Dunguaire Castle

Dunguaire Castle is located on the shores of Galway Bay, just outside the town of Kinvara on the Western edge of Ireland. We just stopped by when we were headed out of Galway on the way to the cliffs of Moher. It seemed like the perfect spot for a Christmas card photo, haha.

We had to tip-toe our way across this muddy embankment and over some super slippery moss to play around on the stone arch and get a pic with the castle.

Beautiful white swans seemed a little ironic in this muddy terrain.

These stone walls were so beautiful stretched across the farm lands as we drove through, we just had to take a pic sitting on them.

Stephen climbing around on this OLD stone archway, smart...real smart.

Our adorable friends Hayley and Ava, their parents were our tour guides!

Most photographed castle in Western Ireland, um yeah post card moment.

Random gorgeousness.

The kids fell asleep on the drive....not sure how because I was sure sick of all the twists, turns, and bumps along the way...but perfect time for a romantic photo shoot at the beach!

Trim Castle

Trim Castle is only about 35 minute drive from our house, located in the town of Trim on Castle Street, hah. It is the largest Anglo-Norman Castle in Ireland, built over a thirty year period around 1176. It was used as the filming sight for Braveheart, however they added so much "Hollywood" set to the area that the castle as it stands is unrecognizable in the movie. It is AWESOME and if you come see us you will definitely be visiting Trim. 

This is the entrance from inside the grounds, the ticket window is inside the archway on the left- built into this structure.

This is what is left of the main structure of the castle....we'll be heading up those stairs, inside, and climbing all the way to the top where you can see the railing after we walk the grounds.

A model of what the castle looked like when it was first constructed, we are inside the castle now!

We climbed up these steep and NARROW stairs all the way to the top.

Across the second level platform, there was a third level but I was too nervous to snap pictures.

Outside on the "roof".

We had some delicious pastries and hot chocolate at this little bakery.

This street is just outside the castle walls.

I just thought this was pretty funny.



Halloween Fun

Brooks' class party, his adorable teachers Jen and Fiona.

After the party he had a spider on his face!

Ward Trunk-or-treat party, all the super heros!

More Pleeeeease!

Stephen and Allan handing out sweets from the boot of our car. 

Trick-or-treatiing with friends.

Jade, Lilly, Haylie, Zoey, Brooks, Ava, Erin

After we knocked on the door this lady pops out of her window to hand out candy.

Jade, Crystal, Lilly

Erin, Louise, Ava

 

We definitely had a Happy Halloween with our crazy princess and goofy spider-man!