Dunguaire Castle

Last weekend Joe and I decided to take the children on a overnight trip to the west coast. We took the children out of school that Friday and we left around 10am for the Cliffs of Moher towards Galway. They have a new highway now that goes to the west coast so it only takes about 2 1/2 hours now. Yes the country is only 2 1/2 hours wide. That is how small Ireland is. Ireland can fit inside the US 120 times. 

Our first stop was Dunguaire Castle in Kinvarra which is outside of Galway. Kinvarra is a seaside village on the Galway Bay. There is not a lot of history with this little castle. It was built in 1520. In the 17th century it was transferred to the Martin family and stayed in this family until 1922. In 1954 Lady Ampthill purchased the castle and lived in it I think until her death. Now the castle is a little tourist attraction and they have medieval banquet dinners in the evening. 

Thatched cottage right next to the parking lot. It was so cute! 

L, T, and Joe

Walking up to Dunguaire Castle

This is the room where they have the medieval dinner banquets

The children pretending to put on a show

The top of the castle had a great view

This was a perfect little stop on our trip. My children love the medieval buildings and LOVE to climb. So naturally they were estatic when the found out they could climb to the top of the castle. 

View from the top of the castle

After we left the castle we continued our way onto the Cliffs of Moher.  

Very neat looking thatched pub

We pulled off to take pictures of the scenery. L feel asleep in the car which was perfect timing before our next destination. 

View of the countryside in County Clare

My little Irish Boy

Not sure why K is sticking our her tongue