Finding Pat: Spring Break - - Heading South, Irish style!

Spring Break for us has often meant heading South to the mountains of North Carolina, or on to Florida for visits with relatives. This year, well, we sort of headed South to the mountains and on to the "sub tropics" of Ireland!

Walking to the train station early Sunday morning we caught the train to Kilkenny and were there by mid morning. We had a perfectly beautiful day for our first day's agenda. The Kilkenny Castle is an imposing structure on the River Nore, making it's first appearance in the twelfth century. Many iterations later, it is now owned by the Office of Public Works (much more interesting than a sewage treatment plant, don't you think?)

Views of the Castle

After the self-guided tour of the Castle (no interior photos allowed), we ventured on to see what else the town had to offer. . .

River from the Castle side

Courtyard of Rothe House - 16th. Century merchant

Smithwick Brewery - this one's for Alex

This one's for Karen

This one's for my sibs

Looking toward the town from the Castle

Then to our hotel for a short break. . .

Views from our room balcony

Taking full advantage of the late daylight, we headed back to the Castle to walk the grounds before closing time. . .

Into the woods . . .

and out again!

Totally exhausted, we called it a day!

Monday morning was another beautiful day to wander, and we had enough time to wander the old town before our next departure.

St. Canice's Cathedral - tower dates to 700 A.D.

St. Mary's Cathedral

ruins of St. Francis Abbey (within Smithwick Brewery complex)

Monday afternoon - time to move on. With Harry Chapin playing in my head, we caught the bus toward Killarney - - with a stopover in Cork (longer than expected, but that's the way with travel), we were still in Killarney in time for a late dinner and quick orientation to the town center so we'd know where to show up in the morning.

Tuesday was our official "tourist" day - taking a guided bus trip around the Ring of Kerry. It was also back to "Irish weather" - - cool and light rain. . . glad to get on a warm, dry bus. I would highly recommend the bus tour, as the drive would have been harrowing, and the bus made plenty of stops for photos, refreshments, and stretching. The photos speak for themselves. . .

For Lori - - the only place you'll see thatched roofs

Atlantic shores

Village of Sneem (love that name)

Mountain Views

Torc Waterfall

Wednesday's weather cooperated - - windy and cool, but no rain for our hike through the Killarney National Park!

St Mary's Cathedral at Park entry

Deenaugh Lodge

View from trail

River Walk

Knockreer House with Azaleas (the Victorians collected plants and brought them back to Ireland, causing what is now a problem with invasive species - - Rhododendrons and Azaleas among them)