From Castle to Castle: Ireland
Update: Episode 7 now online! (03/21/2012)
In 2003 armed with a very inexpensive DV camcorder, no lights, 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 on YouTube and DailyMotion.
View Ireland in a larger map
Episode 01 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2chzUC6VQ8
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.
Episode 02 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUz1Uu_nigY
A continuation of Day 1. 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.
Episode 03 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ4zv8qDxXU
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.
Episode 04 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6ajqplUmrg
Day 2 continues 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.
Episode 05 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4Ebxy7ATEw
Day 2 continues as I finally make it to Roscommon Castle and watch some kids show me how to scale a castle wall. A quick detour to Donamon Castle and I made it to Ballintober Castle in time to watch the sunset and maybe get hit with some poison ivy!
Episode 06 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI46on3uYYM
I start Day 3 at the very creepy and fun Rockfleet Castle and then get a little lost and end up spending a few minutes enjoying the Atlantic Ocean. And there are sheep.
Episode 07 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Leztt_noog
I finish Day 3 by visiting Achill Island and Carrickildownet Castle. After a short drive up the Atlantic Coastal Road I stop at the ruin of Fehy before calling it a night. And there are more sheep.
