On the 4th December 2014, I went with 1st years on a History tour to St. John’s Castle in Limerick and Bunratty Castle in Co. Clare. We all travelled on two buses.

St. John’s Castle was the first stop. We found out St. John’s Castle is a Norman castle and was built in the 13th century. We were able to explore the castle’s rooms, towers and battlements. We got a great view of modern Limerick and the river Shannon from the battlements. We were also able to visit the dungeon! There was an interactive exhibition with all the facts about the building. There were screens with actors explaining their roles in the castle hundreds of years ago, for example the jailer, the blacksmith, the stonemason. There were weapons, old coins, books on display.

Next we went on a short journey into Co. Clare to visit another castle, Bunratty. We got to visit the café and have a warming hot chocolate and cookies before our tour of the castle. The tour guide was dressed in period costume. From the impressive banqueting hall, the guide explained the history of the castle and its contents. Bunratty is also a Norman castle. I found it interesting when she explained that the spiral stairs were designed with defence in mind. The stairs turns clockwise so that right handed people would not be able to swing their sword if they were climbing up and attacking the castle. But you had room to swing your sword defending from the top.

After a long day we went home, it was a great trip. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot.

Sinéad Moran – 1D