MUCKROSS TRADITIONAL FARMS & KILLARNEY -

The first time I used my wellies on this trip, was during our visit to the traditional farms in Killarney National Park.

Living in Norway it’s not unusual to wear rain attire in the summer, but kid me not, I wasn’t expecting that in my summer holidays!!!!

The third day in Ireland I still could not comprehend the fact that I will not get the chance to wear all my summer dresses that I bought especially for this journey. The good thing on the other hand was; I got myself a fantastic rain jacket for this trip and that went beyond expectations. British clothing brand. Rain, no sun country, off course 🙂

Anyway, after we left Cork and before spending a night in Killarney we stopped at the National park to visit the Muckross traditional farm.

Set within the 25000 acres big park, Killarney National Park, the first ever national park in Ireland, the Muckross farm preserves and conserves old farm houses from 1930s and 1940s.

*One of the smaller farmhouses where dairying and tillage was practiced*

Three separate farms with farm animals and traditional machinery represent the time when going to the well was a daily chore for the housewife and electricity was far away from the countryside.

Stepping back to a time when all farming activities were carried out using horsepower was something truly amazing. It’s not that we are not familiar with this type of life style. Many of the house interior greatly reminded us of our grandparents homes, but it was interesting to introduce M to farm life.

*Through out much of rural Ireland the word cottage was used only for dwelling house built for a farm worker*

During the summer time one can witness some of the traditional farm activities, like milking cows, or have a chat with the kind, chatty and generous staff serving bread or butter.

*A farmyard type found in parts of the north and west Ireland features rows of buildings with the in between space used as the farmyard*

M could run safely in the muddy puddles and we got to enjoy majestic views of the mountains and few rain showers along the way.

*I wanted to snap a family photo with the gorgeous view of the mountain, but until we got together ready to pose, the sun was gone and the cloud came over. Oh, joys of Irish weather*

*Blacksmith’s forge & carpenter’s workshop*

Through out Munster and Leinster the main farmyard types for large sized farms was a courtyard where the dwelling house and outhouses were arranged around the rectangular space which forms the farmyard

grain crops like wheat, barley and oats were grown on farms like this

*We found out that this wood like bricks were called bog-wood*

*Bog wood is wood from ancient trees that were buried in peat bogs and preserved for hundreds or thousands of years and therefore excellent for cooking and heating*

*In the farm’s animal petting area we found some cute fury creatures*

The look at the schoolhouse from around 1910 was the last building to see during this farm visit

*State-sponsored primary school education was introduced to Ireland in 1831 and was organised at parish level*

The schoolhouses were divided into two rooms internally, each teacher usually taught several different classes within the one classroom

Pupils were expected to bring sods of turf to school for the open fires and the separate dry toilets, for boys and girls, were always located in the yard at rear.

Since the whole afternoon was spent visiting the Muckross farm, we only had a short morning the next day to wonder around Killarney.

*The New Market Lane was originally called ”The Shambles” or ”Milk market lane” and for over 200 years the main industry in the area was slaughtering animals and meat and fish meat curing*

Construction began in 1842 but was not continuous

The spire and nave were completed in 1907 by the Irish architects Ashlin and Coleman of Dublin, who had designed Cobh Cathedral

As the town itself was quite small and we had a fantastic accommodation where we got to enjoy a terrific dinner and breakfast, we weren’t as eager to explore the town much more than finding a local pub to grab some Irish coffee.

*Oh, yes, this was the day and location when we purchased most of the souvenirs*

It was another long day ahead of us. We were heading towards Dingle peninsula.

MUCKROSS TRADITIONAL FARMS & KILLARNEY

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