Day 19 aimed us towards Kilkenny but we took a detour to Dunmore caves on route.
The caves were amazing, not the same as the Castle Arch but still amazing. The formations were up to 2 million years old and provided larger and more dramatic formations than the Castle Arch. If the formations were not enough, there was Viking treasures discovered in the caves of major historical significance.
We carried on to Kilkenny where we toured the downtown and entered the Kilkenny Castle. The castle was donated to the city by the Butler family as they could not afford to run the castle anymore. The castle was restored to the 17th to 19th century as that was the era that the Butlers last owned the castle. Claire was especially impressed with the staircase heading up to the bedrooms and pictured herself wearing an evening gown and making a grand entrance in to the ballroom. I was blown away by the post and beam construction in the picture gallery. It was still intact and had carvings of wolves, cows, pigs, dragons etc. on the ends of the beams throughout the entire length of the hall.
We promised ourselves we would not be late home tonight but Kell’s Priory was calling our name. Once past all of the sheep, we discovered the largest and most well-guarded priory so far. The priory was free but restoration work was being carried out on one of the main towers and could be an amazing exhibit in the future.
Cheers till tomorrow.
The "New Highways" of Ireland!
The "Buffalo" of Dunmore Caves
The Entrance!
Cathedral in Dunmore caves.
Pint of Guiness stalactite.
Kilkenny Castle.
From the rear.
The main gate.
Blaa Blaa Blaa... Sandwiches?
Kell's priory.
The largest priory we have seen.
More ruins.
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