Friday was a beautiful sunny day. Our destination was Kilkenny and so we took the N22 highway along the rolling hills — of “40 shades of green” as the song goes — of the southern part of the island. We first stopped in Cork, the second largest city of the country, County of Cork (colors, red and white), and in the province of Muenster. And, while in Cork one MUST visit the Blarney Stone. The Stone is located at the top of a castle tower. You must walk up 122 very steep steps to get to it. Queen Elizabeth I first used the term “Blarney.” She was frustrated after hearing the McCarthy clan’s evasive answers to her questions. Today, it is said that to kiss the Blarney Stone is to become “eloquent.” You also need not to be scared of heights!
Here is how it looks from the inside of the Blarney Castle Tower. These people have already climbed the 120 steps up the inside of the tower.Must kiss the bottom of this stone.
We then travelled to Waterford where, yes, Waterford Crystal is expertly, artfully, and painstakingly made by master craftsmen who spend 15+ years in apprenticeship before being trusted to mold, blow, cut, etch, sand blast, and make perfect stylish, beautiful glass artifacts of all kinds. Utilitarian items, and then there are articles you can admire forever.This clock can be yours for 150,000 Euros.
From Waterford it was a short hop up the M9 highway to Kilkenny, a city where the infamous Statutes of Kilkenny were forced upon the Irish/Scandinavian peoples of Ireland in the 1300’s by the conquering Normans. The discriminatory laws consolidated the Norman lords’ control over the native Irish people. Today this historic town worries more about its success in the All-Ireland hurling games — a very Irish sport similar to lacrosse only the long stick has no net, just a paddle to carry the ball. Downtown Kilkenny is very much alive with fun and of course, tourists from all over the world.
Downtown Kilkenny
Our group was invited to Kyteler’s Pub to learn to play the Irish drum, the “BODHRAN.” Damien was our music teacher.
And the Guinness and Smithwicks helped just a bit, but not much.
