Ireland - June 9, 2012

Today brought us brilliant sunshine and beautiful blue sky--the first really nice day that we've had since we've been in Ireland!  Jim and Joe went to golf--but I opted for another driving tour--this time to the medieval city of Kilkenny. This city is a couple hours northeast of Dungarvan--and I was on my own to drive and navigate!  But I managed very nicely driving on the left--but finding a place to park in Kilkenny was quite a challenge, particularly since it was a Saturday and crowds of people were visiting the place.

First stop after parking, was Kilkenny Castle, built in the 12th century and occupied by the Butlers from 1391 until 1967.  It was  the main stronghold of the Butler Family--

Entrance to Kilkenny Castle.

Butler Family coat of arms over
the castle entrance.

Back of the castle--what a backyard!!

River Nore from the Kilkenny Castle grounds.

Front gardens of Kilkenny Castle.

Unfortunately, picture taking was not permitted inside the castle.  It had been restored beautifully--could have moved in tomorrow!

Next stop--after more driving through the narrow streets of the city and finding another parking lot--was the Cathedral Church of St. Canice, an Episcopal church, dating from the 13th century.  Following a self-guided tour, I climbed the tower.

Cathedral Church of St. Canice and Round Tower (from the 9th century).

St. Kieran's Chair--he established
the church here in 400 A.D.

Bishop's Throne.

The nave.

This plaque honors the Butlers who are buried here.

The South Transept contains the
monuments and tombs of all
the Butlers who are buried in this
cathedral.

Ladders used to ascend the 100 foot Round Tower--
provided me with a lot of exercise as well as some
magnificent views...

St. Mary's Cathedral from the top of the Round Tower.

Kilkenny Castle from the top of the Round Tower.

Kilkenny and the surrounding hills from the top of the Round Tower.

View of Kilkenny and hills from the top of the Round Tower.

A short walk from the cathedral was a Renaissance mansion that was built by a wealthy merchant--naturally, I took the self-guided tour

Rothe House--built between 1594 and 1610

Courtyard of the first house (there
were three--all connected!)

In one of the rooms, a giant Irish Deer,
extinct for almost 10,000 years, was
mounted at the height it would have stood!

The ceiling here is held together with only wooden pegs!

Courtyard of the "second" house.

Gardens at the back of the houses...