Museum of Country Life and Ballintubber Abbey

We had a very nice day visiting the museum and the abbey.  The museum documents Irish life in the period from before the Great Famine (approx. 1840) through the early 1950s.  It is simply amazing the cataclysmic changes in Irish circumstances and daily life from the "Great Hunger" through religious emancipation, and finally, independence in the early 1900s.  The displays and narratives were very detailed and rich with insight, and a big surprise - Padraic's uncle was featured in the audiovisual segment giving an oral history of the area.  At Ballintubber, where Mass has been continuously celebrated for almost eight hundred years, we enjoyed the AV and loved seeing a wedding party just finishing their celebration.  The pictures are of the very interesting Stations of the Cross.  Also, check out my very lovely rhubarb tart, swimming in a delectable warm custard sauce.  Delightful.  We did, however, sorely miss Marion.  She stayed home to prepare for the Lady Captains' Match at Westport Golf Club.