Day 37 - Museum of Country Life

About a week ago, someone we met happened to recommend the Museum of Country Life to us.  We knew the drive was about an hour, so we had it put it off.  Today, since we had no other plans, we decided to venture out to Turlough Park to check out the museum.

Turlough Park House build in 1865 - Once home to the Fitzgerald family who at one point owned 8500 acres of land in the county of Mayo

Turlough Park House build in 1865 - Once home to the Fitzgerald family who at one point owned 8500 acres of land in the county of Mayo

This is a wonderful spot to visit as a family, especially with younger children, and the best part is it's free for the adults and children.  We learned a lot about the Irish history, and the kids had a great time.  There are lots of items that are left out, and the you are encouraged to check them out up close and personal with a sign that says: "Please Touch".

Kian and Hannah posing with an Irish family in the attire they wore long ago.

Kian and Hannah posing with an Irish family in the attire they wore long ago.

Kian and I in some Irish clothing we were encouraged to try on by all the signs :)

Kian and I in some Irish clothing we were encouraged to try on by all the signs :)

The museum focuses a lot on the country life in Ireland, before and after the famine. There are a variety of different sections, such as: professions, agricultural tools, and basket weaving techniques.

I found the description for the school master most interesting:

"The master was the most respected man in the town, feared alike but his pupils and their parents.  His appearance in the noisiest streets brought immediate silence.  Most of his pupils came from very poor families and he was determined to make something of them whether they liked it or not. He knew what was good for them and even if it meant teaching by terror, they got it."

I also liked a few "fact" posters around the museum which talked about summer months, and how the poor would generally suffer in July, as the stored food would run out but the new crops were not quiet ready yet for harvest.  Makes you think about how much we take for granted! 

There was a special exhibition about the police force in Ireland on the basement floor.  They had some gear and outfits on display, and they had a section for taking mug shots and doing finger prints. It was actually a fairly crowded section and we had to wait a bit, but we had Kian write his name on the little blackboards they had and do a mug shot.  The numbers for the height though didn't seem quite right, but it was all silly nonetheless.

Kian's mug shot

Kian's mug shot

The museum grounds are also very beautiful and lots of fun for the kids. There are few sculptures around and many gorgeous flowers.

Kian trying to slurp up the lake with the straw - "The installation of the straw sculpture is intended to highlight the current issue of water charges and water equality in Ireland. The placement of the straw in the lake should remind people where t…

Kian trying to slurp up the lake with the straw - "The installation of the straw sculpture is intended to highlight the current issue of water charges and water equality in Ireland. The placement of the straw in the lake should remind people where their water comes from and how much of it is left". -Paul O'Driscoll (Artist and Musician in Mayo)

After the museum, we stopped in Westport on our way home and had dinner at a pizza restaurant, followed by dessert at the Maple Moose, a cute little place worth a visit.

This was our last day of sightseeing in Ireland. Tomorrow we will have to start packing and saying goodbye to the good friends we have made here. 

Day 20 - What's in Castlebar Anyways?

Oh yes! More rain!!

We did not want to stay inside all day again so once we got ready, which was after lunch (we just much rather eat our meals at home unless it's something special), we headed to a town about 40 Km from Louisburgh, called Castlebar. 

We had heard Castlebar is good for shopping, and although we have no desire to shop for anything we thought the shops would be indoor and we could just window shop. Yes we are from Jersey so we were thinking of our good old malls. 

That thinking clearly ended up being incorrect. There are definitely shops in Castlebar here and there but they are all off the streets.

We parked the car and headed towards a home-made ice cream shop.

El Vito's Ice Cream Shop in Castlebar

El Vito's Ice Cream Shop in Castlebar

The kids enjoyed their ice cream with marshmallow toppings. They shared a little bit with us and mmm mmm the ice cream was delicious, both the chocolate and the strawberry.

Kian and his chocolate ice cream

Kian and his chocolate ice cream

Hannah loving her "pink" ice cream

Hannah loving her "pink" ice cream

After ice cream we walked around a bit. It was drizzling but we had our raincoats so we didn't mind much. 

Street view in Castlebar

Street view in Castlebar

We found a cute book store and went inside to look around. I read a few books to Hannah and then we joined Kian and Daddy who were reading the Irish version of Where's Waldo? called, Where's Larry?

Where's Larry?

Where's Larry?

The kids had fun looking for Larry on a few pages.  It was a cute book that had Larry hiding in various Irish landmarks, including some we had been to.

The kids looking for Larry

The kids looking for Larry

Overall we were not very impressed by Castlebar as a town. We love Westport much more and we are grateful we live closer to Westport. It is also probably worth mentioning that despite the name of the town we did not see any castles, just a church. 

Kian and Hannah posed with the "Bronze and Stainless Steel artwork, evoking the 1798 rebellion and in particular the episode known as the  "The Races of Castlebar". The cloud of doves signifies the reconciliation after conflict."

Kian and Hannah posed with the "Bronze and Stainless Steel artwork, evoking the 1798 rebellion and in particular the episode known as the  "The Races of Castlebar". The cloud of doves signifies the reconciliation after conflict."

Once we got home, I started making dinner. Marinated chicken legs baked in the oven with rice and veggies made in coconut milk.

Marinated chicken legs baked in the oven with rice and veggies made in coconut milk

Marinated chicken legs baked in the oven with rice and veggies made in coconut milk

Mmm Mmm. The kids loved the chicken legs and they also liked the coconut rice. We are really hoping for some sunshine tomorrow since it is the day of the Louisburgh Horse Race.