Kentucky Christian University's Young Library Virtual Pirate Vacation

Land ahoy!

All hands on deck as we prepare to disembark upon the United Kingdom.

*Union Jack. Image provided by Google Creative Commons.

This may seem an odd choice to begin our pirate adventure, what with pirates being associated with tropical islands and sapphire seas. However, piracy was rampant in Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales long before the Americas were discovered. Smuggling and banditry has been a popular career choice for many less-to-do sorts for thousands of years. It just so happened, few countries knew their way around ships better than old Great Britain, which boasted one of the largest and best trained navies of all-time in the country's prime - especially during the Golden Age of Piracy.

Boasting rivers and seas aplenty, along with countless miles of coast with coves, inlets, and islands off the mainland, the UK was a breeding ground for fortune-seeking sailors to turn privateer. There was no quicker way to empty the King and Parliament's pockets than through their main means of commerce - the shipping industry.

Our first stop is in Clew Bay, Ireland. We will learn about one of history's most fearsome female pirates, and see what exciting pirate attractions await us inland.

One must know about and appreciate Ireland's greatest pirate, Grace O'Malley, before rubbing elbows with these seafaring people. Any insults directed at the Pirate Queen may have you conversing with Davy Jones himself whilst at the bottom of the ocean, chained to a cannonball. Watch the video below to learn all about her!

Our first article of business is to pay homage to the Pirate Queen in her home county of Mayo. In the grounds of the Westport House is a 7-foot statue of Grace. The house and statue are more than iconic legacy. In fact, her direct descendants rose to prominence in County Mayo, built the house, and the very person who crafted her statue in bronze is a blood-relative.

*Statue of Grace O'Malley at Westport House. Image provided by Google Creative Commons.

With respect paid, it's time to do what pirates do best - have some fun!

Remaining at the Westport House property, let's walk over to an amusement park inspired by Grace herself - Pirate Adventure Park!

Finally, let's stop at the Clew Bay Heritage Centre before re-boarding for a short trip across the Irish sea to Bristol.

*Clew Bay Heritage Centre sign. Image from westportheritage.com

This establishment features a museum with exhibits dedicated to Grace O'Malley and the Westport historical shipping industry. There are also regular walking tours, offering us pirates one last chance to dig our toes into soil before embarking on the next voyage.

Argh! Bristol...the home of Jim Hawkins, the young protagonist from Treasure Island (my favorite pirate book, featured on the left). Bristol was home to more than just fictional pirates such as Long John Silver, however...you may lay to that! This here be the home of the most fearsome threesome ever to hold cutlasses - Calico Jack, Mary Read, and Anne Bonny. Even Blackbeard himself is rumored to be from about Greater Bristol. Those names are still used by mothers and grandmothers alike to set right a belligerent child, terrible as they were.

Pirate Tours

Due to Bristol's seafaring history, and seeing how the city's home to numerous legendary pirates, there's no shortage of walking tours. A famous local buccaneer by the name of Pirate Pete guides would-be privateers along Bristol's historic streets and launches dressed in full pirate regalia.

For us Treasure Island fans, embark along the Treasure Island Trail along Bristol Harbourside to learn more about the characters from the novel and the terrible deeds they committed before joining the crew of the ill-fated Hispaniola. During holidays and special events, one may even run across groups of the scallywags, or even the old sea cook, Long John, himself!

Redcliffe Caves

If you've watched The Goonies, you understand how useful - and TERRIFYING - a cave is to a pirate. Once full of booby traps and loot, those wishing to behold pirate history with their own eyes will want to tour the Redcliffe Caves underneath Bristol. There is also a regular series of Horror in the Caves events where classic movies are shown within those profaned walls. Check out a tour of the caves below:

For more pirate-themed activities around Bristol, check out the Visit Bristol official website.

Now, it's time to set sail for our last English destination before we journey across the pond to the United States.

Welcome to County Cornwall, another historic pirate haven. It is the Southwestern region of England, reaching far out into the Celtic Sea. The parish and city Penzance is the namesake of our featured movie below (originally a stage play). As such, Penzance has embraced its notoriety. The play is regularly performed across the county in schools and by amateur theatre societies. A local rugby team was originally named the Pirates of Penzance in honor of the play, but today, they are more simply the Cornish Pirates.

Now, let's disembark and begin our brief tour of Cornwall.

Pirate's Quest

Part museum, part maze, part...mini golf? Pirate's Quest is a fun-for-all attraction meant for sea devils of any age, but be warned, they have seasonal "escape room" style experiences too frightening for greenhorn sailors. The interactive tours and costumed actors lend themselves for an unparalleled pirate experience.

*Pirate Quest - outside the front entrance. Image provided by Jennifer's Little World blog.

Charlestown Harbour and Shipwreck Museum

If you do nothing else in Cornwall, do this! The Charlestown Port was the inspiration for Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride and the subsequent movie franchise. Watch a quick 2-minute video below and virtually tour this astounding fortification.

The Waterside Meadery

Head back to Penzance to fill your gullet at The Waterside Meadery. This establishment was refurbished from what originally were clay sheds. Starting off as a café, it has grown into a full restaurant build longhouse style. Inside, the waitresses wear medieval costume and dinner is eaten by candlelight with your fingers - similar to a Medieval Times if you've ever been to one in the US. The menu is affordable, there are rooms for parties, and there is even a pirate-themed portion of the restaurant!

*Dining in the Pirate section of The Waterside Meadery. Image provided by The Waterside Meadery.

Time for your first pirate entrée.

Click on the name of the recipe to view it online and learn more. Enjoy today's selection!

*Note: These recipes are intended to serve whole crews. If there be few pirates requiring vittles, reduce quantities as needed.

Solomongundy (18th Century Salad)

From "The Pirate Empire" Blog:

1 head of romaine lettuce, cut into strips
8 hardboiled eggs, peeled and sliced
1 pound cooked chicken breast, cut in strips
1 pound smoked ham, cut in strips
1 cucumber cut in thin slices
3 ribs celery cut in small slices
1 can of anchovies, drained.

Dressing:
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon dry mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients thoroughly and sprinkle over your solomongundy

Lay out the lettuce in an even bed on a platter. Cover with the other ingredients, laying them out in patterns or designs. Be creative.

*Close up of solomongundy salad. Image provided by Google Creative Commons.

"Long John Silver" (1954)