Our Ireland Trip from U-Z

United Dioceses of Cashel and Ossory: Couldn't figure out a "U" entry until I saw that the St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny was in this diocese. I didn’t visit this Cathedral and round tower, but my husband went with Joe and Pam and they climbed it together--what a challenge. But a fabulous view of the city.



The stairs to climb the tower

View of Kilkenny from the top of the tower

St. Canice's Cathedral

Vikings: The Vikings destroyed or pillaged many monasteries and churches, taking slaves and booty, decimating those communities of learning in the late 700s. Eventually over a few hundred years they stayed and established towns, intermarried with the Irish, and became Norse-Irishmen, contributing to Ireland's economic growth and trade. Placenames left by the Vikings in Ireland include Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Wexford. Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (Rock of Cashel) was supposed to have united the Irish against the Vikings, but they were probably just Irish by then (11th century).

Waterford Crystal: On Monday September 17 we had a very interesting tour of the glass factories. We saw every step in the processes and heard about the long training and apprenticeships. We spent some time in the gift shop, but I stood firm.







X: Mark your calendar for a trip to Ireland

Yeats, William Butler, John Butler, and Jack Butler: W.B. Yeats was a famous Irish poet, and we visited his home, Thoor Ballylee in County Galway. His father was the artist, John Butler Yeats, and his brother Jack was also an artist.

Yeats study in Thoor Ballylee

The copper beech at Coole Park where W. B. Yeats and other Irish carved their initials

Zip:We still had plenty our last night for our graduation party . . . it was the trip home that zapped us.

Our Ireland Trip from K - M

Kilkenny Walking tour: Our guide had wonderful tales and insights as he led us on a walking tour after lunch on the 15th. We saw the Old Jail House, St. Francis Abbey brewery, the Black Abbey, the Rothe House and we heard about Dame Alice Kyteler, of Kyteler’s Inn (had lunch there) who was tried for witchcraft in 1323.

I don't remember his name, but doesn't he just look the part of a fine Irish guide to share a few stories? And we saw beautiful flowers everywhere. Next to the brightly painted stucco buildings it was quite charming, and Ireland was having an unusually warm September, after a cool, rainy summer.

St. Francis Abbey Brewery: This is Ireland’s oldest brewery and dates from the early 14th century when monks in St. Francis Abbey began brewing at this location. It brews Smithwick’s and also produces Budweiser for the Irish market.

I believe this building started as a castle in the 1200s, and was reconceived over the years until it has quite a mixed architectural heritage, trying hard to be classical, and a history of use as a town hall, courthouse and jail (gaol). There were jail cells on the lower level and we filled one to hear about the terrible crowding and conditions.

The Black Abbey, with some members of our group, Ann, Sue, Lila, Bill, Art and me in the lower right.

Limerick: Our driver John was from Limerick, so on the way through his town we stopped at a monument to the Treaty of Limerick which displays the stone where the treaty ending the war between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange was signed in 1691.




Mayor of Kilkenny: After we unpacked and settled into our hotel rooms at the Kilkenny Ormande on September 14, we were off to meet the Mayor Marie Fitzpatrick where we learned about her interest in the social problems of teen-agers, particularly alcohol. She explained the city and county legal structure and educational system.



Moher, Cliffs of: On September 10th after visiting the Burren we viewed the incredible Cliffs of Moher. There is a new visitor and interpretive center which opened this year at a cost of about 30 million euros. A bridal party arrived, taking photos I hope, and not for the ceremony. The bride and her attendants were about to blow away.



As Irish buildings go, this one really isn't very old--maybe 150 years or so--built by a far sighted man who saw the possibilities for tourism.



If you don't blow off the cliff, it's probably a great background for a formal portrait.

Our Ireland trip from H-J

Hotels: In Ennis (County Clare) we stayed in the Old Ground Hotel September 9-13, some of it dating to the 18th century--lots of nooks and crannies and stairways--and fabulous food. In Kilkenny we stayed at the Kilkenny Ormande, September 14-19 (website not available when I checked) which was much newer. Both served a lovely buffet breakfast, on white table cloths, but we could order on the side almost anything we wanted from bacon and eggs to porridge (oatmeal) to grilled tomatoes. Good beds. I’d recommend both. Excellent staff.

Lots of golf parties at The Old Ground Hotel. We also met a wedding party from Chicago.

Part of The Old Ground was the former Town Hall, and is now a restaurant in the hotel.

Hurling: We were baffled--but this is a popular sport 2,000 years old with big rivalry between towns. With all the Irish we have in the U.S., I’m not sure why this didn't catch on here--they sure love it. Here on September 15 we are watching a hurling demonstration played with sticks at Brod Tullaroan, a Heritage Center which has a hurling museum, where we also enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Notice our puzzled looks. John, our driver, is helping with the demo, while drinking a cup of coffee.

Lake, Sheila, Joy, Adele, Barbara, Jim, Barbara, Roxanna, Robert, Ronald, Lou, James, Lila, Art, John, Colette, Jan, Pam, ?, Joe



Islands, Aran: There are 3 islands off the west coast of Ireland, with a landscape like none other--huge rocks and very little soil. Most of the islanders speak Gaelic, and Irish students can come here to a special school to learn the language. We drove to Connemara on September 12 and ferried across Galway Bay to Rossaveal, Inishmore, the largest Aran island where we climbed to Dun Aengus for a fabulous view of the Atlantic at the top. We also shopped a bit and saw some local scenery.

I'm betting this will be one of my husband's watercolor paintings next year.



We bought my husband's new hat at the Aran Island store. You can see the ferry behind us.

Irish National Heritage Park, Wexford: Here on September 16 we walked through several thousand years of recreated Irish history from the stone age up through the early Christian era. Our guide showed us how they housed, clothed and fed themselves at various times in history.



The cross tells Biblical stories in the carvings.
Judy and John: Our tour guide and foster mother was Judy from Dublin. Our bus driver and color commentator was John from Limerick. Both had curly red hair and at times each was the other's second banana. I've never seen as much red hair as I saw in Ireland. Between the green fields, the sad songs, the ubiquitous pubs and the red hair, I was awash in what I thought were stereotypes.

Judy is not directing singing; she's getting our attention to get back on the ferry at Rossaveal. John was a bit less concerned. Although he didn't bring the bus over, he stayed in the town with those who didn't want to climb to the fortress.

Judy and John giving us our certificates at our Farewell Ceremony on September 18.