Ireland - Folk Park Common Homes & Blacksmith Shop

Part of the Bunratty experience is not only the castle, but an entire village to explore! We enjoyed it! Were threatened to be put to work, and the Constable came by and made sure we were behaving. 

This one is blurry and I'm not sure what it is:-/

They kept things they wanted dry or to dry out in the little attic space above/behind the fire place. She mentioned corn, and maybe wheat.

Murphy bed

All the houses were burning peat - and much to our surprise (we had been told it was stinky!) we LOVE the smell of burning peat. It smells close to smoking meat. A little different, but not much, and it was amazing. 

Even nicer homes would keep their small animals like chickens inside at night to keep them alive from predators.

a dishwasher chicken coop. Yes, really. HAHA! This was considered a good idea and time saver. Chickens in the bottom at night, dirty dishes lined up above them. They eat the scraps.

A birdcage hung outside a home with an open door meant it was a "free hold". They did not rent or owe money (mortgage of sorts) on their home or land.