We drove from Galway to Trim today. We found our B&B, White Lodge, with not too much hassle. After getting our luggage settled in our rooms, we walked through the park to tour Trim Castle. Trim Castle was built in the late 1100's, added to a couple of times over the next few hundred years, then finished as a castle fort by the 1600's and left to ruin until the 1800's when Anglo-Irish folks starting touring the castles (during the Romantic Period). Trim is one of the few castles in Ireland that has not been drastically restored, which makes it very interesting to tour, because you can see more of the structural and architectural details. We named the castle cat 'Moo Cat'. He is a typical cat - acting disinterested when the kids tried to get him to come to them, then walking into their path when they turned walked away. He flopped over and let them love on him, purring. Silly cat.
After the tour, we caught a late lunch at a quaint little café, then took the river walk back to our B&B. We saw some horses, donkeys, and puppies, and lots of ruins.
Bill's gut has been giving him fits off and on for a few days – it's really starting to wear him down. Now he has a low-grade fever, just enough to make him feel cruddy. :( It's never any fun being sick, and worse when you're traveling. He still cuts a handsome figure in a picture, though. Some got it, some ain't. ;)
Roads with no shoulders are typical fare in Ireland. Most cars have significant scrapes and scratches down both sides. It's quite hair-raising the first 30-40 times you meet a tour bus on these roads, then you start to get used to it.
This might be my favorite picture of them on this trip. That's Yellow Steeple ruins in the background.
The north tower collapsed, but was where foods were stored (cold side of castle).
Castle was surrounded by curtain wall for defense.
Smart engineering/architectural design – corner of curtain wall was built with two 2-feet thick walls. Attacks from outside might get through exterior wall, but interior wall would remain intact – takes longer to penetrate for enemies.
You poor peasants are beneath my dignity.
Wait! Don't leave! You must beg more for my love!
I don't know what I was thinking. You guys are great. <3
Getting ready for our tour.
This toilet was likely covered with a wooden seat, somewhat similar to what we use today.
View looking down from above the toilet seat. 'Plumbing' has evolved significantly since then.
Kiddos taking it all in from our guide.
We have enjoyed some magnificent weather since we've been here. The locals say this is not typical.
Filmed in Trim in 1994, took home 5 academy awards in 1995.
Horses saying 'come play with us'
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral ruins
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