We’re off to Kilkenny – and with front row seats today. We lucked out on this rotation, because the drive is through absolutely gorgeous countryside – and the entertainment of Alacoque and Tony, our driver’s chatter. They are like brother and sister and talk about everything, and make plans and compare thoughts…it is great fun just listening, forget the scenery. Ok, well don’t forget the scenery….

Before you know it, we are in Glendalough, known as the valley of 2 lakes. We are visiting the ruins of one of the earliest Christian Monastic Settlements, where, as legend has it, St. Patrick founded the first Catholic religious settlement in Ireland. Legend or no, this place is completely scenic. We can’t get enough of the ruins, or the headstones or the round tower.

On the way out, Tony told us about the best scenic view of the tower and one of the medieval Romanesque churches. Score. Always trust Tony! He is absolutely right, there is a fabulous view of the grounds and a babbling stream, which is so peaceful we couldn’t resist taking video just to give everyone the true feel of the area.

Then we are off driving through more incredibly beautiful farmland, past the town of Hollywood where they even have their very own Hollywood sign, just like in LA (I’ve circled it so you can see it – our phones don’t have enough zoom to really capture it well!)…

…and into Waterford for a tour through through the really wet and rainy city, walking to Reginald’s tower, a medieval fortress, past the Dragon Slayer Sword in front of the ruins of the French Church, and next to the King of the Vikings multi-media show…

…then finally, blessfully into the dry underground Waterford Treasures medieval museum where we spend a few minutes listening to the history of Waterford and looking about the crypt-like rooms with interesting artwork and stonework.

Back out into the rain, we quickly walk over to the Christchurch Cathedral, a lovely Gothic style church with the peculiar tomb of James Rice, at one time Mayor of Waterford. The tomb is a cadaver monument, showing a decayed corpse riddled with worms as a sign of mortality. It also depicts his hand being severed from his arm, which I thought was because he was caught stealing, but now, I’m not so sure. Regardless – pretty wild.

We end our tour in the Tourist Bureau where there is a Waterford glass blower who gives us a demonstration and makes a Christmas ornament right before our eyes. That was excellent! And we didn’t get dragged over to the Waterford showroom – which we were dreading. But Alacoque said we didn’t have time and it wasn’t part of the tour. Yay Alacoque!

Through the rain we push on, another hour and we are in Kilkenny for our one night stay. But first a little city tour, stopping at the Kilkenny Castle where we get to wander around a bit, see a video show about Kilkenny in the round fortress tower and generally just try to avoid the rain while we take pictures of the grey stone behemoth Castle and the beautiful fountain garden in the courtyard. We don’t have enough time to go into the castle, as Alacoque has made clear, yet some of our group still try…and are turned away when they realize they have to pay to go through. Sigh.

We finished our walk in the lovely park in front of the castle – everything is so vividly green…

…then hopped the bus to arrive at our hotel, which is far from the city center, where we will have dinner this evening. We settle in, go for a walk – now that the rain has let up – to pick up beer at the Spar gas station store, then on through some of the neighborhoods close by, turning around at St. Kieran’s college – a medieval castle-looking place itself!

Then back to the hotel for dinner – a huge stuffed chicken breast with, yes, potatoes. If you want starch, this is the country for you! Then back up to our room for the evening. Tomorrow onto Kilarney and the Blarney Castle.