A Glimpse into Medieval Life in Adare, Ireland

October 18, 2015

A Glimpse into Medieval Life in Adare, Ireland

Desmond Castle at Adare, Ireland

Al and I are finally getting adjusted back to our time zone after a whirlwind countryside tour of Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland—a first for us both. We were picked up at the airport in Shannon, Ireland on Saturday morning, September 19th, weary but thankful to have arrived safe and sound.

Our guide, David Reid, was from England. David and the Irish bus driver, Tommy, kept us well informed and entertained as we traveled around the Emerald Isle by bus. We joined a tour group of about thirty people from the United States and Canada. They were all very nice folks, easy to travel with and fun getting to know.

On the way from the airport to the hotel, we noticed many rather small fields, each surrounded by a rock wall, which when viewed from the air made the land look like a large green quilt. David informed us that the rock walls served two purposes besides marking boundaries. One was to keep in the livestock and the other to clear the land of rocks. Lots of rocks!

From the time we arrived, the weather was cool and rather drizzly. Those of us from California appreciated the rain; but it did make sight-seeing difficult at times. Of course, the weather is the reason why Ireland is so green!

The first castle we explored had been restored to show people what life was like during the time it was occupied. Located near Limerick, its most notable feature was the enormous arch in the outer wall which once held a drawbridge. Inside, on the ground level floor was a large banquet hall with a huge fireplace at one end. Tapestries were hung on the walls along with rows of antlers and other sculpted figures.

Curved stairways led the way up to the towers and also down to the dungeon. The steps were narrow wedges, which ascended clockwise so that it would be easier for right-handed warriors to duel with their enemies. Sword fighting on those small steps was hard to imagine as it was just difficult getting my feet to fit on them without hitting my head on the plastered staircase. They must have been tiny, well-coordinated people!

Before leaving, I climbed down into the dungeon where a stuffed ‘dummy’ prisoner with a rope around his neck was lying about ten feet below the last step. What a sad state he was in…lying in the pitch dark (lit only for the sake of curious tourists), stuffed limbs askew without much hope of ever seeing daylight again. Even though not real, it was still a scary sight.

Adjacent to the castle was a small village made of homes and shops with thatched roofs and a very large house which would have belonged to a wealthy landholder or person of high standing in the court. Two women in costume demonstrated pie making in one of the homes, giving us a good idea of life in the Middle Ages.

Even though we saw many castles during the remainder of our tour, that one made an impression—especially the dungeon! The apostle Paul and his companion, Silas, were thrown into a similar dark cell in Philippi. They were falsely accused, severely beaten, chained with their feet in stocks and were probably on the verge of dying. What was their response? They lifted their voices in praise and sang hymns to God!

What an amazing reaction in desperate circumstances! Regardless of the situation we are in and regardless of how dark and hopeless it seems, may we likewise be able to praise God knowing that He is in control. Because…He is!

“About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:25-26 NIV (Be sure to read the incredible ending to this story in Acts 16:27-40.)