Dysert O'Dea Castle

There are two men in my life who I think can do most anything-my dad and my husband. Yesterday was an example one of the many things Ken has done that amazed me.

When I was planning this trip I was looking for something to do near Shannon. Somehow I happened on the Dysert O'Dea castle in County Clare, Ireland. It was a mere 30km from the airport and our hotel. My father's grandmother was Maud Ethel Day. Her father was an O'Day as was her grandfather who we think immigrated from County Clare Ireland. O'Day was an anglicized version of O'Dea (pronounced dee) and Day was the Americanized name. Many Irish changed their names to sound more American once they immigrated to the United States. I have always been fascinated with this branch of my family tree and would like to learn more as that bit of family history has always been shrouded in mystery.

So, Ken and I hired a car, a lovely black Peugeot, very small, with a steering wheel on the right. In Ireland, like Great Britain, you also drive on the left side of the road. Everything is opposite. Ken's amazing feat was to drive this car without a problem. He even had to shift with his left hand which he did with ease. We headed out down the N19 reaching speeds of 120, km per hour that is! The N19 and N18 are beautiful new roadways, very wide and nicely paved. Once we passed the town of Ennis (pronounced Ennish meaning island) the roads got narrower and narrower. The last road up to the castle was so narrow you could touch the shrubs on the side of the road. If you met someone going the other way you either pulled over or backed up. I am glad I wasn't doing the driving! Especially after being awake for 20 hours.

We arrived at the Dysert O'Day Archeology Centre at 9:30. The site didn't officially open until 10:00 but and extremely nice man saw us driving up the road and came up to unlock the gate for us so we could wander around. One thing we are learning is that the Irish are extremely nice and very outgoing. They love to talk and will engage you in conversation. We have experienced this with everyone from the man who opened the gate to the boy cashier at the Texaco to our desk clerk this morning. They want to know where you are from, where you are going, if you are on holiday etc. It is a refreshing change from most places we've traveled in the US.

The O'Dea Castle is located in an area known as Dysert in Co. Clare (http://www.dysertcastle.com/) . It was built by Dairmud O'Dea around 1410. The castle was occupied off and on by the O'Dea chieftans and clan for many years. Also on the site is the St. Tola church which was built in the 12th century. It is a ruin that now sits in the center of a graveyard filled with descendents of the many clans who have lived in the area over time. A few meters from the church is the High Cross erected around the same time as the church. The cross base is from the original cross but most of the rest is reconstruction. In the original cross, the head of Christ could be removed and the myth is that one could hold the head against the jaw to take away the pain of a toothache. The church, cross and other archeological sites are located in cow pastures so to get to them, you have to dodge cow patties but the cows stay away. I don't think they understood my Kansas accent because they just would't come when I called them. You also had to climb the stone fences using steps built into the wall. Lots of fun! We spent a couple of hours wandering and visiting the castle and then drove back t Shannon where we explored a shopping mall. We decided that we were too tired to do anything else so we returned to the airport, turned in the car and hung out until we could check in at 2:00.

Our hotel was ok but not 4 star by any means. We had two twin beads and Ken immediately crashed into his and went to sleep. I showered, put on shorts and a t-shirt and then went to sleep myself. We slept for the better part of 15 hours. Much needed!

Today is Sunday and we were picked up at the airport by Adrian our bus driver who looks like Jake Hess and loves to talk. We were deposited at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis and have the rest of the afternoon free until 3:15 when we meet for a walking tour. I think we are off in a few to explore the town center and find some lunch and perhaps a pint too.

Slainte!

c