Dublin to Kilkenny

We had a big hot breakfast and even Sharon ate her fill,  echoes from growing up in my mothers home comes back to me, something about having a good breakfast to set you up for the day. we hopped on the green bus and set off for the mother of learning "Trinity college".  It was a black morning and in between pelting rain we made our way into the throngs of people entering the college.  Suddenly, Sharon stopped in her tracks and shouted out at the top of her voice 'that cant be real grass its too green' I looked around and winked at the people next to me 'she doesn't get out very often' I reassured them.

Trinity College

Trinity is a magnificent place to visit. the buildings within are full of history and the structure dates back centuries.  We made our way into the library to see the book of Kells which is one of the oldest manuscripts in the modern world.  the colours and detail within each page is just incredible.  They have a room in the college called the long room which is  something out of the past.  The walls are about 3 levels high and lined with row after row of books from the floor to the ceiling each one a masterpiece

Book of Kells

We were on a timetable and needed to be back at the hotel to pick up the car and our things by 12 midday so after Trinity we decided to make our way to St Patrick's church which is one of the oldest in Dublin.  As it turned out it was well worth the journey and we got lots of photos of one of the most interesting structures I have ever seen.

St Patricks Cathedral

Stained Glass windows St Patricks

After St Patrick's we hopped on the bus and at approximately 3pm ended up back at the hotel 3 hours after we were supposed to, a story for another day.  It did not bother the lady however, and she ordered up our car which was parked somewhere Else!  Better not to get into that suffice to say we left it in their hands.

Molly Malone 

When the proprieter arrived with our car I said "I believe you are from kilkenny'' (which is where we were heading) would you be able to point us in the right directionn'? He scratched his chin as if looking for divine intervention and then he began,

Celtic Cross in St Patricks or Divine Intervention  perhaps

Well he said, do you see the direction your car is pointing in at the moment? Well just get in and drive straight, not straight like a ruler - you will have to go around corners!- just go forward in that direction as far as you can go until you see a daggy road.  well don't go on the daggy road mind you you probably wouldn't want to go on a daggy road anyway.  At this point I must admit I was getting a little confused.  I looked over at Sharon and she was nodding her head as if she fully understood and I felt a little better that at least one of us understood this crazy conversation.  Keep going he continued until you see a sign for the N7 and then you will be on the road to Kilkenny.

Around 10 minutes later we found ourselves navigating the daggy road which we were not supposed to be on which probably would not have been so bad if I knew for sure it was the right daggy road, however Dublin is full of daggy roads that look the same so go figure?

To cut a long story short we somehow found the correct road and soon we were on a 3 lane highway with all the modern street lights and proper signs and for the next 70 miles we cruised to Kilkenny

Kilkenny is the typical storybook Irish village which is breathtaking in its beauty and steeped in medieval historic buildings and things to see.  We found the local car park and had lunch and took a tour of the city

Grave yard Kilkenny

The cold damp air eventually seeps into your body and you just end up feeling cold and a bit damp.  at least that is how it presented itself, just a tingle in the throat and then it progresses from there.  When I told Sharon I felt like the I was getting a cold she miraculously produced a lozenger from her little supply.  Seems like any time we have a cold or a flu or need a pain killer Sharon seems to have a secret stash.  I normally never take this sort of thing however as I didn't want to end up with a cold this early in the holiday I consented.  Around 30 min laterIi was on my sixth lozenger and said to Sharon I need something more potent.  In Kilkenny we parked the car and again Sharon produced a bottle of betadine out of thin air and said here gargle with this.  So there we were at the back of the local car park with me gargling and spitting this horrible red liquid and trying to remain calm.

Kilkenny Lane Way

We settled on a bed and breakfast near the centre of town called Carraig Rua BnB.  it was very cosy with oil heating and very comfortable beds.  Sharon and I unloaded the car and walked into town to the local pub where they had a jamb session and a great Irish pub band.  I had a pint of Guinness and Sharon tried a hot toddy to help with the runny nose.  After a couple of pints with my backside up against the open fire I was feeling no pain and that night had one of the best nights sleep that I have experienced in years.   Our room although old was very cosy and could be forgiven for the doors that did not close properly, the poor water pressure and other minor things as it was warm with a very comfy bed.