Kilkenny

We chose Kilkenny as a Pit Day destination as it is about 60% of the way back to Dublin, is home to a famous castle and the birthplace of Smithwick brewing.

Packing up Killarney was fairly simple – just toss it in the car, we’ll figure out how to squeeze it into a suitcase/golf bag later kind of packing. As P&G have their own car we set off separately for the 2 1/2 hour drive which was carefully mapped out to ensure M and N highways only. Still searching for road shoulders though.

Our drive took us out of County Kerry, through a portion of County Cork and across the edge of Count Tipperary and into County Kilkenny. So for a short time we were not a long way to Tipperary (couldn’t resist).

Bright, warm, short sleeves sunshine greeted us in Kilkenny which sits on the River Nore and was a a key center of Norman domination in the 13th century. Kilkenny is a tourist destination and its environs include two castles, two cathedrals, two abbeys and other historic structures. Kilkenny Castle lords over the city, literally.

The castle dates from the 13th century but has undergone many internal renovations and restoration. It was originally four sided but the east wall and the northeast tower were damaged in 1650 during the siege by Oliver Cromwell and were later torn down.

The Butler family, under the hereditary title Duke of Ormond, lived in the castle for more than 700 years. George Butler, 5th Marquess of Ormonde, lived in the castle until 1935 when estate taxes and other costs lead to its abandonment. It sat vacant for more than 30 years and was sold to the city for £50.

The restored rooms that we toured reflected the period from the mid 1800’s to the early 1900’s.

Our guide took us up and down stairs in the different towers, described some of the hundreds of paintings and portraits, and explained how different parts of the castle had been used.

We then walked the medieval mile down the hill past numerous shops, pubs and restaurants on our way to the Smithwick brewery.

An entertaining guide took us through the brewing process while providing a history lesson of the Smithwick family and the beers they made. Very informative and interesting. The tour ended on a positive note.

Settled in to a very nice hotel, dinner and an early night. P&G will do some more exploring tomorrow before heading back to Dublin. M&M are off to the European Club on the east coast for one last round of golf before we link up again in Dublin. Then the real packing test will be on.