Yes today we made our way to the city of Limerick and I am hoping that we haven’t left the wonderful Christmas spirit behind. One of the things that I haven’t mentioned is the abundance of Christmas decorations and Christmas carols in the shops since we have arrived here. Everyone takes this season very seriously, and I love it. From Bing Crosby in the bar at the Guiness Storehouse to more traditional religious ones on the streets – they are everywhere. 

On the way to Limerick we stopped at the Barack Obama Plaza at Junction 23, Tipperary. Yep it’s a truck stop. The story goes that Obamas 3rd great grandfather left Ireland in 1851 to find a better life and escape the Great Hinger, and as Eoin so eloquently put it… What greater way is there to show a great man respect but name a truck stop after him. 

  As you drive through Ireland there are masses of the wind turbines, a fabulous source of energy for the Irish, given the wind. However, they are also way ahead of the game (well when compared to Australia) in the geothermal stakes, which is taking heat naturally from the ground and using it either directly for heating or as a way of generating electricity. There are lots of major centres in Europe who do both the shallow and deep geothermal exploration, and Eoin mentioned that his dear old dad used it as a way of heating his house – sounds infinitely sensible to me, but hey I’m no scientist.

Then onto Bunratty In the province of Munster, in County Clare. The first settlement in Bunratty was established by the Vikings in the 10th Century, with the original castle being built in 1277. It was burned to the ground by the wild locals in the 1300’s and the existing castle was built in the early 1500’s, with a full refurbishment happening in the 1950’s. We didn’t visit inside the castle on this visit, just traversing the outside and surrounding areas. One of the places we spent a little time was the Bunratty cemetery and to be honest it was creepy ! There were old crypts that weren’t quite closed and a dark ominous feeling about the place as we walked around it. The cemetery is located on the site of the 12th century church (which is in ruins) and has a wide variety of headstones some of which are very very old. Vic and I agreed that if we were staying next door in the 5 star accomodation and we were given a room that overlooked the cemetery we would ask to be moved….I didn’t take too many photos just in case 😟

   
   After creeping quietly away we head toward Limerick where we are staying for two nights. The accomodation is quite nice actually, big comfy beds, a decent bar and restaurant but sadly still no laundry. It’s getting a bit desperate so we are resorting to washing “our smalls” in the bathroom sink.  Tonight only half the boys will be playing, so we have Isaac on the pitch James plays tomorrow. The boys are being billeted again and the plan is for us to have a function with the host families tomorrow night. The game tonight is scheduled for the astro turf at the impressive Limerick University and whilst we don’t have the wind and the rain of last night it is mighty chilly. I am not sure that we were expecting the boys to do as all as they are, but we have another good win tonight, I think by 21 points and everyone is pretty pleased with the results. Each boy plays a different position each quarter, which gives them all an opportunity to be a defender and have some scoring chances, I LOVE watching this… And wish we also had the chance to watch some hurling, I guess that means I will have to come back.
   
   Back to the hotel for a lateish tea, and then hit the sack for another big day tomorrow.