Ireland 2019
July 9 — Kilkenny & Barberstown Castle

Today, we went straight to Kilkenny and Ray drove us down the Main Street. We really were there to do some shopping. However, when Ray drove us up to Saint Candice’s Cathedral we decided to go in and it was awesome. It was founded in the 6th century. The architecture was gorgeous and all the details in the wooden choir lofts were so cool. There was a place that once had been a small hole in the wall; people with the leprosy could listen to the service without “infecting” the congregation. It couldn’t have been much bigger than 24 by 36 inches. The wooden roof is stunning; all wooden with lots of amazing detail. I mean it really was super attractive. Services have been held at St. Candice’s for over 800 years.

Next, we went to the Rothe House which is a Medieval Merchants home right in the middle of the main area of the city. It was built between 1594 and 1610. It was cool to walk through the home but the most amazing part was walking out into the back garden which was large and grandly built. It was beautiful. This man took our picture as if we were gardening and he zoomed in on Nancy (I think he kind of dug her). Anyway, the flowers were stunning and the garden was extremely well kept. It was an unexpected delight because most of Ireland has been these small immaculate yards with great shrubs and beautiful flowers but nothing this grand. It’s amazing to think it was like that in Medieval times.

Then, we did what we came to Kilkenny to do: shop! However, it was initially disappointing because we had been told about the craft goods and hand made items we would find. However, the main drag was your basic tourist shops and shops we could find in the US. After a couple hours walking, we stopped for lunch at The Bollard’s Bar. Nancy and Dad got the Chicken Kiev which looked good but my chicken wrap was better (my opinion only). After our delicious lunch, we set out to go up to see Kilkenny Castle and…wouldn’t you know it…we found the Kilkenny Design Center (what we had been really looking for). It had some amazingly beautiful pieces. Unfortunately, most of it was a bit out of my price range. But it was super cool because they were hand made pieces and artisan. We walked around the 5 or so shops there then, finally, went to the castle.

We didn’t take a tour of the castle but we did wander the outside and sit and have a drink. I think we were a bit tired of castles. (I don’t really think that is a thing). The grounds were beautiful and reminded me a bit of the mall in DC.

Then, we headed to our last hotel of the stay: Barberstown Castle. It is super nice. There are two adorable Labradors named Lucy and Freud. That would be enough to make me happy about staying here…getting to pet the puppies (they are fully grown but sweet). The rooms are huge and decorated a bit like a rich grandmothers house. The pictures are all of flowers with their scientific names. It’s a little bizarre. But it is grand and very nice. There is a beautiful Moroccan themed gathering space (it seems out of place) that you can hang out and have drinks.