Mellow Wanderer

Tag: Royalty

  • Have A Royal Good Time At This Stunning Irish Castle

    Have A Royal Good Time At This Stunning Irish Castle

    My imagination ran wild when I stepped on the grounds of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare, Ireland.

    Walking through the entrance felt like I was traveling back to an era with no modern conveniences. (Reality check: There are toilets with running water at this popular tourist destination).  A winding path takes you by thatched-roofed cottages, where roosters crow and scamper. Various other farm animals such as pigs, goats, sheep, and geese also thrive here.

    Amongst the farm cottages are a doctor’s house, a school and grocery store, a pub, and a blacksmith’s shop; the essentials of village life, all part of the Bunratty Castle realm, a magnificent feat of medieval architecture.

    In 1250 , Norman invaders first built a wooden tower here as a defensive fortress. Then later, they built the stone castle. Throughout time, the castle has changed hands and been rebuilt four times during battles and squabbles involving the Irish, the Normans, and the King of England. Today, Clare County Council owns Bunratty Castle and it remains a national monument after being fully restored and furnished before opening to the public in 1962.

    Grand Hall

    The Grand Hall is the most impressive room in the castle. Royal residents would host extravagant banquets here, and welcomed special guests and dignitaries. Original ornate tapestries from the 1500s hang on the walls. Antlers from Irish elk that used to roam the countryside also hang high as hunting trophies. Tall stained-glass windows bring in bright light.

    Celtic Fertility Symbol

    An old Celtic symbol is etched on one of the walls next to a window. According to the guide who led our tour, the symbol blesses the castle with fertility. The symbol also has a mask, the guide said, to scare off evil spirits. 

    Elk Antlers
    Stained Glass
    Grand Hall Art

    A narrow single-file spiral staircase goes all the way up to the castle’s observation deck. Along the way, you pass levels with servants quarters, Royal bedrooms, and salons restored with original furnishings from the 15th and 16th centuries.

    Once you’re at the top level, there is an absolutely beautiful 360 degree view of County Clare’s countryside. 

    Photos By Susan Geiger

    While you can’t book an overnight stay at Bunratty Castle, you can experience a night of revelry in medieval atmosphere. The castle regularly hosts four-course dinner banquets by candlelight, which are open to the public and include performances by costumed period actors and traditional Irish music.

    Take A Video Tour of Bunratty Castle. Tap play In The Window Below

    Video Tour Press Play

  • Medieval Life And Death Inside The Walls Of This Royal Castle

    Medieval Life And Death Inside The Walls Of This Royal Castle

    Tower of London

    Royalty had it privileges— and still does— at the Tower of London, the wildly popular historic and infamous landmark. Behind a massive stone wall is a complex the size of a city encircling a castle. Over 3 million people visit every year, most of whom are willing to wait in a long serpentine line for a glimpse of the Crown Jewels.

    Tower of London Map

     

    Wikimedia Commons
    Tour of London Map

    The White Tower

    The White Tower

    William The Conqueror built the White Tower in 1017. The Tower’s large wooden staircase is a heart-pounding climb to the top. Once inside, you’ll see a historic collection of Royal armory and weapons, and other medieval treasures. 

    A winding narrow stairwell takes you up to multiple levels. Absorb the history of this place. Peek around a stone wall to view the tower’s garderobe, the Royal toilet— no flushing required.

    Garderobe-Castle Toilet

    Stark contrasts define White Tower. There’s the beautiful Chapel of St. John, a bright peaceful sanctuary. But, just a short walk from the chapel is the dark horror of the torture chamber.

     

    Chapel Window
    Chapel of St. John
    Chapel Window

    Bedazzled jewels on one side, ghoulish torture on the other

    A few hundred yards from the Crown Jewels is Tower Green, where prisoners, including royalty, were beheaded in full pubic view for crimes against the state, their confessions often secured by physical abuse—torture— in a chamber on the ground level of the White Tower. “The Rack” stretched limbs, ripping them from their sockets. Another device, “The Scavenger’s Daughter,” compressed the body to shatter bones. Both were used in the 16th and 17th centuries. Prisoners confessed to crimes under great physical abuse. A memorial now stands at the execution spot to honor those who were condemned to death.

    The Rack/Photo: Susan Geiger
    Scavenger’s Daughter/Photo: Susan Geiger

    Tips for a successful visit

    Book tickets in advance of your visit, especially during the busy summer tourist season. I reserved a date three weeks before departing for London. Several days during the week of our trip were already sold out. Make your purchase via credit card on the Tower of London website. You’ll receive an email confirmation and an electronic ticket to upload to your smartphone that will be scanned at the entrance.

    The Tower of London is accessible to the disabled, but some areas have limited wheelchair accommodations. For instance, there are narrow passages, stairs, cobblestones, and other barriers due to the historic nature of the campus. The Tower’s website has downloadable brochures for both disabled and general visitors.

    Yeoman Warder

    Take advantage of the free tour by a Yeoman Warder—a Tower guard, otherwise known as a Beefeater. The tours are informative and entertaining. (It’s common for a Warder to poke fun at a tourist or two. Feel free to poke back).

    Bring water and wear a good pair of walking shoes. There are quite a few stairs to climb. You’ll get some good exercise so it’s important to stay hydrated, especially in the hot weather months. Arrive early to avoid the heat of the day and the long line outside the entrance to the Crown Jewels.

    Photo Gallery

    Press Play For A Tower of London Video Tour

    Video Tour
    Steve & Susan Geiger

    Steve and Susan visited London in June 2022. (All photos by Susan Geiger except where noted.)