Last weekend, instead of laying low at home, celebrating Easter like most people around the country, Michael and I headed off to Limerick. He had to coach at a college basketball tournament and I had made plans to meet up with my friend Rachael of Gastronomics. Rachael and I met a year ago and immediately hit it off. We’ve only gotten the chance to meet up a few times in the last year, but I love it when we do. She’s lovely and smart and we could probably chat for days!
We started out at the Milk Market, Limerick’s famous farmer’s market. It was a little quiet at nine, but by ten o’clock it was buzzing!
{That’s Miss Rachael checking out the cheeses! We might as well have been in France!}
{We tried this Smoked Applewood and it was absolutely delicious.}
{I was a wee bit obsessed with the kid at the cheese stall. Check out his tools for cutting and sampling the cheese! Plus, I loved the idea that a teenager would be such a huge part of the family business – he was so professional.}
But there were other things at the Milk Market too – like pickled kelp!
And chickens!
And flat fishes.
This guy was selling cool buckets for storing and carrying firewood made from rubber tires. Don’t you love his paddy hat?
Around the outside of the Milk Market are little stores and shops that are open throughout the week. This couple was so cute – they were there the whole time, reading the paper together.
After the Milk Market, we took a little wander around Limerick City.
There were castles and lots of old stone. I’m terrible for remembering the history, but everything was very old and serious-looking.
{These derelict houses had been spruced up with little paintings in each window of flowers, curtains and cats. Such a lovely idea until they get properly spruced up!}
We finished the official tour with a stop at Bunratty Castle and Durty Nelly’s. Apparently they’re both a huge tourist draw. I thought this antique bicycle convention was so cute. There were lots of old men in tweed riding around on ancient bicycles. This guy in the black was in full costume with a bowler hat!
Huge thanks to Rachael for her incredible hospitality. After our tour, Michael joined us and we all shared a delicious meal and lots of chats. She also kindly let me take a few photos of her newly renovated house. I’ll be back to share those soon!
5 Comments
[…] lovely guests last weekend, Emily and Mike of the beautifully calming and creative From China Village (seriously read it, better than Prozac. Actually better than Prozac and wine. Now there’s a […]
I am an Irish gal currently misplaced in New England. Your day out looked lovely. It really is true that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. I used to frequent the Galway market but wish now I made more of an effort to see more of my own country before I left it. I was a history teacher and only ever visited Bunratty with a gaggle of school-girls in tow. It is a special place. Thanks for making me smile this morning .
Hi Brenda! Thanks so much for your kind words 🙂 Where are you in New England?? Have you been gone long? Have you gotten up to Maine? It’s my personal favorite 🙂 I am truly enjoying your country, though. There’s just so much to do and see – I’m only barely scratching the surface three years in!
Hi Emily, we have just been here almost one year. We are currently living in M.A. in a town called Northborough. We do love it here. We love the seasons. Have yet to visit Maine. I have been reading your posts about Maine and am excited to go there this summer and we are planning a trip to Vermont too. So much to see and do. We do miss having a little town to walk around with a market, we moved from Galway. Hope Dublin continues to treat you right. I love your blog and am hooked and slowly making my through your archives !
[…] we stopped at Rachael’s house a few weeks ago during our trip to Limerick, I couldn’t help but take photos to show you. Rachael and her boyfriend, Anthony, […]