We said goodbye to Dublin, sadly, on a cloudy, windy, wet day. Picked up our rental car, (P&G have their own rental as there’s no vehicle other than a bus that can accommodate four travel golf bags, four suitcases, four people, etc.) and started north to Trim Castle. Remembering the left side driving rules and dealing with turning in a multi lane intersection was an early challenge.
Built initially in the late 1100’s, the existing stone castle was completed in 1220. It is the largest and best preserved Anglo Norman castle in Ireland.
The castle’s location on the River Boyne was determined by the presence of a place where the river could be forded. We were lead by a very enthusiastic guide who provided a rapid fire description of the castle’s history and architecture, including the fact the movie Braveheart was filmed there in 1995.
We climbed through the ruins and up a steep stone staircase that required hanging on to a rope banister, eventually ending up on the wind swept parapet.
Parts of the wall surrounding the grounds of the castle including two gates still exist.
The castle is also surrounded by multiple ruins of other structures that existed outside the moated, walled boundary.
Next up was a short drive to the location of the Battle of the Boyne, fought in 1690 between William of Orange and James II. It was the largest battle ever fought on Irish soil, involving over 60,000 troops and had massive implications across Ireland, England and Western Europe given the warring sovereigns involved.
Once again a very knowledgeable guide connected all the threads of how and why 13 different nationalities fought in the war and the implications had James II been victorious.
The majority of the visitor centre was indoor displays and films, hence no photographs.
Back in the cars for the final leg of the day into Dundalk and our Airbnb for the next three days as our golf adventure gets underway. First up – Royal County Down.
The Bennetts On Tour 