Day 14 - July 20

Pick up at 5:30 for the airport. Grey skies again. Flight left at 8:00 and we were in Ireland by 9:05. Actually saw the Isle of Man as we were getting close to Ireland. Found the car rental place and picked up our car. Lots of heavy rain off and on as we made our way to Limerick. 

We spent a little time there before carrying on to Listowel. We toured the castle that dates back over 600 years. Even the horsehair and pigs blood plaster was still the original! Lots of toilets in this castle - 4! As going to the bathroom was when you were considered the most vulnerable and therefore easily killed, the most trusted person was the master of the toilet. He was responsible for protecting you and doing a few other things for you while you were in the bathroom, if you know what I mean. 

Near the castle was St Johns Protestant Church and st Mary's Catholic Church. We were told that everyone gets along now, religion wise.











Drove on to Annascaul where we are now. 
Dinner was at a local pub called Patcheen’s. 

This little town’s claim to fame is about Tom Crean (born here) who successfully went on 3 expeditions to the Antarctic. Each expedition was 3 years long -  the Discovery Expedition with Scott (1901-1904), the Terra Nova with Captain Scott (1910 -1913), and the final expedition was the Endurance with Shackelton (1914-1917).  Crean came back to to Annuscaul after being a successful explorer and became the proprietor of the South Pole Inn.

Headed back to our B & B to plan the next few days of hiking. 
Still raining. ☹