Kilkenny
July 18, 2019
We left Kenmare at 8:30 headed toward Kilkenny. We made a stop at Rock of Cashel, which was very interesting. A series of Pagan kings ruled here between 388 AD and 1101 AD. At the top of the hill, there is an artesian well and St Patrick baptized King of Munster in 450 AD. The building on the site were begun in 1100 - a round tower first, then the chapel in 1127 made of sandstone and finally the cathedral out of limestone. Some interesting facts: the direction of the spiral staircases were decided because most people were right-handed and in order for someone to be able to defend themselves against an attacker coming up, they had to be able to draw their sword and swing it with their right hand. Also, to make a window covering, like glass, they would use the intestines of animals and stretch the membranes very thin and let dry. They would dry rather clear. Although the kings that ruled here changed hands fairly often, the last one donated the Rock to the Catholic Church.
After our visit, we headed to Kilkenny, where we stayed one night. Kilkenny is an adorable town. We went to their market just outside Kilkenny castle. I bought some art from a vendor who uses wood pulled from the bogs which preserve anything buried within. These wood carvings, because of their color, decide their age. Black is over 8000 years old.
We headed then to grab a pint prior to our Smithwick’s Experience. It was a well done tour where we learned about the Smithwick family. They were catholic and therefore not allowed to own businesses under the penal code. So the first Smithwick got his Protestant friend, Richard Cole to sign all the paperwork on his behalf. Once the Penal Code was abolished, Smithwick was able to put his name on it.
The tour was great! Very Harry Potter like. All of the Smithwick men explained their role in interactive frames. We had a tasting at the end and loved the Blonde the best.
We left Kenmare at 8:30 headed toward Kilkenny. We made a stop at Rock of Cashel, which was very interesting. A series of Pagan kings ruled here between 388 AD and 1101 AD. At the top of the hill, there is an artesian well and St Patrick baptized King of Munster in 450 AD. The building on the site were begun in 1100 - a round tower first, then the chapel in 1127 made of sandstone and finally the cathedral out of limestone. Some interesting facts: the direction of the spiral staircases were decided because most people were right-handed and in order for someone to be able to defend themselves against an attacker coming up, they had to be able to draw their sword and swing it with their right hand. Also, to make a window covering, like glass, they would use the intestines of animals and stretch the membranes very thin and let dry. They would dry rather clear. Although the kings that ruled here changed hands fairly often, the last one donated the Rock to the Catholic Church.
After our visit, we headed to Kilkenny, where we stayed one night. Kilkenny is an adorable town. We went to their market just outside Kilkenny castle. I bought some art from a vendor who uses wood pulled from the bogs which preserve anything buried within. These wood carvings, because of their color, decide their age. Black is over 8000 years old.
We headed then to grab a pint prior to our Smithwick’s Experience. It was a well done tour where we learned about the Smithwick family. They were catholic and therefore not allowed to own businesses under the penal code. So the first Smithwick got his Protestant friend, Richard Cole to sign all the paperwork on his behalf. Once the Penal Code was abolished, Smithwick was able to put his name on it.
The tour was great! Very Harry Potter like. All of the Smithwick men explained their role in interactive frames. We had a tasting at the end and loved the Blonde the best.
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| The "th" sounds like a "d" and the Irish didn't know what a "w" was, so they just didn't say it. So this beer is called Smiddcks. We took a brewery tour that was very well done. |
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| Smiddicks tasting flight. |
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| The round tower and oldest building at the Rock of Cashel. |
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| The sandstone chapel built in 1100's at the Rock of Cashel. It is beautifully preserved unlike the limestone one behind it. |
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| Rock of Cashel |
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| I bought some wooden sculptures that were made from wood found in the peat bogs. Mine are black which indicate they are made from wood that is over 8000 years old. |
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| Our tour guide Patrick at the Rock of Cashel. The Rock is called St. Patrick's Rock, the church is St. Patrick's, the cross is of St. Patrick (who was responsible for converting Ireland to Christianity in 450 AD). I loved his accent. Take a listen. |
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