Sean’s Birthday! Fifteen and Fantastic!
Breakfast is cereal, fruit, yogurt and Irish
soda bread in our rooms. It will be the most modest breakfast of the trip, but
it is easy and satisfying.
Kilkenny Castle Gateway takes us through impenetrable
walls and into the verdant courtyard. Well, maybe not so impenetrable after
all. Only three walls remain standing thanks to Oliver Cromwell’s siege in the
sixteen hundreds.
We watch a historical video in the stone enclosed
Medieval Room located in the base of a castle turret before we take a
self-guided tour of the residence.
 |
| Standing Guard in the Medieval Room |
The castle has undertaken many refurbishments
and updates so various architectural styles are evident in the interior. It is
now under the care of the Department of public works. In 1967 it was given to
the state for a sum of E50.
A glass panel in the castle floor allows
observation of the archeological projects that are on going. We can see into
the moat.
There is hand painted Chinese wallpaper and
furnishings brought from Asia in one bedroom, (a way to subtly communicate the
wealth of the occupants to their guests), a grand staircase, and a simpler
private stairway. The extensive picture gallery is a long hall with benches
placed for comprehensive viewing. The fireplaces are Carrera marble. A steward
points out the conversation couch where courting couples would sit with a spot for
a chaperone inserted between them.
 |
| The Picture Gallery |
Gorgeously fitted out the castle is a stroll
through age-old luxury and the Victorian Age.
 |
| Kilkenny Castle |
Across the cobbled street is the Kilkenny
Design Centre in the former castle stables, where local crafts are for
purchase. Worth a browse.
 |
| Street Scene with Flowers |
We recognize the Rock of Cashel from a
distance. It sits on a high plateau commanding the green, green Plain of
Tipperary. It’s massive. It dominates the skyline.
Sean scales the hill in leaps and bounds and
reaches the fortified walls perhaps imitating the early marauders. The rest of
us climb the stairs.
The Rock began life as a fortress before it was
donated to the Church.
A 92 foot round tower is the most intact
building. Ruins of a chapel and a cathedral are surrounded by a graveyard. If your place
was reserved in the 1930’s you can still be buried here. The view is breathtaking,
with a ruined Abbey in the distance. The wind sweeps across the highland even
when all is calm down below.
 |
| The Abbey in the Distance |
 |
| Our Tour Guide |
We have a special tour guide, (Anna) who reads
from our guidebook and directs us to the highlights. A concrete replica of St.
Patrick’s cross stands in the churchyard. The sandstone original is displayed
in a museum area, out of the elements. Some of the walls are decorated with
faded frescoes, barely discernible. A small slit of a window cut into the rock wall was used by lepers
to observe the Mass while keeping out of sight so as not to offend. A huge chunk of castle wall was flung from the cannon damaged structure by a violent storm in 1848 and still lays where it fell.
 |
| Chunk of Castle Wall |
 |
| Saint Patrick's Cross |
 |
| Street Musician Outside The Rock |
We sleep just outside Kinsale at the elegant Rivermount House B&B.
It has panoramic views of Kinsale Harbor and the surrounding countryside with
many amenities including afternoon coffee, tea and sweets in the lovely sitting room and
110 volt outlets wired just for the American visitors. (Thanks)
 |
| Furry Friend at Rivermount |
Dinner in Kinsale at the Blue Haven in honor of our birthday boy. The fish and chips are outstanding.
No comments:
Post a Comment