From Castle to Castle: Ireland

(3/12/2013) News: Episode 4 is now online! Scroll down to watch!

In 2003 armed with a very inexpensive DV camcorder, no mics and no crew I traveled to Ireland to explore the country.  The expedition was a huge success – 93 castles, 1,800 miles, and 120 rolls of film in 14 days – however the video footage remained on the shelf and unedited – until recently!  Now it has been unearthed and edited and I am releasing the trip as a series of webisodes!

Click to Watch – Episode 1

Episode 1: Day 1. From the airport in Cleveland to Shannon, Ireland where I rent a car and start on my adventure. I then visit Ballyhannon Castle, Quinn Friary, Knappogue Castle & Dysert O’dea Castle.

Click to Watch – Episode 2

Episode 2: Day 1 continues as I head to The Cliffs of Moher and see O’Brien’s Tower and then Newtown Castle. After I visit the Burren where I meet some interesting people and visit the Tobercornan – The Pinnacle Well and Gleninagh Castle. Lastly I see the ruin of Shan Muckinish Castle on my way to find a B&B.

Click to Watch – Episode 3

Episode 3: I start Day 2 at the Windmill Tower in Kinvara and then head to Dunguaire Castle. Next to the ruins of Ardrahan Castle and then to Thoor Ballylee (where W. B. Yeats lived). Then to the city of Athenry to visit Athenry Castle and to start exploring the town.

Click to Watch – Episode 4

Episode 4:  A continuation of day 2  when I meet a lovely couple of Northern Ireland and we explore Athenry Friary and then Athenry City Gate.  On the side of the road I saw the Cathedral Ruins outside Moylough and from a cemetery could see Moylough Beg Castle in the distance.  A couple direct me to visit John Doyle who takes me to his Windmill Tower in Carnabo and gives me the history of the region.