An Afternoon's Adventure
Window on the World
Issue 0
An Afternoon’s Adventure in the Limerick Countryside
By Tricia Oberndorf (or should that be “O’Berndorf”?)
After arriving Saturday from long international flights, four Americans took off to explore what Limerick County has to offer. After a pleasant lunch in a Limerick pub, we decided to follow the Golden Vale Drive marked on our map. The first thing you have to notice is that this truly is the Emerald Isle. The variety, depth, and richness of the greens is incredible, and as we drove we became very comfortable with the surroundings (and even with driving on the wrong side of the road). We passed through the small villages, taking in the novelties like thatched roofs and stone walls as we went. With an intention of seeing whether it truly is “a long way to Tipperary”, we spotted in the distance some intriguing ruins. Driving closer, on a very narrow, one-lane road, we found the ruins to be inaccessible. But, having driven part way around it, we were even more curious to know what it was. A local gave us the name (Rathcannon Castle) but said that we should really go talk to the resident historian, giving us directions to his house a mile down the road. We stopped there, knocked on the door, and found ourselves invited into his home. His wife prepared tea and cake for us while he gave us the history of the 15th century ruins and answered our every question. After exploring comparisons of life in America with that in rural Ireland, we finally continued on our way about an hour later. Eager now to find more such ruins, we spotted an inviting church steeple in the distance in Kilmallock. We walked inside, admiring the architecture, the pipe organ in the loft, and the wonderfully bright torch in the altar area. Only, as we came closer, we realized this torch was quite unintentional! The flame was supported by the electric lamp that appeared to have started the fire. The greenery surrounding the candelabra and the electric cord from the lamp were probably just minutes away from spreading the fire throughout the church. Quick thinking by Paul Clements and Dewayne Perry removed the threat and put out the flame with water from a vase of flowers, while Steve Edwards ran outside and found one of the priests at his home. Needless to say, the priest was very grateful, and the four of us were more than a bit awed by the force that drew us to that church at precisely that moment. Continuing on our journey, we explored the ruins of a 12th century church and a 13th century city wall before deciding that we had had quite a day and should return to find our lodging. We’ll be going out again this week, and we would recommend you do the same. There may not be a church to save, but we can guarantee that you will enjoy the experience all the same!
Designer
and Webmistress
Caroline Kehoe