Ireland: Bunratty Castle

I loved our morning at Bunratty Castle.  It was sweater weather.  It was morning time.  They had fresh coffee.  I was in Ireland with my mom.  What more could a girl want???

The original owners of the castle gave the castle to the People of Ireland (this is commonly done) with the stipulation that all the original contents remain.  

Bunratty castle had a dungeon.  There were 12 steps and after the 12th step, there was a 15' drop.  I did not go down the steps lest I lost track of what step I was on and down I would fall.  

The fireplace inside the castle was huge.  Mom and I stood inside it and had our picture taken.  I would upload this photo and insert it here but the computer I am working on is not cooperating with uploading.  

It's not my computer - I'm at the library.  My computer is "sick."  I do not believe it has completely perished.  I believe (and hope!) my brother can use the reboot disks and resurrect my computer back to its former working status.  For now - I'm at the library.

Back to Bunratty...  Mom and I meandered around the "village" that was setup surrounding the castle.  The castle was completely self-sufficient.  It was interesting to walk around the grounds and take in the different servants' homes and the farmyard areas.  They had 3 deer in captivity.  

I've never been deer hunting before...so imagine my surprise when we were looking inside one of the homes and I hear a loud "moo-ing" sound from the fenced in yard next door.  It wasn't a real moo...it was more of a bellow.

I did grow-up in the country and I saw my fair share of deer...and I even watched Bambi.  I know the lyrics to "Doe - a deer.  A female deer."  But never ever had I heard a male deer "calling" to the females.  

The bellower totally had the advantage because there was a fence.  Her options were limited.  It was this guy or no guy.  I think maybe she had that figured out because she did not seem one bit impressed with the big fellow's call. 

Deer are soo beautiful and to see them so close up.  It was intriguing to watch them interact.

Since I'm not a hunter, I emailed the hunter in my life and inquired, "Do our deer in the States do this too???"  He assured me they, indeed, do.  I felt like such a city gal at that moment.  

I'm not sure if I could go deer hunting.  Wait - let me rephrase that.  I'm sure I can go deer hunting.  I'm not sure if I could shoot Bambi.  I mean, if that's the only food that was available, give me a gun because I heart food.  But I have fresh chicken and fish to choose from...soooo me not shooting some sweet brown-eyed deer sounds like a good plan for today.  Take away the chicken and frozen fish and I may sing another tune.  Bang!  Bang!  

Thus ends our adventures are Bunratty Castle...