Kilkenny to Cashel

Well Johnny has scummed to the dreaded post flight cold so no great writing today just me.

After a good sleep probably due to the "Hot Toddy" more than anything it was down to the dining room for another cooked breakfast I think we will roll back into Hervey Bay at this rate.

Celtic cross Killkenney

Then to finish exploring Kilkenny. First I need to get a better picture of the Celtic cross headstone then to Kilkenny Castle. Over eight centuries old & with many different architectural styles, it is an amazing castle that has been substantially restored since being taken over by Dept Public Works in 1969. Looking around when we entered the banquet room & not seeing a "no photo" sign I took a shot then was pounced on & suitably chastised l did get a photo of a great room though.

Killkenney Castle

The weather was grey with only a few showers so having seen a craft sign the day before set out to find that building. We were not disappointed walking away with an Irish cook book, Celtic place mats & best of all whiskey truffle chocolate.

The illegal Dining Room photo

Lunch of hot soup in the Left Bank then a walk to find Rothe House. I was looking forward to this place as it was a reproduction 17th century garden as well as an Irish Merchant's town house. It is the only house of it's kind still in existence in Ireland today. The garden included vegetables, herbs, shrubs & a large orchard with 6 ducks taking care of insects & fertilising. I felt at home.

Rothe House no nails in this ceiling

The fabulous Rothe House garden

From there a further stroll to the Black Tower famous for the magnificent stained glass windows the best we have seen yet. we also saw St Canices cathedral with an amazing tower & St Johns built on the old city wall. By now Johnny is feeling a bit over the castle & church visits & we need to pick 

up the car so trek back up the hill & through town for the last time.

A Black Tower Stained Glass Window

St Canices Church

St Johns Priory

Now we had to negotiate the narrow streets & find the way out of Kilkenny to Cashel. We are ever amazed at the Irish way of direction they go to great lengths to describe a street & where it is only to tell you not to go down that street. By now we are getting better & do not look for the non existent street signs & with a record number of U-turns found our way to Cashel.

Visited the Cashel information centre & found a pub to have an Irish coffee & Guinness while we work out where to stay. Checking into Rockville House B&B we meet Patrick tall, working hands, strong accent & wicked dry sense of humour.