Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Today we leave Killarney and travel in the south of Ireland. It’s “castle day”.
We stop for a short break in
Macroom, to stretch our legs and have some tea with milk (for me). There was time for a few photos.
Our first stop is the
Blarney Castle, near
Cork in County Cork. This is the third castle built here, originally built of wood in the 10th century, then stone in 1210 and rebuilt in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster. The castle is famous for the “blarney stone”, a block of bluestone set in a wall below the battlements. According to Irish folklore, anyone who kisses the Blarney stone receives “Gift of Gab”, the ability to speak with eloquence; you’ll never be lost for words.
Some kissed the blarney stone and others watched or waited below. It was no easy task to climb to the top of the castle (120 + steps), wait in line, lie on your back, lean backwards grabbing the iron railings and “kiss”. Around the castle were beautiful gardens. We had time for lunch and shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills.
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| Blarney Castle and tower |
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| Blarney Castle |
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| Rock of Cashel |
On our way to
Kilkenny, we stopped for some pictures at the
Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. Also, known as St Patrick’s Rock, originally the residence of the kings of Munster and where St Patrick baptized King Aengus about 445 AD. Many of the old church buildings from 12th century remain on top of the limestone “rock. There is renovation being done, so we missed the big picture and taking a tour … next time!
On the road again, Mike gave “last call” for our limericks. Some were done, others finished on the coach.
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| Kilkenny Castle |
We ended our “castle day” in Kilkenny; famous for its mediaeval buildings. The
Kilkenny Castle was built in 1195, by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke to control a strategic point of the River Nore. The castle had four sides with corner towers and massive ditch. One side was badly damaged in war—leaving the castle in a “U” shape. The castle became the principle Irish residence of the Butler family for almost 600 years. There have been many additions and alterations to the building, making it a complex structure of various architecturally styles.
Our hotel was a short walk down the hill from Kilkenny Castle.
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| View of Kilkenny from castle |
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| Kilkenny |
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| street light flowers |
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| shops in Kilkenny |
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After dinner, Mike took willing followers to a famous Irish Pub “
Kyteler’s Inn”. The oldest house in Kilkenny, it was the home of Dame Alice Kyteler, a lady of great wealth who married four times, in 1324 she was accused of witchcraft and of poisoning each of her four husbands. Today, Kytlers is a popular place with the locals and curious visitors.
Tonight we stay in Kilkenny at Ormonde