KILKENNY

Located in the South-East Region, province of Leinster, Kilkenny was the first stop on our road trip through Ireland.

We arrived later in the afternoon and settled immediately in our guesthouse / pub. Although Airbnb apartments are our usual choice of accommodation, we decided that this time would be best to use the lodging that includes a breakfast or some other meal option. Being on the road that much, our preferred stay locations were therefore B&B or gastropubs with rooms above.

Rafter’s gastropub

Spending most of our time traveling between locations and wanting to visit as much as possible we didn’t have time for a deeper historical visits or bunch of museums. We wanted to see the countryside and experience the magnificent coastal views. My maps was bookmarked with tons of medieval churches, castles and ruins. The drinking wish list was long and included local beers, whiskey and gin. I was prepared for a full Irish breakfast every morning. Not for so much potatoes though but all right. Ireland was perfect for M to run safely outdoors and cuddle the sheep. That’s what we wanted and that’s what we got.  And a bit more.

Kilkenny Castle was built in 1260 to control a passage on the River Nore 

Summer of 2023 or at least the beginning of July was one of the wettest summers in Norway. I didn’t expect the same in Ireland. Bringing my wellies and using them was not something I was hoping for. But it was what it was. A million raindrops along the way. Luckily we traveled by car and M is fond of puddles 🙂

Small, but charming Kilkenny is situated on the river Nore and it’s well known and visited for its various historical buildings such as the castle or the cathedral.

Neoclassical St Mary’s Cathedral
St Canice’s Cathedral (13th century) and the Round Tower (9th Century)
The Black Abbey was established in 1225 as one of the first houses of the Dominican Order in Ireland
The Kilkenny Castle was sold in 1967 by Arthur Butler, the 6th Marquess of Ormonde for £50 to the Castle Restoration Committee for the people of Kilkenny

Our Sunday afternoon upon arrival and Monday morning was spent mainly casually strolling the beautiful colorful streets of Kilkenny in a search for a pint and some sleeping mask, as I forgot my own 😎 before heading further south, to Cobh and than Cork for a night.

Sláinte!

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