Kelly and I are in Ireland for an Inishfree Irish Music Tour. We will spend nine days travelling with 20 other participants in counties Cork, Kerry, and Clare, taking in traditional Irish music with David Francey, a four-time Juno winner for his own folk music. A local guide and driver will share the history and culture of the island as they show us its physical beauty. We start in Bunratty.
Bridie has operated a knitted sweater shop in the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for 37 years. Six days a week, for eight months of the year, she drives one hour to be here. She no longer knits the sweaters herself nor does she employ local women to knit for her like in earlier times. Now everything is machine knit to her specifications, combining traditional stitches and modern styles.
Delores is the friendly and animated hostess at Bunratty Castle Mews, our home for the first two nights of our Inishfree Irish Music Tour in Ireland. She has operated this inn for 22 years. “It was a retirement project,” she joked. Delores and her husband are busy most of the year with vacationers and golfers. Her breakfast spread makes a traditional Irish breakfast look like a snack. She offers: eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, toast, yogurt, fruit, scones, croissants, pie, cupcakes… I could go on. “North American and European guests have very different breakfast expectations,” she explains, so she aims to have something for everybody. Nobody leaves hungry.