Still on our first day in Kerry, and still in Killarney National Park, we called into Muckross Traditional Farms.  Unlike most parts of the Park which are free, there was a charge to enter, but it was worth the fee.  There are several different old type farms of various sizes, accurate in their depiction of traditional Irish farm life and fully working.  There are also other old rural buildings including a working blacksmith’s forge.  It was a fascinating insight into a way of life that existed up to fairly recently in some parts of Ireland.  I myself can remember visiting farms and houses just like these as a child, and seeing some of the farming practices still being carried out.  I would have known people who lived in old cottages with no running water or electricity, collected water from a well, and used oil lamps at night.  Anyone older who lived in rural areas would definitely be familiar with such sights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking into the forge.

 

 

 

 

 

A lime kiln.

 

Just about to leave, and nothing to do with the farms, but couldn’t resist these oyster fungi.