Kilkenny
Sunday and Monday, September 3-4, 2017
We left Dublin heading toward Kilkenny. We discovered that the car Greg was driving had a built in navigation system. Boy, did that come in handy. We affectionately nicknamed her Paddy. Another useful tool was the two way radios we brought with us. Marisa and Shelly manned them and kept the cars from being separated.
Our first stop was Powerscourt, a large country estate noted for its house and landscaped gardens. Main attractions on the grounds include the Tower Valley (with stone tower), Japanese gardens, winged horse statues, Triton Lake, pet cemetery, Dolphin Pond, walled gardens, Bamberg Gate and the Italian Garden. The Pepperpot Tower is said to be designed after a favored 3-inch pepperpot of Lady Wingfield. Of particular note is the pets cemetery, whose tombstones have been described as "astonishingly personal".
At 121 metres (397 ft.), Powerscourt Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Ireland. We learned about MIdges, a small gnat like insect that bites.
Our next stop was Wicklow Mts National Park and Glendalough (Glen-DA-LOCK), a glacial valley renowned for an Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin.
Recently ordained Rev. Gary practiced his skills.
We checked into the Newpark Hotel and had dinner at Paris Texas. The evening ended with live traditional Irish music at Matt the Millers. A few women were having a ladies weekend and they invited Gary and me to dance. Gary made friends with one of the musicians and he gave him a free CD.
At 10:00 the next morning we enjoyed a two hour guided cycling tour with Hugh from Kilkenny Cycling Tours. We visited historical and cultural sites around Kilkenny including Kilkenny Castle, The Kilkenny Design Centre, Shee Alms House, The Tholsel, St. Mary’s Church, Rothe House & Gardens, The Courthouse (Grace’s Castle), St. Francis’ Abbey, The Black Abbey and St. Canice’s Cathedral and some hidden gems along Irelands Medieval Mile. We rode on narrow, busy streets which was frightening. Greg had a close encounter with a curb and fell off his bike.
A 19 year old woman, Lisa, from Germany was part of the tour. She was spending the month touring Ireland on her own. We couldn't figure out why Hugh was always trying to get her in our pictures until he said he thought Lisa was Jeff's daughter.
Elvis lives!
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic and Irish origin. The game has prehistoric origins, and has been played for 3,000 years.
Kilkenny had been in the All-Ireland finals the past three years, winning two of them. This year they didn't get past the quarter-finals. Their avid fans were very disappointed.
The players are all amateurs, no one is paid and they maintain full-time jobs.
