were ringed with benches.

The living quarters hut. Here is a sleeping area.

A primitive alphabet for communication.

Outside the huts on the Crannog.

The road.

Walking from one site to another with a challenge of balancing on the rocks (hear the birds?): https://youtu.be/3pf8QzMyiyQ

The hunter's cooking site.

A view of the woods through which we walked.

The dolmen.

The dolmen. Only a re-creation, but we have seen real ones.

There's always time for a game of King of the Hill! Collin's winning until he drops his Ray Ban sunglasses and Paul scoops them up. Watch the video twice so you can watch both the foreground and the background: https://youtu.be/IBt-QK7wu5Q

On this rock, were markings acting as early sign posts.

View of the woods.

The ring fort.

Paul playing a game set up in the ring fort: https://youtu.be/4Cr18fWRIDU

Inside one of the buildings of the ring fort.

We had to climb down a ladder to get to the souterrain tunnel. This one led outside the fort.

Coming out of the souterrain: https://youtu.be/ELMZ461TD48

Simon in one of the huts in the ringfort.

A peat fire. It cracked me up how this was burning unattended. On this European trip, we get the impression they expect you to use your common sense and be responsible for yourself! What a novel idea! I can't imagine this would fly in America.