#co. limerick

Water had a special magic for the Celts as a symbol of vitality and inspiration. The fact that it could capture lights (for example, a reflection of the setting sun) could not be rationally explained and was taken as proof of supernatural properties. Wells and springs were charged with magic powers. Lakes and rivers were the dwelling-places of otherworldly beings, like the Lady of the Lake in…

So we went very touristy today (and I guess a warning in advance, religious too. I dont know if I need to give a 'warning' and I respect and understand everyone has a different faith but I visited somewhere very Catholic today so I felt, a 'warning' was somewhat needed just because...)

Anywhoo, first off this morning, King Johns Castle in Limerick. I learnt a lot and forgive my Irish bias here but my God the English were penisheads!!

Tiny Irish history lesson - King Henry the 2nd had a number of sons - one if which was Richard the Lionheart (I am sure we all know of him) and another John who came to Ireland on behalf of his father to basically further the English rule over Ireland. Although the castle is called King Johns, he never visited it and the castle was so called after he died. History lesson in short, John, Henry and a number of other English (and to be fair Irish people too), rebelled and warred and fought against each other to try and win Limerick and in the end the English won, taking over Irish chieftian lands, making it illegal to follow traditional Irish customs. There is a lot more to it then that with all the inbetweeny stuff but that was gist of it. England won but obviously that changed as history moved in.

There was an exhibtion first and then you could go under the castle and also climb up the top.

It was really interesting. Here are some photos...

Ok and here is the religiousy bit...

I left Limerick to head for Co Mayo and on the way towards my next stop, I saw a sign for a place called Knock.

If anyone is familiar with the story of Fatima in Portugal, it is the same religious apparition.

Knock is a tiny town and in 1879 it was teeny tiny. On August 21st 1879, in the evening, on a very wet evening, 15 witness's saw a heavenly vision surrounded by a white light in front of the church. Each one said it was the Virgin Mary dressed in white robes, her hands held together in prayer. On her right stood St Joseph and on her left, John the Evangelist. The 15 stood and prayed for two hours in front of the light until it faded away and although they were wet, none noticed any rain falling as they prayed.

All witness's were spoken too, all said the same thing and all were of sound mind, ranging from the ages of 16 to 70 plus.

Its a place I have never been too and as I was so close decided to visit.

I am not an overly religious person even though I grew up going to mass every week, have gone through all reglious practices of a Catholic person. Now I guess I pray and have faith in different ways, only going to mass twice a year now but it was so very strange kneeling in that shrine. I felt suddenly overly emotional and even got teary and I have no idea why at all. It's very hard to explain but I dont know what it was. Just wierd and I don't even know if I believe that Mary did appear to those people but being in that church was surreal. Though in saying that, I have always wanted to go and visit Fatima and the Vatican and when Pope Francis came to visit Ireland in 2018, I did go to the mass in the Phoneix Park in Dublin but being in a place that is so holy well I can't find the right words. Just strange.

Anyway, I took some photos outside, not inside because even I know something like this deserves to be respected.

The triangular glass building is where the appariation happened and you can just about see the point of the top of the orginial church on the left roof side of the triangle.

But yeah, for me it was great to go and see it and I am glad I did. Unfortunately because of COVID people are not allowed to touch what is called 'the gable'. It's a piece of the church where the appriation happened. There have been some incredible stories of sick people/people with disabilities touching the gable and being cured so who knows.

That little odd square piece is the gable. I would have liked to have been able to touch it and if it hadn't of been so busy, I would have sneaked a sneaky touch but didnt want to risk it.

I got some holy water and rosary beads instead.

Each to their own with their beliefs and faith but I just wanted to share my visit to Knock and experience and for me, I enjoyed it.

I am now at my next stop in Castlebar Co. Mayo. I've no pictures. Its not a capital city or anything. Just a town. Tomorrow I am going to visit another touristy town and am debating whether to do the Aran Islands. Cos I'm moving onto Co. Donegal for tomorrow evening, there's not a lot of time for island hopping so might just leave it and do the beaches instead.

Anyway, I am rambling

Oh more news... two of my fish died (Elton and Eggsy) and I just have Eddie left. My mam sent me this video today...

She got me 2 new fishy's!!! Haha! I laughed so much when I saw the video! She has called them Crystal and FireFly (Don't ask where she got the names from).

So Eddie has two new friends to play with! What a mad surprise! Also I laughed too 'cos in the video mam sent me (I edited that one above down), she let the bag fall over and the fish went splash! Hilarious!

Ok I am done now!

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1691 – Treaty of Limerick is signed, ending the Williamite War in Ireland; the treaty allows evacuation of the Irish army to France and promises tolerance of Irish Catholics. 1750 – Death of “Captain” James MacLaine (occasionally “Maclean”, “MacLean”, or “Maclane”). He was a notorious highwayman with his accomplice William Plunkett. He was known as the “Gentleman Highwayman” as a result of his…

Treaty of Limerick is signed ending the Williamite war between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange. The Treaty, was signed on a stone in the sight of both armies at the Clare end of Thomond Bridge on the 3rd of October 1691. The stone was for some years resting on the ground opposite its present location, where the old Ennis mail coach left to travel from the Clare end of…