Kilkenny, Ireland

Drove south to Kilkenny today. Here are some more pictures of how driving is. Not all roads are this tight but enough are to be nerve racking. The one of downtown Kilkenny is similar to what we hit in downtown Galway. I breathe a sigh of relief when we are driving on what would be comparable to our highways and roads, ones that are more open with two lanes in each direction and you feel like you can breathe and see what's coming. This is why Europeans drive small cars, not the hulking trucks and SUVs we do. We have a Volvo that runs on diesel. Diesel is actually cheaper than gas here but is very expensive. Gets good mileage, though.

Turns out we hit town during their annual Kilkenny Arts Festival. Saw several artists with their wares displayed outside the castle grounds. Also found, both in Galway and Kilkenny, that there are regular street performers on the main tourist streets. Lots of music around. Makes it fun.

Kilkenny castle dates back to the 1100's. It is missing it's fourth wall due to losing it during some century's battle. Has been the seat of the Butler family since the 14th century. They were a very powerful family for almost 600 years. The castle was renovated during the 1800's to a country home and was very popular to be invited to. In 1935 the family basically sold all the furnishings and abandoned the property. It fell to ruin and was "given" to the people of Kilkenny in 1967 for 50 pounds. They have raised the money and restored the castle. It is an ongoing project but is being restored to it's mid-1800's glory. Quite beautiful but no pictures allowed inside.

We then went to St. Canices Cathedral. It is another very old Episcopal church. We love old churches. The site has been used for worship since the 6th century and the current building is from the 13th century. It is the 2nd longest cathedral in Ireland. It also has a 100 foot round tower which represents it's ecclesiastical status and is the highest point in Kilkenny. There was a classical music group playing there as part of the Arts Festival.




We also walked to the Black Abbey and St. Mary's.

These are from St. Canices. Date on the left is 1774 and the right is 1685. Others didn't have dates but many luminaries of Kilkenny were buried in the church during the centuries.  Worn stones like these are in the floor and on the walls.